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PROJECT BOAT

JUNE 2011 www.boatmart.co .uk

WIN

INSURA WORTH £N4C0E 0 WITH TOWERGATE MARDON

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES ON FITTING OUT A SMARTWAVE FROM SCRATCH

TECH TALK

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENGINE OILS, ANCHORS AND SAFETY AT SEA

OATING EASY ACCESS FAMILY BECT KAYAK PERF GET STARTED WITH THE

PUBLISHING EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE

SUPER STAR SNEAK PEEK AT NORTHSTAR’S NEW RIB

ALSO PROFILED INSIDE

OLYMPIC 500C

PLUS JUMBLE WATCH, SHOW FOCUS & TRAILER ADVICE

Contents

June 2011

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Deals of the month Best buys at £1K, £2K, £5K and £10K

Boats For Sale

Newsline

Buying Advice

117 Canal and Barges 118 Cruisers 120 Commercial 120 Fishing Boats 121 RIBS 123 Sports/Speed 124 Personal Watercraft 124 Classic Sail 124 Sailing Yachts 125 Trailer Sailers 125 Sailing Dinghies 130 Chandlery 132 Classifieds

12 UK News

30 Used Monterey

All the latest news from the UK boat scene

Anyone fancy a half-price family boat?

16 Boating Accessories

34 Used kayak buyer

Latest boating gear for you and your crew

The simple way to get on the water

18 Used engine search

40 Five new boat buying options

Top ten tips for a good used outboard

The £15K dayboat from Ash Marine

48 Used tow car test In search of a used Mitsubishi L200

52 Excel SR470

Looking To Sell?

If You’re Looking To Sell Your Boat, Then Boat Mart (In Conjunction With Boatandyachtbuyer.Co.Uk) Can Help

24 Strange but True Irving Stewart scours the UK for the more unusual boating stories

A new RIB from the inflatable specialist

58 Navtex revolution The easy route to live weather updates

W I N INSURANC

WORTH £40E 0 FOR YOUR CH ANCE SEE PAGE 10 1

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Used Monterey

Excel SR470

40 On the Water

Practical

64 Events Diary

78 Twin engine teaser

Find an event near you in May and June

Are two engines always better than one?

66 Readers’ letters

79 Practical expert

Best of the bunch from the readers’ mailbox

All you need to know about engine oils

70 Jumble Watch

80 Practical Kit

In search of the UK’s greatest deals

Four more upgrade avenues for the DIY boater

82 DIY Project Our new Smartwave fit-out series begins

87 Mini Project Upgrade your on board fridge

88 Skippers’ Tips 72 The Good Life Part 2 of our inland liveaboard blog

74 Show Watch Five more events under the Boat Mart microscope

Safety at sea with the RYA

DIY

PRO

JEC

92 Angling Advice The hunt is on for the magnificent conger

96 Trailer Talk Launching made easy

T

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Newsline

Kit News - P16

From books to bags and electronics to accessories . . .

Gibbs Marine wins Cobalt Gibbs Marine has become the exclusive UK dealer for Cobalt Boats - and Gibbs Marine Sales Manager, Steven Chambers, is plainly delighted: “We have been one of the largest International Regal dealerships for over 20 years. But we wanted something different to offer our customers - specifically a brand that was at the top of the sports boat market.”

And it seems Gibbs Marine is not a company to hang around. At the time of going to press, they already had two new Cobalts in the water, the A25 bowrider featuring a hydraulic swim platform and the spacious 243 Cuddy. With a purpose built showroom and direct water frontage on site, Gibbs Marine is a fine place to view a boat, so if you fancy a test drive, give them a bell.

01932 242977 www.gibbsmarine.co.uk

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Town Quay plans unveiled The new and improved Town Quay Marina in Southampton is now open to sailors who want to pop in for the night as well as those who take berths on an annual basis and Associated British Ports (ABP) bosses say it will be a big draw.

The building of a new reception and luxury shower facilities, plus a redesign of the pontoons for easier access and improvements to water and electricity supplies have already been carried out.

The berths have also been split into different price categories from economy to diamond. And some packages include special offers to entice visitors out to the city’s Harbour Lights Picture House and the Turner Sims Concert Hall.

Town Quay manager, Lex Bancroft, said: “Historically, Town Quay offered economic marina berths with basic facilities in a great location close to the city centre. We are now able to offer the same city centre location, but with superb new facilities, while maintaining very competitive prices. With only 123 berths, our team is able to provide a personal service to the annual berth holders and welcome visitors to the marina at any time, day and night.”

The next two phases of work include a reconfiguration of the road, a wide pedestrian walkway and a refurbishment of the internal office areas. We will keep you up to speed on developments. www.townquay.com

Engine News - P21

The camouflaged Tohatsu and the 557hp outboard!

Peculiar News - P24 Will the skipper of the future really look like Superman?

Batmobile of the Sea

A striking new craft has emerged from the US Department of Defence. Called the M80 Stiletto, its ‘M-Hull’ technology has seen it described by the media as the ‘Batmobile of the Sea’.

With four 1,652hp engines, she is capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots and is the largest carbon fibre hull in the US Navy, with a length of 80 feet and huge beam of 40 feet. Another staggering feature of the M-hull design and the lightweight carbon fibre construction is that the boat has a draft of just two and a half feet, enabling easy shallow water navigation.

The Batmobile is the result of a need for ‘smaller, faster and more agile ships that could compete with the enemy for control of coasts and littoral waters.’ Built by M-Ship, a naval architecture and research firm, this first Stiletto was only envisioned as a prototype for demo purposes. But once in the DoD’s hands, the US joint forces pushed ahead quickly to deploy her in active duty service, where she has successfully conducted counter-illicit drug trafficking operations with USSOUTHCOM in the Caribbean.

Just imagine dropping anchor in this thing outside your local waterside pub . . .

Museum is poles apart The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth has opened a new exhibition called ‘On Thin Ice: Pioneers of Polar Exploration’.

Developed in partnership with the Polar Museum in Cambridge, the new six-month feature is designed to provide a chilling insight into Britain’s polar heritage. It features a historic collection of artefacts from the tragic Terra Nova expedition of 1910 to 1913, including Scott’s snow goggles, a compass, pony snow shoes, man-hauling harness, journal wallet and letters.

And Shackleton’s vest also sits alongside Leonard Hussey’s banjo, with fragments from the James Caird, honouring the voyage aboard Endurance from 1914 to 1917 that became such a renowned epic of survival.

Ben Lumby, Exhibitions Manager at the museum, said: “Some might say that Falmouth couldn’t be further away from the poles, but this exhibition ensures you get as close as you can without actually being at minus 45 degrees. The exhibition is an important reminder of the intensity of isolation and hardship the poles present and of the grit and determination of the men and women who make it their goal to get there.”

Shackleton’s ad when planning his Nimrod expedition, is quite revealing: “Men wanted for

hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful.

Honour and recognition in event of success.”

That just about says it all.

NEWSLINE

UK BOAT NEWS News in brief Green Blue Antifoul Study The Green Blue has commissioned a review on antifouling use in inland waterways. Running from April until late May, the project will consider the extent of (and the need for) antifouling in inland waterways. It will also assess the ecological impacts of antifouling in inland waterways. www.thegreenblue.org.uk

Cautious RYA welcome for Coastguard ‘modernisation’ The RYA has responded to the MCA’s consultation paper on the modernisation of the Coastguard service with guarded optimism. RYA Cruising Manager, Stuart Carruthers, explains: “It is quite evident that the consultation has provoked much emotion and even hostility. However, the proposals seek to address the lack of interoperability between Rescue Co-ordination Centres, the inability to spread the workload across the system and the fundamental lack of resilience caused by increased demands on the current inadequate structure. All of these have implications for the safety of recreational boaters and the RYA has made it clear that there is a pressing need to address these weaknesses.”

Even so, the RYA also raises concerns over lack of clear risk assessment, local knowledge, voice communications, substations and weather forecasts.

And it says the new system must be focused on outcomes and underpinned by flexible procedures that can deal with the increasing complexity of managing the UK’s waters.

If you have an opinion on this incendiary issue, make sure you let us know. www.rya.org.uk/cruising

Boat Mart ● www.boatmart.co.uk ●

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Latest Gear News Winch range extended Lewmar has extended the EVO Sport Winch Range to include the smaller Size 7, Size 8 and Size 16. The new additions join the Size 15, 30 and 40 to provide a comprehensive range of non self-tailing winches.

Complementing the EVO SelfTailing Range of winches, the EVO Sport is ideal for sports boats requiring constant trimming and where weight saving is crucial. The free trimming configuration suits halyards and the EVO Sport can also be mast-mounted. Like the EVO Self-Tailing Range, the EVO Sport features tool-free servicing and a choice of alloy or chrome finish. With the addition of the new sizes, the EVO Sport is now available for smaller dayboats as a general-purpose winch alongside larger EVO primary winches. www.lewmar.com

Kit News

Compiled by Alex Smith

Online Ocean Wear The new Ocean Wear collection from Dutch company, Bearing, is designed for active sailors - and that means no more heavy, bulky jackets or trousers. Instead, these lightweight garments are designed to combine quality protection against the elements with flexibility and comfort. The AMT inshore jacket (pictured right) is made from Schoeller NanoSphere, three-layer stretch fabric with what the company calls ‘bionic membrane’ technology. It’s only available online so you can’t try it on until it arrives on your doormat, but at prices like these, you should expect a waterproof, windproof and appropriately breathable garment that fits well and looks and feels great.

Price: 349 Euros www.bearing-sportswear.com

Lowrance wins accolade Lowrance (a big player in outdoor electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992) has received an award for its Elite-5x DSI echo sounder at the European Sea Fishing Show in Nantes, France. The Elite-5x DSI model gained the accolade for its DownScan Imaging technology, its colour displays and its simple, intuitive operation.

Greg Konig, Lowrance Product Line Director, said: “We are thrilled the Elite-5x DSI has been recognised for its innovation at the European Sea Fishing Show. The unit comprises today’s most inventive sonar technology for anglers and boaters at an affordable price. We appreciate the sea fishing market for its continued endorsement, underlining our commitment to providing truly pioneering electronics that improve and simplify the fishing experience.” www.lowrance.co.uk

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The Prop Handbook This 176-page paperback describes itself as the ‘Complete Reference for Choosing, Installing and Understanding Boat Propellers’ so it has a serious job to do. Even so, this reference for all boats (power and sail, working and pleasure) is written not for PhDs seeking the latest tweak in hightech propeller design, but as a practical aid for the average mechanic, engineer, boatbuilder, boat owner or naval architect.

Propellers remain something of a black art and when a boat doesn’t perform as advertised, it’s often the propeller that’s at fault. The handbook answers such key questions as why the engine won’t reach its top RPM, why the propeller shaft is vibrating and why the boat doesn’t reach its advertised speed. Obviously, picking the right prop requires some on-water testing, but this book remains a fine starting point.

Price: £14.99 Publisher: TAB Books Inc - New Edition ISBN: 9780071381765

Side-imaging sonar Geonav has become the first manufacturer to introduce Side Imaging and Down Imaging sonar to the blue water marine electronics market.

Available on Geonav’s new GIS 12 and GIS 10 integrated Multi-Function Displays, Side Imaging Sonar extends 240 feet on each side of the boat, while Down Imaging sonar offers picture-like images of what is directly below the boat. With full GPS integration, you can even mark the location of structures or wrecks as waypoints directly on screen. www.geonavmarine.com

Buying Advice Bombproof runabout for ÂŁ549 P30 P34 P36 P40

A secondhand Monterey for the bargain hunter Is a used kayak the perfect starter boat?

Boat packages for every budget Five brand new boat-buying ideas

20 PACKED PAGES

P48 In search of a used Mitsubishi L200 P52 The mini RIB from the experts at Excel P58 Is it time to rediscover Navtex?

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48

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Olympic 500C If you need an affordable multi-purpose boat, the Olympic 500C from Ash Marine is just the ticket.

Who are Ash Marine?

Ash Marine, established in 2002, before moving to the gorgeous south Devon town of Topsham in 2004, is a main southwest stockist for Redfinn, Rae Line, Kingfisher and Olympic boats. They also offer marine engineering services and a wide range of used boats. What is more difficult to quantify (but even more welcome to most visiting boaters) is the fact that Barn and Ash Isard (the brothers at the heart of the company) are some of the friendliest, most approachable and most enthusiastic people you could wish to meet. If ever there was a company you can enjoy buying a boat from, Ash Marine is it.

The Olympic boatyard is one we have had dealings with before. We saw evidence of how good it can be back in 2005, when the predecessor of the boat we see here won hands-down in a group supertest to find the best value craft with a budget

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● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

of just £12,000. We had four marine journalists on the case for a full day of testing and yet the verdict was entirely unanimous. We might have been surprised by the uncompromising polarity of our own results but, with a factory in Greece that has been producing affordable GRP boats for 26 years, the builders themselves seemed far less taken aback by the outcome.

Today, the Olympic range continues to concentrate on small, well-priced leisure craft. It consists of 16 boats of between four and 5.8 metres in length, primarily in the form of Centre Console, Cuddy or Bow Rider craft. And broad though the range is, the 500C remains a fine example of a costeffective do-it-all boat.

You get a comfortable cabin with a full set of cushions, plus decent walkways on both sides of the boat to take you from the broad, deep cockpit up to the bulbous foredeck. You get plenty of storage behind the aft bench and a revolving helm seat so you can face the rest of your passengers.

The basic features are fairly sparse and the topside mouldings are slightly dated in their angular shape, but you do get some elements of notable quality. Take a look at the curved and tempered safety glass screen, the elevated stainless steel rails, the self-draining cockpit and the integral swim platform. Take a look at the rather attractive two-tone gelcoat, the self-bailing cockpit, the Scandinavian-style forepeak

and the reassuring five-year structural hull warranty - and you know that this is very good value for money. We will bring you a full test soon . . .

Specifications Length overall: Hull length: Beam overall: Weight: Power range: Max people: Deadrise: Hull warranty: Price:

5.44 m 4.98 m 2.15 m 500 kg 50-100hp six 18 degrees five years from £14,799

Contact Ash Marine 20 High St, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0EA 01392 876654 www.ashmarine.net

Voyager SR470 Irving Stewart takes a look at the latest offering from the prolific Excel Inflatables fleet.

The aft tube extensions and the medium V are key features of the new RIB range

I

found the ever-smiling MD of Excel Inflatables, Terry Wright, every bit as prepared as I have come to expect. He was waiting for me with the new SR470 RIB, plus an additional couple of inflatables loaded behind his pick-up. He was keen to get started while our tenuous weather window lasted, so off we set.

Perhaps arriving at the sailing club to discover there was not a single sailboat on the water was an ominous sign - but nevertheless, we launched quickly and easily and set about the task of the day.

From inflatables to RIBs The Excel Voyager SR470 was first seen at the London Boat Show in January of this year, where it was heralded as the first of a new range of Excel RIBs to hit our shores. Since he started importing Excel inflatables into Europe just six or seven years back, Terry has worked tirelessly to establish the brand by attending shows, travelling around the UK and Europe to appoint dealers and, of course, doing what he does best - selling boats.

Having firmly established Excel as an inflatable brand, it was almost inevitable that the range would eventually expand

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● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

into affordable family RIBs - and now, after having worked very closely with the factory, there are eight Voyager RIB models from 2.4 to 5.2 metres in length.

The SR470 concept In essence, the Excel Voyager 4.7 is pretty simple. It has a medium-V hull with quite pronounced reverse chines and attractive two-tone 50cm tubes, which protrude a long way past the transom, helping to protect the engine.

The centrally mounted console has a double-width helm seat (with stowage beneath) and a traditional ‘suicide’ seat mounted in the front of the console. In addition, there is a conventional bow seat, with internal stowage, plus the option of

the 12.5 or 25-litre fuel tanks or even a fitted 45-litre tank - all of which can be neatly stowed within the console.

On the water Before we tested the new RIB, under now very threatening clouds, we grabbed a few minutes to get some pictures in the spasmodic sunshine. And as the throttle went forward, my first reaction was one of amusement. The RIB reared up at quite an acute angle as full power was applied and, while I at first thought the engine was excessively trimmed out, it seems that this was not the case. With a solo driver and a heavy throttle, the Evinrude simply dug in and lifted the RIB onto the plane much like a dramatically over-powered

Events Diary Two more months of must-see events are about to take hold of the UK boating scene. Here are some of the standout dates in May and June . . .

10 - 12 June Beale Park Boat Show

28 - 29 May Southend Airshow

The Beale Park Boat Show is one of the most enjoyable and inventive events in the calendar. As well as a race for homemade boats propelled by power tools, there will be a spell of opera singing on board a classic 1965 Meakes cruiser. This is definitely one not to miss. ● Adult ticket: £7 ● Family ticket: £15 ● Mooring charge: £10 ● www.bealeparkboatshow.co.uk

May 30 Apr - 02 May Canalway Cavalcade Little Venice, London This is a community and waterways festival in the heart of London with over a hundred boats gathered in the pool, working and traditional boats in procession, trade shows, bands, kids’ activities and a real ale bar. ● Entry - free ● 02086 428104 ● www.waterways.org.uk 03 - 07 May Festival of Harbour Walks ● Entry - free ● 01243 512301 ● www.conservancy.co.uk

13 - 15 May - RIBEX Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight The UK’s only dedicated RIB exhibition will be showing more than 80 boats afloat in the event marina, ready for public sea trial, plus a whole tented village of special exhibits, food outlets and interactive displays.

● Entry - £4.50 ● www.ribexhibtions.co.uk

07 - 08 May Plymouth Sail and Power Show Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth The seventh annual Plymouth Sail and Power Show is set to take place from 07 to 08 May 2011. Hosted at Queen Anne’s Battery, it is designed to showcase new and used boats, equipment, clothing and accessories, with on and off water displays, demos and competitions.

Queen Anne’s Battery is in the centre of Plymouth with excellent transport links - and its position at the entrance to Plymouth Sound also means there is plenty of open

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● On The Water ● Boat Mart

MAY JUNE

14 - 15 May Rickmansworth Festival Batchworth Lock, Rickmansworth ● Entry - free ● www.waterways.org.uk

Southend Seafront This is one of Europe’s largest free air shows and with an attendance of around half a million people, you can expect nine hours of flying over two days. There will also be more than 30 mobile caterers and ice-cream vans, plus three military areas, more than 20 exhibitors, a market and ground attractions covering more than a mile of the seafront. ● Entry - free ● 01702 390333 ● www.visitsouthend.co.uk

21 - 22 May Southampton SB and RIB Show Ocean Village Marina, ● Entry - free ● 02380 229385 ● sportsboatandribshow.co.uk 27 - 30 May Fishguard Folk Festival Pembrokeshire Concerts, dance, busking, real ale and a guided smugglers walk. ● Entry - free ● 01348 875183

water right on the doorstep, making it ideal for sea trials.

Renowned for hosting high-profile international events, such as the singlehanded Transatlantic Race and the Round Britain Race, the event village provides a natural amphitheatre around the marina, and a great vantage point for spectators to watch what’s happening in the basin.

While the most presitgious exhibitors include the likes of Sunseeker International and Princess Motor Yachts, the event will also present a collection of new and used boats and equipment - so every budget should be well catered for.

June 11 June Littlehampton River Revival ● Entry - free ● 01903 721866 ● www.littlehampton.org.uk

● Entry - free ● 01752 671142 ● www.sailandpowershow.co.uk

There’s a team of Boat Mart experts ready and waiting to answer your boating queries. So what are you waiting for? If there’s a question you need answering, we have the experts right here.

Reader Mailbox

Perplexing questions, contentious rants or perhaps top tips for other readers and praise for great service - this is the place to share your thoughts with the nation.

Email your letters to the Editor: boatmarteditor@ gmail.com

The winner of the Star Letter prize will receive one of these fabulous WaveRunner Cooler Bags worth £12.49. They can hold up to two six-packs of 330ml cans, making them perfect for those days afloat when a cool drink and bite to eat are required. For more information about this and many other Yamaha watersports accessories check out www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/accessories.

PETER CAPLEN ■ ■ ■ ■

Engines Propellers Repairs Electrics

■ Equipment Fitting ■ Practical Projects

With proper epoxy resin and some spare oak floorboards, the internal refit is really coming together

Boat Mart does not necessarily share the views expressed within letters and accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies they may contain.

COLIN JONES ■ Equipment ■ Electronics

■ European Boating

Reader’s used boat project Dear Boat Mart, PETER GREENWELL ■ Small ■ Mechanical Motor Craft Work ■ Electrical Work

IRVING STEWART ■ Used boats ■ Boat Buying

DAVID WEBBER ■ Practical Projects

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■ Inland Waterways

● On The Water ● Boat Mart

I bought my Sea Ray Seville a few years back just so I could have some fun, play around and get my fingers dirty - and she has certainly fulfilled the brief.

One of the big jobs though was stripping out the seating area, removing the seats and fuel tank and repairing the stringers as well as adding a new floor (all of which can be seen above). I did a lot of research into resins and I emailed SeaRay for plans.

They were extremely helpful and mailed back some archive plans to me very promptly.

One thing that really stood out was that it was extremely important to use EPOXY resin rather than the polyester resins the boat had been built with. Why? Well, because polyester resin doesn’t really stick to anything. Certainly, it works very well when laying the glass in the original build because the glass is laid while it’s still tacky, enabling the formation of a chemical bond. But while subsequent use of polyester resin looks okay (as it appears to stick to itself), after a while, it will delaminate and fail. EPOXY might be far more expensive but

it does the job properly. As you can see from the pictures, I’ve repaired the stringers and reinforced the floor. The oak board on the new deck is from our floor at home. We had just fitted 20mm solid oak flooring and we had a few boards left over - perfect for the boat. I am now about to remove the engine to change the Gimbal Housing as well as replace the manifolds. I’m going to put some of the work into the project section of the forum, so if you’re interested, keep an eye out . . .

Oldboat This a very interesting project, because it is typical of the kinds of repair needed on the cheap old speed boat hulls that often pop up on boat sales sites. It is also interesting because it is a large enough project to frighten off many potential purchasers, even if they are looking for a project boat.

If you could do a comprehensive write up of how you planned and carried out this project, it would be of great benefit to many prospective boat buyers who are having to work on limited funds. A record of your costs for the project would also be a great help. In any case, it looks like you’ve done a great job so far.

Boatmad

Stay safe at sea

Emma Slater of the RYA takes a fresh look at staying safe on the water.

Happily, accidents on the water are very rare but it’s always important to prepare yourself just in case things don’t go according to plan. After all, there’s no point in checking the weather and wind conditions if you’re not prepared for what could happen should they change.

Now while larger boats (more than 13.7 metres in length) are required by law to have safety equipment on board, precautions should still be made for smaller pleasure craft. Even if you’re only planning a short cruise, properly equipping your boat should be a routine part of your preparation, so we have caled on the RYA’s Chief Instructor for Sail Cruising, Craig Burton, to guide us through the basic kit you should take with you on the water. Learn these simple truths and your safety planning should be easy and stress-free.

The vital basics

We know it’s obvious, but whatever the size of your vessel, there’s always a small danger of falling overboard, so lifejackets and buoyancy aids are a must. Lifejackets are most suitable for open boats, yachts and motor cruisers, while buoyancy aids are best for dinghies and personal watercraft.

On an open boat, it would be silly for an inexperienced swimmer to fail to make a lifejacket part of their regular attire, but even strong swimmers should wear them as much as possible. The shock of falling into cold water can be genuinely disabling, so don’t just take them to sea. Keep them well maintained and wear them.

The other key point is communication.

Should anything go wrong offshore, being able to call for help can be the difference between a minor mishap and a serious accident. While mobile phones are great for making a distress call when close to land, their reliance on land-based masts for signals makes them inappropriate for use on the water.

As a minimum, you should therefore carry a handheld VHF radio when you’re not planning to stray too far away from land. And for longer trips, a fixed VHF is more appropriate because it has a bigger range and it will enable you to be tracked down if you’re in trouble. It will also give you the ability to listen to up to date navigation and weather information so you can stay ahead of the game.

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● Practical Expert ● Boat Mart

Buying boat insurance Ever wondered what to look for when buying boat insurance? This month, Towergate Mardon cuts through the jargon to help clarify the issues you need to consider . . .

If you’re new to buying boat insurance or looking to renew, it’s difficult to know where to start. Do you choose a company recommended by a friend? Or do you search the internet for quotes from online providers (and try to compare quotes on a like-for-like policy basis)? And what does value for money really mean anyway?

Well for insurance (as with most things), you get what you pay for, which means it’s no good just comparing quotes on price alone. You need to scrutinise the terms and conditions to see what they do

1 2

and don’t cover and you need to satisfy yourself there will always be an expert on hand to turn to.

The trick is to find a boat insurance provider that offers you the best of both worlds, with staff should who are both insurance gurus and experienced sailors.

This ensures they’re familiar with any issues and concerns you may have and can offer cover that’s personal enough to meet your needs but extensive enough to cater for every eventuality. A tough task?

Well here are some tips that might help .

Be prepared If you’ve recently bought a boat and are planning to tow it to a new location, you’ll need to take out marine insurance beforehand. The previous owner’s cover does not extend to you and although your car insurance should cover a boat on tow, there may be length restrictions, so check with your car insurer. And don’t forget to check the trailer. If this fails, your boat may be damaged and rendered unseaworthy. Check that the wheel bearings, hitch locks, breakaway cables and tyres are fit for purpose.

Pick your policy You may be asked if you want wide-ranging or third-party liability cover. Basically, wide-ranging pretty much does what its name implies, covering your boat in the event of fire, theft, vandalism and accidental damage. If your boat or equipment is damaged, you will be offered a replacement, which equals the current market value. By contrast, third-party liability provides financial protection if you have an accident involving another boat. It compensates for any damage or injury incurred by that third-party, ensuring you’re not out of pocket. If you intend to use your craft for watersports, such as towing inflatables, check with your insurer that your policy covers this, as not all do.

3

Don’t pay over the odds Some yacht insurance providers automatically cover localised sailboat racing such as the Round the Isle of Wight Race (including damage to masts, spars, sails and rigging) - and all at no extra cost. However, others may charge an additional premium, based upon the estimated cost of replacing the damaged parts, so if this is for you, then ask before you buy.

Similarly, ask if there are any discounts for boats moored in marinas. Most insurance providers have agreements with specific marinas that could reduce your premiums by up to 20 per cent. You can also save costs if your boat is kept ashore.

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Across 2. Collective term for motive sailing apparatus 5. Bulbous cylinder hung over a boat’s side to absorb impact 6. Navigation device based on celestial observation 7. Famously sunny South Hams boating town 9. Popular type of anchor 11. Strong knot for creating a loop at the end of a rope 12. Fulcrum for an oar 14. Man on ship responsible for money and supplies 15. Device designed to slow a boat in a storm

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16. Seaside town on the Isle of Wight 18. Wing designed to create lift 19. Toward the stern Down 1. First Duke of Bronte and famous Naval Officer 3. Wind of between 34 and 37 knots 4. Ocean liner sunk in April 1912 6. Captain of a ship 8. External selfcontained propulsion unit 10. Bar extending from the bow of a ship 13. Punish by dragging under ship

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