Motorboat Owner June 2015

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Motorboat JUNE 2015

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Bayliner Ciera 8 Destination Guide

Calibrating instruments l Botnia Targa 31

ISLE OF MAN

Welcome to the June issue.

From the Editor

As I write this, 48 boats are mid Channel on their way to France. These aren’t just any old boats though, they are Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’, veterans of Operation Dynamo, which saw over 300,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force and other allied forces, trapped and with their backs to the sea, rescued from the beaches by a flotilla of boats, including a large fleet of pleasure

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June 2015

crossing when I think about all those brave men, many non military, who without thought for themselves set off in small boats with little or no navigational equipment and the added worry of attack by enemy surface vessels, submarines and aircraft.

Many boats were sunk and many crew lost, including a crew of four local fisherman from the Leigh on Sea based fishing boat, the Renown. As well as the boats, there are at least two Dunkirk veterans, now in their 90’s, making the crossing today. We hope the seas were calm for you, and your trip was a good one. We give thanks for those ‘Little Ships’ and their crews that delivered you back home safely.

We’re off on a different kind of cross Channel adventure on the 1st of June. Our first Cruise in Company of the year will be exploring the French Cotentin coastline and the Channel Islands. You can follow our exploits on Facebook, Twitter and our website.

welcome aboard

Photographer: Jason Arthur

craft and fishing vessels. These boats, with an average age of around 80 years old, are heading back to Dunkirk to mark the 75th anniversary of this miraculous event. If I hadn’t been stuck in the office I would have been there like a shot. We’ll make up for it in a small way with our own flotilla to Dunkirk in August when we depart on our Cruise in Company. I will have a quiet moment of reflection during the

Dunkirk Little Ships passing Gravesend on passage to Ramsgate before crossing to Dunkirk to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo

Editor, Neale Byart Advertising: For all brokerage, 01268 922992 display or classified adverts neale@motorboatowner.co.uk 01268 922994 advertising@motorboatowner.co.uk Associate Editor, Claire Frew Subscriptions: 01268 922991 01268 922993 subscriptions@motorboatowner.co.uk claire@motorboatowner.co.uk Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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CONTENTS TICAL

REGULARS

PRAC

PRACTICAL

JUNE 2015

HOW TO IN 9 ST EPS

ments Calibrating instru

HOW TO

1

2 3

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NEWS page 6 INBOX page 10 Q&A page 18 CUTTING EDGE page 34 TESTED page 62

5

With the use the boat moored lead line up, readin to take gs. depth four, one Try to take at least front and on each side, one in one beh ind

6

Mark eac with a h of the readin pie gs bottom ce of tape. If the is reason readin ably flat gs sho the uld be few cen within timetre a s of eac h other 7

Now me asure the your tap depth e. Use the sha with From readin g to bui llowest the lea ld d line safety we are we kno margin in a small in w the dep 2.1m of wat accura while keepin goingittoastake is it er, but long th gua how of ge indication the te as possible g This is almost shows 1.7m. but speed through to get from A to B, certain 8 depth how ly below an indication of the tran the water will provide , as well sducer progress your the tide is effecting

tion we W ith very accurate GPSalinforma instruments, often neglect the tradition speed over the our happy instead to know of information for ourselves in the blue as being a useful piece ground and keeping s. ic chart. This is mostly more traditional navigation method bits on the electron drops signal GPS depth, it is quite obvious your When it comes to fine until one day If I ent er it is an important parameter to venture into bits of calibratio why the out, or you need to Your speed log mode, and ent, but n really know what do you monitor er a pos the chart that are green. figu the If I wa I have lost also is re it of 0.4depth itivis back up, nted to e telling you? , I can gauge your is not only a useful and a boatsho make theI havebel the waterinstrume w depth gotowonkee through nt speed times of the rea l, of I could only source depth count d total negdepth gauge ative figu ent of 2.1m water , ‘is the have available. Speed asked the question re of 0.6 er a information that you 1 metre, an will give you28 . I draw so the over the ground (SOG) June wil ins2015 l now

26

trume show 1.1 nt m

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We now have a shows readin someth g ing use that useful ful. It is to the gua make a note nex ge to exp depth lain wh t to guage is showin at the g June

2015

page 46 Second Look

2005 Uttern D68

p12 PRACTICAL

Visit Isle of Man

p46

Calibrating speed and depth instruments

p36

page 56 Project Boat

Mayland 16

Motorboat Owner

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£1K

CHALLENGE ISLE OF MAN Destination Guide

p22

p64

Botnia Targa 31

CLASSIC CRUISER GUIDE GUIDE CLASSIC CRUISER Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

BOAT TEST

Bayliner Ciera 8

5

NEWS Barclays Jersey Boat Show Despite a dismal start on the opening day, crowds descended on St Helier Marina for the eighth, freeentry, Barclays Jersey Boat Show over the early May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Sunday was named the busiest day, with show officials recording the largest ever number of pontoon visitors, in excess of 5,000 in one day. On the water were three visiting Royal Navy vessels, as well as new motorboats from manufacturers such as Princess, Sealine, Sunseeker, Bavaria and Jeanneau. On shore stalls encircled the marina, with live music and entertainment drawing big crowds. The 2016 show will take place over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, 30th April-2nd May.

Flowers and fun at the Henley Floral Flotilla

The sun shone for participants and spectators of the Henley Floral Flotilla, as they assembled in Mill Meadows on Saturday 16th May. The event formed part of the London-wide programme of events for the Chelsea Fringe Festival 2015. The flotilla, which cruised between Marsh Lock and Temple Island, before returning to Mill Meadows, consisted of powered and unpowered craft, each one adorned with beautiful floral arrangements.

Amongst the parade was an amphicar, complete with plastic palm trees and bananas and Old Melody (right), a beautifully restored, wooden boat, powered by solar panels.

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June 2015

If you any have news from your region, please email us at

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DIARY DATES Devon Boat Jumble 23rd May South Essex Boat Jumble 31st May Northern Boat Show 5th-7th June Beale Park Boat Show 5th-7th June Gosport Marine Festival 13th June Magna Carta River Pageant 13th-14th June East Anglian Boat Show 20th-21st June Southampton Boat Show 11th-20th September Click any of the above for more info

Narrow Hireboats allowed back on Thames Tideway The Port of London Authority (PLA) has lifted its ban on narrow hire boats on the Thames Tideway between Brentford and Teddington.

Boats which comply with the Tidal Thames Hired Narrow Boat Operations Guide and submit the relevant paperwork to the PLA will be eligible to travel this route.

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Bayliner 842 Cuddy NEW BOAT

US builder Bayliner has announced an exciting new addition to its cuddy range, the 842. The boat will be powered by a single sterndrive and will have the typical 4-berth layout, with a double mid berth. Price circa €65,000

Bavaria 300 Sport NEW BOAT

German boat builder, Bavaria, will soon be unveiling its new 300 Sport and, according to the dealer Clipper Marine, it is set to be in the UK this summer. Motorboat Owner has been sent this ‘teaser’ cockpit image. More details soon.

7

NEWS Burton Waters named as East Coast Fairline dealer

In mid May, Fairline Boats named Burton Waters Marina Ltd as its new dealer for the East Coast.

Family run Burton Waters recently announced it would not be renewing its dealer agreement Fairline CEO Colin Sykes, Adam with Princess Motor Yacht Sales. The company Cox and Alastair Haigh (Burton has two sales and service locations, its head office Waters), and Douglas Culverwell is located at a marina development at Burton Waters, on the outskirts of Lincoln and a second location at Ipswich Haven Marina, a marina that is shared with the current Fairline Technical Centre. Adam Cox, Burton Waters Sales Director said “This is a very exciting time for Burton Waters, the direct factory relationship combined with the location of the shipyard and Ipswich technical centre go hand in hand with our business as we look to support our loyal customers. We are very proud to have joined a strong UK dealer network”.

As reported previously, Bates Wharf will represent the South Coast, while Burton Waters will cover an area that stretches from the north side of the Thames Estuary up the East Coast of England, with Fairline Wales and Fairline Channel Islands dealerships in the UK. Fairline has also announced that it will be launching a new 53 foot range of boats at the Southampton Boat Show in September.

New Falmouth dry stack

Premier’s Falmouth Marina is opening a new dry stack for boats up to 8m.

Falmouth Harbour is a great place to explore in a small boat and the new dry stack facility should prove a cost effective way for these boaters to get out on the water. An 8m boat will cost £3608 to store for the year. Also the company, Premier Marinas, has also announced that it has recently been acquired by the charity Wellcome Trust.

Boats.co.uk becomes Princess dealer

Formerly known as Essex Boatyards, Boats.co.uk is now the east coast dealer for Princess Motor Yachts.

Its base on Wallasea Island in Essex will be known as Princess East Coast and it has also opened Princess Poole at Salterns Marina.

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June 2015

If you any have news from your region, please email us at

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RNLI Poole celebrates 150 years A new, free exhibition, The 150 Years of Poole Lifeboat Station has opened at Poole Museum telling the story of the lifeboat station’s history, its crew, rescues, lifeboats and kit. The station was founded in 1865 for a rumoured sum of £210. Pictured, Poole’s first lifeboat and crew.

Andrew Hawkes Archive

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INBOX

@

STAR LETTER

Mariner impellor dilemma Question

After reading the last month’s question on the difficulty removing bolts when doing an outboard impellor change, I have some input. I’m a maintenance engineer and I regularly come across ‘hard to remove’ bolts.

The problem with stainless bolts screwed into aluminium threads can be alleviated on most occasions by giving the head of the bolt or screw a hefty wallop with a hammer first, like hitting the head of a nail. This shocks the thread and shakes the bolt loose.

Then just undo it. I have amazed people many times by this method. Give it a go and don’t be too gentle. Also if the cross head of a screw is getting graunched, this helps too. Paul Foreman The Editor replies: Thanks for the tip Paul, I’ll be sure to give this a try next time I encounter the problem.

Upholstery feature and back issues I have just signed up for an online subscription. I was advised that you had run an article in the March edition offering advice on renewal and purchase of materials to recover boat cabin upholstery. Is it possible to receive the March edition with the article on upholstery? Gerard Tohill The Editor replies: You can download the last year’s worth of issues on our ‘back issues’ page. Just sign in, as if you were going to download this month’s mag, and the toolbar at the top changes to include a ‘back issues’ tab.

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May 2015

email:

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Seamaster 820 transom-formed

Another great issue this month. I thought as you featured a Seamaster 820 in the December 2014 magazine I would send a photo of a Seamaster 820, back where she was born in Gt Dunmow, getting a new transom platform and door fitted to help the owners board when stern too. All the work was carried out at the Viking Mouldings factory and mostly by two of the original Seamaster workers. Paul Killick The Editor replies: A transom door is a brilliant upgrade to an older boat, and to be able to have the work done back at the factory is a nice touch, and a great service offered by Viking Mouldings.

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11

PRACTICAL

HOW TO

Calibrating instruments

W ith very accurate GPS information we

indication of how long it is going to take often neglect the traditional instruments, to get from A to B, but speed through the happy instead to know our speed over the water will provide an indication of how ground and keeping ourselves in the blue the tide is effecting your progress, as well bits on the electronic chart. This is mostly as being a useful piece of information for fine until one day your GPS signal drops more traditional navigation methods. out, or you need to venture into bits of When it comes to depth, it is quite obvious the chart that are green. Your speed log why it is an important parameter to is not only a useful back up, it is also the monitor, but do you really know what only source of speed through the water your depth gauge is telling you? I have lost information that you have available. Speed count of the times I have got on a boat and over the ground (SOG) will give you an asked the question, ‘is the depth gauge 12

June 2015

showing depth below keel or total water depth�, only to be met with a blank look.

This is fine if you always keep numerous metres showing on your gauge, but if you boat in the more tidally restrictive parts of the world, where having a metre below your keel as you enter port is the best you are likely to get, you really need to know how your depth instrument is set up, and the best way of ensuring that is the case is to do it yourself.

Depth

When a depth instrument is installed, the transducer is usually placed somewhere between the waterline and the keel, or lowest point, but rarely at either extreme. This means that from the box it will show the depth of water below the transducer. Arguably, this is pretty meaningless, as most of us do not know how far below the waterline the transducer is fitted, or how much more boat there is below it. This is where calibration comes in. There are two ways to set your depth instrument up. One

In true Blue Peter style you need some string, sticky tape, a weight and a tape measure

Positive offset values

Offset value 0.0

Negative offset value

What is your depth guage showing? Adjust your offset to show depth below keel, or total depth

is to show total water depth from the surface to the bottom. It is then up to you as the skipper to mentally deduct the draft of your boat from this figure.

You will, in effect, go aground when the depth reads the same as your draft.

The second is to set it up to show the amount of water below the lowest part of your boat. This method means you will go aground when the depth reads zero. There is no right or wrong way, but it is important to know which method is in place on any boat that you skipper.

I prefer total water depth, as I can use this when working out my anchor rode scope or height of tide calculations, but it is each to their own. Calibrating your depth instrument is all about inputting a depth offset. To do this you should moor your boat up somewhere where the bottom is reasonably flat and the tidal height is not going to change for the next half an hour or so. You will need a lead line, a tape measure and a way of marking the line.

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PRACTICAL

HOW TO IN 9 STEPS

1

Access your depth instrument set up menu by following the instructions in the manual. If yours is missing, you may be able to find a copy online

4

Mark each of the readings with a piece of tape. If the bottom is reasonably flat the readings should be within a few centimetres of each other

7

If I enter the calibration mode, and enter a positive figure of 0.4, I can make the instrument read total water depth of 2.1m

2

If you don’t have one, make yourself a lead line with a weight, such as a large nut or an old socket, and a ball of string

5

Now measure the depth with your tape. Use the shallowest reading to build in a small safety margin while keeping it as accurate as possible

8

If I wanted to show depth below keel, I could enter a negative figure of 0.6. I draw 1 metre, so the instrument will now show 1.1m

3

With the boat moored up, use the lead line to take depth readings. Try to take at least four, one on each side, one in front and one behind

6

From the lead line we know we are in 2.1m of water, but the depth guage shows 1.7m.

This is almost certainly the depth below the transducer

9

We now have a reading that shows something useful. It is useful to make a note next to the guage to explain what the depth guage is showing

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June 2015

Speed Speed logs are invariably inaccurate. They are subject to fouling, getting clogged up with antifouling paint, and even when they are free running, many of them are only really accurate at a particular speed.

The first thing to do to ensure you get some reasonably useful data from your log is to keep it free of fouling and paint.

Don’t paint over it when antifouling, and remove it regularly to clean it. Some people even remove their paddlewheel and replace it with the blanking plug every time they leave the boat to ensure the optimum performance. If you have never removed your log wheel while afloat, it is understandable that you may feel a little apprehensive of doing so. In reality it is no big deal. Most of them have a flap that will close as the log is retracted; meaning water ingress is very minimal. Even without a flap, the flow of water is not as bad as people imagine, and can easily be stemmed by placing your palm over the opening. At worst you may have to mop up a litre or two of water after removal

With your paddlewheel removed you can clean away any fouling and ensure that it runs freely

Don’t be afraid to pull the speed transducer out when afloat. The water ingress isn’t that great

and refitting. At best it will be less than a teacup full. Make sure the area of the bilge around your transducer is clear before you start, and that you have the blanking plug or a wooden bung ready to hand.

As many paddlewheel logs are only truly accurate at one particular speed, with the inaccuracies becoming greater the further away from that setting you get, it is best to calibrate your log at your normal cruising speed. If this is on a planing hulled boat, you need to be aware that in harbours, on rivers, and in other speed-constrained areas, your log will not necessarily be providing you with accurate information. Alternatively, set it up for slow speed applications and accept that for the majority of time when you are at cruising speed it may be incorrect, useful for adhering to speed limits but not so great for open sea navigational duties.

There are two ways of correcting your log, the easiest of which is to use a GPS. If using this method, you should first ensure that there is no tide or current which can affect your figures, therefore it should be undertaken in non-tidal waters or during a period of slack water.

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PRACTICAL

HOW TO IN 6 STEPS

1

Get your boat up to cruising speed and maintain a steady course and speed 4

If not, enter the calibration function of your speed log.

On this one you can accept the SOG figure being fed in from the GPS

2

Allow a couple of minutes for everything to settle down and make a note of your GPS speed 5

This matches the two by calculating a new calibration factor automatically

3

Also make a note of your log reading. With no tide or current they should be the same. If they are, great, no calibration is needed 6

Alternatively you can enter a calibration factor adjustment screen and adjust it manually until you see the correct speed

The second way of calibrating your speed instrument is the measured distance method. You will need to have a suitable measured distance, one where you can run straight and uninterrupted at a constant cruise speed.

Choose a suitable spot for your measured distance run. There are many ‘measured miles’ around the coast, such Look on your local chart for a ‘measured mile’ as the one on the right, in Arran, but not but the official measured miles have all of them are exactly a mile, so check transits to ensure you know exactly when carefully. You could use any two points, 16

June 2015

you are abeam of them.

Set your boat up and get it running at your usual cruising speed before you reach the first transits. Start a timer as you pass them and make a note of what your log is reading. Stop the timer as you pass the second transit and record the time taken.

Now do the same running in the opposite direction. These two runs help to eliminate tide, or current, from the process, which means you don’t have to wait until slack water.

Our first run took 2 minutes and 50 seconds, while our second run, against the current, took 3 minutes and 24 seconds. In both cases our log was reading 18 knots.

If we take an average of the two runs we get 3 minutes and 7 seconds, or to put it another way, 187 seconds. 187 seconds is equal to 0.052 hours, so if we divide the distance, 1.0nm, by 0.052 hours, we get an actual speed of 19.2 Manually adjust the knots. Although calibration factor this average

Time your passage between the two markers while running at your usual cruising speed

speed is over the ground, it will also be the same as the ‘through the water’ speed as we have counteracted the effect of any tide with our two way run.

We can now see that our log is under reading when at cruising speed and we can enter the adjustment functions and tweak it so that it shows the correct speed.

Some instruments, including the Raymarine ST60 we are using, include some clever automatic calibration functions built in. These usually require you to input some basic data, then carry out a series of button pushes over two or more runs over a set distance, after which the unit will work out a new calibration factor for you.

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17

Q&A

Your Questions Answered

Outboard fins, any good?

Q I have seen a number of outboards with

fins attached to the cavitation plate. What do they do and are they worth considering fitting to my boat?

A I have seen many claims for these fins, including

delivering benefits such as improved fuel economy, better acceleration, slower planing speeds, faster top speeds and better turning performance. In truth a well set up and balanced boat will probably benefit very little by fitting these fins, and if you are currently happy with your boat’s handling and performance I would leave it as it is. Having said that, if you are trying to cure a particular problem they may be beneficial. I can certainly see how they may help get a boat up onto the plane quicker, and keep it there at slower speeds, for example. They are not very expensive, so experimenting with them won’t break the bank in the way that prop experimentaion can. If they don’t deliver improvements to your boat you can easily remove them and pass them on to recoup some of the cost. You will, of course, be left with some small holes in your outboard but these should not cause any problems.

Where to launch

Q Having just bought my first boat, a project of unknown

make but looks a bit like a Shetland, we are looking to get it launched in the next month or so and use it for a bit of inshore fishing. We are up on the North East coast and I am finding it difficult to get information on where I can launch and what facilities there are at launch sites for parking the car and trailer.

A I would suggest you look at www.boatlaunch.co.uk, a

website that lists the slipways in the UK. They also have a book called The Good Launch Guide which has got to be worth £10 to any regular trailboater. The only caveat is that the guide was last updated in 2010 and I don’t know how often the website is updated so always do your best to double check before arriving with your boat in case any of the information has become out of date.

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June 2015

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Is my calourifier leaking?

Q When I’m onboard my boat with everything

turned on, the water pump cycles briefly every minute or so. I thought I must have a leak but during my search I worked out that there is a pipe in the bilge that spurts a little bit of water in time with the pump cycling. The pipe is open ended, so it can’t be holding pressure, but this spurt seems to indicate that this pipe is connected to the pump cycling. Do you have any idea what’s happening?

A I would think that the loose pipe is, in fact, connected to the pressure relief valve on

your calorifier. They are designed to release once the pressure reaches a preset level. In doing so, a bit of water is ejected from the tank, the pressure reduces and the pump fires up to bring the system back up to pressure again, and so the cycle continues. The reason behind the problem is likely to be one of two things. Firstly, the pressure switch on the pump is set too high and it is reaching levels as high, or higher than the setting on the pressure relief valve, or the pressure relief valve is faulty and is operating at a pressure below what is intended. If neither these things are at fault, another option is that the act of heating the water is expanding it and creating an overpressure situation. The way around this is to add an expansion tank on the hot water pipework, after the calorifier.

Duoprop dilemma

Q Will a set of stainless steel duoprops on my

Volvo DP-E drive produce better performance than I currently get with aluminium props? I have been told I should get better acceleration and increased top speed without changing the size.

A In short, if you do gain any increase in either

acceleration or top speed it will most likely be very negligible. I once changed from aluminium to stainless props on a Volvo DP drive, mainly because I was offered a set of used ones at a price I couldn’t resist, and the result was a 1 knot increase in top speed and no discernible change in acceleration, although I accept there may have been a tiny increase. If you were involved in racing, where every tenth of a second counts, then stainless would be worth the expense. For everyday cruising, you might as well stick with what you have.

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19

Q&A

Your Questions Answered

Can I fit drying legs to my boat?

Q I have just returned from a short break in

Jersey and noticed that many of the boats out there had drying legs. I don’t recall seeing any boats in the UK fitted with them and wondered why.

I quite like the idea of being able to dry out and remain upright. Is there any reason why I couldn’t fit some to my Fairline Sunfury.

A There is no reason at all that you couldn’t fit some to your Fairline. I have them

fitted on our Sealine and spent a very happy few days neaped on the beach at Herm a couple of years back. What you have to remember is that the legs themselves do not take any weight, the boat should sit on its keel with the props and drives raised safely out of the way. Shaft drive boats can use drying legs too as long as the props and rudders are protected by the keel. Knowing where to safely dry out is important so it pays to do a little research. You need a hard and flat sea bed, sand is perfect, and make sure that the legs are set up to be slightly higher than the keel.

They are designed just to stop the boat falling onto its side. In the Channel Islands you will see many ingenious ways of building your own drying legs for a variety of boat styles, anything from large wooden legs bolted through the topsides through to small metal legs mounted on the transom. I have gone with proprietary legs from the Yacht Leg and Cradle company and have been very happy with them.

Refurbishing sterndrives

Q At our last service our engineer informed us that our Volvo

sterndrive oil was emulsified and the propeller shaft was badly worn. He also said the clutch is showing signs of wear. Can you recommend anywhere that reconditions outdrives, or maybe offers exchange units?

A The company that springs to mind is IVSS Marine in Kent.

They offer Volvo sterndrive repairs, reconditioning or exchange units. Like many marine companies they almost certainly get busy at this time of year, but drop them a line and see what they can do. Update: Many Thanks. IVSS Marine were great. Dropped my drives off on Friday and collected them just over a week later. They look like new, and the price was very acceptable.

20

June 2015

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Which Sealine S28?

Q I am thinking of buying a diesel S28 as my next boat and am wondering what engine option to go for. There seems to be such a wide variety of engine choices, with both single and twin installations from Volvo, MerCruiser and I have even seen one Yamaha powered version.

What should I choose?

The S28 came with a large number of engine options, both single and twin, petrol and diesel

A This could open can of worms, but I have always believed that the best engine

option for the S28 was a pair of KAD32’s. Having said that, there is a good argument to be made for pretty much any of the installations offered by Sealine. The single, for example, will deliver great economy and half price servicing, and should still reach a decent cruising speed. The AD31’s in early S28’s are not as quick as KAD32’s but can still hit 30 knots, and you don’t get that supercharger whine if you need to run in that lower rev range. I have always loved the Yamaha sterndrives. They need the right maintenance but they are silky smooth and the Toyota based engines are well regarded.

The MerCruiser powered boats are, rightly or wrongly, seen as a less favourable installation and consequently are usually able to be bought for less money than the Volvo’s, but those 2.8 litre, 165hp, engines should deliver equal or better performance than an AD31 equipped boat. Ultimately it comes down to price. KAD32’s seem to command the best money, while single engine boats, with any make engine, seem to be sold for the lowest price. Twin AD31, MerCruiser and Yamaha powered boats are all available for similar money somewhere in the middle ground. In my opinion you should buy an S28 on price, specification, service history and condition rather than engine make, but if all these things are equal, go for the one with KAD32’s.

Mystery boat

Q I recently saw this interesting little aft cabin,

single engine, shaft drive cruiser. Any idea what it is?

A Yes, it’s a Norweigian built Myra 23 from the 1970’s. The Myra 23 has a semi

displacement hull and could reach 14 knots with the largest engine option, although many were fitted with a 30-50hp diesel for displacement cruising.

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CLASSIC CRUISERS

a complete guide to the best boats on the used market

Botnia Targa 31 I f ever there was a boat that challenges conventional thinking when it comes to leisure boat design, it has to be a Botnia Targa. These clever, well built boats have been turning heads for over 30 years.

So what’s all the fuss about?

It all started in 1984 when Finnish company Botnia Marin decided to relaunch its exisiting Targa 25 as a fast, more practical, versatile and sea-worthy boat, for the archipelagos of the Baltic. A boat that was able to get you home quickly if the weather started to close in. Its upright form and forward raked windscreen was

not too dissimilar to a workboat or fishing trawler and, surely, raised eyebrows among leisure boaters. Since then the range has grown, with models from 23ft to 44ft, but the fundamental philosophy has remained the same. Today there is an unbelievably high demand for these boats and it is understood that the company produces over 100 boats a year.

Used Targas are relatively rare to the market in the UK and don’t tend to stay for sale for long. Wessex Marine, based in Poole, has been the UKs sole importer of the Botnia Targa range for 25 years, and

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June 2015

Built 337 1992-2012 Prices then £269,780 (2008) Prices now £89,000-£150,000 Length 33ft 3in / 10.14m Beam 10ft 3in / 3.15m Draught 3ft / 0.91m Air Draught 9ft / 2.7m Fuel 600 litres /131 gallons* *tank sizes vary 600-750 litres Water 455 litres/100 gallons Displacement 5 tonnes approx

is highly regarded for its excellent service and knowledge of these boats.

By far one of the most popular models in the range was the Targa 31. The new model was an update on the 29, and offered two separate sleeping areas, twin or single engine options and a flybridge.

The boat evolved through its production, and a MkII model was introduced in 1997. Botnia Marin gave the boat a new underwater shape, and there were changes to the superstucture mouldings, giving more volume inside the two cabins. The wheelhouse height was also raised to

provide a little more headroom. In 2007 a ‘plus transom’ option was introduced and this added an extra foot on the waterline (now 33ft). The 31’s cabin superstructure stayed the same but it now had a larger aft cockpit and engine room. The extra length also resulted in a slight improvement in its handling. It seems like it was a popular option, as we are told every boat imported into the UK from 2008 onwards had it. Incidently the Targa 30 shared the same hull mould and was a 55cm shortened version of the 31 with a smaller wheelhouse and forecabin.

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Visibility is excellent, and the forward raked windscreen will deflect any rogue spray

In 2012 the model ceased production when it was replaced with the Targa 32.

The major differences on the 32 can be found in the larger fore cabin, and in the much more spacious toilet in the aft cabin. However, to this day the Targa 31 remains one of Botnia Marin’s best sellers.

Not only do these boats have an excellent reputation, they seem to hold their money on the used boat market. They have also been much in demand with official organisations around the world, such as the Metropolitan Police, based on the River Thames at Wapping. But what are these boats like to live with?

Side deck access is through two identical side doors, both lock into various open positions

Interior The Targa 31 is essentially a four to five berth cruiser with a layout that comprises of a central wheelhouse, a twin forward cabin and a double master cabin with an additional single bunk aft. When it

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June 2015

Clever storage ideas, chart storage in the lifting hatch top to the forward cabin.

The cabin has two, fairly short single berths, right

comes to accommodation it is important to remember that these boats are practical rather than luxurious. They are very much utilitarian with functional sleeping and living areas, but the practical exterior space more than makes up for this.

Slide back one of the side doors and you are greeted with beautifully finished dark, rich, teak wood surfaces and, more often than not, navy blue upholstery. It has a very traditional look that is typical of Scandinavian boats. It won’t date, and is not dissimilar to a yacht’s interior, helping to give it a wider appeal.

The forward cabin is quite private,

at first glance you wouldn’t even know it was there. It is accessed via a centre companionway with opening doors and a lifting hatch top. The descent into the cabin is very steep, aided by a pair of shelf steps, and is, perhaps, not a manoeuvre that should be done quickly or in bumpy conditions. Down in the cabin there is a central foot well with standing headroom and two bunks either side, running aft and under the wheelhouse floor. Two portholes provide some light on the subject, while there are lots of cupboards for storage, including a small wardrobe.

The bunks are fairly short, but the whole

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The wheelhouse has an L-shaped settee and a table capable of seating up to five people around it

area can be made into a thwartships double with an infill that slots in over the foot well. It is ideal for kids, yet perfectly useable and cosy for one or two adults.

Back up in the wheelhouse a starboard

The aft cabin has a clever layout with a double on the port side and a single berth opposite

companionway leads to the aft master cabin. There is no door to this sleeping area and a slight-spiral ladder leads down to a large footwell with bunks running either side. There is a small double berth on the port side and a single berth to starboard. The two-rung access ladder swivels out of the way to give access to the single berth. Facing aft there is a series of hooks, which is a useful place to hang those everyday items, such as coats and lifejackets. There is an electrical panel below this and a small wardrobe on the starboard side. Most importantly the toilet compartment is opposite on the port side. Inside this is a washbasin with a shower mixer tap, some storage for toiletries and a sea toilet. The toilet is on runners so you can slide it out of the way when showering. It’s a basic, no frills, compartment with generous standing headroom of well over 6ft.

The central upright wheelhouse

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June 2015

encompasses the boats main driving position and living area, a feat that we feel it achieves very well. It has a raised L-shaped dinette seating area aft, adequate for three to five people. There is a small galley, a helm console on the starboard side, and two helm seats, one either side. The dinette table is mounted on a pole and can be raised to ceiling height when it is not in use. Its pole provides a useful upright grabrail when the boat is underway. Two sliding side doors lead out to the walkround decks, and offer the helmsman perfect access, particularly if he or she is single-handing. The doors also lock into several positions, from fully open or slightly ajar for ventilation which is useful. A panel in the wheelhouse floor gives access to the boats single fuel tank, fuel shut offs and hoses.

Finally a combination of windscreen blinds and curtains give total privacy at night.

The boat has fairly compact and segmented

2008 £150,000 ex VAT (featured) Twin Volvo D6 370hp diesels Channel Island Boat Sales Ltd 01534 869555 www.ciboatsales.com

1996 £69,950 Twin Volvo Penta AD41P 200hp Liverpool Boat Sales 0151 708 0839 www.liverpoolboatsales.co.uk

2006 £129,950 Twin Volvo D6 310hp diesels Wessex Marine 01202 700702 www.wessexmarine.co.uk

The toilet compartment has good shower headroom

2001 £89,995 Twin Volvo KAD44 260hp Why Boats NI 01590 682701 www.whyboats.com

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There is a compact combination sink/two burner hob (left) and a fridge under the helm seat (right)

galley facilities, so cooking a Sunday roast aboard is perhaps out of the question. The main galley area is to port, under the front windscreen and in front of the navigator’s

The throttle and steering wheel panel adjusts to various angles using the knob on bottom right

seat. It is a storage unit topped with a concealed stainless steel sink and twoburner hob. Having a working extractor fan above the hob is useful, as fogging of the glass might be a problem, particularly on those cold or wet days after that morning cuppa or fry up. A unit under the navigator’s seat offers more storage and, occasionally, a microwave oven. There is a fridge under the helm seat and another storage unit behind, where you may also sometimes find a microwave oven fitted.

The boat has an excellent helm position.

The view through the huge three-pane windscreen is totally unobstructed and each pane is fitted with its own wiper.

Engine dials and electrical switches are arranged on the panel above the windscreen, whilst the navigation instruments and controls fall easily to hand. We love the way you can adjust the angle of steering wheel and adjoining dashboard to different positions, from horizontal to vertical. It is ingenious. The navigator’s seat adjusts and swivels to face

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June 2015

The navigator’s seats swivels and the table pole provides a useful grabrail when underway

the dinette for those social and dining occasions. Our one criticism would be their lack of support. Higher backrests with hinging armrests, perhaps even suspended seats would work fantastically well here, and is perhaps an upgrade to consider.

The boat’s enclosed wheelhouse means that you can cruise all year round in comfort. Diesel heating is a nice option, while another very useful addition is a generator.

Having the two separate cabin areas is a real plus. However, the living accommodation may feel a little cramped with more than two or three people on board, particularly when the weather closes in. Also no matter how friendly you are, any guests aboard will need to come into the master cabin area to use the toilet, which may not be ideal.

Have a general check of the condition of the interior wood surfaces for water and UV damage, particularly near the doors where salt spray can get in. Owners may

have added windscreen covers to protect the wood from the sun.

On Deck Stern-to access is superb across the fullwidth bathing platform and through a central transom gate. A central slattedteak panel in the bathing platform lifts to give access to the raised drives, which is ideal for untangling any propeller wraps.

The large and uncluttered cockpit has two moulded seat/storage lockers either side and two flipdown seats from the

There is easy access to fouled props through this slatted teak panel in the large bathing platform

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wheelhouse, facing aft. For the fishermen, there was an option for a live bait well inside an aft locker.

The wide, one-level, all-round side decks are enclosed by impressively high bulwarks. These are topped with hipheight wooden grabrails around the aft sections and thigh-height stainless steel rails leading up to the bow. Such features make this boat a joy to crew and ideal for single handing. A section of guardrail lifts and folds back on itself each side, giving side-to access. The deck area is completely self-draining with large drainage channels and scuppers.

The forward deck is an important characteristic of all Targas. Not only does it give you superb deck space, storage and anchor access, the bow seating, together with a slot-in table (stored in a forward locker), serve as an alfresco dining area. With this in mind owners It is easy and safe to move around the boat and may have an optional bimini awning for the bow offers a great sociable outside area this area of the boat. A gas locker housing There is a fantastic lazarette locker under a single cylinder is under the forward the foredeck floor which is capable of seating on the port side. It is a good swallowing up large items such as fenders idea to check that this is secured down and roll-away tenders. as it can take a beating if the boat has Again, like the interior, you will need seen choppy conditions. The bottle and connections might also be suffering from to inspect the condition of the exterior wood. Any untreated teak or varnished corrosion from salt spray and weather. wood may require some regular or annual maintenance.

Access to the foredeck hardware and the anchor is excellent. There is also plenty of storage

Flybridge A short ladder leads to the boats small, but useful, flybridge, which perches on the aft end of the wheehouse. Aloft, there is a double navigator’s seat on the port side and the helm, with a single seat, to starboard. It is good idea to check that the forward plastic windscreen is in good condition and is firmly attached. There is

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June 2015

The 31 has a planing hull that offers excellent seakeeping capabilities

a large flat area in front of the navigator’s seats where you could fit a clear plastic chart holder or chartplotter repeater. The helmsman’s view is of the wide expanse of wheelhouse roof and, while the visibility forward is fairly good, you will struggle to see the bow from this position. We would definitely favour driving from the wheelhouse in most instances, perhaps

using the flybridge for short dashes in fine weather.

Hull and Handling Planing hulls offer thrills and fast cruising speeds but also have the reputation of slamming when the going gets rough.

The Targa 31 offers plenty of the former, with less than you would expect of the

The perched flybridge seats three people, and has ladder access. There are are also double and single seats that fold out in the cockpit (below)

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This 2008 model is fitted with the largest of engines, twin D6 370hp and has the larger engine bay

latter. These boats are extremely well built and like to be driven fast. Owners will freely admit that the ride is wet and a little hard at times, but the feeling of security is brilliant. The boats sporty yet solid handling and the fact that you are protected in a wheelhouse with excellent visibility, inspires confidence. Plus, of course, you have the option of the flybridge helm position when the weather is good. No one wants to go out in rough weather but having a boat that you know can cope is always reassuring. Let’s not forget that these boats were designed for the challenging waters of the North Sea and Baltic coastline.

A coloured hull was a fairly popular and attractive option, but this will require some regular upkeep as they show up dried salt more readily and suffer UV degradation. Regular cleaning and a yearly polish will be required if you chose a boat with this option. Make sure that you have

a good look around the hull for any milky/ faded areas of gelcoat or damage that may be difficult to colour match.

Engines Power is usually provided by twin Volvo Penta diesel sterndrives, although a single engine was an option. With twins, top speeds range from 26-44 knots.

The first Targa 31s were fitted with old school 200hp AD41s. Then came the next generation KAD engines, the 230hp KAD42s and KAD43s, the 260hp KAD44s and the 285hp KAD300s.

The twin 230hp configuration saw the boat achieving a top speed of around 32 knots when it was new. According to original brochures, a 31 fitted with twin 230hp engines would achieve around 1.9nm per gallon.

When the Volvo D series engines were brought in, the 31 was given higher power options. Between 2004-2008, the majority of 31s were fitted with either twin D4

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June 2015

260hp or twin D6 310 or 330hp engines, the latter giving a new top speed of 41 knots. After 2008, and up until the 31 ceased production, nearly all 31’s coming into the UK were fitted with the twin D4 300hp engines. These engines offer a comfortable cruising speed of between 25-28 knots, a top speed of 39 knots and a fuel economy, at cruise, of around 2 nmpg The boat we have featured is one of the last in production and was brought into the UK fitted with the larger Volvo D6 370hp engines. As far as we are aware this is the only boat in the British Isles with these engines fitted.

Fuel tank sizes will vary between models, as some boats were fitted with

a 600-litre fuel tank, while others might have a larger 750-litre tank.

Volvo D-series engines are coupled with DPH drives. The steering rams on these have the reputation for fouling induced leaks, therefore will need to be checked regularly.

Conclusion If you want a fast, economical and rugged cruiser to take you long distances, a boat that is more thrills than fancy frills, more practical than posey, then this is the boat for you.

It’s a boat for the purist, and perfect for the British climate.

Family Targa 27 1991-2003

Targa 30 1997-2011

Prices £55,000-£75,000

Prices £60,000-£85,000

Length: 28ft 1in Beam: 10ft This fast, single engine 27ft wheelhouse has 2 berths and an outside toilet compartment.

Buy one (pictured) 1995 £65,750 www.ancasta.com

Length: 31ft 7in Beam: 10ft 3in The 31’s smaller predecessor has an identical layout and single or twin engine options.

Buy one (pictured) 1998 £59,950 www.wessexmarine.co.uk

Targa 33 1995-2007

Prices £100,000-£130,000

Length 33ft 1in Beam 11ft 6in It has the same proven layout as the 31 and bridges the gap between the 31 and 35 models.

Buy one (pictured) 2001 £119,950 www.wessexmarine.co.uk

CONTEMPORARY CHOICE Targa 32 This has a larger forward cabin and toilet compartment.

A new CFC (Comfort Fore Cabin) offers an island or offset double bed or a V-berth.

Price from £244,680 www.wessexmarine.co.uk

Built 2011 onwards Length 35ft 4in Beam 11ft 1in Displacement 6300kg Engines Single or Twin Volvo D4 or D6, 225-400hp www.targa.fi

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CUTTING JL MBT-RX

The MBT-RX from JL audio is a compact and water resistant Bluetooth receiver that fits most audio systems to provide wireless streaming of music from your smartphone or other Bluetooth device.

Said to be the easiest way to add wireless audio streaming, the MBT-RX must also be one of the most costs effective at under £45.

Price £44.99 www.jlaudio.co.uk

Standard Horizon HX870E

The Standard Horizon HX851E was a great handheld VHF, and one of the first to incorporate DSC functionality. It has now been upgraded, re-designed and relaunched as the HX870E. The HX870E offers all the features of its predecessor plus the ability to plot up to 20 routes from a directory of 200 waypoints. It has an MOB soft key for immediate plotting of a man overboard, and a group monitoring function that displays the position of up to 9 other HX870E users on the screen. It has also received a battery upgrade from 1150mAh to 1800mAh. Price £229.95 www.standardhorizon.co.uk

Simrad Halo

Simrad has launched the World’s first solid state, open array, radar with pulse compression technology.

Halo combines the advantages of broadband radar, with the best features of a traditional pulse radar.

This means it delivers returns from as close as 20 foot, like broadband radar, up to 72 miles, just like pulse radar. It offers fast startup and low power drain and is available in 3, 4 or 6ft open array models in 12 or 24 volt versions.

It is compatible with Simrad NSS or NSO Evo 2 multi function displays.

Price from £4490 www.simrad-yachting.com

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June 2015

the latest boating gear and technology

Paragon Microfibre Diamond Towel

The Paragon Microfibre Diamond weave towel is soft and ultra absorbent. It’s perfect for wiping away condensation from windows and decks, as well as other general cleaning duties. Use it wet to clean or dry to dust, every boat should have something like this, and the Paragon is about the cheapest high tech towel we have seen.

Price £7.14 www.paragonmicrofibre.com

Tombag Duffel

The Tombag Duffel is billed as a ‘proper man bag’ that the girls will love to use too. We’re not sure about that, but have to agree that a military style kitbag is a useful thing when carting stuff back and forwards to the boat. We’ve been using one for years! Available in three sizes and a number of colours and fabrics, there’s bound to be one for everyone. Price from £95 www.happybags.co.uk

Henri Lloyd Octogrip Mono

For those who don’t ‘do’ mocassins may we introduce the Henri Lloyd Octogrip Mono deck shoe. They are lightweight and quick drying, and offer maximum grip and super low absorbency. Plus, a new mono construction method has eliminated stitching and the speed criss-cross lacing system allows adjustable comfort and improved fit. They are available in white or grey in UK sizes 6-12.

Price £90 www.henrilloyd.co.uk

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

PowerTel M6300

The PowerTel M6300 is a phone targeted at festival goers, but we think it could actually make a useful boat phone.

It’s amplified, so if your hearing isn’t as sharp as it used to be, or if your engines are noisier than you would like, you should still be able to hear the conversation clearly. It’s got big buttons, making it easy to get the right number when wearing gloves or being bounced around, and claims a decent battery life at 8 days on standby.

Price £39.99 www.robertdyas.co.uk

35

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

by Neale Byart ?????????????????

Guernsey Isle of Man Spectacular scenery, stunning views and beautiful tidal harbours. The Isle of Man is a gem waiting to be explored

I

f you have ambitions of crossing the Irish Sea then you must visit and explore the true gem that is the Isle of Man. Roughly equidistant from Scotland, England and Wales, this unspoilt and captivating island is approximately 33 miles long and 13 miles wide.

The Island’s symbol, the Manx Triskelion, dates back to the 13th century

and features three legs radiating from the centre. Its motto “Quocunque jeceris stabit” means, whichever way you throw me I shall stand. It is very apt for an island that is part of the British Isles yet independently governed. It has its own language, Manx Gaelic, and it is also home to a species of tailless cat.

For one week a year the island is

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June 2015

Destination

ISLE OF MAN

Isle of Man Tourism

Whitehaven Strangford Loch

Isle of Man

IRISH SEA Liverpool Conwy Pwllheli

transformed into the famous TT (Tourist Trophy) motorbike racetrack. The clockwise course is just under 38 miles long and runs from the island’s capital, Douglas, in a westerly direction to Ballacraine. From here the racers head north to Ramsey and climb the race nemesis, the island’s mountain, Snaefell, before descending back into Douglas. It’s quite the holiday event for the island and school children have up to 2 weeks off in late May/early June when it is on.

Douglas is the main tidal port of the Isle

of Man and is ideally located for leisure boats venturing across the Irish Sea from the adjacent coasts. Another useful and quieter port on the west side of the island is Peel. Like Douglas, it is tidally restricted and has a small marina. There are several other drying ports on the island, two of the major ones are Ramsey, on the north east coast and the picturesque harbour of Castletown in the south. Both have inner harbours, so those with the ability can dry out against quayside walls. Port St Mary is another useful harbour in the south where

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Ramsey

Isle of Man Peel Douglas

Douglas is the main port for visiting boaters on the east side of the Isle of Man. Access to the inner harbour (above) is restricted to approximately 2 hrs either side of high water and a lifting bridge and tidal flapgate operate around the clock

it is possible to stay afloat alongside Alfred Pier, or on visitor’s buoys.

The commercial, ferry and leisure port of Douglas is located on the east side of the island. It is a busy harbour and seaside resort. As it is the island’s capital, there is a bustling town with plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as a thriving harbour.

The town’s imposingly decadent Victorian promenade sweeps around the curved Douglas Bay and the tidal harbour can be found at the southern end, very much like the Dorset port of Weymouth. Being tidal, it has an inner harbour, retained by a flapgate, with a marina inside.

Castletown Calf of Man

Port St Mary

Approaches to Douglas

The approach to Douglas is from a northeast direction. Two starboard hand buoys mark the entrance fairway, and the concrete dolphin at the end of Alexandra Pier, on the port side, is marked with a red beacon. On your final approach, particularly for those coming from the south, we would advise giving the end of this pier a wide berth, as overfalls can form where two tidal opposing currents meet. Tidal currents up to 2 knots, running northeast and south, can be expected during flood and ebb tides respectively. A transit, with a heading of

The 19th century Tower of Refuge in Douglas Bay

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June 2015

Destination

ISLE OF MAN

The harbour looking west towards the inner harbour entrance with lifting bridge and tidal flapgate

229° and marked by two triangular leading marks between the two piers (to the right of the lifeboat station), should keep you clear of the overfalls.

As Douglas is a ferry port you will need to look out for the ferries that dock between Victoria Pier and King Edward VIII Pier.

Visiting boats will need to obey the main ITPS port signals shown from the mast Approaches to Douglas

on Victoria Pier. You will also need to call Harbour Control on VHF channel 12 for permission to enter and exit the harbour.

You will see a rocky outcrop with a tower on top in Douglas Bay, to starboard. This iconic landmark, built in the 1800’s, is called the Tower of Refuge and was built to offer shelter and provisions for sailors awaiting rescue.

KEY

10

1 2 3 4

6

Harbour Office Douglas Bay Yacht Club Tourist Information Douglas Station

5 Portofino

6 7 8 9 10

Tanroagan Manx Museum

Tower of Refuge

£ ££

£ £

8

5

C1 2

2

Bus Station Railway

H C £

Hardware Store

1

Tesco Superstore

Chandlery

2

Co-op Supermarket

Cashpoint

igh ts

Victoria Pier King Edward VIII Pier

H

Strand Street

Sea Terminal

gL

1

4

3

din

7 9

22 9

2

Le a

Above, Douglas RNLI Lifeboat Station

JAKS Bar & Steakhouse Noaa Bakehouse Little Fish Cafe

Alexandra Pier Outer Pontoon

Fort Anne Jetty

Battery Pier

Post Office

Lifeboat

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You’ll see seals and spectacular views from the southern most point of the island at The Calf of Man

states of tide and has access to fresh water.

It gives flexibility for those looking to leave when they want, but is also a useful waiting area for those wishing to enter the harbour, subject to space. However, be aware it does get uncomfortable in northeasterly wind conditions.

The inner harbour offers the best in terms of shelter and access to the town.

Once inside you will see a single marina pontoon with fingers, which divides the harbour into two, north and south. There is another long alongside pontoon further inside. Visitors are usually allocated During the summer, a pontoon is installed alongside berths or vacant fingers. It is not possible to pre-book, as berths are along Battery Pier on the port side of the allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ outer harbour. This pontoon floats at all basis. However, it is advisable to call Harbour Control (01624 686628), or the Inner Harbour Office (01624 686923), to find out if there is space, before departure.

The Inner Harbour Office is at the top of the main ramp on the west side of, what is known as, The Tongue. Next door is the toilet and shower block, a chandlery and the Douglas Bay Yacht Club, which has two bars and toilet facilities. At the very The inner harbour at Douglas is lined with bars western end is the harbour slipway, which and restaurants, it is perfect for an evening out leads to a hard standing area.

The inner harbour is enclosed by a tidal flapgate and lifting bridge, offering access of approximately 2 hours either side of high water. The traffic light controlled entrance is located between Fort Anne Jetty and Victoria Pier, which is an area that dries out at low water. The inner harbour office, which is manned 24 hours a day, monitors channel 12 and will advise of the next opening. Flapgate times are also available via the Isle of Man Harbours government website on the Douglas page.

Where to moor

Isle of Man Tourism

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June 2015

Destination

ISLE OF MAN

Marine supplies

Strand Street is Douglas’s main shopping street

Places to visit

There is plenty to do in and around Douglas. For the shopaholic the main shopping area is the pedestrianised Strand Street, which is set back from the promenade, north of the harbour. Here you will find many high street brands. If you are keen to find out about the history of the island, there is the fascinating Manx Museum, and nearby iMuseum in Kingswood Grove, which house many rare artefacts and archives.

A great way to see the island is by train, and a ride on the steam railway from Douglas is a must. The traditional-style station can be found at the western end of

Manx Marine (01624 674842) is a well-stocked chandlery next to the Harbour Office at Douglas that has a delivery service that includes Peel.

There is also a DIY and car supplies shop along South Quay, which would be useful if you are looking for tools or to replace boat batteries.

Transport

Bus operator Bus vannin provides services throughout the island, and multi-journey tickets are available.

You can pick up timetables and buy tickets from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal at Douglas. It is about a 20-minute drive from Douglas to the island’s airport at Ballasalla, where flight destinations include London Gatwick, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Belfast and Dublin. Fast and slow ferries to Belfast, Liverpool, Heysham and Dublin are available from the Sea Terminal at Douglas. These are operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Food supplies

There is a Tesco superstore next to Douglas station at the western end of the Harbour. This opens daily from 8am-12midnight and 9am-6pm on Sundays. There is a smaller Co-op food store in Duke Street close to the harbour, which is open daily 8am10pm and 9am-6pm on Sundays.

Just along from this is a useful Boots Pharmacy.

You can catch a steam train from Douglas.

A return trip to Castletown is £10.80 for adults Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Isle of Man Tourism

Peel is a charming town with shops and restaurants, a beautiful sandy beach and an ancient castle

the harbour, and from here trains travel south to the harbours of Castletown and Port Erin. The Manx Electric Railway runs from nearby Derby Castle at the northern end of Douglas Bay. Its route, via Laxey, takes you north along the east coast and goes as far as Ramsey. Mining was an important industry on the island, and the 72ft Victorian Great Laxey wheel and mining railway are two attractions on route. At Laxey there is also a connection to the Snaefell Mountain Railway.

We would definitely recommend hiring a car and exploring the island, as the landscape is spectacular, charming and ever changing. In the central regions you will see rolling hills, farmland and dense pine plantations. Then there are the rugged mountains in the north, including

Niarbyl Bay on the west coast of the island is a famous film location and has an excellent cafe

Snaefell, the island’s highest peak at 2036ft, which provides breathtaking views of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales on a clear day. Finally there are the dramatic cliffs of the west coast.

The Curraghs Wildlife Park north east of the island makes for a nice day out for all ages. Animals include wallabies, racoons, penguins, red pandas and monkeys. Entry to the park is £9 for adults and £6 for children, there is also a family ticket available at £26.

If you find yourself in Peel then a visit to the Moore’s Traditional Kipper Curers at the eastern end of the harbour is recommended. It has a shop selling oak cured fish and meat, and there are factory tours available too. Peel Castle is also a great attraction, and entry into the impressive ancient fortress is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

We would recommend a visit to Niarbyl Bay on the west coast. The cliff-top visitor centre and café (01624 843300) offers excellent food and fantastic views out to sea. It is here where many scenes for the movie Waking Ned were filmed.

Another ‘must visit’ is the spectacular southwest tip of the island. From the grassy cliftop you can watch the seals play

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June 2015

Destination

ISLE OF MAN

Distances

The Douglas Bay Yacht Club has two bars and balcony that overlooks the marina

and bask on a tiny rocky outcrop just offshore. There is a visitor centre on site with a large café that offers 180-degree panoramic views out to sea and towards the small-inhabited island called the Calf of Man. For details on travel and other places of interest, tourist information is available at the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Where to eat & drink

Just metres away from Douglas marina you are spoilt for choice for eateries of all types and budgets. There are too many to name, so here are just a few.

First and foremost, if you want to have a drink and watch the activity of the inner harbour, the Douglas Bay Yacht Club

Approximate distances in nautical miles from Douglas: • Peel 31 miles • Whitehaven 40 miles • Conwy 57 miles • Strangford Lough 50 miles • Liverpool 70 miles • Howth 74 miles Approximate distances in nautical miles from Peel: • Strangford Lough 30 miles • Carrickfergus 51 miles

Events

TT 2015 30th May – 12th June

Charts & Pilot Books

Admiralty Chart 2094: Kirkcudbright to Mull of Galloway and Isle of Man Admiralty Chart 2696: Isle of Man Admiralty Charts 1826, 1411, 5613 Admiralty Leisure Chart Folio SC5613 Irish Sea - Eastern Part Imray charts Y70, C62 Admiralty NP37 - West Coasts of England and Wales Pilot Reeds Nautical Almanac Harbour aerial photos

Weather

North Irish Sea Shipping Forecast MET Office 5-day forecast Weather Stations Peel Breakwater Weather Station Douglas Breakwater Weather Stations Douglas Marina Webcam Peel Harbour Webcam

You can eat local delicacies, such as kippers and queenies, at the Little Fish Cafe on North Quay

For more information visit: www.visitisleofman.com www.isleofman.com

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Berthing Fees

Marina berths at Douglas & Peel 10m overnight berth £23.50 10m week berth £164.50 10m month berth £658

Where to fill up

In Douglas diesel is available at the fuel berth alongside Battery Pier.

Petrol is available in cans from Brown Bobby Filling Station on Peel Road, which is a 7-min walk (north west direction) from the inner harbour.

Tides

The Douglas flapgate closes on the ebb at 4.4m above chart datum.

Douglas Flapgate times Admiralty EasyTide Douglas & Peel

Irish Sea Navigation

Tides and weather play a crucial role in passage planning when crossing the Irish Sea, particularly around the waters of the Isle of Man, as here tidal currents meet, and are squeezed between, the neighbouring coasts.

Picking a tidal window to suit the wind conditions is recommended.

When observing the Irish Sea tidal streams in the Almanac, you will see that there are slack water, or weak currents, around the Isle of Man during both the HW and LW Dover periods. If the wind isn’t playing ball, and you can’t make use of a favourable tide, due to wind against tide conditions, these are probably the best periods to undertake a passage to or from the Isle of Man. See detailed Isle of Man tidal streams on the Government website

welcomes visiting boaters to its clubhouse on The Tongue. Its balcony offers great views across the harbour and beyond.

It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday daytimes, as well as Saturday and Sunday evenings. There is usually food available on Thursday nights, and it offers a Sunday lunch on the last Sunday of every month.

You should try the local seafood while on the Isle of Man. Queenies (large Scallops) and Kippers are specialities to look out for on the menu. Tanroagan and the Little Fish Café are two of the good fish restaurants in Douglas. There isn’t a shortage of fish and chip shops either, with the handy harbourside takeaway on North Quay.

If you are looking for something special then the stylish and upmarket Portofino restaurant at the end of the harbour is sure to impress.

If you like nothing more than a juicy steak or a rack of ribs then JAK’s Bar & Steakhouse (01624 663786) on Loch Promenade is a must, and just an 8-minute walk from the harbour.

If you are looking for an artisan style cafe for coffee, a light bite or a spot of lunch, then there is the Noa Bakehouse on Fore Street. The smell of freshly made cakes and bread will be hard to resist.

The Noa Bakehouse in Douglas is a popular cafe

44

June 2015

Destination

Peel Castle

Visitors Buoys

Co-op Food MFPO Offices

T

ISLE OF MAN

Peel

he active fishing harbour of Peel is located on the west coast, and is ideally situated for boaters visiting from, or going to Ireland and Northern Ireland. The ports of Strangford and Belfast are 33 and 55 miles away respectively. The quaint town with its delightful harbour and sandy beach is overlooked by the 10th century Peel Castle that stands guard on the west side of the entrance. The harbour is picturesque and has ample facilities for the visiting boater. It is tidally restricted with an inner harbour and marina with tidal gate access 2 hours either side of high water. Berths are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis but calling ahead for availability is advisable.

Approaches & moorings

Outside the harbour are three seasonal, all tides, yellow visitors’ buoys, which can be used for overnighting or waiting for entry. These are positioned off the south groyne in at least 2 metres of water. Peel Harbour provides good shelter except

in strong northwest to northeast wind conditions, when entry is not advisable.

Entry is from a north/north east direction and the harbour has a transit, which is 207°, by lining up the Groyne Beacon and the power station chimney on the shore.

The entrance channel, which dries out at low water, is between the main breakwater and the south groyne beacon. It then passes between Castle Jetty and the East Quay Pier. Visiting boats need to be aware that the south groyne becomes submerged at half tide. Access is via a swing bridge and lowering flapgate. Visitors should call ‘Peel Harbour’ on VHF channel 12 (01624 842338) to arrange a berth and to request the timing of the next bridge swing. The bridge is swung when the flapgate lowers on a rising tide, then every half an hour, on request. The marina offers power, water and an amenity block, and the Harbour Office is on East Quay. Diesel is available at the fuel berth in the outer harbour at East Quay using a fuel card, which can be purchased from the MFPO Offices near the House of Manannan visitor centre.

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

45

USED BOAT

SECOND LOOK

Uttern D68 Exclusive 2005

S

portsboats and cuddies are great boats for those that want something sporty, something to spend a few hours on board when the sun is out, maybe something that can tow a person with a plank or two strapped to their feet. But what happens when you want your boating to be a bit more than that.

Maybe you have started a family and want a bit more room. Maybe you have decided you want to spend more than just

a few hours on board.

Maybe boarding and waterskiing have taken a back seat to lounging in the sun and BBQing. The next logical step is usually a sports cruiser, but we think we have found something in between, something

46

June 2015

FOR SALE

£17,950

that may just about combine these two lifestyles and allow you do to a bit of both.

The Uttern D68 is, quite possibly, the missing link between cuddy and cruiser.

Uttern, for those who haven’t come across the name before, is a Swedish brand (Uttern is Swedish for Otter) that was briefly represented in the UK about 10 years ago by Boats.co.uk, known then as Essex Boatyards. Being Scandinavian, they came with a quality that many other similar boats simply couldn’t match.

Unfortunately, they also came with a price tag that was similarly unmatched, and not in a good way. Ten years later these boats occasionally come up for sale and, when they do, the expensive price has long been forgotten and you find them typically

priced on a par with boats that were once considerably cheaper. The D68 is a case in point. Ten short years ago you would have needed to part with around £36k to remove this boat from the clutches of the Essex dealers. Today, it is up for sale again with the same company for a much more reasonable £17,950, or to put it another way, half price.

So what makes the Uttern worth a closer look? Quite simply the fact that I don’t think I have ever been on another 22 foot sports cuddy that offered so much in such a compact package. We’ll start with the cabin. Like most cuddies it is small, in fact it is quite possibly smaller than usual, but that is not a problem because for the most part it will be a glorified storage

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

47

The cockpit provides a fantastic social and living space with features not usually found on a cuddy

area. Having said that, it does offer two single berths that can be converted to a double if required, it has loads of storage, with three under seat lockers and four eye level cupboards, and it even has a portable toilet. More than that it has a large space beneath the cockpit sole that means you can use this area for storage, and still get your head down for the night if needed.

Saying it has sitting headroom would be exaggerating, as you need to stoop even when seated. The woodwork and materials used in the cabin are all good quality, although there appears to be a little bit of water staining to the woodwork in places, which should be easily rectified.

The only other facilities down in the cabin are an overhead hatch, a pair of reading lights and a 12 volt power socket. To be honest though, the D68 is all about the The cabin is compact, but offers a toilet and cockpit, and what a cockpit it is. Taking somewhere to get your head down for the night 48

June 2015

up almost two thirds of the boats length you get a space that the whole family can enjoy. Firstly, the cockpit is nicely sunken, which provides a real feeling of security, especially if you have young children on board. Talking of security, there is a convenient grab rail to grasp from almost anywhere in the cockpit, including a chunky one that is fixed all the way around the inside of the front and side windscreens. Up front there is a pair of helm seats, both adjustable fore and aft as well as up and down, and both able to swivel around to form part of the social scene behind when moored up. Both seats also sport lifting bolsters.

In front of the navigator’s seat is a small open storage compartment, and alongside, in the cockpit coaming, is a huge glovebox type storage area. The helm is well thought out and has the added bonus of a suite of Navman electronics, comprising a Tracker 5600 plotter, fish 4350 sounder/ fish finder and a 7200 VHF. Limited space has meant mounting the plotter and fish finder in such a way that the drive trim gauge is obscured, but with limited space to work with the electronics have been incorporated as well as they could be. One very nice touch, and one I have certainly never seen on any other cuddy, is a warm air vent to demist the windscreen. Another level of detail which is unparalleled in this class is that you get not just a single wiper in front of the helm, but one also in front of the navigator’s seat.

Not only that, they are of the pantograph variety to offer the best possible cleared view. The demisting system works like the heater in your car, from the engine when it is hot, and like in your car this can also

The helm is well thought out and comes with a suite of Navman electronics

A very usable galley includes a single hob, electric fridge and small sink

Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

49

USED BOAT

SECOND LOOK

Economy should be excellent from the little diesel, and there is plenty of space to work around it

be used to heat the cockpit, with another outlet underneath the helm seat. Behind the helm is a small but very usable galley unit, with a single burner alcohol hob, a small electric fridge and a little sink with pressurized cold water. The later is fed from a small, circa 10 litre, portable tank in the cupboard below, inside which there is a drop in pump. The pump has, at some time, overheated and melted so will need replacing. The exact same pump can be

The small portable water tank is located in a galley locker. The pump needs replacing 50

bought from Towsure for under ÂŁ10, but you would need to check the integrity of the tank as the bottom is also showing signs of being affected. Across the transom and half way along the port side of the cockpit is a large L shaped seating area.

This could accommodate four people and, with the two helm seats swiveled, you have a sociable area for a group of six. There is a nice teak table with folding leafs that complements the teak laid cockpit and, together with the dark blue upholstery, brings a real feel of class to this little boat.

Storage in the cockpit is courtesy of a large locker beneath the port side seat, and another useful cave locker in the floor. This floor locker, while cavernous, doesn’t have the length of many sportsboat floor lockers, so if you were to carry some water sports paraphernalia you may have to keep it in the cuddy. The transom seat lifts in its entirety to allow access to the engine. The D68 was available with a few

June 2015

The dark blue hull looks classy and is in excellent condition, belying its 10 years on the water

different engine options throughout its 10 year production, but early ones either had a 4.3 litre V6 petrol or the 1.7 litre 120hp Cummins MerCruiser diesel. This boat has the latter, with 178 hours recorded, which means it will offer fantastic fuel economy, while still delivering speeds of up to 30 knots from the little four cylinder Isuzu based engine. With only 120 hp on tap, performance won’t be as sporty as the petrol version, and you may find it struggles if the boat is fully loaded, but with two or three on board the diesel should still provide enough power for a bit of skiing or boarding, albeit at less extreme speeds. You probably won’t be going barefoot behind this Uttern.

The engine bay is pretty spacious, and the compact nature of the engine means there is good room all around for servicing. All of the important bits look relatively easy to get at, and the engine

looks to be in good condition. These little turbo diesels need regular servicing and, most importantly, a regular cam belt and tensioner change. Check that this has been done recently, as well as the usual oil and filter changes, or if not, work in the cost of a full service before making an offer.

Also pay particular attention to the turbo and waste gate, as these are known failure points on these engines. The Alpha One

A coat of paint and a new set of rubber bellows are needed to bring the drive back into service

Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

51

USED BOAT

SECOND LOOK

Foredeck access is via an opening windscreen with excellent handrails to aid progress

outdrive looks like it is in need of a clean and paint, and the bellows look overdue a change. With much of the value of a boat like this being in the mechanicals, it would be worth considering getting an engine and drive condition and survey report, separate from any normal purchasing survey. As these engines were fitted to numerous road vehicles, including Vauxhall Astras, Corsas and Combi vans, consumable service parts can be obtained easily and cheaply.

Access to the foredeck is best achieved through the opening windscreen. The route up is via some teak laid steps in the cabin door and two very sturdy grab rails on either side of the cabin entrance.

The boat does have small side decks, but with such useful features as mentioned above, these are going to remain unused.

The foredeck is teak laid, which offers not only a nice look, but more importantly, 52

June 2015

The canopy is an important feature on this boat, unfortunately it needs replacing

good grip in the wet. Up front there is a small anchor locker, currently fitted with a Broads type mud weight. The low slung pulpit rails are chunky, but too low to offer much security to someone standing on the foredeck. The cleats up front, like those aft, are also solid, chunky units that wouldn’t look out of place on a 30 footer.

Access to the bathing platform is via three steps up and over the transom. The platform is also teak laid and incorporates a ladder on the starboard side. On the transom is a small wet locker, which opens like a classic Mini boot, that is perfect for keeping mooring warps or a water sports towing line.

Externally the boat appears to be in very good order. There are one or two minor scuffs and imperfections in the shiny blue topsides, but for a 10 year old

boat, it has aged surprisingly well. The grey rubbing strake is damage free but is showing some early indications of UV degradation. The hull will need a coat of antifouling if it’s going to be left afloat, although the joy of a boat like this is the ability to keep it at home on a trailer.

Unfortunately a trailer isn’t included, so if you want to go down this route you will need to budget a couple of thousand,

A transom locker is a useful place to store wet ropes and water sports tow lines

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53

USED BOAT

SECOND LOOK

PERSONALISED PRODUCTS We can supply hand held dry powder, foam, CO2 or water mist extinguishers in all sizes personalised with your boat name, make, model and logo Price from £12.00 PREMIUM RANGE Anything from the standard or engine room ranges using high quality, corrosion resistant stainless steel cylinders.

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sales@firemonkeyltd.co.uk

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BOAT FIRE SYSTEMS

STANDARD RANGE

which you can justify by saving a similar amount every year in mooring fees. One thing that is going to need some money in the very near future is the cockpit canopy. The full canopy offers great all weather cockpit accommodation and so is a very important feature on this boat.

Unfortunately the one that is currently fitted looks to be at the end of its life.

You may get another season out of it but the stitching is giving up and it is becoming difficult to fit due to shrinkage.

A new one is not going to be cheap, but it does provide the opportunity for the next owner to extend the current 5’ 10” headroom that the current cover delivers if they need it.

Owner

Motorboat

Back issues

Boat Name: unnamed Make/Model: Uttern D68 Year: 2005 Engine: 1x Cummins MerCruiser 1.7TDi 120hp LOA:22ft 4in / 6.82m Beam: 8ft 3in / 2.52m Air Draught: 7ft 3in / 2.21m Displacement: 1700kg Fuel: 190 litres Water: 10 litres Boats.co.uk 01702 258885 www.boats.co.uk

0800 310 2100

Motorboat www.motorboatowner.co.uk

negotiation. If you can get a full service thrown in, and a little something off the price towards a new canopy, the Uttern would be more than worth paying a little extra for. It is, after all, a boat that is going to give a little extra back.

SPECIFICATIONS

Conclusion The Uttern offers a unique mix of sportsboat, sportscruiser, dayboat and family boat. It would make a great first boat for someone who is looking to dip their feet into motorboat ownership, but is not quite sure exactly how they are going to use their boat. There are lots of circa 22 foot cuddies on the market, and many of them will be considerably cheaper than the Uttern, but I guarantee that they won’t offer the same mix of diesel economy, sportiness, facilities and usability. At just under £18k it looks expensive, especially as I suspect a full service will need carrying out, a new canopy is required and, if you really want to make the most of it, a new trailer, but that’s all part of the

The manual bilge pump has a wandering hose

Owner

available at www.motorboatowner.co.uk

Marine Electronics in stock for immediate dispatch.

Chargers - Inverters - Galvanic Isolators - Fuses Fuse holders - Crossover switches - Cable Sets - Batteries

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sales@mdsbattery.co.uk

55

USED BOAT

SECOND LOOK

Motorboat Owner

£1K

CHALLENGE

PROJECT Mayland 16

I

t’s been a month of doing bits and bobs for me. I started with plans to get the galley sorted but got a little sidetracked, as is prone to happen, by boat shows, press trips and one of the most exciting events of the year for the boater on a budget, the Beaulieu Boat Jumble.

So while the galley still looks exactly the same as it did last month, I have tied up a few lose ends, finished a couple of almost finished jobs, and bought a few useful bargains to help get us ever closer to our launch date.

I’ll start with the bung, the trailboaters best friend, or worst enemy, depending on whether you remembered to put it in before launching. Quite simply, Olive didn’t have one. There was a housing, but no insert. It only took a few minutes on the web before I realised that looking for just the insert was a waste of time when a whole new unit could be purchased for about the cost of a pint of beer. One eBay transaction later, and a couple of days for the postman to arrive, and I had a new bung and housing. The old housing pretty

56

June 2015

“The planned galley upgrade didn’t happen, but we have tied up some loose ends” much fell out, and a closer inspection revealed it to be in very poor condition generally. The new one was fitted with copious amounts of Sikaflex from the same tube that has now been a feature of my fridge door for well over a year, who says you can’t keep a tube once opened? I also used the Sikaflex to ‘line’ the hole, to try and avoid any bilge water soaking into the transom wood through this orifice.

Meanwhile the postman had also delivered my auxiliary power socket that I mentioned last month. With the wires already run, I simply had to enlarge the existing hole using a step drill, crimp a couple of connectors on the ends of the wires and screw the socket in place. We can now charge our phones when on board.

The 99p 12 volt power socket was delivered and has been installed next to the helm

Beaulieu turned up a couple of bargains for us, the first being a used bilge pump and float switch. The pair cost £5, which is a big saving on the circa £50 these two items retail at new. After much careful measuring I decided that I was able to screw the pump directly down in the hull without going through the bottom, so with baited breath some small pilot holes were drilled straight down. Sure enough the little half inch screws have remained inside the boat and I have avoided the embarrassment of having to fix self inflicted holes in the bottom of our project

The existing drain bung was missing and the housing looked tired, so a whole new unit was purchased and installed Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

57

A Beaulieu bargain. A £5 bilge pump and float switch have been installed and wired up

boat. The float switch was mounted in the same way, with all screw holes receiving a liberal dollop of Sikaflex to seal them against water ingress. The garage has yielded yet more useful freebies, this time in the shape of an old washing machine waste hose that was the perfect diameter for the bilge pump outlet. This has just been poked over the transom and fixed in place to avoid the expense of a through deck fitting.

Wiring the bilge pump came next.

I started with a grand plan to have a warning light on the helm, a buzzer and a manual override switch. I was brought back down to earth with a reality check on the budget, so have instead opted for

Another Beaulieu find. A pair of solar panels, one requiring a little bit of work, for £2

a simple automatic-only operation with the pump wired directly to the battery, via the float switch, with a 5A fuse in line for safety. This is an upgrade that I could do at any time in the future and I have included my wiring diagram here for interest. I would imagine, extra wiring aside, a switch, warning light and buzzer could be purchased for around £10.

You may remember that last month I spoke about battery charging, and how I would need a solar panel as our outboard doesn’t have a charging circuit. I was all ready to buy a new 5 or 10 Watt panel when Beaulieu turned up a possible answer. One of the ‘car boot’ stalls had a pair of tatty looking panels, one of which was suffering a bit of wiring damage. I tentatively asked how much, thinking no matter what he said it would probably be too much, and the stall holder replied ‘a coupe of quid for both’. Suddenly I took a bit more interest. One was a small 1.5 Watt type panel that probably wouldn’t deliver much usable power, but the other was marked up as 5W, and this might just be enough to keep on top of our very modest power demands. We will throw a car battery charger on board to allow a proper

58

June 2015

The wood floor was relaid but looked a bit unfinished. Some cheap rubber flooring has finished the cockpit off

charge whenever we get the opportunity, so, as long as it remains reasonably sunny, the 2-3Ah the panel will theoretically produce per day should be enough.

With the bilge pump in place I decided to tackle the boat’s flooring. Originally these boats were delivered with a bare hull deck in the cockpit but, at some time in its life, someone had installed a slightly raised plywood floor. Despite years of exposure to the weather, including the whole of last winter dumped unceremoniously on my drive, the wood was in surprisingly good condition. With a slight modification

to the aft end to allow for my new bilge pump and float switch, the floor was reused and screwed back down. While the wood creates a perfectly usable surface it does have a bit of a ‘building site’ look about it. I decided to investigate some different flooring material that would be practical, in what would undoubtedly be a wet environment, inexpensive, hardwearing and non slip. What I came up with was some 3mm rubber matting being sold on eBay for a variety of uses, but primarily for kennels and pet runs.

Another day, another weary postman

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

59

The cabin door has been re-fitted and given some security with a new hasp and staple

arrives, this time carrying my rubber matting. A couple of hours later and it is installed and has really lifted the look of the cockpit. It is starting to look like somewhere I can imagine whiling away a sunny afternoon with a good book.

I have also re-fixed the cabin door in place and added a stainless steel hasp and staple, purchased from the stainless steel fixings man at Beaulieu, which means we now have the ability to secure the cabin.

BUZZER

WARNING LIGHT

While I have been working on these little bits, Claire has got stuck into the interior furnishings. She has managed to salvage the foam from the old cockpit cushions and these have been re-cut to form two out of the three cabin cushions.

The triangle piece that will make up the third cushion in the bow will need to be bought. All three cushion covers have been made using a variety of materials begged and borrowed. The bottom panel of each

MANUAL OVERRIDE 5A FUSE

BILGE PUMP

I was going to go all bells and whistle, quite literally, on the bilge pump install.

The proposed bilge pump circuit

FLOAT SWITCH BATTERY

60

June 2015

The sewing machine is earning its keep again.

This time Claire has been making cabin cushions and curtains

cushion has been fashioned from offcuts of the hard wearing canopy material, while the tops and sides have been made out of an old set of curtains donated to the cause by a family member. The boat curtains have been made in a ply format by layering three different materials, all donated, on top of each other. So far the interior has cost us nothing and, with just one piece of foam to buy, this part of the project could prove to be the most cost effective of all.

Next month I really will have to crack on with the galley. With a bit of luck Claire will have finished with the interior, and that will just leave a couple of jobs, one rather large and daunting, still on the list.

I don’t think you need to be a qualified accountant to see the obvious. Like all

the best projects, it is starting to look like we are going to go over budget. How much remains to be seen, but I am staying cautiously optimistic.

This month’s spend

Motorboat Owner

£1K

CHALLENGE

Solar panels £2 Rubber flooring £18.70 Drain bung and housing £3.75 Bilge pump and float switch £5 Stainless steel hasp and staple £4.50 Monthly Total £33.95

Total to date: £955.38 Budget remaining: £44.62 Time spent this month

21 hours 45 minutes

Total time to date

170 hours 30 minutes

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

61

tested Spot Trace

PRICE

€125

Motorboat Owner

“Cost effective hiding it on a small peace of mind” rib, PWC, or even under the cowling of your outboard. It is Value 3/5 waterproof to IPX7, Usability 3/5 Performance 4/5 so you don’t even need to worry about mounting it in a dry location. You can set up the unit to send both text messages and emails when it detects movement, when it is turned off, when the battery is low, or Portable tracking units have been around even just a once a day message to tell you that everything is ok. The unit’s location a while now but, in my experience, they can be instantly seen on a map on the often share one weakness, the need for Spot Trace website, or you can download either a permanent power supply or a an App onto your tablet or smartphone re-charge every few days. Spot Trace is to view your messages, or see the unit’s a small portable GPS tracker that can be location at any time. The mounting powered by four AAA batteries, either bracket can easily be fixed somewhere disposable or rechargeable, and comes out of sight, and the unit clips in and out with a battery life that stretches into easily, which is handy for when you do months, if used sparingly. need to charge or change the batteries.

About the size Like many tracking packages, Spot Trace comes with a subscription fee, and there of a box of matches, Spot are two levels of service. Basic service provides tracking from every 5 minutes, Trace can be while Extreme Tracking will deliver mounted out tracking at 2.5 minute intervals. Personally of view on I think the basic package is fine, but the almost any marine related option is there if you want it for around an extra £6 per month on top of the circa product. You £7 per month for basic tracking. The unit could put it You can instanty trace your itself costs around £90. For a high risk, on your large item on the Spot website high value item, Spot Trace brings you cruiser just or through an App on your peace of mind for a very reasonable outlay. as easily as iPhone or tablet 62

Contact: Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd www.findmespot.eu/en June 2015

All tests in Motorboat Owner are carried out by real boaters in real life situations

Polymarine Superflex Last year we followed how one reader had rejuvenated his tired dinghy by using Polymarine Superflex dinghy paint (see June 2014 issue). We caught up with Richard two years after he carried out the painting to see how it had faired. Since the overhaul the dinghy has had two full summer’s use and two winters packed away in a damp bag. The dinghy has been towed behind his boat, dragged up the beach, manhandled onto the pontoon and on quite a few occasions, caught underneath the pontoon and dragged back out. We really can’t think of a more thorough test. So how is it looking? The answer is surprisingly well. There are one or two scratches in the paint surface, but Richard tells us that this is where it was jammed hard under the pontoon. The rest of the paint looks very good. In fact Richard proceeds to get a knife out of his pocket and scrape it across

The paint has survived a quite harsh cleaning regime, with use of a scourer sponge and Cif

PRICE

£48.35

the painted surface to show just how tough it is. He also admits to using scouring pads on it when he cleans it, and uses Cif as a cleaning product. With this level of use and abuse I wouldn’t have been at all surprised to see a dinghy very much in need of a repaint. In fact it looks like it could easily go another couple of years, even with the hard treatment it seems to endure. On this evidence, if you have a tender that is looking a bit worse for wear, don’t chuck it out or replace it. Give it a new lease of life and get at least a couple more years out of it for a fraction of the price. Superflex is designed for use on PVC, is available in a range of colours, and comes in 500ml Motorboat Owner bottles. One bottle should provide roughly “An effective way of extending your one coat for a 2.5m tender’s life” dinghy. For Hypalon tenders, Polymarine Value 4/5 offer a similar product Usability 4/5 Performance 5/5 called Flexithane.

Contact: Polymarine Ltd www.polymarine.com

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

63

Bayliner Ciera 8

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June 2015

BOAT TEST

Length (LOA): 8.15m / 26ft 9in Beam: 2.55m / 8ft 4in Displacement: 2900kg Fuel capacity: 276 litres Water capacity: 75 litres RCD category: C Engine as tested: 1 x MerCruiser 4.5L 250hp MPI / Bravo 3 Other engine options: MerCruiser 350 MAG 300hp / Bravo 3 MerCruiser 350 MAG 300hp CAT / Bravo 3 Mercury TDI Diesel 245hp / Bravo 3x Price from £70,700

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

65

I

t was a bit of a shock when, a couple of years ago, Bayliner announced it was going to stop marketing its affordable Cruiser range in Europe. The Bayliner brand had, after all, provided many boat owners, myself included, with an entry point into motorboat ownership.

I understood that Europe was a reasonably small market for one of the biggest US brands, but I have to admit I thought they were making a bit of a mistake. Roll on one year and Brunswick, the parent company of Bayliner, announced plans for a new ‘European’ range of sportscruisers, one that would reintroduce a name that hadn’t adorned the side of a new Bayliner for a number of years, Ciera. Six months later the Ciera 8 was launched at the 2014

Cannes Boat Show, and later seen for the first time in the UK at the 2015 London Boat Show. The Ciera 8 is the first and smallest of the new Ciera range and, at 26 foot, sits in the market at the spot previously taken by a range of boats from the 2450 Ciera of the 1980’s, through to the 265 Cruiser of this decade. At first glance it appears to offer exactly the same benefits as those

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June 2015

“Bayliner has provided many boaters with an entry point into motorboat ownership”

The cockpit contains lots of versatile and practical features, such as a three position transom seat

previous boats, a four berth family cruiser with decent performance and great weekending facilities, in a compact and affordable package. Jump forward to May 2015 and I am among the first European journalists to put the Ciera 8 through its paces and see if it lives up not just to expectations, but to the Ciera name that so many boaters remember fondly.

First thing first, let’s talk about its looks.

The Ciera 8 is a boat that divides opinions.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but I don’t think that the Ciera 8 is as easy on the eye as Bayliner’s older Cieras, or indeed the later Cruiser range. The Brunswick designers have delivered high sides and big windows to provide good headroom and decent light down below.

This, in turn, has resulted in looks that some may find a little challenging. Having seen the Ciera 8 with a dark blue hull I Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

will say right up front that I think it is an option worth considering. It does a great deal to disguise the height of the boat, and also hides the lower of the two cabin windows, which in my opinion makes the whole boat look much prettier. It is, of course, very subjective, so look at the Ciera 8 through your own eyes and form your own opinion. There will be plenty out there that disagree with me, so feel free to

A dark hull colour is a nice feature to opt for

67

The forward berth converts into a double berth with clever use of the backrest cushions

join in.

Right, with that out of the way, lets look at what the Ciera 8 has to offer. The forward cabin provides the usual dinette area that converts into a vee berth. The infill cushions are stored during the day as the backrests for the two sides of the dinette, cleverly keeping them out of the way when not in use, and freeing up berth space when needed. There is carpet lined storage beneath all cushions, with a little more on the starboard side, where there is an extra seat cushion. The whole cabin is bathed in light thanks to those four side windows and the overhead hatch. Headroom isn’t as great as you would expect, given the height of the superstructure, at just under 6ft in front of the port side galley. The galley unit is far removed from Bayliners of old.

My old 2450 left the factory with hand pumped cold water, a bit of pink Formica

covered ply and an alcohol hob. It didn’t even have a fridge. The Ciera 8 comes with a galley that wouldn’t look out of place on a much bigger, and more expensive, sports cruiser. It has a Corian type work surface, a sink with a drop in cover, hot and cold pressurised water, a built in fridge and microwave and a very useful amount of storage, including a dedicated rubbish bin cupboard. The inclusion of an alcohol hob is still practiced, but at least now it can also be used on electric. Overhead there is a small round port that allows some natural light into the galley area during daylight hours.

Opposite the galley is the toilet compartment. This has a door with a frosted panel to allow extra light to penetrate, and inside there are all the mod cons you would expect. The toilet is squeezed between the sink unit and

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June 2015

A well appointed galley and decent toilet compartment, together with an under cockpit double, provide family friendly accomodation

the rear bulkhead, which means you can wedge yourself in should the call of nature come during a less than perfect passage.

Headroom is a bit of a disappointment here, at just 5’5”, and this is reduced even further by the two spotlights that protrude down into the compartment by another inch. On the plus side, storage is good, with a decent sized eye level locker and a big unit beneath the sink.

The main double berth is, like most sportscruisers, located beneath the cockpit Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

sole. Here you will find a decent sized double bunk, which can be separated off for privacy from the rest of the cabin with a pair of curtains. It is quite a basic, mattress on the floor, sort of cabin, but it has some reading lights, a bit of storage for your bags, and a small opening port into the cockpit.

Access to and from the cockpit is taken care of by a set of steps, which are open to allow extra light into what might otherwise be a dark mid cabin. Along the port side of the cockpit you get, as standard, a seat/

69

The port seating is shorter with the optional galley, but does benefit from a forward facing backrest

sun lounger. Our test boat had the optional cockpit galley (ÂŁ1200), which loses you a third of the bench seat but provides a

The optional cockpit galley provides the boat with a second fridge, hob and sink

second single burner alcohol/electric hob, another electric refrigerator and a small sink. The optional galley unit also delivers a forward facing backrest for your crew on the port side seating.

Opposite this is the helm, and it’s a well thought out and ergonomic unit. You have a nice mid helm space for a 7 or so inch multi function display, a compass right in the centre, easy to read engine instruments, simple switch gear for your various circuits and space for the optional bow thruster control (£1500) and stereo remote. There is even a little tray, mid helm, for your sunglasses or other bits and bobs and a pair of cup holders. The only flies in the ointment are the vulnerability of the toggle switches, which could be accidentally operated, or even damaged, when the going gets rough, and a lack of a trim tab gauge.

The helm seat is a good size and comes with a lifting bolster to offer three driving positions, seated, standing or leaning. The steering wheel is adjustable for perfect

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June 2015

A walkthrough windscreen provides foredeck access where optional sunpad cushions can be installed

placement, depending on your choice, and is something that is often missing on boats that cost three or four times the price of the Bayliner. There is a moulded footrest below the steering wheel and, in the coaming, there is a small closable glove box type storage unit. Visibility from the helm is good, helped by a pantograph windscreen wiper when it’s raining, although the arch itself does cause a small blind spot to the starboard quarter.

Behind the helm is a rearward facing seat, below which is access to a huge locker.

The lid is on gas struts but this very useful storage space does have one drawback.

This lid hinges from the very front, which means it can only be lifted if there is no one sitting at the helm. Worse than that, they can’t even stand at the helm, as the backrest ends up tight against the steering wheel.

Using this to store ropes and fenders once underway will mean the skipper standing aside, so probably best done only with the boat out of gear, in safe water. The radar arch, as fitted to our test boat, is an optional extra but one worth considering not just as somewhere to mount your radar dome, but also because it includes an integrated Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

bimini top.

The transom seat is big enough to seat three at a squeeze, and also has a good sized storage unit in its base. Again the lid is supported with gas struts with access from the bathing platform side. The backrest of the transom seat has three positions to allow forward facing, rearward facing or, by being laid flat, sun lounging. There are three more little storage compartments in the cockpit coaming in the aft half of the boat. The starboard one houses a manual bilge pump, and two on the port side enclose a transom shower and the master

This nice big locker is only accessible when there is no one at the helm. Gas struts are a nice touch

71

PERFORMANCE As tested 65% fuel 0% water 5 crew Force 2 *These fuel figures are calculated using generic data for the specific engine, and may not provide an accurate representation of fuel usage for this combination

RPM

electrics panel with battery shut off.

A transom gate leads out onto the bathing platform, which itself is large and uncluttered and fitted with an under slung bathing ladder, on the port side. Out here you also have access to the external fuel filler and waste water pump out.

Without side decks, access to the bow is via a walk-through windscreen. This is aided by moulded steps in the cabin door, and the top of the windscreen to grab hold of. The optional bow sunpad cushions make working your way forward a bit awkward, and once through the screen you no longer have anything to hold onto. The pulpit rail rises as the foredeck falls away, so that by the time you are at the bow it is at a decent height to provide a feeling of security for your crew. Up front there is a useful sized

750 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5150

Knots LPH

GPH

MPG

2.6 3.7 5.7 7.2 8.5 12 17 24 28 30 31

0.55 1.10 1.78 2.82 3.43 4.99 6.82 8.98 11.9 16.1 16.8

4.72 3.36 3.20 2.55 2.48 2.40 1.73 2.67 2.35 1.86 1.84

2.5 5.0 8.1 12.8 15.6 22.7 31.0 40.8 54.3 73.0 76.3

Range Noise (nm)

287 204 194 155 151 146 105 162 143 113 112

63 69 70 70 72 78 79 80 82 83 83

anchor locker and an optional, concealed electric winch with remote foot controls (ÂŁ1500). The access hole to the chain locker is probably too small to allow storage of fenders, so they are all going to have to come back to the cockpit when underway.

Our test boat was fitted with the brand new 4.5 litre V6 250hp Mercury engine.

This all new engine will be replacing both

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June 2015

The brand new MerCruiser 250hp V6 is the standard engine option.

The helm is comfortable and well laid out

“It achieved planing speeds of between 17-31 knots and handled head seas admirably” the existing GM based V6 and V8 motors and is both more compact and 67kg lighter than the 5 litre V8 that you would normally expect to see in a boat of this size.

Brunswick’s figures indicate that the new V6 delivers faster acceleration, higher top speeds and better fuel economy than the outgoing 260hp V8. Access to the engine is via an electrically operated engine hatch.

The hatch is rather slow to lift but, once opened, the installation is neat, and all key service points look easy to get at, with room all around to work.

Underway We were testing with a full complement on board, five not so svelte gentlemen and 65% fuel. Wind conditions were light, but the sea state was choppy due to residual slop Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

from some earlier weather. From standstill the boat took a while to get up on the plane, around 14 seconds in fact. We had two crew on the transom seat, and inoperative trim tabs, neither of which would have helped the cause. While the boat was getting over the hump, the bow was quite high in the air and visibility forward was restricted unless standing. Some trim down would have made all the difference. Once on the plane, performance is actually very good. The new engine feels reasonably sprightly in this boat and, as long as you don’t allow the boat to drop off the plane, it remains very responsive, especially from about 3500rpm upwards.

Below 3300 rpm we found the stern starting to drag, and without tabs to keep it raised we achieved a slowest planing speed of 17 knots before dropping off the plane. At this speed

73

the hull, which incidentally is not new but rather the old 255 cruiser hull, handled the choppy head sea admirably. I can say from experience that in this respect Bayliners have come a long way since the 80’s. My old 2450 was a good boat, but in the same conditions we would have been in full displacement mode. The boat doesn’t seem to require much drive trim, porpoising quite readily when the leg is raised, so in all but the flattest of seas it would seem to be at its happiest with the leg trimmed fully down. Throw the Ciera 8 into a tight turn and the lean is quite alarming. It’s all perfectly safe of course but, if your crew are of a nervous disposition, I would suggest working up slowly to the full lock, full speed turns. When turning the boat at the limits of its performance, you do get a little loss of grip from the hull, and the prop starts to slip as air is drawn down from the surface, but most owners will never get anywhere near this in everyday use. Overall the Ciera 8 is a rather sporty package, and delivers performance exactly as you would expect from a sportscruiser. With working tabs and a normal load, I feel sure that lower end performance and acceleration

The versatile transom seat offers three backrest positions and a large storage locker

would be equally satisfying. Like any tall boat, it is susceptible to wind induced lean, but again working tabs, preferably automatic, would soon deal with this as it occurs. While the 250hp engine delivered adequate power for most applications, Bayliner do also offer other petrol options up to 300hp for the performance and water sports enthusiast, as well as a diesel option, courtesy of Mercury’s 245hp TDI, for long distance cruising.

Conclusion Back in 1987, my old 2450 cost around £18k. In today’s money that equates to

74

June 2015

approximately £45k, which makes the Ciera 8 seem somewhat less affordable in relative terms. What you have to remember is that the level of equipment and creature comforts on the 8, make it an altogether different kettle of fish. Back in 87 we could only dream of pressurized hot water, electric engine hatches, electric fridges, etc. The list could go on and on, but the reality is that affordable nowadays still needs to include the kind of kit you expect to find on top end products, and the payoff for this is that in real terms the cost of an entry level Bayliner cruiser has risen significantly. Having said that, it still offers good value compared to its contempories and, if you are looking for that first step into sportscruiser ownership, the Ciera

The optional radar arch comes with a bimini top

8 delivers a very competent package. Add a few items from the options list and you get a very inclusive boat for family days, weekends, or weeks on the water, and you can still have change from £80k.

ENQUIRIES: Bates Wharf Tel: 01932 571141 www.bateswharf.co.uk YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

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LOA: 8.53m Beam: 2.79m Displacement: 3460kgs Enquiries: Thames Boat Sales 01932 570055 www.thamesboatsales.co.uk

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Ciera 8

SHOWROOM LOCATIONS London KT16 8LG T: 01932 571141

Eastbourne BN23 5QF T: 01323 470066

www.bateswharf.co.uk

Poole BH15 4AF T: 01202 679421

Southampton SO31 7EB T: 01489 576888

sales@bateswharf.co.uk

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Single Vetus 140hp Diesel. 6 berths, warm air heating, folding arch

£124,950

2009 Jetten 37AC £155,950 Single Yanmar 75hp Diesel.

Great specification

1980 Broom 37 Crown £54,950 Twin Perkins 145hp Diesels. 4 berths. viewing highly recommended

2007 Aquanaut EV1300 £399,000 Single Perkins 148hp Diesel.

Spacious with 5 berths in 3 cabins

£129,950 1998 Sealine F43 Twin Volvo Penta 370hp Diesels. £134,950. Viewing Recommended

2008/09 Sealine S25

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2007 Westwood A35

distributors for Sealine and Four Winns.

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New and Used

Boats for Sale 01189 01189 403211 403211

Call Call our our friendly friendly team team to arrange an appointment to view any of the used boats for sale below –– or or visit visit our our website website for this month’s complete range www.valwyattmarine.co.uk

Beavis SealineMarine/22 / 218

Princess/32 Beneteau / Flyer 650 WA

Langley/25’ Slipper Launch Interboat / 17

Interboat/25 Langley / 25’ Slipper Launch

1995 1989 || £9,950 £14,995| 22ft/6.7m | 23ft | 7m

1978 2004||£13,500 £15,000 || 32.3ft/9.9m 20ft | 6m

2000 2009 | £24,750 £19,000 | 25ft/7.6m 19ft | 5.7m

2009 25.8ft/7.9m 2000 | £44,950 £24,750 | 25ft | 7.6m

AGreat fantastic little boat forrecondiinland family boat with waterways and estuary cruising. tioned 205hp Volvo & only 71hrs.

Well-maintained model with large High spec weekender with 150hp cockpit great accommodation.

Yamahaand complete with trailer.

Built to looks, traditional specifications Classic handmade build, but with 16hp a GRPengine, hull. seating for 9. inboard

Open day boat for 10 style people with Traditional Andrews with low toilet room, fridge, & bowthruster. maintenance GRP hull.

Sealine/310 Ambassador Viking / 26 Widebeam

Sheerline/950 TriCabin Cabin Intercruiser / 27

Broom/38 Ocean Sheerline/950 Tri Cabin

JL Pinder/English Broom / 38 Ocean Barge

1994 2010 || £37,500 £32,500||31.5ft/9.6m 26ft | 7.9m

2006 2011 | £95,000 £85,000 | 31ft/9.4m 28ft | 8.5m

1998 ||£139,950 38.5ft/11.7m 2006 £90,000 | 31ft | 9.5m

2008 | £129,950 £140,000 || 38.5ft 75ft/22.9m 1998 | 11.7m

AFamily familyriver sports cruiser, well suited cruiser, 30hp Mercury for both 6river andhigh coastal cruising. engine, berths, specification.

An idealentertaining river cruiser offering 4 Superb boat with berths 2 cabins. cockpitinseating for 10.

6 berths in 2 cabins lower Ideal spacious river plus cruiser, 4+2 saloon, price 2 x heads and shower. berths, just reduced.

A unique to purchase Priced to opportunity sell. High coastal spec, an English double width barge. new canopies, 6 berth.

Discover the essence of relaxed river life with Val Wyatt Marine From our superb family-owned site at Willow Marina we cater for your every boating need. As well as an impressive range of river boat brands – including the handmade Interboat – we offer moorings, maintenance, on-site refreshments and local produce for that all important picnic, and much more.

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2011 Beneteau Antares 30 Fly Single Volvo D6 340hp - £99,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

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2006 Bayliner 305

2x Volvo Penta KAD 42 Diesels- £109,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

1995 Broom 36

2015 Westwood A405

Single Volvo 300hp Diesel - £328,995 Contact Thames & Kennet

2x Cummins Diesels - £59,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

1993 Stevens 1240

Single Volvo Penta TMD41B Diesel - £99,950 Contact Thames & Kennet

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2007 Primatist Abate G41

2003 Doral Prestancia

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2015 Viking 24 Highline

2x Volvo Penta D6 Diesels - £99,000 Contact Walton

2013 Bavaria 34HT

2x Volvo Penta D4 Diesels - £129,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

2002 Stevens 1180s

2x Volvo TMD31 Diesels - £189,950 Contact Thames & Kennet

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2x Mercruiser 1.7L Diesels - £49,995 Contact Upton

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1997 Fairline Targa 37 (choice of 2)

2x Mercruiser 220hp Diesels- £97,500 Contact Thames & Kennet

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2011 Jeanneau Marlin 6

Single Honda 20hp Outboard - £38,800 Contact Walton

Single Suzuki 70hp Outboard - £22,950 Contact Walton

2012 Beneteau Antares 680

1994 Colvic Sunquest 34

Single Yamaha F30 Petrol outboard- £25,00 Contact Upton

2x Volvo AD41/DP Diesels - £60,000 Contact Upton

Extensive Selection of New & Pre Owned Boats for Sale

More Locations, More Choice!

Brokerage Services

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Quality Photographs & Descriptions

Seven Superior Marinas Throughout the UK

2006 Rinker Vista Vee

Single Mercruiser 5.0 Petrol - £29,950 Contact Walton

2014 Bella 560HT + Trailer

Single Mercury F100 Petrol outboard - £19,950 Contact Upton

We have over 140 boats to choose from at seven different locations

SCAN HERE to view our boats for sale

www.tingdene.net Pyrford Marina

Tel (01932) 343 275 River Wey, Surrey

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Tel (01189) 477 770

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OPEN ALL WEEK HUGE CHOICE OF BOATS AVAILABLE

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PEDRO BOATS

1996 Fairline Targa 2 x Volvo 1999 Broom 38, 1 x39, Perkins Sabre Penta KAD42 6 Berths, M135L 135hp230hp Diesel,Diesel, 6 Berths, Undergone full BSC refurbishment over the Bow Thruster, Expires 2016. last 12 months.

2014 Survey available, Mooring available.

BSC expires 2018. £124,950 £94,950

2010 Princess 42 Flybridge.

Immaculate one owner example, twin Volvo D6 diesels. Very well equipped inc two luxury en-suite cabins must be seen. £324,950

1988 Pedro Penta 1993 Broom36, 3612x xVolvo Mercruiser TMD31Turbo 4 Cyl 220hp 100hp,Diesel, Diesel, 6spacious D4.2L Berths, 6 berth Hydraulic Dutch steelRadar cruiser withBow bow Electro Arch, thruster, Eberspacher heating and Thruster. BSSC Expires 2018. holding tank. £99,500 £64,950

2000 Broom 38. Twin Yanmar 250hp diesels. Lovely Condition, only two owners from new plus she has nearly all available options. £155,000

1982 Broom Crown 1998 Capriole 900 37, 2 x Volvo 296hp50hp Diesel,Diesel, very good 1TAMD40A x Nanni 4.200 226 condition, Capable of cruising engine hours, 4 Berths, Bow the & sea and inland waterways.

6 Berths Stern Thrusters.

Prime Mooring at in 3 Cabins.Available.

Harleyford £59,950 £65,000

2008 Linssen Grand Sturdy 33.9 AC. One of the best available. Very well equipped & low hours on the 1x Volvo D275hp diesel. Perfect condition.

Price reduced to £145,000

2003 Grand Banks 42 Motor Yacht. V. well maintained & in excellent condition.

Up to 7 berths in 3 cabins. Highly spec’d with passarelle, twin 3126, 420hp Cat diesels plus generator, good Nav gear, Rib & outboard plus much more.

Full Med Spec. £329,000 tax paid.

2004 Viking 1995 BountySeamaster Rive 34, 1 Waterline x 2008 30, 1 x4.5 Nanni 50hp Diesel, Ideal livein Nanni 50hp Diesel, 6 Berths 6 berths in 3extended cabins. Only 3aboard, Cabins.

Ideal for cruising 6 ever made.

Bow Thruster, BSC or family holidays. expires 2017 £63,000 £49,950

1998 Linssen Dutch Sturdy 1979 Broom Ocean 42. 380AC. a singleexample Volvo oninshaft AFitted wellwith equipped with bowthruster presented in for excellent all-round condition excellent her age. 2condition. x Volvo Penta diesels.

Reducedserviced. to £125,000 Recently BSC till 2019. £85,000

2007 Grand Heritage 2000 GrandBanks Banks4742 Motor Yacht.

Classic. Superb Spacious cruiserrestyled with 6model berthsin in 3 excellent condition. Twin Cat C9 diesels cabins, very well equipped for 23+knots. V. well equippedwith withmany extras & good Twin dinghy 375hp generator, bow &navionics. stern thrusters, crane plus rib, condition.

Raymarine navionics.

Cat’s.

Lovely Galley down layout.

Lying Hamble Seriously £260,000 Tax Paid for sale at reduced price - £485,000

1998 Shadow 26 Cabriolet, 2013 Ribeye 740SX Custom1 x Marine 43hp, Drive, 70 Diesel.

1Beta x Yamaha 225hpShaft Outboard, 4 Berths 1 Cabin. hours oninengine.

FullImmaculate Electronics condition, Twin bow thruster, central package, Axel Roller Trailer & heating, Boat Safety expires 2018.

Full Cover. £34,000 £49,950

2005 Beneteau AntaresDutch 9.80.Steel 1994 Linssen 400AC Twin Nanni diesels.6Excellent Cruiser.

Superb, berth example all-rounder in sound condition. of these popular cruisers. Very Makes a great high spec withfamily manycruiser extras. Single with alldiesel mod cons.

Volvo + double bowthrusters. £75,000 £120,000

1989 Grand Banks 42 classic.

A lovely example, wintered undercover every year and maintained to the highest level. 2 x 135hp diesels, many upgrades & replacements. €210,000 euros inc tax.

2003 Kent 28. A compact, yet surprisingly spacious vessel full of character. Ideal for inland or coastal cruising. Good clean condition.

Single Nanni diesel. £64,950

1988 Grand Banks 42 Classic. 7 berths, large aft cabin with Queen size berth & crew single with en-suite, fwd ‘V’ twin berth with guest heads & shower.

Twin Cat 350hp, gen, good navionics, full inventory. Major refit means great condition. Reduced to £128,500

1984 Hardy 25.Wooden A lovely example of 1958 Classic 39’ Motor this popular, versatile boat.(Wroxham).

Economical Yacht

by Graham Bunn & ideal for river or coastal use. Single Mahogany on oak.

Maintained Volvo 37hp of diesel regardless cost.sterndrive.

Twin Perkins £18,250 diesels. Unique vessel, worth viewing. £110,000

2004 Island Packet 38 Express.

A beautiful & stylish 4 berth sports cruiser with twin 370hp Yanmar diesels for 30knots+. Air con,generator, hydraulic passerelle & much more, must be seen. Lying S/coast. Recently reduced £160,000

1992 Kempala 38. One owner from new! Lovely condition. Can sleep 8.

Twin Perkins 120hp each diesels.

Brand new Batteries & a recently fitted F/Panda Generator. £89,950

1994 Grand Banks 49 classic. One of the best we’ve ever seen. Large spacious vessel, sleeps 6/7 in 3 cabins. Full Med spec & very well equipped. 2 x Caterpillar 3208TA diesels. €375,000 euros inc tax.

2005 Haines 320. A truly lovely example offered in great condition.

Very well equipped spacious vessel with 6 berths. Single Nanni diesel.

Must be seen. £118,000

2004 Grand Banks Eastbay 43 SX. Probably the best one in Europe with many factory fitted options. Twin Cummins 450hp diesels, bowthruster, generator, Raymarine navionics, 4 luxury berths, 2 heads, galley down layout. Lying S/coast.

Now reduced to just £265,000.

1975 Project 31. A much loved & well cared for example in excellent all-round condition. Replacement lower S/S screens allowing access to the upper reaches of the Thames. £15,950.

1999 Grand In truly 1991 GrandBanks Banks46EU. 36 Classic. amazing condition. Kept in a wet boathouse.

Twin A upgrades. lovely example Many135hp valuablediesels. options & Twin of cruisers, well Catthese 3208most 375hppopular diesels plus bowthruster, generator, good navionics, Aquadrives, maintained & well equipped with all hydraulic r/arch, full Bimini, Avon rib & much mod cons. more. Stunning vessel. €495,000 euros Just £135,000 tax paid

1992 Sealine 1978 Princess270 33Senator, 2 x Volvo AQ250 4 Cylinder 300hp Petrol, 2Penta x Volvo Penta AQ130 130hp Pet2 double cabins with en-suite shower rol, 6 Berths, spacious saloon/deck and holding tank.

Perfect for extended great boat for family holidays. cruising. £21,950 £24,950 1979 Fairline 1980 PrincessMirage 30DS 29, 1 x 2005 1.7DTI 120hp, 1Mercruiser x Ford Stern Drive 80hpDiesel, Diesel,5 in 2can cabins.

Excellent 5Berths Berths, cruise inland condition. and Perfect for extended cruising.

Boat coastal.

Bow Thruster, Eberspacher Safety expires 2018.

Heating. £19,500 £17,950 1982 Relcraft 1977 FreemanCoral 24 23, 1 x Volvo 120hp, Petrol, 4 Berths in 1 1Penta x Watermota Sea Tiger 1600 Cabin.Petrol, Perfect4for day trips on the 47hp Berths, classic cruisThames.

Boattraditional Safety expires 2018. er fitted with Freeman £11,995 mahogany. £10,500 1989 Viking 26, 1 27 x Yamaha 9.9hp 1972 Seamaster 6 berths Blake in 2 cabins 1Outboard, x Ford Wortham 30hp& cockpit.

Folding windscreen, Petrol, 4 berths, BSC expiresgreat Oct condition, Boat expires 2017.

2018.

Ideal forSafety Thames cruising. £7,995 £7,950

1970 Seamaster 540, 20 1 x Mariner 2007 Quicksilver 140hp x Yamaha 9.9hp 2S Outboard Outboard, 2 berths in cabin, Petrol, perfect for first boaters. large open cockpit, idealtime for day or Road fishingtrailer trips. included. £7,950 £5,500

Tel: 01628 569888 email:harleyford@boatshowrooms.com

Tel: 01932 260261

email:shepperton@boatshowrooms.com

1991 Grand Banks 36 Sedan. A muchloved vessel sleeping 5 in 2 cabin areas.

Twin Ford Sabre diesels + bowthruster, generator, new heating, full Bimini top, dinghy,FSH. Sound all-round condition for its age. Surprisingly spacious little ship. £147,500 tax paid 1997 Grand Motor Yacht.

1991 GrandBanks Banks4936 Europa.

Possibly the youngest & most versatile 49 Powered by twin MY in the world for Yanmar sale today300hp Fantastic diesels.

Manytheupgrades fitted in specification, best & latest engine options. Never used in thecruiser Med sowith Gel all 2013/14.

An excellent coat and deck / underwater fittings mod cons. In great condition. in great condition. Keenly priced Just £109,000 to sell at £295,000 tax paid.

Tel: 02380 458990 email:hamble@boatshowrooms.com

www.boatshowrooms.com/used-boats

Classified

1989 Viking 22

2000 Shetland 4plus2

£4,995

£12,950

Four stroke Honda 25hp outboard.

Fantastic starter boat for river and canal cruising with low air draft.

Open plan with four berths.

Yamaha 25hp 4-stroke outboard.

Boat Safety Certificate until September 2015. Ideal starter boat.

Four berths, shower, gas oven.

Motorboat Owner Affordable practical boating

Plymouth Pilot 23 hull

‘Honey Chile III’ as featured in November 13 issue of Motorboat Owner. Powered by a single 55hp Iveco diesel engine. Four berth wheelhouse cruiser

01932 570055 sales@pentonhooksales.co.uk

£18,500 ex VAT

1985 Fairline Mirage

2009 Bayliner 245

1971 Moonraker 36

£32,500

£34,950

£28,995

01189 403 211 info@valwyattmarine.co.uk

Twin AQAD30 diesel sterndrive engines. Excellent condition with brand new canopy and upholstery.

4 berths. Folding windscreen 0118 947 7770 neil@tingdene.net

4 Berths in 2 Cabins. Powered by single Mercruiser 5.0L Petrol engine.

Boat Safety Certificate expires 2017. Cream leather upholstery.

01628 569888 harleyford@boatshowrooms.com

07781 132197 email address

Twin Perkins 6354 175hp turbo diesel engines. 6 berths, 2 toilets & showers. Recently re-upholstered.

Davits, electric winch, radar, chartplotter. Well maintained.

07919882255 Email address

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Decorated amphicar at Henley Floral Flotilla SPOTTED! by Pam Born

It’s shoe time!

Shoes on the Sunseeker stand at Jersey Boat Show

Black Swan family

Springtime on the River Thames SPOTTED! by Kat Young

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Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

83

Owners Directory i Arvor Boat Owners Club

Electric Boat Association

www.arvorboatowners.co.uk

www.electric-boat-association.org.uk

Atlanta Boat Owners

Elysian Boat Owners

www.atlantaboats.co.uk

www.elysianboats.co.uk

Bavaria Owners’ Association

Fairey Owners Club

www.bavariaowners.co.uk

www.faireyownersclub.co.uk

Bayliner Owners Club

Fairline Owners Club

Beneteau Owners’ Association

Fjord Club

www.baylinerownersclub.org

www.fairlineownersclub.com

www.beneteau-owners-association.org.uk

www.fjordclub.com

Broom Owners Club

Fletcher Owners Club

www.broomowners.com

Chaparral Boat Owners Forum

forum.chaparralboats.com

Classic Motor Boat Association www.cmba-uk.com

Classic Offshore Powerboat Club www.classicoffshore.com

Cleopatra Owners Club mycleopatra.ning.com

fletcher-boats.co.uk/your-fletcher/owners-club

Freeman Cruisers Forum freemanboats.forumer.com

Freeman Owners Club

www.freemancruisers.com

Freeman Cruisers freeman-cruisers.forumotion.co.uk

Haines Owners Club www.hainesmarine.co.uk/owners.php

Coronet Cruisers

Hampton Safari Boat Club

freespace.virgin.net/simon.sherlock/index.htm

hamptonsafaribc.webplus.net

Cranchi Owners Club & Forum

Hardy Owners Club

cranchiownersclub.com

Dawncraft Owners Club & Forum www.dawncraftowners.com

84

www.hardy-owner.org.uk

Mariah Owners Club www.mariahownersclub.com

June 2015

Maxum Owners Club

Sealine Forum

www.maxumownersclub.com

www.sealineforum.co.uk

Microplus Boats

Sealine Owners Club

www.microplus.dk

www.sealineowners.com

Monterey Fourm

Seamaster Club

forums.montereyboats.com

www.seamasterclub.co.uk

Moonraker Owner’s Club

Seaward Owners Club

www.moonraker.dk/eng_index.htm

Nauticus www.nauticus.co.uk

Nelson Boat Owners Club

www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk

Nimbus Owners Club UK www.nimbusowners.co.uk

Norman Appreciation Society www.normanboats.co.uk

Princess Owners Club princessownersclub.com

www.seawardboat.com/club.html

Shetland Owners Association www.shetlandowners.co.uk/shetland/

Star Craft Owners Club www.bates-starcraft.co.uk

Sunseeker Owners Club sunseekerownersclub.com

Viking Owners Club

www.vikingowners.org.uk

Warrior Boats Owners Club

www.warriorboatsownersclub.co.uk

Regal Owners Forum www.regalownersforum.com

Relcraft Boaters Group www.relcraftboatersgroup.co.uk

Rinker Owners Club www.rinkerboats.com/owners-club

Sea Ray Owners Club

www.clubsearay.com

Owners Club missing?

@ contact us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

85

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