Motorboat Owner March 2015

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Motorboat MARCH 2015

Owner Affordable practical boating

MY BOAT

Fairline Targa 29 PRACTICAL

Broom 30 l Finnmaster T8 l Weymouth Fire safety onboard

Welcome to the March issue.

From the Editor

February is the month of love. Obviously there is Valentine’s Day, but it was February the 6th, not the 14th, when I came over all gooey eyed. The object of my desire was a petite Finnish beauty wearing very retro clothing. If I’m honest, it happens at almost every boat show I attend. What caught my eye on the 6th was the Mustang, a cute little sportsboat that Marino has started to build

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March 2015

it is difficult to know which ones to go to, but I would thoroughly recommend Vene Båt, as the Helsinki show is known. The Finns produce lots of really great modestly sized boats that are perfect for British boaters, a reason we feature so many of them in our boat tests. Not only that, but the Finns are as zany as they are hospitable. Take the offering from Celeri Boats, I couldn’t work out if it had a model name or not. At first you see the Riva-esque polished wooden topsides. Then as you approach for a closer look you realise it has an aluminium hull. On top of this is a fiberglass superstructure, and inside is again using the original 1970’s moulds. finished with oak. Almost all modern Add to this some original colour schemes boatbuilding materials in one vessel, and you have a slice of nostalgia, without the restoration and rebuild work, for under mad or what?

If you find yourself with a spare €9,000. The Mustang is to the Finnish what weekend in early February next year, a Fletcher 14 might be to us Brits, and the seriously consider it. If nothing Finnish attendees, of a certain age, at the else, Helsinki in the winter Helsinki Boat Show couldn’t get enough is a fascinating place of them.

With so many boat shows on the calendar to be.

welcome aboard

This month we celebrate the Broom 30.

First introduced in 1966 this much loved aft cabin cruiser is now approaching 50 years of age. See our guide on page 40

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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© Creamedia/Smart Communication

Sargo behaves in waves like a refined sports car.

Splendidly. And still making a lot of sense.

HAMBLE

SARGO - the new name for Minor Offshore

Sargo is precisely that kind of sport utility vessel, boasting exhilarating handling and ride characteristics even in rough seas. Some Sargo skippers talk about its smooth ride and good responsiveness even at higher speeds. We simply call it tough sportiness.

All Sargo models between 25-36 ft. live up to this while still making a lot of sense. Sargo is a true multi-purpose vessel

suited to many kinds of uses. The interior is both stylish and practical, following the great Scandinavian design tradition.

Sargo is a premium boat built in Finland, a new brand based on a great tradition since 1967.

Rain or shine, you’ll be fine. With a big smile on your face.

Marco Marine is the UK importer for SARGO - THE ALL SEASON BOAT.

d renowned for solidity, safety and tough sportiness. In most situations Sargo effortlessly leaves most of the competitors in its wake on paper and at sea. A Sargo offers you confident, sensible boating and loads of fun at sea.

VPEO NLTV AO

VPE ONLT VAO

SARGO - same awesome boats just a new name What more could you ask for?

Marco Marine Limited, Marco Marine Limited, Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Hampshire, SO31 4JD Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Hampshire, SO31 4JD Sarins Båtar Oy Ab, 67900 Kokkola, Finland, info@sargoboats.fi, www.sargoboats.fi Hamble: +44 (0)2380 453245 Hamble: +44 (0)2380 453245 E SARGO RANGE e: info@marcomarine.co.uk e: info@marcomarine.co.ukwww.marcomarine.co.uk www.marcomarine.co.uk RTH M234

VPE ONLT VAO

CONTENTS PRACTICAL

MARCH 2015

Helsinki Boat Show page 70 Project Boat

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PART 1 S UISHER Water PORTABLE EXTING has

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Water

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NEWS page 6 INBOX page 10 Q&A page 36 CUTTING EDGE page 52 TESTED page 68 page 12 Show Review

ADVICE

Fleetwood Coastguard

REGULARS

Fire Safety

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possible F ire is, arguably, the worst ce onboard a boat, thing you can experien y better than and prevention is obviousl does happen? worst cure. But what if the kit on board, and Do you have the right kit is best in which nd do you understa We have spent different types of fires? key Products Ltd, a day with Firemon e in onboard a company who specialis everything find out fire fighting kit, to about boat based fire you need to know look at portable fire we month safety. This sensible add ons. fighting kit and other 12

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Regulations

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B fire 19

p24 PRACTICAL

Mayland 16

Fire Safety Part 1 p20

page 75 2015 Programme

Cruising in Company

p56

WEYMOUTH

Destination Guide

MY BOAT

p40

p76

Broom 30

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

Mark Tullier’s Fairline Targa 29 BOAT TEST

Finnmaster T8

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NEWS £300m Scottish marina project

Plans for a £300m marina development have been unveiled for the Scottish city of Edinburgh.

The proposed site is at Granton Harbour, which looks out onto the Firth of Forth and is located less than 2.5 miles from Edinburgh City Centre.

Development plans include an all-tides, 360-berth marina in the existing West Granton Harbour, which will be fringed with shops, a hotel and waterfront housing. The whole harbour site is over 125 acres, of which approx 60 acres is land. MDL Marinas was appointed by developers, Granton Central Developments Ltd and it has been involved in the marina planning and consultation process. It is exciting news for the region, Alex Beere of MDL Consultancy said “it’s one of the first marinas to be built next to a capital city in many years and we are looking forward to seeing the project unfold”.

Granton Harbour dates back to the early 1800’s, when it was used as a fishing and trading port. The harbour is home to two yacht clubs, the Royal Forth Yacht Club and the Forth Corinthian Yacht Club based in the East Harbour.

Thames Traditional Boat Rally returns

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March 2015

K Freebody

A difficult decision was made to cancel last years annual Thames Traditional Boat Rally, due to a saturated show ground. The decision also coincided with the retirement of the event’s president of 20 years, casting doubt on the event’s future. But now, with a new, 20-strong committee behind it, the event is back for 2015. Renamed the ‘Thames Traditional Boat Rally and Festival’ it promises to be ‘better than ever’ with new attractions and demonstrations. It will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of July at Fawley Meadow, in Henley-on-Thames.

The event has always been a meeting place and showcase for some of the prettiest and oldest boats in the UK. Boats looking to take part will soon be able to complete a booking form, available via the event’s website.

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

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

DIARY DATES Windermere Boat Show 20th-22nd March RNLI Alternative Boat Race 10th April Beaulieu Boat Jumble 26th April Horning Boat Show 2nd May Jersey Boat Show 2nd-4th May Poole Harbour Boat Show 9th-10th June 75th Return to Dunkirk 21st May Northern Boat Show 5th-7th June Click any of the above for more info

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7

NEWS ‘No Fuel’ fears resolved on Windermere In February boaters on Lake Windermere received shock news that fuel would soon not be available on the lake. The last remaining marina fuel supplier, Bowness Bay Marina is due to stop selling it once stocks are exhausted.

Unfortunately the marina’s fuel tanks, installed in the 70’s, need replacing or decommissioning.

With replacement quoted at around £50,000 Bowness Bay Marina said it is not viable to renew them. At the time of writing, Managing Director, Richard Rothwell said “The current situation with fuel is that we no longer have any diesel, and we are running our petrol stock down, which is currently around 2000 ltrs”. What with the start of the boating season looming, other concerned marina operators met on the 26th February. Dan Fairweather, Marina Manager at Windermere Marina Village, told Motorboat Owner exclusively “Ourselves and other commercial operators have been looking at the possibilities available and we are pleased to announce that Windermere Marina Village is committing to the installation of a diesel fuel station. Details of how this will be operated will be released soon, but we want to reassure our customers that diesel will be available from the marina.

For petrol driven craft, another operator, Windermere Aquatic, has committed to installing a petrol station at their Waterhead Marina, so both fuels will be available again soon. We think this is great news for the boating community on Windermere and are looking forward to a great season on the water.” The news coincides with the announcement of Windermere’s first ever boat show, which is to be held next month. The 3-day Windermere Boat Show, featuring new boats such as the Sealine F380 and Haines 32, will take place on 20-22 March.

Thames Four Winns dealer announced

Penton Hook Marine Sales, based in Chertsey, Surrey, has been appointment as Four Winns dealers for the South of England. Managing Director, Chris Manners, said “The Four Winns brand fits in well with our other brand, Sealine. Our first Four Winns, a Horizon 180 (pictured right), will be with us soon, after that we will be adding more boats from the exciting Four Winns range.” Four Winns was established in 1975 and produces bow riders, cuddy cabins and sportscruisers from 18ft–48ft.

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March 2015

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

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Clipper Marine new headquarters & Shield scheme Yacht broker and Bavaria dealer Clipper Marine, has opened its new headquarters at Swanwick Marina. The company now has seven offices in the UK, and chose the River Hamble as it’s one of the ‘busiest boating centres in the world’. Director Matt Attree says, “We’ve been selling boats for several years from our Swanwick Marina office and it’s growing fast. We had the opportunity to move into a larger, more prominent position in the marina, so it was a natural choice. Also, we have our permanent boat show at the marina, which is an established, regular attraction for boat-buyers and has gained a reputation as a place for buyers to view a wide range of affordable craft.” The company has also introduced Shield, a short-term scheme where boats that are sold get an exterior polish, new anodes and fresh anti-fouling. Engines and drives are serviced and given a three month warranty, and the buyer gets free four month membership to Sea Start. Initially the scheme was concluding in February but has been extended to the end of March. Find out more here.

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INBOX

@

STAR LETTER

Desiccant dehumidifier users be warned

Reading your December issue, and the section about winter lay up advice, I was glad to notice that you recommend running a dehumidifier. For years, I have run a compressor dehumidifier on a timer for 6 hours every other day to keep the damp at bay, and also a small tube heater to prevent the dehumidifier from freezing. However, through some research I decided to purchase a desiccant dehumidifier which produces some heat, therefore eliminating the need for the tube heater. The plan was to set it up on a time switch to run for less time per day. I purchased the suggested and popular Meaco DD8L desiccant dehumidifier.

But I was shocked to read a warning in the user manual which stated that the dehumidifier must not be turned off at the mains, as it has to run through a cool down procedure. The dehumidifier can only be turned off on the power button on the unit, putting it into cool down mode for a few minutes so the fan inside removes the excess heat from the unit. I contacted Meaco and the company’s technical department confirmed that it is essential to leave the dehumidifier to run through its cool down and that it should definitely not be used with any form of electric timer. They went on to say that if the unit isn’t allowed to cool down it will have a very short life. They also mentioned that the unit is designed to run permanently with the lowest humidity level. I tried this but was quite concerned with the amount of electric units consumed, and so I decided to go back to my old compressor unit and tube heater method which uses around £15-£20 electric per month. I just wanted to inform your readers of my findings. Matthew Addison Editor replies: I have suffered a broken Meaco in the past, that I now believe was caused by using it with a time switch. I am currently leaving mine on permanently on a low setting, but it does indeed seem to use quite a bit of power. As much as I hate to admit it, it seems like the old technology might be better suited to this application. I do think the Meaco is brilliant when on board though, as the heat it gives out is a very useful by product.

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March 2015

email:

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Portholes open inwards

I have just received the latest edition and it’s always a very good read. In the boat test I see by the internal photos that the port holes in the cabin open inwards. I know from experience that any type of inwards opening window or porthole will allow the slightest water on the decks to fall straight into the cabin. Is there any reason, other than security, that boat manufacturers insist on inward opening windows? John Paine Editor replies: Good question, and one to which I have no answer. Often portholes open onto the side decks, so would present a tripping hazard if they opened outwards. Perhaps a boat builder or designer would like to offer their opinion on this. We’ll happily publish their views.

Join a boat club (they need you)

Many of the small clubs on the River Thames are struggling to survive, and it seems that only those which are marina-based have any luck in attracting new members. At least two clubs in our locality have folded in recent times, and our own attempts to get people interested have met with only limited success. Our club, the Oxford Ditch Cruising Club, has been established on the River Thames for over 60 years. We are a group of boat owners/river users and our water-borne events now consist mainly of very sociable rallies held on the river bank. Although we don’t have a Club House as such, we do have a fully equipped marquee which offers protection from whatever the English summer has to throw at us. We would like get the message across to your readers, and boaters on the Thames (and other rivers of course), that clubs are welcome to all. Individuals, couples and families, even well-behaved pets. So if you’re the sort that enjoys making friends, and informal and relaxing get-togethers, why not join a boat club? Chris Seeney, Commodore Oxford Ditch Cruising Club Editor replies: I couldn’t agree more, there is nothing quite like a good nautical get together. To find your nearest Thames boat club visit www.atyc.org.uk Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

11

HELSINKI

F

or 10 days in February, just a few weeks after London has packed up and gone home, the Helsinki Boat show opens its doors. There are a few overseas boat shows PRICE EST:

£6,700*

EX ENGINE

that I would recommend visiting, and Vene Båt is one of them. We bring you our pick of the latest boats from Finland, which should be available in a UK dealer very soon.

Marino Mustang

If you want a simple no thrills sportsboat, how could you not put the Mustang at the top of your list. Made using the original 1970’s moulds and finished in retro colours, we love the red but you can also have a mint green, this affordable little boat can produce a decent turn of speed with just a 20hp outboard. If we were to buy one though, we would want to max out with the biggest engine you can fit, a 50hp.

Price: circa £6,700* ex engine UK dealer: Wessex Marine www.wessexmarine.co.uk

* Prices based on Finnish RRP at current exchange rates 14

March 2015

Messukeskus/VeneBåt

HIGHLIGHTS

VENE BåT 2015 SPECIAL

Sargo 31

We loved the Sargo 28 when we tested it, but the 31 looks even better. It delivers everything the 28 does, with just a little more space all around. We might

PRICE FROM

£193,800

even go as far as to say the 31 is our new favourite boat, and that’s not a title we give lightly.

Price: from £193,800 UK dealer Marco Marine www.marcomarine.co.uk

Nimbus 305 Coupe

PRICE EST:

£177,000*

Swedish boat builder Nimbus chose Helsinki to launch their new 305 Coupe. The smallest model in the Coupe range, the 305 delivers two cabins, one toilet compartment, a practical wheelhouse, asymmetric decks and a side door for easy deck access.

Price: circa £177,000* UK dealer: Offshore Powerboats www.offshorepowerboats.co.uk

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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HELSINKI Finnmaster T7

HIGHLIGHTS

If you like the look of the subject of our boat test this month, the Finnmaster T8, but would prefer something a bit smaller and more affordable, the T7 looks like it might ht the spot. The T7 delivers almost

PRICE EST:

£54,000*

identical looks, in a very similar package.

I have a sneaky feeling that it might offer an even more exciting on-the-water experience than its bigger brother with an outboard of up to 250hp.

Price circa £54,000* UK dealer: Midway Boats Ltd www.midwayboats.co.uk

XO250

PRICE EST:

£67,000*

This 50-knot day cruiser is available with a single outboard of up to 300hp, and comes with XO designed and built suspension seating. It offers more than just a performance drive though. With creature comforts such as a sunpad, canopy, refridgerator and heating available, you can stay on the water for as long as you want. The deep V aluminium hull can be film coated in accent colours; white, light silver, dark grey or black.

Price: circa £67,000* UK Dealer: Wessex Marine www.wessexmarine.co.uk

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March 2015

VENE BåT 2015 SPECIAL

Yamarin 63 Hard Top PRICE EST:

£29,500*

If you are looking for a trailable, safe dayboat for family fun, the 63HT with its protected cabin and deep cockpit should fit the bill perfectly. Available with a Yamaha outboard of up to 150hp, the 63 also comes with a sink, and options including heating, hob, fridge and toilet for extended stays on board.

Bella 600/620

Bella has launched four new models all built on the same hull. The 600R is a centre console walkaround, the 600BR is a bow rider, the 620DC is a day cruiser with small cuddy and the 620HT comes with a small hard topped cabin area.

Price: from circa £21,400* UK dealer: T L Harvey Ltd www.tlharveymarine.com PRICE EST:

£21,400*

Price: from circa £29,500* UK dealer: Pacer Marine pacermarine.co.uk

Modius 34

Modius are a new kid on the block whose first boat, the Modius 34, will be launched later this year. Combining wheelhouse walkaround styling with aluminium construction, the Modius is being designed to offer a blend of leisure and commercial use. There is already talk of 28 and 40 foot models in the pipeline. www.modius.fi

Celeri Modular Wooden Boat

Beautifully mad, the Celeri looks like a cross between a Riva and a Jeanneau Cap Camarat. It has an aluminium hull, polished wood topsides and fibreglass superstructure. The interior is finished in oak. With a 170hp diesel sterndrive, it is said to reach speeds of up to 38 knots. The price is going to be around €150,000. www.celeriboats.fi

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Mark Tullier’s Fairline Targa 29

M

ark Tullier started boating when he was 10 or 11 years of age.

He acted as an unofficial water taxi for visiting yachts in his home port of St Peter Port in Guernsey. When he was 18 he bought a speedboat, which he ran for a few years before taking a break from boating to raise a family. Fifteen years ago the boating bug bit again and he bought an 18ft Fletcher Faro cuddy cabin sportsboat. “We used the boat for day trips to Herm, and occasionally spent

the night on board. Sleeping wasn’t easy on such a small boat but we had lots of fun with it for a couple of years before moving up in size”. Mark’s next boat was a Fjord 24, which he bought as a bit of a wreck, with twin 150hp petrol engines.

After doing it up and getting it on the water Mark and his wife Sarah started to use the boat for weekends away, as well as day trips. “We were still mostly confined to local waters, such as Herm and Sark, as Sarah wasn’t confident in going further

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March 2015

afield”, Mark tells us. “To help, I did my RYA Day Skipper course to gain more experience, which, in turn, gave Sarah more confidence. Unfortunatley she was still not keen on going any great distances in the Fjord”.

During 2011, after owning the Fjord for around seven years, Mark and Sarah were enjoying a weekend away in Jersey.

“We had travelled to Jersey on the ferry, as we were still not using the boat outside of local waters”, Mark explains. “We were

MY BOAT

“We knew it was the boat for us, but other boat owners would constantly tell us that diesels were better. And so the story started”

sitting outside our hotel on a lovely day having a few drinks. Sarah was ‘happy’ and I decided to make my move”. Mark tentatively suggested a boat upgrade and much to his delight Sarah agreed. I think there is a lesson there for all of us.

A weekend away, a nice hotel and a few drinks seems a small price to pay to get approval for a new boat.

A budget was agreed and the search commenced. “We really wanted a Channel Islands 32 at first”, Mark says,

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

17

The old V6 petrol engines ran well but Mark hankered after some diesels

“but we just couldn’t find one in budget”.

Mark started casting his eye around the market and ultimately was drawn to the Fairline Targa range. A few conversations with experienced boat owning friends indicated the Fairline Targa range were well regarded. Initially Mark was drawn to a twin diesel Targa 33, but felt it was perhaps a bit too large. It had also been very well used and was showing its age, despite being well looked after. He soon narrowed the search down to the Targa 29 and quickly found ‘the one’, a 1997 boat called Just Chillin’. “We looked at a twin petrol 29 that was absolutely immaculate.

As soon as we stepped on board we knew it was the boat for us. Sarah was keen, which was a good sign, and, despite the extra running costs of a petrol boat, we bought it.

“The Targa transformed Sarah. She was no longer nervous, in fact quite the opposite. She was suddenly very keen to go boating. She was relaxed on board and even keen to explore a little further. The Targa 29 completely changed our boating.

We started visiting the French ports of Dielette and Carteret, and we did our first one week cruise, taking in Alderney and

Jersey before returning home. I think the RYA Day Skipper course helped too, as it gave Sarah the confidence in me to get her there safely, and to know what to do if things didn’t go according to plan”.

The petrol engines were performing well. Mark had had them completely checked over by a local engineer and given a clean bill of health. He wasn’t even finding the fuel bills too horrendous, which was helped enormously by Guernsey’s low duty on all boat fuels, including petrol. Despite this there was a hankering for diesel power. “Other boat owners would constantly tell us that diesels were better, and then there is the safety aspect, which was obviously appealing. Unfortunately I could never justify the cost of a pair of brand new diesel engines and drives so I was happy to continue with the V6 petrol engines until one day I stumbled upon a Dell Quay Ranger for sale locally that was fitted with an almost new pair of Volvo Penta 160hp D3 engines”. After discussing it with his engineer, it was decided that if he could get the boat for the right price, he could take the D3’s out of the Dell Quay and put them in the Targa.

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March 2015

MY BOAT Just Chillin’ was lifted out at Beaucette Marina.

Engine removal meant hiring a crane

The Targa 29, and its predecessor the 28, were available from new with diesel power in the shape of the 150hp AD31, and later the 170hp KAD32. With the 205hp V6 petrols, the top speed of a Targa 29 is around 36 knots, with the KAD32’s it is around 28 knots, and with the AD31’s, around 30 knots. With the petrol engines weighing just over 400kg each, and the AD31 and KAD32 weighing between 440kg and 490kg each, on paper the 160hp D3’s, at just 330kg each, should deliver impressive performance.

The D3’s were checked over, they only had 200 hours on them, and Mark was given the thumbs up. He made an offer of £14,000 for the Dell Quay, which was accepted, and within a week the D3’s and DPS drives were out of the boat and in the engineers workshop. The engineless Dell Quay was sold almost immediately, for £2,000, and the pair of V6 petrol engines and drives were removed from the Fairline and sold within a couple of months for £8,000. Mark now had an engineless Targa and a pair of nearly new

The old engines were in very good condition and soon found a new home

diesels for an outlay of just £4,000. “When I realised how much it was likely to cost me once I had sold the Dell Quay and the petrol engines it was a no brainer”, Mark explains.

The boat was now handed over to the engineer and the fitting commenced.

There was a little bit of work to be done in the engine room as the mounting points for the new engines were in a different place. While the engines were out, the whole engine room received a

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

19

The replacement D3’s and drives awaiting fitting

makeover. The process also involved some work up on the helm, where new engine instrumentation would be fitted. In all, the cost of fitting the new engines, including all the changes needed to the boat, came to £8,000. The total outlay for the transplant now stood at £12,000, which is pretty good considering the new price of a single comparable D3 engine and drive is around £20,000 at today’s prices.

The work was finished in June 2014.

Testing revealed a couple of glitches. First there was a sensor, which kept throwing up a fault code, resulting in the engines dropping into ‘limp home mode’. The

offending sensor was removed, cleaned and reset and has fortunately been trouble free ever since. The next issue was the propellers. It is always difficult when installing a new engine into a boat, particularly one that wasn’t fitted with that engine as a factory option, to get the right sized props. At first the boat was running on a set of stainless steel duo props, which were quite obviously not right. These were changed to a different sized set of aluminium props, which were better but again still not correct. Clearly there is still work to do. By the time of our visit, late in 2014, Mark had already used the boat for

Before the transplant the engine room was modified to take the new mounts and then completely spruced up

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March 2015

MY BOAT The Volvo D3s, freshly transplanted in their new home

trips to Herm, Sark, Jersey and Alderney.

He has plans to go south to Brittany in the future. Currently though, the boat isn’t hitting the speeds it should. “I’m not too concerned at the moment”, Mark tells us, “I wanted to do the swap for economy rather than speed, but hopefully, with a bit

of experimenting with props, we should be able to get more out of it than we currently do”. We would have to agree. At this time the engines aren’t pulling full RPM, which is a sure sign they are over propped, and are only achieving speeds in the low 20’s. “We were expecting some teething

The dashboard, as it was when the boat was fitted with petrol engines and instrumentation

As both engines were Volvo’s there was little work required. The new chrome dials fitted straight in Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

21

problems” Mark says, “and bearing in mind the amount we have paid so far, I think there is still a bit left in the budget to experiment with props a little”. Mark continues, “What has surprised me as much as anything is that the diesel engines seem quieter than the old petrols. I really wasn’t expecting that”.

Since buying Just Chillin’ Mark has also replaced the cockpit upholstery and carpet, canopy, and added a new dinghy and outboard. Apart from those bits, and the new engines, the boat is pretty much original and still looks very good, despite being 18 years old. “The blue hull polishes up well, and being in such good condition she really doesn’t look her age”, Mark muses, and we would have to agree.

So what’s next for Mark and Sarah?

“The boat is a keeper”, Mark explains, “with these engines, this boat will take us through to the end of our boating life. I still have the odd hankering for a Channel Islands 32, but the Targa 29 is the perfect size for the two of us, while being

Mark is very happy with the Targa 29.

He has no plans to sell and is looking forward to venturing further afield

big enough for socialising and receiving visiting family and friends. We have a bow thruster, just to make close quarters manoeuvring a bit easier, and next we are looking to upgrade the electronics. After that there will be nothing to do but enjoy the boat and our new lower fuel bills.

Some experimenting with props is still needed, but the Targa is already delivering smaller fuel bills

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March 2015

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PRACTICAL

ADVICE

Fire Safety

F

ire is, arguably, the worst possible thing you can experience onboard a boat, and prevention is obviously better than cure. But what if the worst does happen?

Do you have the right kit on board, and do you understand which kit is best in different types of fires? We have spent a day with Firemonkey Products Ltd, a company who specialise in onboard fire fighting kit, to find out everything you need to know about boat based fire safety. This month we look at portable fire fighting kit and other sensible add ons.

PART 1 PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS

Regulations

For the sake of this feature we are concentrating on leisure boats below 13.7 metres in length, which have no statutory requirements to carry fire fighting equipment. Boats coded for commercial use will have to meet criteria laid down by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and leisure boats over 13.7 metres are expected to comply with merchant shipping regulations, or an equivalent standard as agreed by the MCA, BMF and RYA.

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March 2015

Most leisure boats are not bound by regulations, some, however, do have rules to be adhered to

equipment you have on board is your insurance company. Most of us are aware that many insurance companies have some requirements when it comes to engine room systems, particularly on faster boats, but not everyone is aware that some policies also dictate what level of portable fire fighting kit your boat should be equipped with in other areas. Everyone should read his or her policy terms and conditions to ensure that the insurance companies requirements are being met.

What is fire?

FIRE

EL

FU

A silly question? Maybe, but knowing the answer helps to protect against it, and more specifically, helps to fight it.

Fire requires three elements to exist in sufficient quantities. It needs heat, fuel and oxygen. Take any one away, and the fire will go out, and equally important, won’t start in the first place. This is known as the fire triangle and is the basis on which most fire extinguishing systems work.

HE AT

Fleetwood Coastguard / MCA

When it comes to leisure boats the regulations for fire safety kit are not particularly specific. New boats built under the guide of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) will have met the relevant standards but these are quite vague, with comments such as ‘craft shall be supplied with fire fighting equipment appropriate to the fire hazard’, ‘the type of equipment installed shall take into account the risk’ or ‘all habitable craft shall be provided with a means of escape in the event of a fire’. They do not appear to specify a minimum level of fire fighting equipment, or indeed the type to be fitted.

If you are on the inland waterways, you have some more specific guidance from the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS). This states that vessels should have a certain level of equipment on board, depending upon boat length, the minimum fire rating of the kit, and the standards that the kit should meet.

Another body that may dictate what

OXYGEN

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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PRACTICAL

Categories of fire

When it comes to fire fighting, fires fed by different fuel have been given a ‘standard European classification’ to make choosing a fire fighting system easier.

A fire made up of combustibles such as wood, paper, plastics and fabrics is labelled Class A. A flammable liquid fire such as diesel, petrol , thinners etc, is Class B. Burning gas is a Class C, and an electrically fed fire is categorised as Class E. These are the four common classes, and the ones we are most interested in onboard boats. To complete the list there is also a Class D fire, which is burning metal such as magnesium, lithium etc, and class F, which is cooking fats. Class F are very similar to Class B, but specifically involve cooking oils whose flash point is significantly higher (circa 300°C and upwards) and as such warrant a separate class. Fires are categorised by the fuel that feeds them

Fire prevention

Common sense is one of the best tools to prevent fire on board. The four most common causes of boat fires are electrical, fuel, galley and gas. Electrical fires are

Common sense is often the best defence against fire risks

usually the result of a short circuit or circuit overload. These are best avoided by ensuring that any electrical work is carried out by a competent person, and any circuits are made using suitably sized cables. The ultimate protection against electrical fires is a circuit breaker or fuse.

For this reason, all circuits should be fitted with the correct size fuse or a suitably rated circuit breaker designed to blow or trip before things get too hot. Nothing should be wired directly to the batteries without a fuse. All wiring should be in good condition and run in such a way that it cannot chafe or be damaged.

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March 2015

Flammable liquid fires

are best prevented by regularly checking the condition of any fuel lines and connections, and ensuring that any refuelling is carried out carefully to avoid the risk of spills. Most flammable liquids release combustable vapours even without being heated.

Galley fires are often caused by

carelessness or a simple lack of attention.

One boat I know was burnt out after the owner put a pan of oil on the hob and then forgot about it. Careful use and close monitoring of the galley when in use is probably the best way of preventing a galley fire, or at least catching it early enough to deal with it.

The risk of flammable liquid fires can be reduced by correct storage and careful transfer of liquids

Fires involving Gas are

potentially the scariest of all, as they often start with a bang. Fire fighting at this point is moot. Potentially you can have a more controlled gas fire, possibly through a faulty appliance. Good maintenance and vigilance is the key here, and fitting a gas leak detector would be a sensible thing to do. In some cases it is deemed safer to allow escaping gas to burn rather than extinguish the flame and have an explosion risk due to gas build up.

There are potentially many other reasons a fire may start on board.

Anything from a faulty electrical appliance, to carelessness with a naked flame. Careful use, common sense, or choosing simply not to have risky items, such as candles, on board is the answer.

Careful and attentive use of the galley will help to prevent fires. A sound installation with a bubble tester and gas alarm is important where gas is installed

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PRACTICAL

CLICK THIS SYMBOL FOR VIDEO FOOTAGE

What kit should you fit?

Portable extinguishers Every boat should have some hand held extinguishers, but how many, where should they be and what should they contain? Portable extinguishers are designed to fight the fire, obviously, but they are really more ‘first aid’ than anything else. They will extinguish a small fire, but if the fire has taken hold and is bigger than the rating they are designed to deal with, they will only knock it back.

This knocking back is a very important feature as it delivers the second, and equally important purpose of a portable fire extinguisher, they help to create a means of escape. By knocking back a

fire, even one that is clearly too big to be extinguished, they can create an escape opportunity that may not otherwise exist. For that reason it is pertinent to have a portable extinguisher in every cabin. It is also a good idea to have one in each communal area too, such as the saloon, dinette, cockpit and flybridge and in any companionways. Wherever you are, when you first notice a fire you want easy access to a suitable extinguisher. Of course, it should go without saying that you should have easy access to a handheld extinguisher from the galley.

Portable types: Dry Powder (blue label) These are available in many sizes, right up to 9kg. On a boat you are most likely to find one and two kg units. Dry powder is good for Class A, B and C fires, and can also be used on Class E fires where the voltage is below 1kV. Dry powder is very versatile and can be used on most types of fires likely to be encountered on a boat.

This is why they are ubiquitously fitted.

They are also cheap, compact and easy to use. The powder blankets and smothers the fire, so accuracy is not as essential as it is with some other extinguishers. It also has a good range and works over a wide range of temperatures. The cons

to dry powder are that it is very messy and difficult to clean up, it can contaminate sensitive electronic equipment, the powder can cause respiratory and eye irritation, and, if discharged into an enclosed space, can reduce visibility, causing disorientation and difficulty in A 2kg dry powder tackles a large class B fire

1 2

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March 2015

finding your way out.

Contrary to popular belief, not all dry powder is equal. There are generaly three grades, 20, 40 and 70. 20 is the cheapest, while 40 is usually found in better quality extinguishers. The best grade, 70, is used in high risk industrial applications. Look on the label and ensure that yours are filled with ABC powder, and not just BC. Some of the budget extinguishers only use BC powder, which means they are not rated for combustible fires. An ABC extinguisher should also have a fire rating, shown as something like 5A/34B. The higher these numbers, the bigger the fire it can tackle. Not all extinguishers have the same rating despite being the same weight or size. During our tests we tried to put out a small Class B fire using a cheap 1kg BC powder with a low fire rating. It didn’t work. The same fire was tackled with another 1kg dry powder ABC extinguisher with a higher rating and it extinguished the fire quickly and completely.

When it comes to buying dry powder extinguishers, don’t buy on price alone, and get the A cartridge type dry biggest you powder extinguisher

A 13A fire with man for scale. Only one of these dry powder extinguishers is rated to put this fire out. Could yours? Note that one isn’t A rated at all

can fit. A 2kg will deliver a considerably longer discharge time, and will knock back a much larger fire than a 1kg. Some dry powders do not have a pressure gauge.

These are generally the cartridge type, which means that the whole cylinder is not under pressure, and is only pressurised on activation by a compressed gas cartridge, similar to that found in a lifejacket. On these types there is no indication that the cartridge is pressurised. The ones with a gauge will be permanently pressurised.

The numbers in the rating refer to the size of fire that a particular extinguisher has been certified to put out. The 5A in our example refers to a solids combustible fire of 0.14m3, while the 34B refers to 34 litres of burning liquid. These certification tests are carried out in a very controlled manner with the tester having a few minutes to extinguish the fire using short bursts from the extinguisher that only provides seconds of continuous delivery. The reality is that, in inexperienced hands, an extinguisher is unlikely to make its rating, especially if you just fire it off in one go.

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PRACTICAL

CLICK THIS SYMBOL FOR VIDEO FOOTAGE

Portable types: Aqueous Film Forming Foam AFFF (cream label) Foam extinguishers are suitable for A and B class fires (solids and liquids), and should have an A and B rating. They are not recommended for electrical fires but, despite this, some kite marked versions are tested and certified safe up to 35kV. They come in various sizes from one to nine litres. Being water based they are not suitable for use in freezing temperatures, although some foam extinguishers have an antifreeze added to overcome this.

They are particularly good at fighting class B fires as the foam, as its name suggests, forms a film over the surface to remove oxygen from the fire. During our test we observed the film forming after we had stopped the extinguisher with flames still present. The film continued to work and extinguished the flame.

Foam film continues to spread

AFFF can also be used to good effect if you have a spill of flammable liquid. It is used to coat the spill before it has a chance to ignite.

Foam can be used in cabins in place of dry powder, and the benefits are an easier clean up, no loss of visibility, no eye or lung irritation and they are a bit more controllable. The disadvantages are their ineffectiveness in freezing temperatures and the more directional effect of the extinguishant, which means you need to be more precise in its use.

Portable types: Carbon Dioxide CO2 (black label) CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B and Class E fires. As such they are not usually

found on boats, with dry powder being smaller and cheaper and doing much the same job. Portable CO2 extinguishers are available in two and five kg sizes. The pros are that they are very clean, and can be used on all voltages. The cons are that CO2 is an asphyxiant, it works by removing the oxygen from the fire, and its use in an enclosed space is not recommended.

They are also larger and heavier than dry powder. CO2 can also react with the moisture in the air to create poor visibility when set off.

CO2 can cause visibilty issues

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March 2015

Portable types: Water (red label) Water has been used in fire extinguishers since the dawn of the industry. It works by removing heat from the fire, but is only rated for Class A fires and should absolutely not be used on Class B, E or F fires. With such limited use, and the fact that it is only available in six and nine litre cylinder sizes, you are unlikely to find a portable water extinguisher on a boat.

Its pros are that it is clean and cheap. Its

cons are the size and weight of the cylinders, its limited use, and that it is not recommended for use where the ambient temperature is below 5°C, due to the risk of freezing.

Portable types: Water Mist (red label) While water has been around forever, water mist is a relatively new concept that has only been available for the last couple of years. Water mist portable extinguishers are available in two, six and nine litre sizes, but only half of this is water. The rest is the propellant. A two litre water mist will contain one litre of water. While plain water is only suitable for Class A fires, water mist can be used on Class A,B and F. It will also work on Class C and Class E up to 35kV. The difference has nothing to do with the water, as this is just bog standard de-ionised stuff, but the way it is delivered.

A special nozzle turns the water in 3550 micron droplets that deliver the best cooling properties of any fire extinguisher on the market. In industry it is used in kitchens, where fat fires are a risk but contamination needs to be avoided, and also clean rooms and laboratories. Water mist is particularly useful for its safe-exit

performance. It produces a wet fog that rapidly cools and knocks back a fire. It will also reduce smoke levels, aiding an escape. The cons are its high cost, its greater bulk, and its low temperature performance. Being water, it is subject to freezing.

Water mist tackling a Class B fire

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PRACTICAL

Portable types: Other In your travels you may also come across some small aerosol type extinguishers. Some of these contain a small amount of dry powder, typically 600g, some contain a clean agent. These can be useful additions to your fire

safety kit, due to their compact size, but check that they meet the accepted standards and look to see what their fire rating is. Some of them are not rated for Class A fires, and some don’t have a rating at all.

What to choose?

Dry powder will remain popular because they can deal with most fire risks inside a boat. Buy as big as you can, with the highest fire rating, and make sure they are mounted so they are easily accessible all around the boat. A foam extinguisher would be a good addition, to deal specifically with any flammable liquid spills, particularly on a petrol boat. A water mist in the cabin to help create a safe exit, should it be needed, may be worth considering. It could also be used on a Class F fire should one occur. Make sure all your extinguishers are quality certified. Look for a British standards kite mark, LPCB approval, BAFE mark, or the Marine Equipment Directive ‘ships wheel logo’. Also look for extinguishers that comply with BS EN3.

Servicing requirements

Portable fire extinguishers are not a fit and forget item. They require regular checks and service along the following lines.

User checks You should regularly examine your portable extinguishers and check that the pressure gauge, if fitted, is in the green. Look over the bottle, pin and handle for corrosion, damage or any signs of leakage.

This rusty pin would almost certainly not come out in a hurry. Corrosion is one of the things end users should check for regularly 32

March 2015

Ensure that the pin and tamper indicator is in place, and keep an eye on the manufacture and service dates. Some extinguishers will carry an expiry date. If in any doubt, you should have them serviced or replaced.

Things to look for. Ensure the tamper indicator is in place. Check the pressure, look for corrosion and keep an eye on manufacture and expiry dates

Service

Most portable extinguishers should be serviced, to BS5306, annually by a competent person. This service entails, amongst other things, verifying the contents by weight, ensuring the cylinder is pressurised and that the gauge is working. After the service the competent person should affix a label detailing the service and noting when the last, and next, extended service is due.

An annual service should be recorded on the cylinder and carried out by a competant person

Extended service Five years

with new at five years old. When buying from the manufacture date, which should new, always look for the manufactured date. It is not unknown for some outlets be printed or stamped on the bottle, the to stock and sell fire extinguishers that contents should be replaced via a test discharge. For the price of a new small dry are already two, three or even more years powder, or foam, extinguisher, it is usually old. You really want to be buying ones more cost effective to simply replace them manufactured this year, or last, at a push.

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PRACTICAL

CLICK THIS SYMBOL FOR VIDEO FOOTAGE

Fire blankets

Just as important as fire extinguishers is a fire blanket. This should be wall mounted and within reach of the galley. It should not be mounted behind the galley, as you wouldn’t want to have to lean over a fire to reach it. A fire blanket is used to extinguish a pan fire, or to smother burning clothing on a person. They should be kite marked by the BSI to ensure their suitability, not all are, and they should be at least 1.0m x 1.0m. Some budget blankets may be too small, and may not

be as flameproof as they should be. Fire blankets are single use only and there should be at least one per boat, but consider a second if you have a second cooking area such as a flybridge BBQ or cockpit griddle.

Fire blankets are essential in every galley. Ensure they are BSI marked

To use a fire blanket you should pull it from the container by the exposed tabs. Use the tabs to wrap the top corners around your hands.

Approach the fire at arms length so that you can see your feet to avoid tripping. Place the blanket over the burning pan ensuring, as best you can, that the top of the pan is sealed.

Turn off the heat, stand clear and leave it until it has cooled down. Never be tempted to lift a corner to see if the fire is out as you will introduce oxygen and, if there is still enough heat present, it can ignite again.

Other kit

They say there is no smoke without fire, but it could equally be said that there is no fire without smoke. A smoke alarm should be fitted to every boat with sleeping accommodation. I would also add a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm at the same time. More people are affected

by CO onboard boats than by fire.

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March 2015

Removing heat and fuel from a fire As we have mentioned, extinguishers work by removing one element of the fire triangle. This effect can be short lived if that element is being constantly fed into the fire, which means that after being extinguished, the fire could start up again. Fuel from the boat’s fuel tanks, heat from the boat’s batteries and LPG gas could all be feeding a fire. Turning off fuel, gas and batteries should be part

Other considerations It is all well and good having the right fire fighting kit on board, and being ultra vigilant to ensure a fire cannot start, but you should still have a plan in case it does. Your emergency plan should include such things as your means and route of escape, ensuring everyone on board is aware of the risks, the location of the fire fighting equipment and where the shut off for the fuel, gas and batteries are. Don’t forget that you may need to do this in the dark

NEXT MONTH >

of your fire fighting plan so ensure they are well marked and that everyone on board knows where they are.

so a torch, or other emergency lighting such as glow sticks should be made available. Remember that staying low will provide the best chance of escape, as the air will be cleaner lower down. Lastly, you should carry out a risk assessment. Stand back and take a look at your boat and try to think about what the risks are, where they are, how you can lessen them and how you can ensure that, if the worst ever does happen on board your boat, everyone can get off safely.

FIRE SAFETY PART 2 ENGINE ROOM SYSTEMS

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Q&A

Your Questions Answered

Fitting Bayliner 2655 cockpit upholstery

Q I am giving my 1989 Bayliner 2655 a bit of a facelift during the winter and

am starting with the cockpit seating which I am looking to get recovered. The trouble is, I can’t see how the L shaped seat is fixed in. Is it just stuck down or are there some hidden fixings somewhere?

A I have been down this route with a similarly aged 2455 so hopefully I can

point you in the right direction. The bottom of the L is fixed from beneath with a few screws. If you were lying in bed looking up you might see a line of three of four screws running fore and aft. They may have little plastic caps on which you need to prize off. Undo these plus you may also find another screw or two going up into the seat base from the locker just in front of the engine bay. Once the base is removed you will probably find some screws on the bottom of the backrest going down into the fibreglass beneath the seat base. Next you should look at the area just above your head as you enter the aft cabin. On mine there were a pair of screws going into the short forward part of the backrest from this area. I had to remove a chart pocket to get access to them. Lastly, there are a few fixings that go from the front of the long part of the backrest into the fibreglass behind. You may need to prize apart the folds in this section to see them as they are very well hidden. If yours doesn’t have these folds and hidden screws, you may need to access the back of this area by removing the panel above your head as you lay in the aft cabin. A word of warning though, be prepared to find some rotten woodwork. I ended up rebuilding the entire frame, as the original fell apart during removal. Good luck.

The L shaped seating in 80’s Bayliners is fixed from below and behind and is quite easy to remove

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March 2015

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Datsun Outboards

Q A chap at our yacht club was telling me that he used

to own an outboard made by Datsun, the car company. Is it true that Datsun made outboard engines?

A There is some truth in this. Datsun was the name

Nissan used on their cars, but to my knowledge the name never appeared on an outboard. Nissan did, and still do, sell a range of outboard engines branded ‘Nissan’. As far as I am aware these are rebadged Tohatsu engines and are not currently available in the UK. So the answer is that your friend probably had a Tohatsu outboard, badged as a Nissan, sold by the same company that produced Datsun cars.

What’s the definition of cruising speed?

Q When I am looking at boats for sale, or reading about them in magazines,

they often quote a cruising speed. This is clearly different to the top speed so what is it that defines a boat’s ‘cruising speed’?

A For me, the cruising speed of a boat is defined as the speed at which the hull is

performing, as it was designed and at its most efficient. So for a fast boat it would be when the boat is fully on the plane and producing its best mpg. If you look at the figures we produce for fast boats you will see the mpg drop as the boat starts to lift onto the plane, rising again once the boat is on the plane and is cruising, and then fall again as more throttle is used and the speed rises. For a displacement boat it would be when the boat has reached, or is marginally below, its hull speed.

Sometimes there is another factor, which is harder to define. Almost every boat I have been on has a speed at which it just feels right. This is often roughly the same as its most efficient speed, but not always.

Cruising speed will usually be one of these, or possibly somewhere in between. Take the Finnmaster T8 test in this issue. Having driven the boat I would say, without looking, that its cruising speed is 25 knots. Cross-checking the fuel figures, this also happens to be when the boat is at its most fuel efficient.

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Q&A

Your Questions Answered

Upgrading to Morse controls

Q I have a set of twin Volvo Penta

throttles in my 1984 Fairline Turbo 36 but the rubber handles have seen better days. I don’t seem to be able to replace just the handles but I have been offered a set of Morse controls, the chrome ones with round red knobs on the handles. I quite like the look of them but would they be a straight swap?

A Yes, mechanically you should be able to just swap them over. My only caveat

though is the physical size of the unit. You would need to make sure that you had enough space to mount the new controls and that the mounting hole is the right size. If the existing hole is too small you need to ensure you have enough space to cut out any extra. If it’s too big, you may need to make a plate up to cover the existing hole and into which you can cut a new hole.

Aft cabin boat search

Q After a few years of owning a Freeman 23 on

the Thames I am looking to upgrade to something bigger. I don’t want a twin engine sea going boat, as I have no plans to go tidal, and I would really like something with an aft cabin. My search seems to always lead me to a steel boat, something I know very little about. Is there anything specific to steel boats that I should be aware of before I go down that route?

A A single engine steel boat with an aft cabin sounds like a perfect choice for you.

I have to confess to knowing little about steel boat ownership but I do know that corrosion is the biggest enemy. A steel boat with a corroded hull could prove to be a money pit, so my advice would be to employ the services of a surveyor who specializes in, or at least has a very good understanding of, steel hulled boats. It will be money well spent. If you want to stick with GRP, there are a number of single engine, aft cabin boats that you could consider such as the Haines 320 (pictured), a Broom 30 or Ocean 31, a Sheerline 1040 and the Fairline Mirage aft cabin. Good luck with the search.

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March 2015

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Lasers - An alternative to pyrotechnics?

Q Looking at boat safety for the upcoming season we are reviewing our flare requirements, as they are due for replacement this year. As we cross the channel, we will require a new offshore pack. We are, however, conscious of not having anything on board which may be unnecessarily hazardous and are thinking of purchasing a Laser Flare instead. We already each have a PLB on our life jackets, a fixed DSC radio on the boat and a Portable DSC radio to take with us to our Life-raft. We are thinking that we can give our position with these devices and it would only be our close quarter location that would be a problem. In this case, perhaps a Laser Flare and a horn would be more appropriate, as the laser lasts for 5 hours and can be seen for at least 3 miles, I believe, as opposed to 30 seconds or so for a flare. Do you have a view on this subject?

A Firstly some boats, such as those that are MCA coded and private

leisure boats over 45ft, are required by regulations to carry some pyrotechnics, depending upon where they operate. Private leisure boats under 45ft are not required to carry flares, so it becomes a personal choice. Having seen a laser flare in operation I can see that it has its benefit, longevity and safety being the most obvious, but I still feel that they don’t compare to a handheld red. A distress flare needs to be easily recognized as such by a non-boater, as the chances are it may be a cliff top dog walker rather than another boat that is closest to you. A red rocket is pretty universally known to be a distress signal whereas a laser flare is probably not. I can’t see a laser flare competing with an orange smoke in daytime either, not just for visibility, but as a way of aiding rescuers with wind information. The bottom line is that a laser flare would make a useful addition to your safety kit, but in my opinion they are not a Lasers are a useful addition to your safety kit replacement for pyrotechnics. but are not yet an alternative to pyrotechnics Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

39

CLASSIC CRUISERS

a complete guide to the best boats on the used market

Broom 30 F or those with a budget of around £30k who are looking for a 30ft, diesel, shaftdrive, aft cabin cruiser, suitable for inland and occasional coastal expoilts, may we introduce and celebrate the humble Broom 30. With the earliest versions now approaching 50 years old, these boats are still dependable, well respected and sought after. The proof is that good ones don’t stay on the market for very long. They are what we would call a true classic cruiser.

The Broom 30’s story began in the mid 60’s, when many builders were beginning

to experiment with GRP superstructures.

One particular prolific Norfolk builder was Aquafibre. The company introduced the Ocean 30 in 1966, a 4-6 berth aft cockpit cruiser ideal for inland and European waterways cruising, with a hull that was designed by the naval architect R.M. ‘Rip’ Martins. The Moonraker 30 launched the same year and it shares the same hull and a similar superstructure.

With established ties with Aquafibre, Broom Boats used the same hull to create a centre cockpit cruiser, the pretty Broom Bosun. Believed to be the direct

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Built approx 284 1966-1981 Prices then £7,250 (1973) Prices now £27,000-£35,000 Length 30ft / 9.14m Beam 10ft 4in / 3.15m Draught 2ft 6in / 0.76m Air Draught 8ft / 2.44m Air Draught Skipper 6ft 6in Fuel 40-60 gals / 182-273ltr Water 40-90 gals / 182-410ltr Displacement 4 tonnes approx

predecessor to the Broom 30, it has a mahogany superstructure and teaklaid deck with a sliding saloon roof. We understand that only three of these boats were built. In 1966 the hull was used yet again for another centre cockpit boat designed by Martin Broom, and the Broom 30 was born. Launching at the 1967 London Boat Show it was billed in the brochure as a ‘six berth cruiser designed to give more space than many larger craft’. The first three or four boats had a mahogany superstructure, now known as the MkI, but by 1968 the 30 was

an all-GRP cruiser. The 30 Mk II joined Broom’s GRP aft cabin range that included the 37 Continental, another Aquafibre hull. In 1971, Broom Boats and Aquafibre became one. Another two versions of the 30 followed in the mid to late 70’s.

As air draft was a concern for many of Broom’s customers based on the Norfolk Broads and upper reaches of the Thames, in the 70’s the company introduced a variant of the Broom 30, known as the Skipper. This was built with a single engine and most noticeably a folding screen and canopy over the centre cockpit,

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The saloon is spacious and practical. However, the seating would benefit in being a tad higher

reducing the air draft to around 6ft 6in (Osney Bridge on the River Thames is 7ft 6in). The Skipper also has a different 4-berth layout with a smaller centre wheelhouse and a large galley and saloon area in the aft cabin. Many of these were built as hire boats, featuring a more basic interior, which since may have been sold off to private owners.

We understand that the Broom 30 achieved a celebrity accolade when

comedian Ernie Wise ordered a green Broom 30 fitted with a 72hp Perkins engine. It was named ‘Lady Doreen’ after Ernie’s wife. When the boat was sold the new owner named the boat ‘Wisecrack’ as a tribute to the late comedian. The boat is still going strong and is currently being used on the River Thames.

Production of the 30 lasted for the best part of 16 years with, we estimate, 300 boats built, a sure testament to its The Broom 30 Mk 1 was built from 1966, and launched at the 1967 London Boat Show

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The entrance to the forward cabin is usually to port, but on the Skipper model it is on the starboard side

popularity. It seems the boat also proved popular outside the UK too. A copy of the Dutch MkII brochure, sent to us by Broom, shows that the boat was marketed outside of the UK. Examples are still being used on the inland waterways throughout Europe, particularly in France and Holland.

When it comes to pricing, the Skipper will usually be the less expensive option, at around £25k-£27k. While, depending on the spec, Broom 30 pricing can be more variable, typically £27k-£35k.

Interior The Broom 30 is a 6-berth cruiser, with a traditional, but still very practical and private, layout. The boat has two cabins, one fore and one aft, and the saloon, which offers an occasional double.

Slide one of the side doors back and you will step down into the perfectly formed and spacious saloon. The central helm is immediately accessible, but is also sympathetically designed so it doesn’t

protrude too much into the space. Facing aft there is a comfortable L-shaped settee on the starboard side, pulling out into a double, and cabinets running down the port side. A pedestal table, which is usually stored to the right of the helm, slots in to provide comfortable dining for two to four people. Without the table the area feels very spacious and incredibly airy. The curtains run the entire perimeter of the saloon, giving privacy at night.

Boats without an external helm usually have a single pedestal helm seat. Visibility aft is not the greatest from the helm, but the side doors give a good opportunity to look out along the deck and aft. This is a feature often praised by owners, particularly those who single-hand their boats. Mk II versions, without the external helm position, have a long aft window in the saloon, running along the width of the aft deck. Boats with an external helm have a smaller window over the aft companionway. A CJ Broom & Sons Ltd builder’s plate is usually located near the

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There is ample dining space for two.

The aft cabin stool could be handy if there are more than three people eating

lower helm and will indicate the build number. The port side cabinets in the saloon offer plenty of storage as well as a glass and drinks cabinet, which opens from the top. The shelf above is an ideal place to have a television. One owner had a microwave mounted here, which is a useful, if a little inconvenient, addition to the galley. Most boats are fitted with a Webasto pull back sunroof, which is a great feature if you only have the one helm position, letting the outside in when you are underway. It is definitely worth examining this carefully and checking the carpet beneath for staining, as they

There is decent saloon storage on the port side

have been known to leak. Another area to check, is behind the backrest cushion of the seat that runs fore and aft, below the saloon windows. On the boat we viewed there was evidence of a leak staining the wood frame. We were unable to locate the source of the problem, but presume it was coming from the window above.

Overall the saloon area works really well, combining a comfortable main living area with a practical wheelhouse. The only thing it lacks is additional forward facing seating, so you might find a previous owner has fitted a navigator’s seat.

Moving forward, the entrance to the bow cabin is a little small, so watch your head. Once you have stepped down and through, the area really opens up with excellent headroom and you can see how every inch of boats internal volume has been put to good use. There is a wardrobe, a small dressing table area, two V berths and, on the starboard side, a toilet compartment. Note there is no shower in the forward toilet compartment, only a washbasin and toilet. A sea toilet would have been fitted originally, but owners may have replaced this with a porta porti

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for inland practicality and Boat Safety Scheme reasons, saving the expense of fitting a holding tank. Each berth is fitted with a drawer, and there are hull storage lockers beneath the bunk cushions. With its bi-fold door giving privacy from the wheelhouse saloon, it is a lovely space, a bit like a cosy snug with your own ensuite. Due to the boats lack of a fixed double berth, it’s hardly surprising that many owners have chosen this as their main cabin, by creating an infill between the berths. From the deck level, and around the windows, the cabin is lined with wood. You should expect to see some staining, mainly from condensation drips but do examine this for any serious marks that may indicate leaks.

Back through the saloon, and down two steps through the port companionway, leads you to the boats corridor galley. A long formica worktop, with a large stainless steel

1978 £29,950 (featured) Single Perkins 4108 diesel Thames Boat Sales 01932 570055 www.thamesboatsales.co.uk

1975 £28,995 Single Perkins 4108 diesel Norfolk Boat Sales 01603 781178 www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk

1974 £27,000 Single Perkins 4108 diesel Boatshed Suffolk 01473 858660 www.suffolk.boatshed.com

The forward cabin is a very cosy and private space

1974 £32,000 Twin Perkins 4108 diesel Boat Showrooms 01932 260261 www.boatshowrooms.com

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The 30 has two toilet compartments. The larger aft compartment has a shower (left)

sink and draining board, runs along under a set of large windows that provide a great view while you’re doing the washing up.

A gas water heater is usually mounted on the galley’s aft bulkhead. Below the worktop there is a fridge and a large storage cupboard. A full gas oven with a two-burner hob stands alone on the other side of the companionway steps, with storage cabinets above and below. On the

starboard side of the galley lobby is the larger of the two toilet compartments, it has a washbasin, a curtained shower with good headroom, and a sea toilet.

Further aft is the separate master cabin.

This has two single berths running fore and aft, with a dressing table between and a large wardrobe. Again lift the curtains and check the wood linings for signs of leaks. Owners may have fitted a holding The gas oven is often seperate from the galley. One owner had added some much needed worktop space by bridging the entrance to the aft cabin with a fold out shelf. An ingenious idea

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The traditionalstyle aft cabin has two single berths and an impressive dressing table

tank, usually of around 150 litres in size, under the starboard bunk if the boat has been used predominantly inland. There is access to the sterngear by removing a vertical panel under the dressing table.

The windows around the boat are a mixture of the slot in kind, opening inwards at the top, and sliding. The top opening ones are ideal for allowing ventilation when it’s raining, while the sliding ones create large openings in nice weather. The 30 is known to suffer from leaks around the windows and, unfortunately, refitting or replacement can be a costly exercise. However, doting previous owners may well have done the hard work already, perhaps taking their boat back to Brooms for window refurbishment. Therefore it is important to investigate any visible leaks, and also getting as much history as possible about a boat. We would recommend meeting with the current owner, if possible, or perhaps even visiting the boat on a wet day. Another thing to watch is the locking mechanism on the side doors, this is a common problem with older boats and

might need looking at. The internal wood will need to be maintained fairly regularly, possibly by treating it to a coat of beeswax every year. A windscreen cover is a very useful addition, keeping harmful rays out, and helping to prevent new window leaks occurring.

On Deck The exterior of the boat simply oozes character. The upper superstructure is curvy and smooth, while the window line is equally sympathetic. It’s charming and dare we say ‘cute’, but tremendously clever at the same time.

Getting around the deck is easy. The all round, one-level sidedecks are fairly wide and great for children. The boat would certainly be a good choice for grandparents, as it’s a very manageable live aboard for two, and ideal for getting the family out on the water.

As we have mentioned above, the 30 evolved through the build with a few changes to the exterior, therefore this should make versions fairly easy to identify. Fairly early on ‘anodised

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

Side doors and one-level all-round side decks make this boat great for crewing and single handling

aluminium seawater resistant’ mullions and window frames replaced wood. The early wood door frames are prone to leaks and rot if not they have not been well maintained. We would suggest examining all of the exterior mullions for any signs of rot or metal corrosion. Later Skipper versions may have an aluminium and GRP framework around the centre cockpit.

Besides its collapsible centre cockpit, you can tell the Skipper apart from the original 30 by its lack of guardrails, it PField

Yellow and proud. A Motorboat Owner reader spotted this Broom 30 in Holland

simply has two sections of solid stanchions around the bow and stern. The 30 has the same solid sections at either end and then flexible guardrails between. These middle sections should be examined as the uprights can work loose, causing stress cracking at the bases, and potential leaks. There is a useful chained gap in the stanchions, perfect for getting on and off the boat via the side doors.

While the majority of boats are white, there were several colour choices for the superstructure during the build.

To quote from the brochure ‘Your first excitement and pride of owning a Broom Boat starts when you select one of the tastefully blended colour schemes’.

Perhaps they were speaking of the interior colour scheme, but we love this caption.

Although we’ve been unable to track down any names for the muted pastel shades, a caper green colour seems to have been fairly popular. We have also seen pale blue, canary yellow and mustard coloured

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versions. While white ones are considered the most desirable, boats with coloured topsides should not be dismissed. We feel colour simply adds to the unique and classic look of this boat. However, you will need to consider the initial condition of the gelcoat and its continuing upkeep, as this is a lot more noticeable in these versions. Matching gelcoat colours for repairs might also prove a little tricky.

The locker under the aft deck houses two large size gas cylinders, which will keep the galley and water heater fuelled for an extended period.

Hull and Handling The boat is very responsive and easy to handle, due to a fairly deep keel, and also creates very little wake. Despite being renowned for its exceptional inland qualities, it is also praised as being very capable of coastal and sea work in favourable weather, albeit at a slow pace. The round, bilge keel hull form makes this a displacement cruiser through and through. Many owners have crossed the channel in twin and singleengined versions and, of course, at slow displacement speeds it obviously makes sense to use the tides to your advantage.

We would imagine that the boat could be a little wallowy in a beam sea, but in flat seas it has certainly proved itself to be a real long distance passage maker.

As with many older boats, osmosis may be an issue. We would therfore recommend that anyone looking to buy a Broom 30 commissions a full survey. Also be aware that most insurance companies will require a survey report, less than five years old, before issuing cover to boats of this age. Renewal of an existing BSS Certificate should be relatively easy,

providing items such as fire extinguishers, have been updated.

Aft deck and helm An exterior helm position was an optional extra throughout the build of the 30, therfore the aft deck will vary from model to model. You may find anything from an empty deck space on one boat, which is ideal for sunbathing, to a full-height canopy covered area with a helm and fitted seating on another. Steering positions may also have been retro fitted by owners, or

by Broom at a later date.

Ascending the ladder to the raised aft deck, you will quickly notice how the deck is slightly convex in shape. This means the placement of deck chairs can be a little precarious. Canvas dodgers enclose each side of the aft deck and continue the line of the saloon coach roof. These are very low, which may not pose a problem inland, but at sea may make you feel quite vulnerable. One thought might be to raise the dodgers, but we feel this could spoil the boat’s lines.

Outside seating configurations on boats with an exterior helm will vary from boat to boat. Some will have a pair of twin bench seats, fixed in line centrally on the

The outside helm gives a great view over the deck but you could feel a little vulnerable

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The 1978 boat we viewed had a single Perkins 4108, plus an unusual Nanni 11hp wing engine

roof, while others might have separate helm and navigator seats. These seats offer useful exterior storage beneath, something that the basic boats don’t have. Later 30’s may also sport a radar arch and full head height canopy for the aft deck. We have to agree that having the ability to drive outside, and under a canopy, transforms this boat, not to mention the ease of handling.

Engines The Broom 30 is mostly fitted with Perkins 4-cylinder diesels, ranging from 35hp to 70hp, in either single or twin configurations. One of the last boats is known to be fitted with a Perkins 4.236 82HP. Perkins engines are known for reliability and ease of maintainance, and spares are readily available. We haven’t heard of any examples being re-engined, a sure testament to the ‘bullet proof ’ nature of Perkins engines.

On this boat there is little speed advantage in having twin engines. The difference in top speeds between single and twin is minimal, perhaps only about a knot or two. Overall you can expect a cruising speed of around 6-7 knots, and a top speed of 8-9 knots. The fuel economy

is also reputably similar. That said, having twins does offer the advantage of greater manoeuvrability and also, if you do go to sea, the failsafe of a second engine to get you home. Otherwise, if you intend to only use the boat inland, a single engine version is often preferred, as the prop sits behind the boats keel and is usually fitted with a metal skeg. This set up will allow you to get closer alongside the bank in shallow moorings.

We understand that there are many intrepid single engine owners out there, travelling far and wide. One owner we spoke to, based predominantly inland, has crossed the Channel several times during 20 years of ownership of their single engined, 35HP 4108 Perkins boat. At cruising speeds of between 4-7 knots, and not going above 2000 rpm, they report approximately 0.4 gallons per hour on the river and 0.6 gallons per hour at sea.

One single engined example we viewed was fitted with a Nanni 11hp wing engine.

This can be used as an auxiliary, or to provide extra thrust or maneuverability when needed.

Limited visual engine checks can be done through the galley companionway steps. The top step lifts and may reveal the

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fuel filter on the aft bulkhead. For more thorough engine checks and servicing it’s a bit more complex, as the carpet needs to be lifted, as well as a series of wood floor panels. As you would expect, engine access on a single engined boat is the easiest. With the twin configuration, the L-shaped settee does restrict access to the starboard engine. Owners could consider having through-carpet hatches made for easier access. As always with used boats, look for a comprehensive service history on any potential purhase.

Single engine boats usually have two water tanks, providing a total capacity of 90 gallons, and a single 40 gallon fuel tank.

Twin engined boats have two 40 gallon fuel tanks and a 60 gallon water tank. You should inspect the condition of the tanks, checking for signs of corrosion or leaks.

On a sea trial we would suggest testing

the efficiency of the engine soundproofing in the saloon, particularly if the boat has not got the second helm position. A noisy boat can be insulated, but at a cost.

Conclusion This characterful cruiser is a joy to handle and a joy to own. The Broom 30 has always been a logical choice for a couple, it’s comfortable, spacious and manageable. Traditional layout and dated refinements aside, it also makes good sense for a family of four.

However, these lovely ageing gems do need to be embraced and maintained.

Look for an example that has been well loved and looked after by its owners, a boat that can be stepped aboard and used. Be wary of taking on a project that may prove too costly to complete.

Before buying any used boat, always employ the services of a IIMS or a YDSA accredited surveyor and, if you have any doubt about the engines, a separate engine survey by a suitably qualified person is recommended.

Family 35 European 1973-1983

Price £29,000-£49,000 Length 34ft 10in Beam 12ft 2in A popular and great value family cruiser with unusual L shaped two berth aft cabin.

Buy one (pictured) 1975 £36,950 www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk

Ocean 29 1995-2002

Prices £50,000-£70,000

Length 29ft Beam 10ft 5in These aft cockpit inland cruisers are for two, and tend to hold their price.

Buy one (pictured) 1996 £59,950 www.tingdeneboatsales.net

33 1989-1992

Prices £75,000 - £90,000

Length 34ft 3in Beam 12ft 2in Ideal for coastal or inland pursuits with twin engines, the 33 is a well sought after cruiser.

Buy one (pictured) 1989 £77,000 www.newark-marina.co.uk

For more information visit www.broomowners.com Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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CUTTING Helios TT & WatchLock

Hawkeye Tracking Ltd has launched two new products that look useful for boat owners. The Helios TT is a real time standalone tracking device that is available with a waterproof case. It provides an alert if the item is stolen, and then tracking through a mobile app or online to aid recovery. The WatchLock is a grade 3 padlock with built in SMS technology. It will send a text message, email or push notification to a mobile phone app if the lock is tampered with.

Prices Helios TT £155.48 WatchLock from £203.64 01902 744475

Digital Yacht AISnode

If you have an NMEA2000 backbone onboard your boat you can now share AIS data across all instruments with AISnode, an AIS receiver with an NMEA2000 interface. With a very low power requirement, AISnode does not need a separate supply, as it gets its power directly from the NMEA2000 bus so it’s very easy to fit, just requiring a VHF connection.

Price £300 www.digitalyacht.co.uk

Humminbird Helix

Humminbird has introduced a new fishfinder family. The Helix range consists of seven models, all with five inch screens. They range from the simple Helix 5 Sonar for those who just want sonar capability, up to the Helix 5 SI – GPS that combines sonar with a GPS chartplotter and includes both Down Imaging® and Side Imaging®.

Prices from £235 to £550 www.smgeurope.com

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the latest boating gear and technology

Aquapac Phablet case

If you have a new iPhone 6 Plus you really are going to want to keep it safe from water damage in the coming season. Aquapac’s new Phablet case, yes that is a real word, is designed for those larger phones such as the iPhone 6 Plus, the Nokia Lumia 1520 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. It offers 100% waterproof protection to IPX8, which is 10 metres for 30 minutes while allowing full use when inside. Price £25.00 www.aquapac.net

JL Audio MHX Ultra

Do you want to upgrade the tunes on board your open sportsboat or RIB? If so, the MHX ultra compact, water resistant, amplifiers from JL Audio will be of interest. The two different models are both just 220mm x 79mm x 45mm, meaning they can be installed in the smallest of spaces and, being water resistant to IPX6, are also said to be suitable for PWCs. Price £TBA jlaudio.co.uk

Raymarine Ray50, 60 & 70

Raymarine’s range of VHF radios have been updated to not only offer better performance, but also to match the styling of their latest multifunction displays. Three models are available, the base Ray50, the mid range Ray60 with noise cancelling technology and second station capability, and the Ray70, which offers all the features of the other two, plus comes with inbuilt AIS and GPS.

Suzuki DF2.5L

If you need a small, lightweight, long shaft outboard, maybe as an auxiliary on a small motorboat, the new DF2.5L from Suzuki should be of interest.

Weighing just 14kg, the water-cooled outboard has an integral one litre fuel tank and forward and neutral gears.

Price £620 www.suzuki-marine.co.uk

Price £240 to £595 www.raymarine.co.uk

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CUTTING Volvo Penta Forward Drive I suppose it was the next logical step. If turning the props around to have them facing forward in the clean undisturbed water in front of the gearbox improves efficiency with IPS, there is no reason it won’t do the same on a sterndrive. Volvo has launched Forward Drive into the US market, and it promises improved fuel economy, faster speeds, increased acceleration and better maneuverability. It is also said to deliver less vibration and noise, as well as reduced levels of emissions. Volvo are aiming Forward Drive at the watersports market, as it is said to provide safer access to the stern of the boat while producing a customizable wake pattern for different abilities. Combining existing sterndrive, duoprop and IPS components means that service agents should already be up to speed on servicing and maintenance procedures. Whether Forward Drive is going to be marketed in Europe remains to be seen, but if it is, we’ll be first in the queue to try it. www.volvopenta.com

Next generation petrol engines Volvo Penta has unveiled two new lightweight (404kg inc DPS drive and props) all aluminium petrol engines. The GM based 4.3 litre V6 motors are rated at 200 and 240hp and are the first of a whole new generation of V6 and V8 petrol engines to be launched during 2015 and 2016. The new engines will have the latest technology, such as variable valve timing (VVT) and common rail direct fuel injection as well as higher compression ratios, which should bring better fuel economy (up to a claimed 20%), lower emissions, higher torque and faster acceleration. Standard fresh water cooling will keep internal corrosion at bay and the fuel system has been optimsied for use with ethanol blends. www.volvopenta.com

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VOLVO PENTA SPECIAL

New drives, props and engines.

Volvo Penta has an array of new innovations

Volvo Penta J-series props If you have a Volvo Penta DuoProp 280, 290 DP-A to DP-E drive, you currently have either A, B or C series propellers.

The A and B series are being replaced with a new J series. The stainless steel C series will remain available. The J series are made from a high strength aluminium and have been designed and tweaked for maximised performance. To swap between A and J, just stick with the same number. If going from B to J you need to go up one number, i.e. A4 = J4 but B4 =J5.

Price from ÂŁ520 www.volvopenta.com

Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

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

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

Guernsey Weymouth The Jurassic Dorset coastline is studded with many historical gems and must see wonders, and there is no better place to discover these than from the charming harbourside town of Weymouth

W

eymouth is your archetypal English seaside holiday town.

Acres of golden sand form a huge crescent shaped bay, with an unspoilt harbour to the south. On the beach there are traditional donkey rides, ice cream parlours, majestic beachfront hotels and Punch and Judy shows. The charming harbour is lined with beautifully coloured

period homes and, as it is still an active fishing port, the quays have an array of trawlers of all shapes and sizes, with the accompanying seagull chorus overhead.

It is sheer delight to walk along the quaint cobbled quayside, tiny alleyways or splendid promenade, have a leisurely cup of coffee in one of the growing number of alfresco coffee shops along the way, and

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March 2015

Destination Image provided by Weymouth Harbour

soak up some of this olde-worlde seaside town’s charm. The harbour has become a firm favourite with many boat crews, and is much more than just a convenient “stopping off point” when visiting the West Country or the Solent. Many visiting boaters choose to stay for a week or more to take full advantage of what the town and surrounding area has to offer. With its all-tides access, the harbour is also a useful south coast springboard for cross Channel passages to France and the Channel Islands.

WEYMOUTH

Portsmouth Cowes

Weymouth Dartmouth Falmouth

Salcombe

Weymouth is situated at the mouth of the River Wey, which runs through the town, culminating with two long stone quays either side, reaching out into the enormous safe, sheltered sandy bay.

Between the 12th and 13th centuries the town began to develop and, because of its accessibility, the harbour became established as a seaport, particularly for its wool trade. Portland and Weymouth’s importance and strategic position was recognised from Tudor times, and many sea defence castles were built in the

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There is a fuel berth on the west side, opposite the Harbour Masters Office at Custom House Quay

area. Two such defences, commissioned

by Henry VIII, are Portland Castle in Portland Bay and Sandsfoot at Wyke Regis, which has now mainly fallen into the sea.

In more recent years, the harbour became an important ferry port for France and the Channel Islands, although with the advent of much larger ferries, this has recently changed. The railway, with good links to London and the west, has also played an important role in the development of the harbour over the years, and the train tracks can still be seen along the cobbled quayside and around the town to this day. It wasn’t until the

Portsmout

Cowes

Lulworth Cove

Weymouth

18th Century, when George III’s brother built himself a grand residence, that the town itself started to grow as a popular seaside holiday destination. With the Victorians also flocking to Weymouth for their seaside retreats, it is no wonder that these two dynasties influenced the architectural style of the majestic private residential buildings in the town and quayside. Although the area was heavily bombed during the Second World War, much of this architecture is still in evidence today, albeit the grand private seafront residences are now guest houses or hotels. The Victorians also left their mark in the form of defences in Portland Harbour and huge fortress buildings to guard and overlook Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour. Nothe Fort in Weymouth was built in 1860 into the side of a huge cliff on the south side of the harbour and has the most amazing views over Portland Harbour and out to sea.

St Alban’s Head Lulworth Firing Ranges

The army practice on the Lulworth Ranges, as a result the sea area is restricted due to firing

Approaches

If you are approaching Weymouth from the east there is Lulworth Military Firing

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Destination

WEYMOUTH

Nothe Fort

Weymouth Marina VHF Channel 80

Waiting Pontoons

The entrance is easily identified by the tall white tower on the north pier. The grassy peninsula to the south of the entrance disguises Nothe Fort

Lifting Bridge Custom House Quay VHF Channel 12

The Cove

Harbour Office

WEYMOUTH BAY

Weymouth Approaches Range to consider. At specific times during practice firing, the sea area that extends up to six nautical miles offshore between Lulworth Cove and St Alban’s Head is restricted. Normal firing times are 9.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday, and on Friday it is 9.30am-12.30pm. Occasionally firing will take place at weekends so it is important to get the latest firing information and timings by calling 01929 404712 or 01929 404819 and listening to a recorded message. The Lulworth Firing

Range Control operates on VHF channel 8 and also monitors channel 16, it will have range safety vessels on station whilst firing is taking place.

If your approach is from the West it is advisable to keep a good distance from Portland Bill and the Shambles. Here, strong tidal currents are at play, running up to 7 knots on a spring tide and, with the wind predominantly west or south west, these can cause treacherous sea conditions in what is called the Portland

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Custom House Quay is a convenient mooring for the town, and a lovely place to witness the activity in the harbour. The Harbour Office (with facilities) is the attractive red brick building

Race. Also it’s here that two tidal currents meet and are squeezed over the rocky underwater ledges lying south of the peninsula. We would suggest plotting a route staying at least six nautical miles south of the Bill. There is a charted inshore route around the Bill but having the right weather conditions, and correct timing for tides, is crucial. Always plan your route carefully, referring to a chart and tidal stream information. The buoyed Shambles Bank lies to the east of Portland Bill, again the sea often heaps up here, echoing the rocky seabed below.

Weymouth harbour entrance lies

between two piers and is easily identified by the 53 metre (174ft) high white viewing tower at Weymouth’s Sealife Adventure Park on the North Quay. The tower’s viewing pod can be seen ascending and descending. The leading light line is indicated by two diamond shapes on the South Quay during the day and two red lights at night. The lights are visible for 7.5 miles. The tower is also lit by flashing red lights. Condor Ferries fast cat service from Weymouth to the Channel Islands will soon cease, operating until the end of March of this year. For visiting boaters it means there is one less thing to consider Aerial provided by Weymouth Marina

The 250-berth Weymouth Marina, operated by Dean & Reddyhoff lies beyond the town’s lifting bridge. This aerial photo shows Weymouth Marina looking north east upstream on the River Wey 60

March 2015

Destination

WEYMOUTH

Marine Supplies

VHF calling point on North Pier. Contact the Harbour Master on VHF Channel 12 as you approach. The speed limit is ‘dead slow’

when entering or exiting the harbour. On your final approach observe the traffic lights shown vertically on the South Pier.

Despite the lack of large ferries, these will continue to be used. Be aware that the speed limit close to the beach, inside a series of white buoys, 8 knots and there is a ‘Dead Slow’ speed limit once you are within the harbour limits.

Where to moor

There are two choices of moorings in Weymouth, both equally sheltered and convenient for the town and surroundings, but offering two very different ways of experiencing this lovely harbour. You can either moor in the old part of the harbour on the town quay or beyond the lifting bridge in Weymouth Marina.

The Weymouth Harbour Master offers floating pontoon berths for visitors on the north and south sides of the old harbour.

With gangway access ashore, these long pontoons have access to electric, WiFi and water, and are a great place to take in the sights of this busy and colourful harbour.

Smaller and shallower drafted boats, up to 10 metres, will be directed to the pontoons on south side of the harbour, an area known as the Cove. These pontoons are convenient for Brewers Quay and

There are two well-stocked chandleries located on either side of the old harbour. On the Custom House Quay side there is Kingfisher Marine, next to the Royal Dorset Yacht Club and Bussells Yacht Chandlers, which is in Hope Street near Brewers Quay.

Transport

First Group Buses to neighbouring towns, such as Portland, Dorchester and Bridport, are available from the town Esplanade, near the Kings Statue. From here you can also hop on the X53 bus which runs between Exeter and Poole. South West Trains operate services to London Waterloo, serving intermediary stations such as Dorchester, Poole, Bournemouth and Southampton. You will find a taxi rank in St Thomas Street, close to the lifting bridge.

Food supplies

There is a Tesco Metro store within yards of the bridge in St Thomas Street, a 5-minute walk away. There is also a huge Asda foodstore at the junction of North Quay and Westway Road in the northwest corner of the harbour. It is a 10-minute walk away from the moorings in the old harbour and marina. For those moored in the Cove at Brewers Quay there is also the Londis Harbour Stores in Trinity Street for food essentials.

Tides

The National Tidal and Sea Level Facility – Weymouth Tides

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Nothe Fort. In strong easterly winds a swell will enter the harbour and will be felt in the Cove. Rallies, motorboats and vessels over 10 metres will be directed to the pontoons along the north side of the harbour, outside Harbour Office, along what is known as Custom House Quay.

Mooring here is not only convenient for the Harbour Office with its modern toilet and shower block, it’s also brilliant for getting into town and out to sea. However, as it is an active fishing harbour, you should expect to get passing traffic at all times of the day and night, while the Cove is a bit more of a quieter corner. Call ‘Weymouth Harbour’ on VHF channel 12 or via telephone 01305 838423 on your final approaches to the harbour.

In busier periods, the Harbour Master operates a grey and orange RIB, which will often greet and direct approaching boats. During these times be prepared to raft up or be rafted upon. The friendly harbour team will come and collect the affordably-priced fees, otherwise, payment can be made at the Harbour Office. Boats berthing for three consecutive nights will be given a fourth night free of charge, but please note this is not available during July and August. The Harbour Master told us they will never turn a visiting boat away

The town’s lifting bridge operates at specific times and has waiting pontoons both sides

The visitors pontoons can get busy during the summer and particularly during events, so be prepared to raft

and install additional pontoons during the height of the season, and during popular events such as the Weymouth Carnival.

If you are looking for the peace and isolation of a secluded marina berth, or perhaps looking to leave your boat in Weymouth for a longer period, Weymouth Marina is a great option. Built in 1996 and operated by Dean and Reddyhoff, the marina has 300 berths, toilet and shower facilities, WiFi and security gated pontoon access. For the discerning shoppers onboard, the marina is also located directly behind a large Debenhams and the town’s main shopping precinct.

The marina has no dedicated area for visitors, so visiting boats will be allocated a vacant annual berth according to size.

The marina team recommend booking or calling ahead to arrange a berth whenever possible. If they know you are approaching, they will often coordinate with the appropriate bridge lift, meet you in their grey marina rib and direct you to an empty berth. The marina operates on VHF channel 80 or 01305 767576.

Where to eat & drink

Weymouth has an excellent choice of

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Destination eateries for all tastes and budgets. You will be spoilt for choice just on the harbourfront, and there are many options in the town too. If you are an ale drinker, Jurassic is the local brew to look out for. It is made by the Dorset Brewing Company, based in Weymouth.

We would recommend a visit to the Royal Dorset Yacht Club (01305 786258) clubhouse on Custom House Quay. Inside this beautiful old building there is a friendly bar and restaurant, where lunch and dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday, with a £9.95 roast lunch available on Sundays. It is also possible to host rally dinners and functions here.

Rugular visitors are also quick to recommend The Gurkha, an allyou-can-eat buffet restaurant located on Commercial Road, just north of Weymouth Marina. Called Noah’s Ark,

WEYMOUTH

Distances

Approximate distances in nautical miles from Weymouth: Weymouth to Poole 26 miles Cowes 45 miles Dartmouth 50 miles Cherbourg 66 miles Guernsey 71 miles

Events

Portland’s Fish & Ship Festival 11 & 12th April Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival 11th & 12th July Weymouth Carnival Day & Fireworks 19th August Waterfest Weymouth 5th & 6th Sept

Charts & Pilot Books

Admiralty SC5601 East Devon & Dorset Coast Exmouth to Christchurch Imray 2300 Dorset and Devon Coasts Reeds Almanac Inshore Along the Dorset Coast by Peter Bruce Pilot Book Shell Channel Pilot

Bridge lifts

The Royal Dorset Yacht Club is very welcoming, and is a good place to start an evening

15 Apr-15 Sept: Opens every two hours from 8am-8pm plus a 9pm lift in June, July and August. 16 Sept–14 April: Every two hours from 8am6pm. Vessels transiting the bridge are advised to monitor VHF Channel 12.

There are waiting pontoons on both sides of the bridge. Vessels must obey the traffic lights and when the bridge lifts outbound vessels have priority. The minimum air draft under the bridge is recorded at 2.75m at the highest astronomical tide.

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There is plenty to do and see in Weymouth, not to mention the shopping.

Below, St Alban Street

KEY 1 Harbour Office & Facilities 2 The Royal Dorset Yacht Club 3 Bennetts on the Waterfront 4 Brewers Quay 5 Weymouth Marina Office Nothe Fort Weymouth Pavillion Sealife Park & Tower St Alban Street The Gurkha Balti House Harbourside Café Bar

10

2

£

13 Zafran Indian Restaurant

££ £ £

1

13

3 3

High Street

Train Station

Bus Station

Fuel Berth

Footpath

Slipway

£

Cashpoint

1

Tesco

2

C Asda

11

5

12

£ C

C2

4

VisitEngland

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

9

14

1

7

8

Chandlery

3

Harbour Stores

6

as it’s shaped like a boat, the restaurant is on Radipole Lake and serves an oriental buffet from Monday to Saturday, with an additional English carvery on Sundays.

Lunches are £8, while dinner is £12.

If you are a curry fan, there are two choices. There is the Balti House on Commercial Road, which is ideally located for Weymouth Marina and a 12-minute walk from Custom House Quay. Near the

The Gurkha is often a popular choice with visiting boats, with its all-you-can-eat buffet

town centre there is also Zafran (01305 839023), on the corner of Maiden Street and Bond Street.

If you are moored on Custom House Quay, the full English breakfast at the Harbourside Café Bar (01305 773394) is hard to beat. The café is open daily from 7am and also offers freshly made sandwiches and seafood platters to order.

Bennett’s on the Waterfront is a must for takeaway or eat in fish and chips.

Going further afield, we would recommend getting the bus out to Portland Bill and having a crab sandwich at the Lobster Pot Restaurant (01305 820242). The restaurant is close to Portland Bill Lighthouse and serves breakfasts, lunches, cream teas and hot meals 7 days a week. The Crab House

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Destination

WEYMOUTH

Weather

Weymouth Beach is packed in summer, with swing chairs, donkey rides and Punch and Judy

Café (01305 788867) is also well worth a visit. It offers freshly caught local fish and grows its own oysters in the bay. It overlooks Chesil Beach and is within easy walking distance of Portland Marina, or a short taxi ride from Weymouth.

Places to visit

You can easily lose a day strolling around the harbour or along Weymouth’s beach promenade. We would definitely recommend a walk up to Nothe Gardens.

Here a network of paths cascade down the grass banks of the peninsula and the views south towards the Isle of Portland are spectacular. It is a beautiful location for a summer picnic, plus there is also a small playground to keep the little ones amused. Etched into the cliffside, Nothe Fort commands the very best views out to sea. The fort was built to defend the town and only saw action during World War II. Now open to the public, visitors can see its three levels, the guns, former ammunition magazines and soldiers quarters. Entry to the fort is £7 for adults and £1 for children.

The former Victorian brewery building, on the southern side of the old harbour, houses interesting fossils, craft and antique shops, Weymouth Museum and

BBC 5-day Forecast Weymouth NOAA Live Weather Channel Lightship Live Wind readings summarised by Ian Millard Weymouth Sailing Club Display for Portland Met Office Shipping Forecast – Portland & Wight areas Met Office Inshore Waters Forecast Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis

Slipways

A slipway is located in the inner harbour, behind ‘Debenhams’ on Commercial Road. Launching and retrieval for smaller craft is possible at all states of the tide. Be aware that slipway has a sudden drop off and is best observed first at low water.

Trailers may be left at the slipway head for a fee. This fee does not include additional car parking charges for towing vehicles. The slipway is managed by Weymouth Harbour, you can pay the attendant on duty in the hut or, if unmanned, contact the Harbour team on 01305 838423. The price to launch or retrieve per day is £10.

Harbour Guide

We would definitely recommend downloading the latest Weymouth Harbour Guide as a PDF before visiting to harbour. It’s a brilliant source of local information, places to visit, maps, tide times and also very detailed tidal stream information for Portland Bill.

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Nothe Fort commands panoramic views across the bay towards Portland and Lulworth

the separate World War II Museum. With a choice of cafes, restaurants and pubs, all with outside seating, it’s also a great social place to spend an afternoon or evening people watching in high season.

The Rodwell Trail is a fantastic walking and cycle route. Here you can follow the tracks of the old Weymouth to Portland railway, visiting the ruins of Henry VIII Sandsfoot Castle, which overlooks Portland Harbour along the way. The 3.4km route is on the level and starts at Abbotsbury Road, west of the sluice gate at the top of the marina. It will take approximately an hour to walk the trail, which ends at Ferrybridge, where the railway originally crossed over to Portland. From here it is easy to pick up

Alfresco drinking and eating can be enjoyed outside the former Victorian brewery building

the coast path and discover Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. The Crab House Café, as mentioned earlier, makes for a perfect, albeit expensive, lunchtime stop.

The Sealife Adventure Park and Tower, just past the Pavillion on the North Quay is a good family attraction on a sunny day.

It has rays, sharks, penguins and an ocean tunnel aquarium. There is also a waterpark with slides so don’t forget your swimming costumes. Adults and over 3’s cost £18.50 while under 3’s go free. Tower only tickets are available from £6.40 per person.

The tower’s gondola viewing pod goes to the top and then rotates twice, giving 360-degree views over Weymouth.

There are also two great attractions to discover further afield at Bovingdon; Monkey World and the Tank Museum.

Both are within 2 miles of each other and it is around £30 each way by taxi from Weymouth. Alternatively you can take the X53 from the Kings Statue bus stop on the Esplanade to Wool station, which is around 1.5 miles away from each attraction. The ape rescue centre Monkey World, is a great animal attraction for all ages. We would recommend going on a day when there is no rain forecast as there

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Destination is not much shelter at the park. Adults are £11.75, while children and senior citizens are £8.50. There is also a family ticket available for 2 adults and 2 children for £37. At the Tank Museum, veterans take you through a huge collection of tanks, telling the story of these mean machines from their origins in 1915 to the present day. Ticket prices are £13 for adults and £7.50 for children.

For evening music or theatre entertainment it is worth checking the programme of events at Weymouth Pavillion. There is also an MFA Bowling Alley on St Nicholas Street and a Cineworld 9 screen cinema on New Bond Street for those damp days or evenings.

Weymouth is superb for shopping, with big brands such as Marks & Spencer, TK Max and Debenhams. Essentially, the town has two pedestrianised high streets running parallel with one another, St Thomas Street and St Mary Street.

However, there is one other shopping street that is a ‘must visit’. St Alban Street seems to have bunting up all year round and this narrow, picture perfect road is lined with cafes, tearooms, boutiques, gift and craft shops. It’s a great place to pick up your beach essentials, such as a buckets and spades. If you have kids aboard (and big kids too) a bucket and a crab line also equals hours of family fun.

WEYMOUTH

Staying longer

Weymouth Harbour • 10m Overnight Berth Summer £25 • 10m Overnight Berth Winter £16 • 10m Week Berth £175 • 10m Month Berth £POA • 10m Annual Berth £3240 Weymouth Marina • 10m Overnight Berth £29.50 • 10m Week Summer £177 • 10m Week Winter £120 • 10m Month Summer £700 • 10m Month Winter £330 • 10m Annual £4430

Where to fill up

Weymouth Marina

Petrol is not available in the harbour but if you require diesel there are two options. Mechanical Services (01305 342012) operate a small fuel berth on the south side of the harbour (opposite the Harbour Master’s Office).

Please note that this fuel berth is not manned during the day so calling ahead is essential. Boats moored at Custom House Quay can arrange a tanker to deliver diesel. This will need to be arranged well in advance via Mechanical Services. Petrol via jerry cans is available at the Esso fuel station, which is in King Street and a 6-minute walk from Weymouth Marina. Petrol and diesel is available at Portland Marina. Its fuel berth is located on the end of T pontoon.

For more information visit: harbour.weymouth.gov.uk www.visitweymouth.co.uk www.visit-dorset.co.uk www.deanreddyhoff.co.uk/ weymouth-marina

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tested AGlaze Dinghy Cleaning Kit As winter starts to give way to a new boating season, the task of getting the boat ready begins. This usually means a good spring clean, and that should include the often-neglected inflatable dinghy. Talking of neglected, I have a three metre RIB that is left outside in all weathers, and is currently looking very sorry for itself. This gave me a perfect opportunity to test the AGlaze RIB and Dinghy kit.

I know that many people like to use all manner of household cleaners and potions on their tender, but having had a previous boat literally fall apart at the seams, I am quite cautious about what I use on mine, and only subject them to chemicals designed specifically for the purpose. The kit contains 500ml of cleaner, 500ml of sealant and a pack of four Eradicator sponges.

To start with I tried the cleaner with a microfibre cloth. The result was ok, but it was clear the grime was not going to

PRICE

ÂŁ36.00

give up its hold lightly. I then tried it in conjunction with one of the Eradicator sponges. This produced a much better result with very little effort, clearly a significant improvement on how it was when I started out. There were some stains that looked to be quite ingrained, and no amount of scrubbing shifted them.

Having explored the limits of the ability of the AGlaze product I thought I would try something. Over the years I have collected just about every specialist cleaning product launched, and emerged from my garage with around half a dozen other inflatable boat cleaners. Could any of these improve on the results delivered

by AGlaze? I tried each of them in turn,

A particularly grimy tender was much improved with very little effort and an AGlaze dinghy kit 68

March 2015

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

Cockpit Companion

After coating with sealant, rain water beads on the surface and hold the dirt

including using them with an Eradicator sponge. Not one of them could remove the ingrained stains, and none of them made a noticeable improvement on what the AGlaze product achieved. I think it is fair to say that for cleaning this inflatable boat, the AGlaze RIB and Dinghy Kit produced results that couldn’t be beaten.

Once I had finished I gave the clean area a wipe over with the sealant part of the kit. A couple of days later I went back to see how it was looking and found the rain water was beading on the treated part of the tube and that the beads of water were holding dirt that would otherwise have Motorboat Owner settled onto the “Produced results surface. Again that couldn’t be it seemed to be beaten” doing exactly what it is Value 4/5 Usability 4/5 supposed to.

Whether you are a new skipper, or a salty old sea dog, it’s useful to have a handy PRICE aide memoir for all those little things you need to remember.

You know the stuff, sound signals, light, shapes, basic collision regs, distress procedures, buoys, Beaufort scale, flags etc. The Cockpit Companion delivers all of these in an easy to read and compact booklet that is printed on splash proof paper. There are also handy sections on preparing for sea, pre start checks, knots, engine troubleshooting, safety and height of tide calculations.

It contains just enough info to help when needed in a booklet small enough to find what you want, when you want it.

It is not only a perfect companion for the cockpit, it would be a great booklet for anyone undertaking an RYA theory course.

£8.99

Motorboat Owner

“A really useful guide to keep at the helm” Value Usability

Performance 5/5

Contact: Marine AGlaze www.marineaglaze.com

Contact: Fernhurst Books www.fernhurstbooks.com

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

3/5 5/5

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Motorboat Owner

ÂŁ1K

CHALLENGE

PROJECT Mayland 16

T

he road to finishing any project is paved with good intentions.

My intention this month was to get sticky with some fibreglass to repair the ‘bodgitry’ of many a previous owner.

Unfortunately I got embroiled in the canopy affair. This is a job that seems to have been ongoing for longer than the project boat itself. I remember originally saying I wanted to get the cover finished in the autumn so the cockpit had some proper protection for winter. Well here we are with spring just around the

corner and the canopy has only just been completed. It has taken up pretty much every spare moment we have had this month, so what have we learnt? Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, if you are undertaking your own project boat and you need a canopy making, consider very seriously getting it done professionally. I am not one to say that lightly, being Mr DIY, but it has been a mammoth job. This month alone we have spent 50 man hours fitting, removing, adjusting, refitting, adding fixings, adjusting, removing again,

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“Making the canopy ourselves turned into a mammoth job. It’s finally done with lessons learned” refitting etc etc. I have owned a boat with a canopy ever since I started boating, but I can honestly say in the last month I have taken the canopy on and off more times than in all my previous boating life put together.

We used the old canopy as a template which is not reliable as it may have stretched or shrunk

Canopy - Lessons learned

• Reinforce any seams that are going to have fixings attached by sewing in a strip of clear window vinyl. We recycled the old canopy windows for this.

• It is often said that you can’t do heavyduty jobs like this on a domestic sewing machine. You can, but you need to use heavy gauge needles, size 17 or above, and you need to keep spraying the needle with silicone spray to stop it from sticking and jamming.

• Don’t use pins. These will make holes in the canopy material. Use a good quality double sided sticky seam tape.

It works really well and even holds the clear vinyl windows in place until you get them stitched.

• Use the proper tool to add fixings. If, like us you have turn button fixings, you need to use a special tool to punch the hole in the canopy. They cost around £60 to buy, but you can A tip we picked up from our upholstery hire them for £20 for two weeks from course was to reinforce the seams with PVC

• Do not rely on an old canopy for a template. We got away with it on the whole, but we had one panel which was simply too small and had to be extended. The old canopy had probably shrunk, and it was too damaged to fit at the beginning to check.

• Attach any zips to panels before the panels are sewn together. A small panel is easier to manouvre around the sewing machine than a whole canopy top, as Claire found out when adding zips to the aft section.

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J Clarke Marine.

• Don’t expect a professional finish.

Making a canopy is tricky so don’t beat yourself up if it’s not quite as tight as you would like it, or the odd seam or join looks a bit wrong. Our canopy has a few of these faults but I am still rather pleased with it, and to be honest from a distance you would never know.

• Prepare to save lots of money. Our canopy cost us in total around £100.

A couple of enquiries indicated that we would have been looking at a bill of £600-£800 to have it made professionally, so there are big savings to be had by doing it yourself, but only if you have lots and lots of spare time.

• Fixings are not cheap. We reused as much as we could from the old cover. This included Velcro strips for attaching the canopy to the framework, zips for the back opening section and as many of the turn

Stitching was done on a normal domestic sewing machine, but we used large needles for joining layers of thick fabric and PVC

buckle male and female fixings as we could remove without breaking them.

This meant that we only had to buy a few turnbuckle fixings to replace some broken ones.

• Keep the boat local. We were on and off the boat more times than I can remember. Every panel was offered up and every fixing was marked on the boat individually before being attached. This is not a job you could easily do if the boat was any distance away from where you are working.

We hired a tool to make the holes for the fixings. The canopy fabric was easy to manipulate. Above, to fit the windows we seamed the edges and used doublesided tape to secure the PVC ready for sewing 72

March 2015

Claire’s dad restored the tatty steering wheel. He sanded it down with a sanding block, followed by a coat of varnish

A good thing about immersing yourself in a project like this is that you can call on friends and family to help out. This month, for example, we would never have had any spare time for a little job like overhauling the steering wheel. In fact, left to us, it probably wouldn’t have been touched at all. Luckily Claire’s dad reliably informed us that he had an old tin of varnish in his garage and he would happily give it a spruce up. With an offer like that I soon found time to take it off and get it delivered to him. The result is impressive, so much so that I have now removed the mast and the cabin top handrails ready for him to work his magic again. Watch this space.

It looks like the fibreglassing is going to have to wait until next month, but at least I’ll have a nice canopy to work under. Despite the time-sapping canopy,

I did manage to break free from it for an hour or so to start thinking about the boat’s electrical system. When we first got Olive, we simply ripped everything out.

This has left us with a bulkhead mounted fuse board, with its back and connections open to the cabin, some nav lights and a couple of switches on the helm console.

I have already taken out the switch panel in readiness for working on the bulkhead.

Canopy making may not be my thing, but I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into the boats electrics.

The engine doesn’t have a charging circuit so everything will be kept simple, with a solar panel to keep the single battery charged.

Motorboat Owner

£1K

CHALLENGE

This month’s spend

Canopy fixings £12.79 Turn button tool hire £20

Monthly Total £32.79

Total to date: £884.95 Budget remaining: £115.05 Time spent this month

Work has started of the boats electrics

53 hours

Total time to date

113 hours 45 mins

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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sales@firemonkeyltd.co.uk

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74

BOAT FIRE SYSTEMS

STANDARD RANGE

March 2014

Motorboat Owne r

Cruise in C ompa n y

Cruise in Company 2015 Programme

Cruise in Company Channel Islands & France Cruise 31st May - 13th June Dunkirk & Opal Coast Cruise 2nd - 15th August

Cruising in company is a great way to

broaden your experience, expand your cruising horizons and build confidence.

It also offers great security for those venturing offshore for the first time. Our team will be there before, during and after each passage, offering a helping hand and assistance whenever it is needed.

We make all of the arrangements for the cruise, leaving you free to turn up and enjoy your holiday.

Where

The first cruise will depart from the Solent and take in the French ports of Cherbourg, Dielette, Carteret and Granville, and the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey with opportunities to visit Herm and Sark.

Our second cruise will be departing from Ramsgate and will be taking in Dunkirk and ports along France’s Opal Coast in this, the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.st

Where can I find out more information?

Simply log into your account at motorboatowner.co.uk and download the February magazine from the back issues section. Page 60 and 61 provides full details. Alternatively just call Claire Frew on 01268 922993, or send us an email at cruise@motorboatowner.co.uk

How do I book?

Just drop us an email expressing your interest and we’ll send you an application form. Email cruise@motorboatowner.co.uk

St Peter Port in Guernsey is one of our ports of call on the Channel Islands and France cruise

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Finnmaster T8

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March 2015

BOAT TEST

Length (LOA): 8.0m / 26ft 3in Beam: 2.7m / 8ft 10in Displacement: 2500kg Fuel Capacity: 250 litres Water Capacity: 40 litres RCD category: C Engine as Tested: Suzuki DF300 Other Engine options: Yamaha F250 or Yamaha F300 Price from ÂŁ83,552

Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

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T

he Finnmaster brand is the more affordable arm of the Finn-Marin boat building company, the other brand being Grandezza. Under the Finnmaster umbrella Finn-Marin produce a range of family day cruisers, the F series, two pilot house sportsfishers, the P series, and the latest addition, a range of performance sportsboats, the T series. The T8 we are testing here was launched last year, and has quickly been followed by the T7 (see Helsinki Highlights pg 12).

First impressions are very good. The boat oozes style, with looks to match. I know it’s a personal thing, but I think the T8 is perhaps the best looking sportsboat on the market, with its eye catching graphics, sleek lines and those Alfa Romeo style docking lights in the bow. There is also the teak, dark gel colours and

contrasting upholstery in the cockpit. A cockpit, by the way, that is perhaps one of the best in its class. This is a boat that promises performance even before you have stepped aboard. To supply that performance, our test boat was fitted with a Suzuki DF300 V6 outboard. Suzuki is standard fit for the T8 in Finland, but UK supplied boats will come with Yamaha power, either the F250 or the F300.

Boarding the boat is

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March 2015

“The cockpit is superb.

It’s very spacious and well appointed”

Neat design touches. A dedicated iPad mount and teak laid steps up to the foredeck. Three comfortable forward facing seats offer good support

best achieved over the bathing platform, which is made up of two parts either side of the outboard and well. On each side there is a large locker, big enough to store fenders, ropes and any watersports paraphernalia. Stepping across from one side to the other is achievable with the outboard down but it’s quite a big stride.

The cockpit is accessed through a transom cut-out, with a couple of steps down into it. The cockpit, as it should be on a sportsboat, is superb. It uses all of the boat’s 2.7m beam to provide a spacious outside area for a sizeable gathering. Aft and to port is a large L-shaped seating area with a useful sized table. Although not everyone seated will be able to use the table, it would easily allow a family of four to sit and eat around it. The table lowers on an electric pedestal to create an infill, turning this area into a large sunpad, or even extra sleeping accommodation Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

beneath the canopy, which is stored neatly away beneath the transom seat.

The canopy is standard on the T8, as are a few other bits of kit that you might expect to have to raid the options list for. The

The bathing platform is big enough for watersports, the cockpit big enough for a party

79

The forward cabin offers good accommodation but is restricted in headroom due to the sleek foredeck

bowthruster, cockpit fridge, diesel cooker and teak in the cockpit, on the bathing platform and on the bow are all standard features. Opposite the dinette is another single seat plus a galley unit. The galley is fairly basic and provides a single burner diesel hob and a sink with pressurized cold water. These are beneath a lifting lid that folds out to create some work surface.

You won’t be cooking big meals with these facilities, but they are perfectly adequate for some basic sustenance and a hot brew.

A drawer type fridge is located underneath the port side seat. Cockpit storage is provided by lockers beneath the port and starboard side seating, together with a cupboard in the galley unit.

Moving forward to the serious end of the

The foredeck is fitted with teak as Standard.

The galley is bijou, but adequate for basic provisions and a hot drink 80

March 2015

A second double berth is cleverly located beneath the cockpit sole

cockpit, you get three individual forward facing seats, all offering armrests, good support and lifting bolsters. These seats all swivel to allow them to become part of the large aft socializing area. The helm is nicely laid out, apart from a bank of switches on a reverse sheer, beneath the steering wheel. These are all but impossible to see and operate when at the helm. The driving position is comfortable with excellent visibility and good protection behind the screen, which itself has a nice solid stainless steel frame. Directly in front of the helm is space for a 12 inch multifunction display, and in front of the second seat is a dedicated place for an iPad. The iPad mount does not offer much in the way of protection for the iPad, and you do have to wonder what will become of this spot once the current shape and size of the iPad tablet is changed, but it’s a neat idea and a nice touch.

Next to the helm there are three teak laid steps to take you up to the foredeck, through an opening section of the Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd

windscreen. With the full beam given over to cockpit, there are no side decks, so this is the only way forward. Once on the foredeck there is a teak laid middle section to provide good non-slip access to the bow. You would need to be careful where

Sitting room only. A useful, if vertically challenge, separate toilet compartment

81

PERFORMANCE As tested 100% fuel 50% water 3 crew Force 1

RPM

you step when it’s wet, as glass panels either side could become very slippery.

You also need to be careful when you are walking down the middle of the foredeck, as you have nothing to grab onto to steady yourself, if needed. Up front there is a small anchor locker and, as is fairly standard on Scandinavian boats, access over the bow through a gap in the pulpit rail.

Moving back inside the boat, you are in for quite a surprise. With the looks of a large cuddy type boat, you would be forgiven for thinking there would be little more than a vee shaped seating arrangement down below, but you would be wrong. Despite the low profile, the designers have incorporated a permanently made up offset double

650 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5850

Knots LPH

GPH

MPG

2.7 3.6 4.9 6.7 7.6 11.4 16.8 24.1 28.0 32.9 39.8

0.42 1.01 1.63 2.31 4.03 6.49 6.99 8.91 12.0 14.3 22.6

6.43 3.56 3.01 2.90 1.89 1.76 2.40 2.71 2.33 2.30 1.76

1.9 4.6 7.4 10.5 18.3 29.5 31.5 40.5 54.5 64.8 102.9

Range (nm) 354 196 166 160 104 97 132 149 128 127 97

Noise

60 62 68 75 78 82 87 89 92 94 96

berth with a seated dressing area to port.

Opposite this is a toilet compartment with manual sea toilet, connected to a standard fit holding tank, and small sink. The boat does not come equipped with hot water and, therefore, no shower is fitted. The cabin is very light due to the use of light coloured materials, but also because of the large overhead glass panels and long side windows. The cabin is, however, a bit short on ventilation options. There is no foredeck hatch and no opening portholes.

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March 2015

Our test boat was powered by a Suzuki 300hp V6 outboard. UK supplied boats will be Yamaha powered, either an F250 or F300

“The T8 has a great helm position. Its hull deals with confused waters with ease” What you do get are a pair of small opening vents in each of the side windows, and another in the toilet compartment.

Turn back and look aft and you are in for another surprise. Tucked underneath the cockpit sole is another permanently made up double berth, sectioned off from the rest of the cabin with a privacy curtain. This berth is 42 inches wide so is tight for a double but would make a very nice single. At the aft end of this berth is a small non-opening window to allow a bit of light into this space and reduce any feelings of claustrophobia that you sometimes get in under cockpit berths such as this. There is a decent amount of storage in the cabin below the forward berth, but with only a couple onboard, this extra berth offers a very useful extra Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

storage area.

While all this accommodation is great, there is, of course, a compromise. You can’t combine sleek looks with six foot headroom on an 8 meter boat. Basically down below is a ‘crouchfest’. Headroom in the toilet is just 52 inches, otherwise known as sitting room only, and in the main cabin just 62 inches.

On the T8 the cockpit is where you would spend your waking hours, with the cabin purely being used to sleep and take comfort breaks.

Underway Acceleration from the big V6 is brisk with a quick transition onto the plane. The electric assist hydraulic steering is smooth, well balanced, light and precise, exactly what you want from a sportsboat. The

83

driving experience is very Scandinavian with a good ride and a solid feel, and the hull deals with confused waters and short chop with ease. The engine is very quiet at idle, so quiet in fact that you would think it wasn’t running. Open up the throttles though, and it comes to life with a roar, being particularly growly above 5000 rpm.

Running in the low 20’s the T8 delivers a quiet and unfussed ride. 25 knots feels like a relaxing stroll in the park. Seated helming is very comfortable and well protected by the screen, with any wind, rain or spray passing safely overhead. Lift the bolster and a standing driving position works well also, although with your head above the screen you do now get, not just the wind in your hair, but a full on face full of it, together with any spray or rain that it’s carrying.

Despite the 300hp, the 40 knots top speed and the good acceleration, the T8 didn’t quite hit the spot as an out and out performance boat. The engine had to work quite hard to deliver the performance and

The bow docking lights are one of the many great design features of the Finnmaster T8

the boat wasn’t really properly in its stride until it was pulling 4000rpm, leaving just the top end of the rev range to play with.

Conclusion The T8 felt more like a fast sportscruiser than the performance sportsboat that I was expecting. Maybe that’s missing the point though. A full-on performance boat is hardly the most practical of vessels, and with the T8 you do get a decent mix of performance and a good

84

March 2015

turn of speed, plus all of the practical features you would normally only find on a bloated sportscruiser. It does this while keeping its low profile sleek looks, which is where the compromises come in. You can’t have cruiser style accommodation and headroom, without the accompanying exterior bulk. To my mind the T8 is perhaps trying a little too hard to be all things to all helmsmen. Eight metres is big for a sportsboat and, once you have added all the weight of the creature comforts it comes packaged with, it feels like it has lost just a little of what the essence of a sportsboat is, its performance, its nimbleness, its sheer fun. Don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with the T8, and like I said

Sportsboat or sportscruiser? The T8 appears to sit somewhere in between

earlier, there is plenty very right with it, it’s just that it doesn’t quite seem to know what it is. It is perhaps, very much like the Alfa Romeo I mentioned at the beginning, not perfect, but still very desirable.

ENQUIRIES: Midway Boat Sales Tel: 01270 528482 www.midwayboats.co.uk YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

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The flagship model from Yamarin also offers two sleeping areas but doesn’t have a separate toilet compartment.

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New and Used

Boats for Sale 01189 403211

Beavis Marine/22

A fantastic little boat for inland waterways and estuary cruising.

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

Princess/32

Well-maintained model with large cockpit and great accommodation.

Langley/25’ Slipper Launch

Interboat/25

Built to traditional specifications but with a GRP hull.

Open day boat for 10 people with toilet room, fridge, & bowthruster.

1995 | £9,950 | 22ft/6.7m

1978 | £13,500 | 32.3ft/9.9m

Sealine/310 Ambassador

Sheerline/950 Tri Cabin

Broom/38 Ocean

JL Pinder/English Barge

1994 | £37,500 | 31.5ft/9.6m

2006 | £95,000 | 31ft/9.4m

1998 | £139,950 | 38.5ft/11.7m

2008 | £140,000 | 75ft/22.9m

A family sports cruiser, well suited for both river and coastal cruising.

An ideal river cruiser offering 4 berths in 2 cabins.

2000 | £24,750 | 25ft/7.6m

£42,000 | 25.8ft/7.9m 2009 | £44,950

6 berths in 2 cabins plus lower saloon, 2 x heads and shower.

A unique opportunity to purchase an English double width barge.

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.

Visit www.gowiththeflow.life to be in with the chance to win a luxury boat trip along the Thames with picnic hamper

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01189 403211

www.valwyattmarine.co.uk

W L NE DE O M

2004 SealiNe F34 2 x Volvo KAD 43

Call Port Solent £99,500 vat paiD

2009 SealiNe F42/5 2 x Volvo D6-435

Call Swanwick £199,950 vat paiD

2015 Bavaria Sport 360 Ht Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo D3-220 £223,530 iNC vat

2006 peDro mariN 30 Call Swanwick 1 x Perkins Sabre M92B £89,950 vat paiD

W NE DEL O M

NeW moDel 2015 Bavaria Sport 450 Ht Call Swanwick 2 or 3 Cabins Available.

IPS Drives Available 2 x Volvo D6-370

2013 SealiNe F42 2 x Volvo IPS600

From £275,000 eX taX

Call Swanwick £269,950 eX taX

Call Swanwick 1 x 5.0L Mercruiser £19,950 vat paiD 2000 maXum 2400 SCr

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BROKERAGE

The UK’s fastest growing brokerage

Over 200 bOats available Online

2008 FairliNe pHaNtom 48 Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo D9-575 £349,950 vat paiD

2004 SealiNe S34 2 x Volvo KAD32

Call Swanwick £79,950 vat paiD

1999 SealiNe F33 2 x Volvo KAD32

Call Swanwick £69,950 vat paiD

swanwiCk +44 (0)1489 550 583

gOsPOrt +44 (0)2393 510 433 POrt sOlent +44 (0)2393 510 434

iPswiCh +44 (0)1473 780 266 POOle +44 (0)1202 916 424

www.clippermarine.co.uk EMAIL: SALES@CLIPPERMARINE.CO.UK 2004 moNterey 248 lSC CuDDy Call Swanwick

Clipper Marine shielD care package included Free on selected boats when contracted before the end of March

1 x Volvo 5.7L Petrol £23,950 vat paiD

FREE STORAGE ASHORE AVAILABLE – SUBJECT TO T&C’S sPeCialists in

2003 JeaNNeau preStige 32 Call Swanwick 2x Volvo KAMD 43 £84,950 vat paiD

2008 JeaNNeau preStige 42S Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo IPS500 £149,950 vat paiD

CE OI O CH F TW O 2005 FairliNe pHaNtom 40 Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo TAMD63P £177,500 vat paiD

2006 SealiNe S34 2 x Volvo KAD32

2010 azimut 43 Call Swanwick 2 x Cummins QSB 5.9 £269,950 vat paiD

2015 Bavaria Sport 400 Ht Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo D6-400 £299,613 iNC vat

2007 JeaNNeau Cap Camarat 625 Call Swanwick 1 x Suzuki 100 Outboard £19,950 vat paiD

2014 Bavaria virteSS 420 Fly Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo IPS600 £399,950 iNC vat

Call Swanwick £92,500 vat paiD

2013 Bavaria Sport 31 Call Swanwick 2 x Volvo D3-220 £119,950 vat paiD

2008 SealiNe SC38 2 x Volvo D4-300

2014 Bavaria Sport 32 Call Swanwick £169,123 vat paiD 2 x Volvo D3-220

2006 Bavaria Sport 42 Call Swanwick £149,950 vat paiD 2 x Volvo IPS500

Call Swanwick £149,950 vat paiD

W L NE DE O M D

CE

DU

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RE 2013 SealiNe SC42 2 x Volvo D6-330

Call Swanwick £299,950 vat paiD

2002 priNCeSS 61 Call Swanwick 2 x MAN D2848 (800hp) £384,950 vat paiD

PENTON HOOK MARINE SALES www.thamesboatsales.co.uk USED BOATS

Sealine distributor for the south of England

NEW Sealine S330 £196,800 In Stock. Single Volvo Penta D6 330hp diesel. Lots of extras

NEW Sealine F380

2012 Fairline Squadron 42 £369,500 Twin Volvo D6 370hp Diesels Leather upholstery, full nav package

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

Great specification

2009/10 Sealine SC35 £149,950 Twin Volvo D4 260hp Diesels Great specifications

2005/06 Sealine S34 £92,500 Twin Volvo KAD32 170hp Diesel Lovely example with low hours

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

Broom 33 £79,950 Twin Volvo Penta 200hp Diesels.

A very well maintained example

Penton Hook Marine Sales has been appointed agents for Four Winns.

Please call to discuss your next boat

NEW Four Winns H180 £26,950 Single Mercruiser 135hp Petrol Bowrider with great social space

2008 Steven Vlet 1150 OC £134,950 Single Perkins 150hp diesel.

Well respected steel cruiser

Penton Hook Marine Sales Ltd, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8PQ

£343,754

March Delivery. Huge specification

Twin Volvo Penta D4 Diesels

Distributors for

Tel: 01932 570055 sales@pentonhooksales.co.uk

BROKERAGE BOATS REQUIRED URGENTLY

www.thamesboatsales.co.uk

Click here for full listings at Penton Hook Marine Sales

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1998 Rinker 232

Single Mercruiser Petrols- £9,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

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P/

1997 Fairline Targa 37 (choice of 2) 2x Volvo Penta KAD 42 Diesels- £84,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

X P/

1985 Fairline Mirage

2x Volvo AQAD30 Diesels - £34,950 Contact Thames & Kennet

1993 Stevens Smelne

1996 Broom 29

Single Volvo TAMD41B Diesel- £100,000 Contact Thames & Kennet

Single Nanni 50hp Diesel - £54,950 Contact Thames & Kennet

W

2005 Regal

1999 Sealine F33

2x Volvo KAD 32D/DP Diesels - £79,500 Contact Upton

2013 Bavaria 34HT

2007 Regal 2665

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

1x Volvo Penta D4 260hp Diesel - £44,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse

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Single Yanmar 240hp Diesel - £37,950 Contact Walton

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2015 Viking 24 Highline

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2011 Jenneau Marlin 6

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

2009 Glastron GT249

Single Mercruiser 220hp Petrol - £25,950 Contact Thames & Kennet

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

2009 Cruisers 360 Express

2x Volvo D6 370hp Diesels - £175,000 Contact Walton

1989 Princess 388

2008 Amber Barge 60 WB

1979 Broom European 35

2x Volvo TAMD61A Diesels - £74,995 Contact Upton

Single Barrus Shire 65hp Diesel - £95,000 Contact Upton

Extensive Selection of New & Pre Owned Boats for Sale

More Locations, More Choice!

Brokerage Services

Optimised Boat Finder Search Facility

Quality Photographs & Descriptions

Seven Superior Marinas Throughout the UK

2x Ford Mermaid Diesels - £34,950 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

Thames & Kennet Marina

Tel (01189) 477 770

River Thames, Caversham

Brundall Bay Marina

Tel (01603) 717 804 Norfolk Broads

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Walton Marina

Racecourse Marina, Windsor

Walton on Thames

River Thames, Windsor

Tel (01932) 221 689

Tel (01753) 851 717

Upton Marina

Tel (01684) 593 111 Upton upon Severn

Stourport Marina

Tel (01299) 827 082 Stourport on Severn

81

Classified

Seamaster 30 hull

‘Dragonfly’ 30ft family fishing boat. Single reconditioned Perkins 135hp. Autopilot, radar, bow thruster, hydraulic steering and electric anchor winch.

Lying Rochford, Essex

£20,000

1984 Fairline 32 Sedan

Twin Volvo TAMD 41 diesels. Family flybridge cruiser. Boat safety Certificate until 2018. Lying Penton Hook Marina, River Thames

£20,000

Motorboat Owner Affordable practical boating

2009 Seaward 25

Superb example of this seaworthy boat. Twin engines. Lots of extras including diesel hob, heating and drying legs. Lying Emsworth includes half tide mooring for next season. Email for full specifications

£84,995

01702 332040

01932 570055 sales@pentonhooksales.co.uk

1961 Freeman 30

2007 Broom 450

1971 Moonraker 36

£7,749

£345,000

£28,995

Traditional river cruiser fitted with a single Perkins 4108 diesel. Last full service in 2013. Full winter cover.

Lying Walton-on-Thames 01932 221689 adam.buck@tingdene.net

Twin Volvo D9 500hp diesels. 6 berths in 3 cabins. Raymarine nav package, 12kw generator, bow thruster, heating, air-con, hydraulic arch. Avon dinghy with 6hp.

01636 704022 sales@newark-marina.co.uk

07966 155574 gilbertpark@me.com

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 eBay Listing

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Messukeskus/VeneBåt

Spinnaker Sunset

The sun sets through the masts at Gosport SPOTTED! by John Wilkinson

We pick this one!

Future boaters at the Vene Båt Helsinki Boat Show SPOTTED! by Suomen Messut

Nelly gets a personal trainer

Exercising together on Zaandam town quay SPOTTED! by David Bagshaw

Sunfish spotting

A sunfish below the surface off the Normandy coast SPOTTED! by Richard Poat Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

91

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

92

www.hardy-owner.org.uk

Mariah Owners Club www.mariahownersclub.com

March 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

93

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