YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AFFORDABLE BOATING HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE
Incorporating Boat & Yacht Buyer ONLY £3.50
December 200
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BARGAIN BOATS CHRISTMAS GIFT BONANZA
A SELECTION OF BOATING DEALS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
TAKE INSPIRATION FROM OUR FESTIVE ACCESSORIES GUIDE
PORTABLE POWER EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMPACT GENERATORS
DECEMBER 2009
BRAVE NEW WORLD
CAN ALUMINIUM AND POLYETHYLENE REALLY COMPETE WITH GRP?
PIONER SUPERSPORT ON TEST ICC - A LICENCE TO ROAM THE MIRACLE OF ANTIFOULING
WINTER ANGLING GUIDE - CHARTER BOAT FISHING TIPS
Editorial Editor: Alex Smith Email: EditorBoatMart@Boatmart.co.uk Art Editor: Mark Hyde Contributors: Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Phil Pickin, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber
PIONER SUPERSPORT ALEX SMITH FINDS OUT IF POLYETHYLENE REALLY CAN BE SPORTY?
Advertising Tel: 01223-460-490 Jody Bratley: Group Sales Manager Tel: 01223-444-087 Senior Sales Manager: Samantha Broome Sales Executive: Claire Broadmoore Private Advertising Queries: 01223-460-490 Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Garland, Ben Ingham
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Published by: CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HX Tel: 01223-460-490 Fax: 01223-315-960 © 2009 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat & RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines. Printed by Garnett Dickenson Distributed by Comag Specialist Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will however investigate any written complaints. CSL prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warrantee and makes no representation as to truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. CSL accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. The advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not contravene any Act of Parliament nor is it in any way illegal or defamatory or an infringement of any other party’s rights or of the British Code of Advertising Practice. For artistic purposes lifejackets are not shown in all of the photographs. Boat Mart strongly advises that lifejackets are worn at all times for watersports. COPYRIGHT No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photocopying or other reproduction without the publisher’s permission is a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. Cover shot: Salcombe Flyer 530 off West Wales by Alex Smith This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
YAMAHA’S NEW BABY OUTBOARDS
53
BOAT MART FEATURES FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT
PAGE 108
21
BUYING ADVICE PIONER SUPERSPORT ........21 The Norwegian lateral thinkers make a case for polyethylene BUSTER X ..........................26 Is this the most versatile day boat you can get?
ABERSOCH ON A ROLL ......33 The UK Cranchi importers move on up SIMPLE WINS OUT..............36 The do-it-all runabout from Jeanneau GETTING FINANCE .............37 Times may be tough but there is good finance to be had BEST ON A BUDGET ...........38 Just how much can you get for £21,000? GETTING HITCHED .............44 The keenly anticipated Skoda Yeti hits the nation’s slipways
CUT-PRICE RIVER CRUISING
LIFESTYLE CLASSIC CORNER ..............67 What would the gentleman boater enjoy in his stocking this Christmas? BOOT BUDDY .....................75 A dinghy that folds in three and fits in the boot of your car FAT FISH FRENZY ...............77 The art of scoring a big winter catch
QUIZ TIME ..........................81 Do you know enough to pass the ICC? PRACTICAL TECH TALK .........................85 The case for antifouling never looked so strong PRACTICAL MONTHLY ........87 Ten winter tips to make things smooth next season RESTORATION DIARY ........91 Steve Elliot makes progress with an external revamp
EQUIPMENT TOP GEAR ..........................50 A selection of Christmas goodies to tease the festive wallet
40
PRACTICAL PROJECT ........93 A step-by-step guide to applying antifoul
PRACTICAL PROJECT
BOAT MART REGULARS
97 93
INSHORE SKIPPER .............57 Skipper’s tricks for getting on and off a boat in safety ELECTRICS MADE EASY .....61 The world of portable generators made simple
Throw us a line .................. 09 Newsline............................. 13 Subscribe ........................... 64 Courses ............................ 100 Boats for sale ................... 108 Classifieds ....................... 119 Next issue........................ 128
BUYING ADVICE
THE CASE FOR POLYETHYLENE + Inherent buoyancy + The colour is not just on the surface, but integral to the material + Ease of treatment: if you scuff it, a heat gun will repair the surface + Enormous strength + Great impact resistance: it will put up with endless bumps and grinds + Green qualities (fully recyclable) + Virtually maintenance-free - Relatively heavy - No cheaper than GRP - Rough finish compared to GRP VERDICT Polyethylene is likely to figure in the future of leisure boating because it is buoyant, extremely durable, simple to repair and completely recyclable. Whether it has the showroom appeal to be welcomed by the UK leisure market has yet to be seen . . .
22 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
outlaw, a traditional two-stroke outboard from the Tohatsu stable. Having seen such engines banned for leisure purchase in the UK as ever more sophisticated four-strokes gather support, I can’t help looking forward to the vigourous chirrup of the two-stroke, to the pleasant fumes and the quick snap of the throttle response. In fact on the face of it, legislation allowing, a conventional two-stroke seems quite a natural choice for a boat like this - simplistic, effective and easy to maintain. The sexing up operation continues in the styling, with the Supersport easily trumping its siblings as the best looking Pioner yet. It has a blunt nose with a pair of endearing spot-light style headlamps. They make the boat look more ‘friendly’ than ‘dynamic’ but the intention at least is good. There are also some useful stylistic flourishes on show, not least in the curves of the topsides, in the integral steel handholds and in the raked screen and neatly angled A-frame. Even the bulge at the top of the freeboards seems attractively tapered as it eases toward the bow, lending this boat the look of a small RIB when underway.
In truth, these dynamic elements of sportderived styling are tempered by the fact that polyethylene has a rather childish-looking, unsophisticated finish. Looking at the Pioner is rather like reading a letter written in crayon - it works just as well but there’s something a touch odd about it. Having said that, I have to admit, as polyethylene boats go, this is one of the best looking around . . .
INSIDE The moulded steps at the transom are complemented by an aft ladder to port and a sturdy A-frame above the engine well to help you clamber around the back end. And given the fact that there is no walk-through channel, you really do need to climb over the aft bench or around the topsides to access the stern. Up at the bow, there’s no ladder at all, which is strange, given the openness of the flat deck and the boat’s natural gift for beaching. And there is similar economy in the provision of cushions. You get one three-man cushion on the aft seat (which also doubles as the helm seat) and that’s your lot. All the forward
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PIONER SUPERSPORT 17
There are just two sheltered seats so make sure you grab one of them
VALUE FOR MONEY? Polyethylene ought to be cheaper than GRP because, for better or worse, it looks it. But it’s actually about the same price, which means that the Supersport finds itself right up there in ‘regular’ boat territory. In fact, you could get a GRP bow rider, a foot longer with a sterndrive on a trailer for about £8,000 less than this. And while that’s the case, the casual excellence of the Pioner risks going unnoticed by most UK leisure users. But avoid grouping yourself among the people who never give this boat a second look. It may seem expensive but there are lots of reasons why it is so often favoured by the commercial side of the marine world and by the everyday boaters in Norway . . .
seats are bare. And while the cushions can be specified from the options list, they seem to me to be a vital requirement, not just for lounging at rest but for damping down the impacts underway. The helm is a well sheltered place for the driver, nestled comfortably behind the tall screen on the middle of the broad bench seat. The screen is tinted, the dials are clear and there is plenty of space on the simple, glarefree dash for retro-fit electronics. The wheel is excellent and the deep set positioning of the
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throttle gives you a useful surface against which to brace the heel of your hand for accuracy and speed in setting the revs. The seat is very comfortable too with great looking and extremely durable microfibre upholstery. But the layout means there’s no option of a standing position for the keen driver. It also means that there are only two sheltered seats on the entire boat, with driver and navigator huddled centrally on the bench, behind the big screen. And, given that the cockpit is anything but deep-set, that means a howling gale for those who aren’t quick
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 23
BUYING ADVICE
BUSTER X
It might sound like a tough guy from the mean streets of Brooklyn but, with sturdy aluminium construction, four-stroke economy and a fully adjustable layout, the Buster X looks about as user-friendly as they come. Alex Smith heads for Helsinki to try it out.
I
’m not gonna go on about this because the likelihood is that you know it just as well as I do. But the Scandinavians know how to build a boat that you can drive with ease, park without fuss and use for decades on end. And if they occasionally produce one that looks a little odd, that’s an inevitable consequence of the fact that they are not scared of being different. In fact, if they believed it would work, they would think nothing of building a boat from
Lego bricks and propelling it with a row of muzzled haddock. And while it’s plainly a poor idea, the point is that, if it had genuine practical merit, their openness to the unconventional would see them embrace it without inhibition. It’s precisely this attitude that sees them produce so many excellent boats . . . Buster is a very well respected builder of aluminium boats from Finland, with prolific domestic sales figures. Its range offers nine boats of between 4.15 and 6.7m. And at 5.15m
with four craft above it and four below, the Buster X sits right at the crucial apex of the range.
INSIDE When you step on board, the internal configuration feels excellent, with a deep, safe cockpit, plenty of space to walk around, ample storage, fine protection from the elements and an uninterrupted 360-degree
TAKE YOUR PICK . . . This is the standard family-friendly layout known as C4. That means you get a decent space between the aft three-man bench and the twin helm consoles, plus some useful seating and storage in the bow. There are another 15 ready-made options that you can order but the C4 makes the Buster X a very convenient multi-purpose boat that can be altered to suit whatever purpose you have in mind on the day.
26 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
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BUSTER X view. But what is particularly good is that, if you want to change things around, you can do so without fuss. In fact, you don’t even need tools. Just detach the seat boxes, using the fingerfriendly, fat-headed bolts, and re-attach them wherever you like. What this basically means is that you can have as much or as little seating and storage on board as you want. You can even convert it into a fishing boat with nothing more than a helm seat and a console. And because it’s made from aluminium, it makes a particularly good stain-free, wash-down craft for the knockabout rigours of angling. Even the deck is ideal with a rough and ready rubber-style matting like reconstituted tyres. Grippy, robust, stain-free and amenable to a simple wash down, it does everything you want from the floor of your boat. You can even pick from a range of factory
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 27
BUYING ADVICE
BUYING USED Selecting the right boat for your needs requires forethought, simply because everyone has differing needs. There are now so many boats to choose from the possibilities are infinite, but over these pages David Greenwood and Irving Stewart provide buying advice as well as spotlighting a good used buy you might consider.
BOAT BUYING MINI TEST - Jeanneau Rigiflex New Matic 360
The virtually indestructible range of Rigiflex polyethylene rotomoulded boats from New Matic, a division of Jeanneau, has been around for ages, becoming a huge favourite with local authorities in the process. They have gained a reputation as excellent abuseproof hire boats, finding their way into dinghy club rescue fleets
adults, you’ll find these unsinkable little craft in virtually every tender park, and on most stretches of water larger than a pond. In essence the New Matic 360 is a small dinghy designed for tiller control outboards from around ten to 30 hp. In its basic form it does everything it says on the tin but inevitably it tends to
We were intrigued to find that the boat we tested was the first in the UK to be fitted with a quite trendy ‘centre-console-cumdouble-jockey-seat’, built by Outhill, and fitted in the UK. It also had the luxury of an electric start and power tilt Yamaha on the transom. In this configuration the nature of the beast dramatically
and firmly into favour with private owners who want simplistic little tenders or harbour runabouts. Much beloved by both kiddies and
gets its bows in the air when used by a single occupant, especially with a larger outboard, unless a tiller extension is used.
changes and the little craft becomes not only more usable and fun, but infinitely more comfy and convenient. There is also
KEY STEPS TO BUYING PRIVATELY ■ View the boat and make your offer subject to survey. ■ Pay the deposit and receive a receipt and signed Sale Agreement, agreeing dates for completion. ■ Ask for proof of ownership before paying out for a survey. ■ Request Confirmation of Recreational Craft Directive Compliance or Exemption. ■ Instruct your surveyor and await the report. ■ Negotiate on work to rectify material defects and agree an adjusted price if necessary. ■ Ask to see all equipment and gear not currently on the boat but which is included
With Irving Stewart
welcome added safe stowage provided by the jockey seat, which is extremely useful - but as the seat box moulding is open at the bottom it’s not strictly a dry locker. The 360 planes easily, even with two people aboard, and is more than capable of handling choppy conditions. However, the combination of a snub nose and a bow that is not particularly flared means that quite a bit of spray is thrown back at the occupants, so if you don’t drive her to the conditions, chances are you will get a bit wet. This is not a major problem, however, and it certainly won’t worry enthusiastic boaters. There’s no doubt that the 360, with the added console and seating, will win many new friends seeking a no-nonsense, maintenance-free boat. The Rigiflex New Matic 360, as a turnkey package, is priced at £7,325. However, a special winter price from BHG sees it on the showroom floor at £6,395 including VAT and a Bramber trailer.
OR YOU MIGHT WISH TO USE A BROKER
in the sale price before handing over the balance payment. ■ Arrange your boat’s insurance before handing over the balance due. ■ When you give the final payment, make sure you receive a Bill of Sale, previous Bills of Sale if possible, Certificate of Registration or letters or Statutory declarations from pervious owners relinquishing further interest in the boat, Builder’s Certificate, original receipted VAT invoice and all other relevant documentation.
eement a sale and purchase agr ■ A broker will provide nce ■ Sort out all the fina entation is required cum do at ■ Advise wh the parties ■ Negotiate between istration le and advise about reg ■ Provide a Bill of Sa boat the of g ting and viewin ■ Provides the marke or vey h the sur ■ Help discussions wit
For information on buying a used boat check out RYA Buying A Second Hand Yacht.
ling a boat about buying and sel For more information ABYA The . .uk or www.rya.org see www.abya.co.uk and is a s ent Ag ht Yac Brokers & is the Association of a boat. one buying or selling good port of call for any
The Small Craft & Yacht Specialists
For professional yacht brokers and agents visit www.abya.co.uk 36 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
For professional marine surveyors visit www.ydsa.co.uk
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BOAT BUYING
Our Golden Rules
BUYING USED
If you are not an experienced boater, or a competent engineer, employ a marine surveyor to vet any prospective purchase, or take along a friend who really knows his stuff. Boat, and especially marine engine, repairs can be extremely expensive.
Raising the money
■ Regardless what boat you are buying (except maybe a small inflatable or dinghy) never clinch the deal until you have tried it on the water. Load it with friends or family, and all the clobber you’ll normally carry, to see if it performs correctly, and feels safe and stable. Ensure every control, fittings, instruments and any electronics on board work correctly. ■ Ask to see the history of the craft, the engine service record and proof of title before parting with any cash. Any reputable dealer will be delighted to provide all the information at his disposal. ■ Do not forget that when considering a trailer boat, of any size, the condition of the trailer is also critical. Make sure there is no serious corrosion and that all the brakes and lights work efficiently. Jack the wheels in the air and check that the bearings feel smooth and not ‘gritty’. Only getting your new boat half way home before the trailer fails can be both expensive and heartbreaking. ■ If a seller of anything other than a very basic boat (tender, canoe, small dinghy) is not prepared to demonstrate his craft to you on water simply walk away. There are plenty of other boats on offer. The right choice of boat will certainly enhance your lifestyle and reduce stress, so why not sit down, relax and ask yourself some pertinent basic questions? ■ What do you want to use a boat for? ■ How often will you use it? ■ How many friends or family will normally enjoy it with you? ■ Have you considered running, mooring, storage and training costs? ■ What sort of boat could tickle your fancy? ■ What’s your total budget?
Our team of experts are happy to help you choose the right boat
Despite some difficult times, it is still possible to borrow money. It may, however, cost you a bit more and your chances of success are greater with some boats than with others but it remains a possibility. You have to do your homework if you want to succeed and the most important rule is not to borrow more than you can really afford. Remember, even if you have enough to cover the purchase price, there are other costs to meet - mooring fees, insurance, survey costs, transport, engine servicing and general maintenance. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend between ten and 20 per cent of her purchase price annually on these items. If you can’t cover these costs then consider a smaller craft. If you need a loan, try your own bank or see if you can add the cost to your mortgage. Failing that, look at ads in the boating press. Marine finance is known by various names (boat finance, marine mortgage, yacht finance, marine loan or even asset finance) and can be obtained from a variety of general finance companies as well as specialist agencies. Some will offer a marine mortgage which is secured on the boat, or via an unsecured loan. But be aware that interest rates on marine mortgages are often higher than elsewhere. With a marine mortgage, a charge is made on the boat, in a similar way to a mortgage on your property. No security is used against your home. The mortgage is purely on your boat but the finance company will insist on a survey and valuation and you will have to insure the boat. For smaller boats, a marine loan may be a simpler and cheaper option but again, many finance companies will insist you insure your boat to protect your investment (and therefore their investment) against damage, theft or sinking. FINANCE PROVIDERS 1 Barclays Bank has a dedicated service, providing marine finance of up to 80 per cent of the value of your boat. The minimum mortgage is £25,001 for yachts, powerboats or barges. 2 The Bank of Scotland has a dedicated service for marine mortgages and boat loans. Their website provides a calculator to see how much a boat loan will cost per month.
Further Reading
3 Lombard is one of the most popular providers of marine mortgages for both new and used boats.
RYA Buying A Second Hand Yacht (£5.50) By Edmund Whelan / ISBN: 978-0954730130 RYA: www.rya.org.uk
Alternatively try www.totallyboaty.co.uk/boat-loans. It’s a very useful price comparison website.
The Small Craft & Yacht Specialists
For professional yacht brokers and agents visit www.abya.co.uk www.boatmart.co.uk
For professional marine surveyors visit www.ydsa.co.uk
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 37
BUYING ADVICE
Get Hitched
Adrian French Jane Rickard & David Webber
CAR TESTS � TOWING NEWS � NEW KIT & ACCESSORIES � BUYING ADVICE
BOAT TRAILERS NOSE WEIGHT Nose weight is simply the weight that is pressing down onto the vehicle tow ball from the trailer. Average nose weight for the majority of boat trailers is between 50 and 100 kg, but the recommended nose weight is often marked on the coupling. Nose weight is dependent on the type of trailer and coupling you use and also on the all-up towing weight. The wrong nose weight can be dangerous so if in doubt, confirm the figure with your trailer manufacturer. Driving too fast can cause your trailer to 'snake' but too little nose weight is more often the cause. If this occurs while towing, get a firm grip on the steering wheel and gently decrease speed, avoiding either braking or accelerating. Too much nose weight will not only make the trailer difficult to position on the tow ball, but it can also lower the rear of the towing vehicle, making the steering very light, as there is insufficient weight pushing the front wheels onto the road for effective steering control.
CHECKING NOSE WEIGHT There are nose weight scales and other commercially available gauges to check trailer nose weight. As an example, Milenco produces a calibrated gauge for just under £30 and, although you won’t use it all the time, it is a useful bit of kit to have.
ADJUSTING NOSE WEIGHT Correct loading for each trip is essential once the correct nose weight is established. Load the trailer evenly so that items do not move around while travelling. Many trailers have adjustable axles to increase or decrease nose weight. Others can be suitably adjusted by moving the nose snubber. For further information about nose weights, visit www.towsure.com.
44 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
SKODA YETI TECHY BIT Price: £17,220 Fuel Consumption: 46.3 mpg Kerb weight: 1525 kg Towing limit: 1800 kg Insurance Group: 4 Carbon dioxide emissions: 159g/km For a run-down on which models achieve 120g/km and below visit www.cleangreencars.co.uk The eagerly awaited Skoda Yeti went on sale on 17 September, with prices for the two-wheel drive version starting at just £13,750, it always looked set to bring some very stiff competition to the compact SUV sector. Having already won praise from the motoring press for its individuality, its comfort, its spaciousness and (in all-wheel drive guise) its reasonable off-road ability, the Yeti is described by Skoda as “combining the strengths of a
traditional 4x4 with the practicality and low running costs of a hatchback”. Four trim levels are available from launch, plus a choice of five engines and either two- or fourwheel drive. DSG transmission will be available with the 1.2 TSI 105bhp petrol engine. The entry-level Yeti E, starting at £13,750, is available in front-wheel drive guise only, with either a 1.2 TSI or 2.0 TDI CR (110bhp) diesel engine. Yet despite such competitive pricing, standard equipment for the Yeti E includes air conditioning, remote central locking, driver and passenger front, side and curtain airbags, a sound system with single CD player, 16-inch wheels and front electric windows. The Yeti S range starts from £14,250 and is available with either front- or four-wheel drive and a choice of four engines, starting with the 1.2 TSI (105bhp) which is available with DSG or manual transmission. In addition to the Yeti E equipment levels, Yeti S adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, electric rear windows and a driver’s knee airbag.
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GET HITCHED
WHAT’S YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?
The average person’s yearly carbon footprint is about 10 tons, and on average a massive 19% of this will be from your car. You can calculate the CO2 emissions associated with all your land transport at www.carbonneutral.com. You can even offset your carbon emissions here by choosing from a choice of projects that will save the same amount of CO2 as your travelling produces. www.carboncalculator.co.uk � www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2
CAR DEBUTS � BEST SELLERS � GREEN MATTERS Next up comes the Yeti SE, priced from £15,650 – and again available with front- or all-wheel drive, plus engines ranging from the 1.2 TSI through to a 140bhp version of the 2.0 TDI. Equipment levels over the Yeti S include dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, an integrated touch-screen six-CD player, acoustic rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels. And finally, at the top of the pile, sits the Yeti Elegance, starting in price at £17,600 and available with a choice of five engines, including a 170bhp version of the 2.0 TDI linked to allwheel drive for the ultimate in Yeti power, torque and grip. And in addition to the equipment fitted elsewhere in the range, Elegance buyers can expect ESP, heated front seats, bi-xenon headlights with cornering function, full leather upholstery and rain-sensing automatic wipers as standard.
FOR A SIMILAR PRICE...
Such pricing and equipment levels should ensure there’s a Yeti to suit most potential buyers, with the bulk of sales expected to be two-wheel drive derivatives. But what if you insist on all-wheel drive (essentially the same ‘intelligent’ set-up used in the Volkswagen Tiguan)? Then you’ll need to spend at least £17,170 on the Yeti S 2.0 TDI (110bhp) 4x4 – or, if you’re feeling flush, as much as £22,120 on the top-of-the-range Yeti Elegance 2.0 TDI (170bhp) 4x4. At just over £17k, the cheapest all-wheel drive Yeti compares well with other diesel-engined allwheel drive compacts, including the Volkswagen Tiguan S 2.0 TDI (£19,750), Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS five-door (£17,975) and Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 VCDi LS five-seater (£19,325) ■
...OR WHAT ABOUT?
1
2
A
B
3
4
C
D
� 1. Nissan Qashqai 2.0 DCi � 2. Chevrolet Captiva 2.4LS SUV � 3. Dodge Journey 2.0 CRDSE MPV � 4. Hyundai Tucson CRDi Style
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� A. Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCI Zetec � B. Vauxhall Antara � C. Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDI Style � D. Renault Koleos 2.0 DCi
� TRAVEL ADVICE BUYING ADVICE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
With Christmas approaching, why don’t you buy that special someone something for their towcar or trailer, instead of their boat? There is lots of choice and you needn’t spend a fortune. Here are some ideas to get you started. Over the past few issues we’ve been giving towing tips, which have included the use of towing mirrors. It’s not a legal requirement but if you are caught towing blind, without towing mirrors (or using illegal towing mirrors) you can be prosecuted, given three points on your licence and fined up to £1,000. So, these could be a good investment and, with prices from around £5 to £45, the choice is huge. Or how about a towing mirror bag. They go from around £10. If you’re looking for a more impressive present then you can’t go wrong with a roof box. If you find you are running out of space in the car this could be the perfect solution, but remember not to overload the outfit. When choosing a roof box, think about the size you need, the security, the build quality, how it fits to your car and, of course, what it will look like on your roof. Small boxes can be bought for around £100, but real gadget fans can spend hundreds. Failing that, you could make your journey more fun with travel cushions, drinks holders, car fans, cool boxes and even in-car kettles. Or how about a security kit, trailer toolbox or a tyre-pressure set. If none of this gets them going, we would be very surprised . . .
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 45
EQUIPMENT
TOP GEAR
ENGINE NEWS � KIT & ACCESSORIES � BOOK REVIEWS � BUYING ADVICE
With Christmas fast approaching it’s decision time about what to buy for the special people in your life. The Boat Mart crew has been busy shopping around for ideas to help you choose.
BLUE BOX SAILING
Give him or her a day to remember with a Blue Box Sailing Experience aboard a 60-foot Ocean Race Yacht, Whitbread 60 or Clipper 60. The open-dated vouchers are presented in a gift tin with a card and a DVD to set the scene. Prices start at £129 per person for the ‘Introduction to Sailing’ and it makes a wonderful (and very memorable) way to get on the water aboard an Ocean Race Yacht. See www.blueboxsailing.com for more details on the kinds of seagoing experiences available. Tel: 02380 988966 www.blueboxsailing.com
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Marine Electronic Services has just introduced the SP2M high-power spotlight, which has a two million candle power halogen lamp and 95mm diameter reflector, making it an extremely potent spotlight. It is powered from a built-in 4Ah rechargeable battery and comes complete with an AC charger as well as a DC cigarette charger lead. The dual position swivel handle allows either carrying or pistol grip type operation and it also has an adjustable stand for free-standing work. It measures 208 x 134 x 178mm and weighs just over a kilo. At just £19.95 it is just the gift for the skipper’s Christmas stocking. Tel: 01179 114111 www.mesltd.co.uk 48 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
VERSATILE HANDHELD VHF
Slim, lightweight and waterproof, with the quality and durability expected from Standard Horizon, the new HX280E is an affordable handheld VHF radio that is very easy to use. With all the regular features, such as dual watch and user programmable scanning functions you also have the added function of a preset key that allows direct access to no fewer than ten channels. Battery life is critical for a handheld, so the HX280E is supplied with a 7.4-volt 1650mAh Lithium-Ion battery, which can power the radio for an impressive 13 hours on a single charge (based on a 5-5-90 duty cycle at five watts). There is also an optional battery tray (FBA-40) to enable the use of AA alkaline dry cells. Additional features include a three-year waterproof guarantee, time out facility, a powerful 700mW internal speaker and backlit keypad that is easy to use, even with your gloves on. It’s a very attractive present indeed at just £99.95. T: 01962 866667
KEEP IT COSY
Henri Lloyd’s technical version of the modern day beanie is constructed from soft, high quality doublesided fleece, which provides thermal insulation with minimal weight. It comes in ‘carbon’ or light grey. RRP: £12, www.henrilloyd.com
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TOP GEAR
FOR THE ONBOARD WORKAHOLIC The Henri Lloyd Attaché case is a rather dashing marine style work bag, featuring two large internal compartments, as well as a padded internal laptop space. There is an external padded mobile phone pocket and additional facilities for pens, wallets and so-on. Additional features include a detachable padded shoulder strap and reinforced leather handle. RRP: £45 www.henrilloyd.com
SEALSKINZ
Sealskinz socks and gloves are one of Sailboats’ best selling lines. This extraordinary fabric keeps you dry, warm and blister free in the most extreme Britiish conditions. The waterproof socks cost £24.46 and the waterproof Kevlar gloves cost £36.70. They make ideal gifts as the winter draws in. www.sailboats.co.uk
LATEST NEWS JUST IN CASE The Waterbuoy, as seen on Dragons’ Den, is the world’s first miniature floatation recovery device that is also visible at night so you need never lose anything overboard again. Assuming that the overboard item weighs no more than a kilo, this gadget can help you recover GPS units, cameras, phones, bags, laptops and fishing tackle, by means of a bright orange balloon, which becomes a flashing beacon when activated. Visible by day or by night for more than a kilometre, the device is activated within seconds of immersion in water while also guarding against accidental activation from splashes or high humidity. Price: £11.99 www.water-buoy.com
TIME TO BUY The Casio sailing/yacht timer watch (Ref: 57382) has all the standard features you would expect of a sailing watch as well as a stopwatch function, selectable countdown timer and moon data graph with visual tide indicator. Good value. Price £19.95 www.casio.co.uk
DRY BAGS
The Aquapac Mobile Phone Case is waterproof down to five metres, floats with your phone inside and allows you to talk, listen and operate the controls through the case. Available in mini, small and medium. Price £19.95 www.aquapac.net
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 49
ELECTRONICS MADE EASY
ELECTRONICS MADE EASY with Colin Jones Colin Jones has a passion for marine gadgets and electronics. You can guarantee if there’s a new development or new piece of kit then Colin will be first in line to try it out, and give his view. From profiles of the leading electronics companies, testing the newest releases to buying and using kit, every month Colin shares his knowledge and opinions.
PORTABLE GENERATORS EXPLAINED Colin Jones explores the magical world of DIY power . . .
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n the sequence of close season queries from readers and callers, there are always several about portable generators - and the list always goes something like this: [1] Should I have one? [2] What type and make? [3] How will I use it? [4] How do I install it? [5] Safety? [6] What about fuel? [7] Noise? [8] An honest opinion? Now these are all valid concerns and in our 20 years of cruising throughout several countries, we have so far owned four different portable generators. The changes were made simply because a better model came along, but each upgrade taught us a bit more - so here is our take on these key questions. 1. Should my cruising boat have a portable generator? Show me a skipper who is blasé about batteries and electrics and I will put him on my list of guys to avoid. The sea and electrical systems are not a good mix, so any sort of back-up, or belt-and-braces methods of getting you out of trouble are worth considering. By choice, I would have a permanently installed diesel generator, but they are too large and heavy for my boat and too expensive for my purse. Besides, they are of most use if your electricity demands are high and you spend long periods when the boat engine is not running – long passages under sail or weeks on the anchor. For occasional use, the portable is ideal and can be more versatile – possibly for tools at fitting out and DIY projects, plus occasional (limited) use at home. If you can afford one, buy it. �
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 61
ANGLING TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith, and we used to fish together in the Solent. I then moved to Torquay in 1961, and after obtaining my boatman’s licence I bought a 36ft harbour launch which was the first angling charter boat in Torquay. Since then I have fished in a variety of boats all around the UK as well as around the world from Sweden to New Zealand and North America to Mexico, and I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.
ANGLING
IN SEARCH OF FAT WINTER FISH
C
hristmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and so are the fish. Many species, including pollack, cod, ling and flounder, are rapidly putting on weight as they prepare to spawn in the New Year. February and March is when these fish will peak and be at their fighting best. Flounder do not create much of a problem. They can be fished for in most rivers and in some cases from your mooring. Offshore fishing is a different matter and is off limits for an angler whose boat is not up to the ravages of the winter weather. But if your boat falls into this category or is laid up, there is an alternative. Book a place on a charter boat. Around the coast, charter skippers are still taking anglers to fish mid-Channel wrecks and often with great results. Choosing the right tide to get the best fishing is important. Springs are the best for pollack, the principle target. Weekends are often overbooked, so boat spaces are not always easy to Steven Shimmell nets a 12-pounder on Atlantis
Mid-Channel wrecks can yield great results over winter
find on a good tide but mid-week improves your choice of boats and often gets you a significantly reduced price. Another bonus is the fact that the boat might not be full if you are booking as an individual - and fishing with half a dozen anglers is always so much better than fishing with ten. On a charter trip, fewer people is alwa ys preferable
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 77
PRACTICAL
TURN TO PG100 FOR RELATED COURSES
GETTING QUALIFIED
If any qualification allows you to inject a little variety into your boating life, the International Certificate of Competence is it. David Greenwood explains what it’s all about. With ICC in the bag, you are free to expand your horizons
98 I December 2009 I Boat Mart
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or many of us the most useful qualification around is the International Certificate of Competence (ICC). It combines theory and practice and if you decide to cross the Channel you’ll need it. As far as European authorities are concerned it is ‘the boat owner’s driving licence’. It is awarded by the RYA to anyone who can demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skill to handle a boat safely without danger to others. To get it, you must be at least 16 years of age, physically and mentally fit and you must have reasonable eyesight and hearing. There are various categories of ICC and the test you take depends on what you want to do with your boat. You can opt for inland or coastal waters (or both) and power or sail craft (or both). You can take the test at RYA recognised sailing schools or be tested by individuals qualified as competent testers. Some sailing schools offer ICC courses and tests and some sailing clubs have members qualified to test you. Sometimes they are happy to carry out the test in return for a donation to the RNLI but it often pays to shop around.
Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements
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GETTING QUALIFIED
HINTS AND TIPS Many experienced sailing couples know each other so well that communication is little more than a series of nods and grunts. It works fine that way and an experienced team is a joy to watch. An examiner isn’t telepathic, however, so you’ll need to show him that you can communicate effectively and tell your crew what to do, even if they already know.
Every boat performs differently, especially in terms of the way she turns and the way she carries. The better you know your boat, the easier your manoeuvres will be. Don’t try to be ‘smart’ or too clever. Just demonstrate that you know what to do and how to do it and you’ll be fine. Weather can be a big factor on the day of the test. If the test is in strong wind, put caution before excitement, reef your
THE PRACTICAL ELEMENT The practical test is about showing how your knowledge can be put into practice. Many of the skills you have to demonstrate are about instructing and leading others so why not work with your sailing partner and take the test together? After all, a boat with two competent sailors is better than one. Before setting out you’ll have to show that you can give a safety briefing to your crew and explain the use of safety equipment. You will also have to carry out pre-voyage checks and show that you have checked tides and weather forecasts. As you leave you’ll be expected to communicate well with your crew. You may have to show that you know how to get away from a lee wall or pontoon so don’t be surprised if you are asked to move to a new location, where the wind is pushing you towards the pontoon. At some point you may have to make a 360degree turn to show how well you can control your vessel and you may also have to secure your boat to a buoy. The examiner will be checking that you choose the correct angle of approach, taking account of wind and tide. You’ll be expected to control the speed of your boat, secure your boat to
SECTION A There are three sections to the theory test and the first of them applies to everyone. For this, you’ll need to know the most important Collision Regulations – and be able to explain your responsibilities for keeping a proper lookout, determining a safe speed, recognising a potential collision situation and knowing whether you have the right of way or not. You should also be able to explain the actions you would take if you are required to give way and your responsibilities as the skipper of a small boat in a narrow channel. You should
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sails well and moderate your speed. Don’t be afraid to curtail a manoeuvre and start again. The instructor will be more impressed that you have spotted a problem and recovered the situation, rather than pushed on towards a disaster. Motorboat owners – watch your wash and bow waves. Moderate your speed to sea conditions and let the tester see that you have done so.
the buoy and show that you can depart safely. At some point there will also be a manoverboard situation. You’ll have to instruct your crew, making sure that you keep visual contact with the ‘casualty’ at all times, before bringing the victim in as quickly as possible, without putting him in danger. Powerboat users will have to show awareness of other water users, taking account of the danger and nuisance that an ill-used powerboat can sometimes be. You’ll be expected to moderate your speed to suit the conditions and make an emergency stop, warning crew members before each manoeuvre. You’ll be expected to keep a good lookout at all times. Sailing boat users, meanwhile, will be required to choose a suitable area for hoisting and lowering sails, choosing sails appropriate to the conditions. They must demonstrate an awareness of the wind direction and trim sails on each point of sailing. In most cases a triangular sailing course is chosen.
FINALLY . . . Finally, you’ll have to take the boat home – probably coming alongside a windward pontoon. Once again, clear and effective communication with your crew, awareness of other water
users and control of speed will be needed. The examiner will also expect warps and fenders to be prepared on approach. The test doesn’t end until you have stopped the boat, secured her to the pontoon and stopped the engine. Sounds like a tall order? In truth, it’s not so bad. The examiners aren’t there to catch you out. If you already have some experience on the water, you probably have a good deal of this knowledge under your belt already.
FURTHER INFORMATION The RYA book of the International Certificate of Competence Author Bill Anderson, a PublisherAdlard Coles Nautical ISBN 10: 0-7136-6248-4 RRP £10.99 www.adlardcoles.com The Adlard Coles book of EuroRegs for Inland Waterways 2nd Edition Author Marian Martin Pubisher Adlard Coles Nautical ISBN 0-7136-6589-0 www.adlardcoles.com
also understand sound signals used by manoeuvering vessels and how to make and recognise distress signals. Instruction of crew in the use of lifejackets, flares, fire extinguishers and killcords is also included. Finally you need to show how you would prepare your boat and explain the checks you would make before setting out - engine, fuel and weather for example.
la Navigation) which follows most of the conventions used in the ColRegs so a good understanding of section A stands you in good stead. You can get a summary of CEVNI in the RYA book of EuroRegs for Inland Waters (author Marian Martin, publisher Adlard Coles Nautical). Once you get reading you realise it’s not as daunting as it may seem.
SECTION B
SECTION C
The second theory section only applies to skippers planning voyages on inland waterways. It is based on the CEVNI code (Code European des Voies de
This applies to candidates intending to put to sea. You will need a more detailed understanding of the ColRegs, along with the IALA buoyage
system. You will need to know the difference between cardinal and a lateral buoys, where to obtain local port information and how to plan an entry or exit to a harbour. You also have to be able to read a navigational chart, understand charted depths, heights, and hazards. You should be able to plot a position by cross bearings, longitude and latitude, use a tide table, determine a compass course to steer, make allowance for tide and leeway, use a tidal stream atlas and know how to calculate direction and rate of a tide from a tidal diamond.
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Boat Mart I December 2009 I 99
150 SPEEDSTER
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