Boat Mart January 2010 preview

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AFFORDABLE BOATING HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE

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January 2010

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L A I C E P S T A O B A BUY UR PERFECT BOAT LIES INSIDE CLASSICS, FISHERS, DINGHIES AND DORIES - YO

EXCEL BECKONS

FISHING FOR FLOUNDER

JUST WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE 2010 LONDON BOAT SHOW?

FIGHTING WITH FLARES KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

A-GRADE ANGLING ON THE RIVER TEIGN

THE MERITS OF A GOOD PAIR

JANUARY 2010

DO TWIN ENGINES REALLY MAKE SENSE?

TOP TOUGH-GUY ‘TINNIES’

MAC ATTACK V SMARTWAVE

THE FAMOUS KIWI IMPORTS GO HEAD TO HEAD

ALUMINIUM DINGHIES EXPLAINED

ELECTRONICS IN 2010 - OUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST MARINE EQUIPMENT

LETTERS

COMING UP INSIDE THIS ISSUE

24 MAC ATTACK The Kiwi import blazes a trail

SCREEN CLEAN How do you clear the little salt circles that stick to the windows from seawater spray, I have tried all sorts without success. Anyone found the secret?

Keith from Dorset BM: Warm water with washing up liquid is a popular option but there are some better, dedicated car products around, that some of the BM readers have used with great success.

Honda, for instance, does a car care kit with some glass cleaner that seems to work extremely well. The Halfords version is also pretty good but avoid using household products as they will tend to smear.

Once you’ve cleaned the screen, apply one of the many ‘Rain Guard’ products on the market. It stops the water sticking to the screen, enabling you to avoid the build up of salt for far longer. Again, a product like Mer Rain Away is readily available in Halfords for under £10.

42 BARGAINS FOR £22K

Three more value tempters

ENGINE CONTACTS Do you know of any contacts to get hold of an Owner’s Manual for a 115hp Yamaha V4 outboard, circa 1990 - 1991?

Paul, Kent BM: You can call Yamaha UK on 01932 358062 or visit the website at www.yamaha-motor. co.uk. Otherwise, if it’s not necessarily an original manual you require, take a look at either www. themotorbookstore.com or www.repairmanual.com.

They provide just about everything in the way of DIY workbooks for engines.

TRANSOM TALK My wife has just bought me a 15-foot Fletcher speedboat hull. I’m guessing it was probably produced in the mid-70s. It doesn’t require too much work to make it into a nice little boat, so I have a good springtime project on my hands. But as a relative novice, even though I have sailed, operated RIBs and worked on large motor yachts, I don’t have a clue what to stick on the transom. I would welcome any advice or suggestions.

Chris, South Wales.

BM: Choice of motor rather depends on the construction and weight, plus whether or not it has a proper deck. At 12.5 feet in length, it could probably get on reasonably well with anything from a 30hp to a 70hp

motor. But we’re not big fans of putting oversized and overweight engines on the back of small boats, so make sure you look at weight as closely as you do power.

Don’t worry too much about brand as every one of the major manufacturers now produces clean, refined, efficient and reliable engines. Instead, your primary consideration, after finding the right weight and power balance, is finding the right price.

You don’t say how much you want to spend. Nor do you say what you intend to use it for, so it’s difficult to recommend a specific motor. Your best bet is to take a look through these pages. The major manufacturers all run ads so check out their websites and call for advice.

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LETTERS

77 Show Fever

85 Finding Flounder

Find out what London has in store

Ten simple tips for success

Trailer To The lakes We’re planning to take our Maxum 1800SR3 across to Italy next summer to enjoy some quality lake skiing. For us it’s about as good as it gets for the stuff we value - namely, camping, wine, skiing, beer, fine food, skiing, sunbathing, beer, wine, fine food, wake boarding and beer. Trouble is, after trailering across half of Europe, by the time we get there, we are not exactly in the mood to enjoy each other’s company. It usually takes two days before we are speaking again! Any tips much appreciated.

Taylor from Swindon BM: Long distance trailering need not be a trauma. There are several things you can do to make it more bearable. Firstly, sort your rig out

before departure so you don’t have to fix things in the dark en route to Italy. And if you’re not the DIY kind, then get it properly serviced and kitted up with all the regular trailer spares.

Secondly, try to take someone along who can share the driving, so your progress is non-stop and you can snatch some decent sleep without having to double the amount of time it takes. And if the idea of a bickering family really is a problem, think about putting them on a cheap flight and picking them up at the airport at your destination once the boat’s in the water and the fraught stuff is all behind you. Even now, there are plenty of cheap flights to be had if you book in advance and the credit you will get from the rest of the family for your sacrifice will be immeasurable.

A trip to the Italian lakes can be free of stress with some careful planning

101 FlareS guide It pays to know what you’re doing

FroM The ForUM Want to ask about a practical project or perhaps share a funny story? about boats, the Boat Mart forum is the place to be.

BETTY BOOp Just looking at the other posts prompted me to think about leaking covers for winter. I’m due to change over to my heavier canvas cover but I’m considering a tarp lining underneath to double protect on water seeping through. Any thoughts on whether that will cause extra condensation compared to the condensation from the bilge water? Heating the engine bay isn’t an option unfortunately.

JOkABOAT I prop the engine cover open a few inches and put the heavy cover on but put stuff (old bits of wood, foam etc) round the edges to lift the cover and provide ventilation.

Take out the carpets and seat covers and anything else that will absorb damp.

Remove the floor storage cover and leave the drain plug out. I tape mine to the steering wheel in a plastic bag as a reminder to replace it.

I have made up a frame of plastic oneinch plumbing pipe to support the cover as it sags when it gets wet. It looks like a wide ladder that, when wedged into the cockpit, makes two hoops that go across the boat. It works really well.

There are many marine organisations only too happy to offer you advice and information.

Maritime & Coastguard Agency Tel: 0870-600-6505 Flares (out of date): 02380-329-332 Web: www.mcga.gov.uk British Marine Federation Tel: 01784-473-377 Web: www.britishmarine.co.uk British Waterways Tel: 0845-671-5530 Web: www.britishwaterways.co.uk

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British Waterways Scotland Web: www.scottishcanals.co.uk Broads Authority Tel: 01603-610-734 Web: www.broads-authority.gov.uk Dinghy Cruising Association Web: www.dca.uk.com Environment Agency Tel: 08708-506-506 Web: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Boat Safety Scheme Tel: 01923-201-278 Web: www.boatsafetyscheme.com Hydrographics Office Web: www.ukho.gov.uk Inland Waterways Association Tel: 01494-783-453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk Marine Leisure Association Web: www.nfss.co.uk

Royal Yachting Association Tel: 0845-345-0400 Web: www.rya.org.uk Royal National Lifeboat Institution Tel: 0845-122-6999 Web: www.rnli.org.uk Scottish Inland Waterways Association Web: www.siwa.org.uk

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NEWSLINE

Newsline Compiled by Irving Stewart & Jane Rickard

SPORTS BOAT AND RIB SHOW GATHERS PACE

The 2010 SB&RIB Show looks like being the best yet

Preparations for the much-anticipated return of the Sports Boat and RIB Show are gathering pace. The event, which will run from 22 to 23 May 2010 at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, has seen its exhibitor list swell in the past month with the signing up of some major industry figures. EP Barrus will be attending, with boat partners including Stingher RIBs, Revenger RIBs, Ring Powercraft, Cobra RIBs, Renagade RIBs, Scorpion RIBs and Orkney Boats.

Barnet Marine, distributor of XS, Avon, Bombard and Zodiac RIBs, will be there, alongside Warsash Marine, with its super-durable French-built Zeppelin

RIBs, and Hockley Marine, importer of the illustrious Capelli RIBs, reviewed to such acclaim in previous issues of SB&RIB. The shared ownership fleet of RIB Shack Marine will also be there, with its Ribeye boats and Ribtec cabin cruisers, as will the British RIB-building perfectionists from J-craft.

Southwater Marine is also now on board with a selection of Monterey sports boats, as are Tribal Watersports and Sorcerer Boats. With six months to go until the show kicks off, it looks like being a hell of a weekend. We will keep you updated as further details emerge... www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

TOY CHEETAH HITS THE WATER A new 7.9-metre Cheetah, designed and built for operation by a skipper in a wheelchair, has just hit the water.

Cheetah Marine worked closely with retired engineer, Vic Toy, to create the latest custom-built catamaran.

Vic has been disabled since 1965 and, having retired from business and bought a holiday apartment at Cobbs Quay in Poole, he and wife, Joan, thought it was time to invest. The resulting boat, named ‘Hadron’, is powered by twin Honda 90hp outboards, giving top speeds of 28 knots. Twin side doors with wheelchair-friendly openings provide easy access straight from the pontoon to the cockpit. The deck slopes up to a false floor in the wheelhouse, giving good visibility all-round and the wheelchair can be fixed into both helm or crew positions via a lock-down rail, set into the deck.

The new boat was delivered in early November and Vic has been delighted with the entire process: “The whole project has gone remarkably smoothly. Next on the agenda is a training course for Joan and myself to Powerboat Level 2 / ICC and VHF licence.” If you go boating in the Poole area, give him a wave . . . www.cheetahmarine.co.uk The new 7.9-metre Cheetah hits the water in Poole

INTERBOAT LAUNCHES THE INTENDER

The Intender signifies a new direction for Interboat

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Having launched its first sloop onto the market back in 1994, Interboat is set to launch a new style of boat altogether.

The Intender 660 and 770 are designed to take the Dutch boat builder into the world of sporting, luxury tenders and the engines reflect that with Volvo diesel options of up to 220 hp.

are the firm rubber fenders surrounding the gunwhales and the simply designed swimming platforms with open access to the cockpit. Both models have as standard running cold water and a 12volt Fridge as standard, while the 770 even accommodates a toilet beneath the foredeck. The space allows a maximum of

The designers expect around 27 knots from the reinforced hull, with stable handling characteristics. Relatively light weight make the boats easy top tow but the most striking external elements

ten passengers and comfort and finishing are expected to be well in line with existing Interboat cruisers. We’ll keep you up to date on developments. www.interboat.com

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BUYING ADVICE

MAC AttACK

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rt suffield house, stewa g in sh li b u p d ac attack . . . r our esteeme M fo e th re d tu n a a fe ve th 00 smartwa In this, his 2,0 ttle craft - the li te lu so re o ly big to train serious compares tw then use them rash

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used e humans have the ce sin s small boat in fact – ry to his of dawn rs he since our forefat on lk wa they couldn’t discovered that s re tu ea cr sed many water, and reali them ce considered rfa su e th below sity of er div e th y, da a tasty snack. To way th le use, and e small boats peop ss the ro ac s rie greatly va they are used, nal tio na er int to t a hin globe and gives er th e are But in essence idiosyncrasies. ats, bo types of small only two basic mind n ow ur . Make yo ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ s! up about coracle

24 I January 2010 I Boat Mart

th e over here and guys who com to like em se its d we Br us at rugby. An and w lls bo d hu an er s’ nk cli nie like ‘tin old things with le litt The Americans ound e th ed blow up craft ar as they can exce rs. Or we carry oa riders, as long , (if ies ly ss re Au ra car boots, limit. So do the in caravans and national speed s a very g them wet. em se ttin it ge e y us all ca tu ever) ac perhaps be of s ain nt ou m g between the re-cyclin But it’s a toss up efficient way of ans to em se t n’ do the South Afric ch d Fren Antipodeans an beer cans. The most as e , th of e ys them displa all boat’s mad as to which of mind what a sm . de loo a titu d at l an suicida mfy seats comprehensively long as it has co d s. The former however, own an at s, bo ian all av sm din rd an towa The Sc than ad he r pe y over-powered) s stl at bo launches tiny (va use more small arans through n on earth. inflatable catam any other regio them ply sim s and then races Polynesian horrendous surf Meanwhile, the and es no ca e ak to m hollow out trees

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Smartwave v mac attack

Naturally enough, the Kiwis tend to favour polyethylene

within yards of the beach. They also drive shallow V-hulled boats on lakes and rivers at obscene speeds. But then so do the Irish.

On the other hand the outwardly ‘normal’ New Zealanders are actually stark raving mad. They dig shallow ditches in fields and then drive little V8-powered 14-foot jet boats round in just a few inches of water. They also race similar boats upstream in extremely shallow, rock infested rivers. Frequently they even chuck small boats off cliffs to launch them, simply because it’s quicker than finding a convenient beach or slipway! Don’t

forget, this is the nation that invented bungee jumping, zorbing, and Shotover Canyon Swinging.

They also love base jumping, whereas we Brits invented cricket, rounders and ballroom dancing – which probably explains a lot.

Materials to abuse Anyway, the point of this little discussion of national preferences is to explain the mindset that goes into the selection of an appropriate boat building material. In NZ, in recent years, there’s been a huge move away from GRP boats in favour

Smart

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wave

Boat Mart I January 2010 I 25

FlippER ORKNEY 520HT 592

Flipper 520HT

Need a small boat for some pottering around and a little bit of overnighting? Haven’t got much to spend? How about a Flipper 520 HT? Alex Smith reports.

Y

ou know when you hold a baby’s shoe in the palm of your hand, you can’t help marvelling at how so small a thing could possibly house a foot? Well when you see two grown men driving a boat like the Flipper 520 HT it is equally difficult to avoid being charmed by the implausible loveliness of it all.

Now I know how patronising that sounds but I certainly don’t mean it that way. After all, I have owned a 2CV and a Mini so I know what petite, if slightly amusing, perfection is all

The point of course is that scale in itself is not an impediment to excellence as long as expectations are adjusted and the right compromises are made. As I approach the Flipper 520 HT, a boat of less than 17 feet in length, which still manages to incorporate a double berth and a five man cockpit, I am very curious to see just what kinds of compromises the designers have made in order to achieve that extraordinary feat.

The moment you step on board you realise

peak above the anchor locker. Every single bit of habitable space inside the 520 HT is lined with a stainless grab handle.

This is all great to see but it doesn’t rescue the 520 from the inevitable criticism that the walkways to the foredeck are prohibitively awkward. It’s easy to see why it’s been done.

After all, this is a very small boat, so Flipper are keen to maximise what internal space they have by ensuring that every spare inch of the beam is reserved for the boat’s occupants. But the peripheral sills along which you have to walk to access the foredeck are considerably narrower

about. Even now, I own an eight-foot inflatable, which frequently gets me laughed at by callous children as I motor, like an oversized plimsole, up and down the local river . . .

that the entire boat is covered in sturdy chunks of metal, from the aft ladder to the robust cleats, the cockpit handrails and the enormous foredeck rail that runs straight off the roof to a

than the width of my foot. And because this is a small and relatively shallow boat, there is a fair amount of heel generated as you make your way around the side of the screen. And then,

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ON THe iNSide

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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.

BUYING SECONDHAND - Fletcher Malibu 17

With Irving Stewart

of a Mercury, which was the traditional engine of choice for the famous ‘Black Max’ packages of the day.

Today, countless boat builders include centre consoles in the ranges but in 1989, when we first tested this boat, it was virtually an unknown concept.

The guys at Fletcher took an enormous leap of faith with the Malibu and although, when afloat, the boat looked like a dory, it was soon evident that this was not the case. In fact the Malibu was nine inches longer than the classic Arrowstreak and far beamier at seven feet in width. It was actually based on the Arrowbeau, with its deep (24 degree) deadrise, razor sharp spray rails, and wide

pronounced chines. It absolutely oozed sporting potential and an enviable ability to remain stable when at rest, and it added all of this to the ‘unsinkable’ characteristics of the dory.

NovelTy In 1989 the novelty of a walkaround multi-purpose performance boat with equal appeal to fishermen, waterskiers and speed freaks took half a page to describe. And yet other surprises awaited our original test team, even before we got afloat.

The Malibu boasted a yamaha 90hp auto lube outboard instead

KEY STEPS TO BUYING PRIVATELY

OR YOU MIGHT WISH TO USE A BROKER

n view the boat and make your offer subject to survey. n Pay the deposit and receive a receipt and signed Sale Agreement, agreeing dates for completion. n Ask for proof of ownership before paying out for a survey. n Request Confirmation of Recreational Craft Directive Compliance or exemption. n Instruct your surveyor and await the report. n Negotiate on work to rectify material defects and agree an adjusted price if necessary.

in the sale price before handing over the balance payment. n Arrange your boat’s insurance before handing over the balance due. n 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.

n Ask to see all equipment and gear not currently on the boat but which is included

For information on buying a used boat check out RyA Buying A Second Hand yacht.

eement a sale and purchase agr n A broker will provide nce n Sort out all the fina entation is required n Advise what docum the parties n Negotiate between istration and advise about reg le Sa of Bill a e n Provid boat ting and viewing of the n Provides the marke h the surveyor n Help discussions wit ling a boat about buying and sel For more information AByA or www.rya.org.uk. The see www.abya.co.uk and is a s ent Brokers & yacht Ag is the Association of a boat. ling sel or one buying good port of call for any

The Small Craft & Yacht Specialists

For professional yacht brokers and agents visit www.abya.co.uk 40 I January 2010 I Boat Mart

For professional marine surveyors visit www.ydsa.co.uk

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YDSA

BM09SU YBDSA banner

The fabulous, ground-breaking Fletcher makes a great used buy

AFloAT So having made the trip down to the sea, and outrun the Arrowflyte camera boat, we took its crew aboard the Malibu and completed our tests with four up. In brief she planed at 19mph (in just 4.5 seconds), cruised at 21mph at 3,500rpm and peaked at 45mph with the yam on full chat - and all with the thud-free ride of a classic Fletcher. But it was the handling that surprised everybody. Unlike a conventional sports boat, the centre console and seating plan of the Malibu allows the centre of gravity to be maintained precisely where it’s supposed to be. Thus, in typical Fletcher style, she never put a foot wrong even when we tried hard to put her off her balance. She handled the sea with utter indifference and only got airborne when a passing, and far

larger, Bayliner kindly left behind a big hole, which we had to leap.

She even managed, on the return trip, to run against a very strong current in less than two feet of water with the yam on virtually full tilt – and she still handled perfectly.

In short this all-round boat was a real eye opener. Sadly, it was also way ahead of its time and did not generate the sales it deserved. A decade or so later, when we all got used to centre console control, the fickle public all wanted RIBs and the Malibu was dropped from the Fletcher model line up. originally the boat cost £12,500 with a full spec yam 90 or £10,056 with a similar Mercury. In good condition today a classic Malibu might fetch anything from a few hundred pounds to £3,500. But if you can find one on offer, even if it needs love, grab it and experience for yourself the fun, versatility and performance you can derive from a classic boat and just 90hp . . .

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EQUIPMENT

TOP GEAR

ENGINE NEWS N KIT & ACCESSORIES N BOOK REVIEWS N BUYING ADVICE !S WE EASE TOWARD *ANUARY AND THE ,ONDON "OAT 3HOW SO THE SPEED OF INVENTION INCREASES (ERE WE TAKE A LOOK AT A BROAD RANGE OF NEW ENTRIES FROM ĂŁ GADGETS TO ĂŁ SUPER TRINKETS

FLOATING COBRAS

Floating VHF handhelds are not a new concept but they are a very sound one, which is why it is so good to see a range of floating VHF handheld radios from Cobra Marine. The engagingly named MR HH330 FLT EU and the equally catchy-sounding, Bluetoothequipped MR HH475 FLT BT EU are bright orange for easy visibility on the surface of the water. They are compact too and yet the controls and the screen remain sufficiently large to be userfriendly. With six watts of power, these are Cobraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful handheld radios yet, enabling relatively clear long-range communication by way of a noise-canceling microphone. They also offer an Automatic Transmission Identification System (ATIS) feature, used to identify marine vessels in some European inland waterways. But the best feature by far is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BURPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - a function that vibrates water out of the speaker grill to improve performance in extreme conditions.

Whatever will they think of next...

Price: from around ÂŁ100 www.cobra.com

CUTTING EDGE CREWFIT

How many times have you arrived at your destination to find that your money is reduced to sodden flapping sheets - or worse still, lost altogether? Well here we have the keyring CashStash from True Utility. This clever little capsule has a special cash clip, allowing you to wrap an emergency note inside. It takes up virtually no room on your keyring and yet it will readily get you out of trouble by covering that last round of drinks. Constructed from chrome-plated, aircraft-grade aluminium with a waterproof neoprene â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ring, it makes a great stocking filler.

Crewsaver is set to launch a new lifejacket aimed squarely at the leisure boater. The Crewfit 190N is lightweight, extremely comfortable to wear and thoroughly modern, with much more compact dimensions than the popular Crewfit 150N. Approved to the new standard (BS EN ISO 12402), the Crewfit 190N is designed to support the user, even when wearing heavy waterproof clothing. When inflated, two asymmetric lobes overlap to provide better turning performance to keep an unconscious casualty face-up. Other features include an integrated back mesh panel and fixed dual crotch straps to keep it in the right position. You also get belt tidies, a soft-feel collar, dual lifting beckets, reflective tape and a whistle. There are various models, with options of a harness, a sprayhood and a light. If ever there was a leisure jacket that users will genuinely want to wear, this is it.

Price: ÂŁ4.99 www.trueutility.com

Price: pending UK launch in January 2010 02392 528621 www.crewsaver.co.uk

TRUE UTILITY

52 I January 2010 I Boat Mart

GREAT GIFT IDEA

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TOP GEAR

ENGINE SHORTS Following the announcement in America that there are four new Yamaha outboard models to be introduced during 2010, in addition to the new F4, F5 and F6 we told you about last month, a few more basic details have emerged, in advance of the official European release.

We can now reveal that Yamaha will introduce a new lightweight, big-block V6 range in a choice of three horsepower sizes - the F300, the F250 and the F225.

The fourth new engine will be the F70, a model which now gives the Yamaha outboard range even more variants, ensuring the ideal outboard is available for every transom.

ENGINE NEWS Yamaha’s YCOP system Immobilises the engines for anti-theft protection

When it comes to sports boats and small RIBs, fitting the engine can double the price of the boat and these new hitec engines are a huge temptation to an opportunist thief. This is not a new problem. In fact it’s one that has long been appreciated by personal watercraft owners and builders, both of whom have introduced stringent security and anti-theft devices on these easily stolen machines.

Now it’s the turn of the outboard and Yamaha has launched the new Y-COP anti-tamper system on all new outboards from 30 to 100hp. It represents a very substantial sector of engine sales in the UK so it makes a lot of sense.

In essence the Y-COP system utilises a simple remote handheld transmitter to immobilise the engine, and therefore also the boat. The signal from the transmitter is picked up by a receiver fitted to the boat, which is plugged into the LAN (Local Area Network) hub. The signal is then passed to the engine ECM (Engine Control Module – as fitted to all EFI engines) via the standard LAN wiring system. The engine ECM recognises the unique signal from the transmitter and unlocks the system to allow the engine to run – just like your car immobiliser.

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In addition the Y-COP is also clever enough to recognise if someone is tampering with the system and even if it is disconnected or destroyed it will lock the engine into a low rpm mode – enough to get you home but useless to thieves.

Boats with this range of engines are often left unattended stored on a trailer or left on the deck of their mother ship and are very tempting as targets for thieves. With the introduction of Y-COP, the value of these boats to thieves is dramatically reduced, just as it is in contemporary cars. Just don’t leave your Yamaha keys where an astute thief can easily find them!

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Boat Mart I January 2010 I 57

INSHORE SKIPPER

INSHORE SKIPPER with Colin Jones

Colin Jones learned his seamanship with the longshoremen and fishermen of Swanage, driving their passenger launches, sailing boats and outboard motors for hire. A short spell in the Royal Navy gave plenty of sea time and was followed by several years of serious cruising and diving from a RIB. Since 1989, he and Rita have taken their Colvic Watson 29 to several countries. She is currently based in the French canals and the Med. (www.colvicwatson.co.uk)

BABY OUTBOARDS RECONSIDERED )F ) WERE GIVEN ĂŁ FOR EVERY UNSUCCESSFUL TUG ON THE STARTER CORD OF A SMALL OUTBOARD ) COULD RETIRE A VERY RICH MAN "UT IS IT ALWAYS THE CASE THAT SMALL MEANS PROBLEMATIC

O

ur 90 hp Yamaha has always been reliable and has several times taken us on 100-mile plus open water Channel crossings, safe in the knowledge that we could stop for a picnic lunch at the Channel Light Buoy and it would start again.

I wish I could say the same about several of the garage full of small outboards that I have owned and often cursed. We are mostly talking here about two-stroke outboards of less than 9.9 hp.

I remember on one occasion driving 150 miles, spend two sweaty hours siting the caravan and erecting the awning, before going down to the beach for an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mackerel fishing - only to find that the bloody outboard would not start.

In my experience, the larger the outboard the more reliable and trouble-free it tends to be

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Cue an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive to Plymouth, followed by a two-day wait, before going to the beach again and finding that my ÂŁ45 service had been wasted - yes, the motor still refused to start. It was not my best holiday and I suspect that a similar tale could be related by hundreds of other lemmings who ÂĽ

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Boat Mart I January 2010 I 63

SHOW PREVIEW

SHOW TIME

2010 TulleTT Prebon london inTernaTional boaT Show Running from Friday 08 to 17 January, the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at London’s ExCeL is the capital’s best established marine event. With more than 400 exhibitors, showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, engines, electronics, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more, it’s an ideal way to kick off the new year.

ClassiC boats In association with Classic Boat magazine, International Paint and Old Pulteney, the Classic Boat attraction has been a star of the show since 2004. With the atmosphere of a friendly working boat yard, approachable and engaging craftsmen will be on hand to offer hints and tips when it comes to traditional skills and workmanship on these much loved boats. the owner’s area The Owner’s Association area in the Boulevard is a place where boat owners from various associations can meet up, swap hints and tips and discuss their boats with like-minded sailors. For those looking to buy a boat or to upgrade, this sales-free area is also a great place to meet owners, who are passionate about their choice of boat and are very willing to discuss the options available. boating on a budget For those visitors who have been following the Boating on a Budget diary pages on the show’s website, the 36-year old Hunter 19 ‘Barangoola’ will be on display. She is being raffled off in order to raise funds for the Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI, with tickets on sale at £5 each. The ‘Barangoola’ demonstrates just how affordable boating can be as she will be transformed into a shiny good-asnew cruiser by loving volunteers in the run up to the Show for a budget of just £5,000.

Fast Show Facts The 2010 event will be the 56th London Boat Show N It lasts for ten days It expects to receive 122,000 visitors N There are more than 400 exhibitors Prices of new boats exhibited range from £500 to £10 million

get interaCtive Show visitors can test their marine skills against friends in the interactive Deck Games zone, the centrepiece of which is a 25-metre long indoor pool. The pool will feature model yacht racing, which tends to become tremendously competitive and vocal if past years are anything to go by.

At the weekends, younger visitors can also experience kayaking on the pool with Pelican Kayaks. Conducted under the watchful eye of the Lee Valley Canoe Cycle coaching team and with all the latest equipment provided by Avoncraft, visitors are encouraged to book early on the day to avoid disappointment. And for even younger visitors, there is a colouring area provided, in association with International Paints.

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Kelly Brooke made a welcome appearance in 2009

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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 HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2010 Whiting make a useful winter alternative

Three-pound flounder on the River Teign bode very well indeed

A

nother year has slipped beneath the waves that many will not mourn - a year not great for fishing despite a promising start that faded as the weather deteriorated in the summer months. But as a new year dawns with a promising start in the rivers it gives us hope of seeing full fish boxes later in the year.

Whatever the weather, over the next month or so we should be casting off with reasonable flounder fishing because the colder it gets, the better the fishing usually is. The past few years have been poor but, in 2008, I did notice in my local Devon rivers that more flounder were caught, including a handful over three pounds, so there is hope. And as I write this,

the 20 brave anglers who chose to do battle with torrential rain and strong winds. This was followed two days later by another of 3.3.6 caught by Nick Best - a promising start indeed.

encouraging news has come in of a good start to the winter flounder season. The first big flounder match on Devon’s River Teign (the Torbay and Babbacombe ASA’s annual small boat competition) saw three flounder of more than two pounds topping the list from among

but others prefer green and white. Whatever your choice, they all attract fish.

Is colour important? I am not sure but what we do know is that beads are an attraction to a flounder, as they cause the bait to flutter and move in the tide, and they also tend to keep the

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FINDING FLOUNDER Flounder are widespread. Almost every river is stocked with them but some do have more and better fish than others. Tackle is the same everywhere - a light rod with a small multiplier or fixed spool reel, line 10lb to 12lb BS, although BS is not critical. Rigs are a personal choice and they do vary around the country, developed for local conditions, but my advice is to keep them light - single or double hook flowing trace with carbon sharp wire hooks, size 1, 1/0 or 2/0, with beads above. Red and yellow are my preference

bait out of the reach of thieving crabs. Without doubt, peeler crab is the prime bait in most rivers but it is a difficult issue because in some rivers ragworm are better while in the Salcombe Estuary, lugworm can often head the list. People tend to know their own patch, so use what the locals use and if bites are hard to come by, try a different bait.

If flounder are not your cup of tea, then whiting should offer another target. The bigger fish are usually found along the south Devon coast but a bonus here would be a few cod.

TIME FOR A NEW BOAT? If you are not fishing for the next month or so you might be dreaming of upgrading your existing craft or buying your first boat. Well now is a good time to start looking because you often stumble across bargains in the winter months.

Take a quick look through these pages and you will be surprised what crops up.

First and foremost, safety has to be the number one criteria. Your fishing boat has to be

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PRACTICAL MONTHLY

PRACTICAL MONTHLY

The next few pages are packed with maintenance, upgrade, restoration and DIY news and tips and advice from David Webber, Peter Caplen and Jane Rickard. Let us know what projects you’re currently working on!

2%34/2!4)/. %33%.4)!,3 equipment and materials to use.

What to do, how to do it and the right

A corrosion-resistant DIY clip is a very simple job

MONEY SAVING IDEAS

GREEN BOATING GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH SPILL-PROOF YOuR OIL CHANGES

Why? Oil is toxic to fish and water species. Prolonged exposure affects reproduction, growth and feeding of aquatic life, even at low concentrations.

Oil and fuels are the most frequently reported pollutant of inland waters in England and Wales.

How: For oil changes, use an oil change pump to transfer oil to a spillproof container. Wrap a plastic bag or absorbent pad around the oil filter to prevent oil from spilling into the bilge.

Transfer used oil or waste fuel in proper containers and dispose of in oil waste facilities. You should also dispose of all oily or fuel-soaked materials in the hazardous waste containers. Never use soap to disperse fuel and oil spills as it increases harm to the environment.

Did You Know? The Oil Bank Line will give you details of your nearest oil disposal centre: www.oilbankline.org.uk.

Our thanks to the Green Blue for their help with this tip.

Saving money without sacrificing the quality of the work is one of the key factors in successful boat restoration.

Quite often it is simply a matter of seeing things from a different perspective. Let’s take for example pipe and wiring brackets. You can buy excellent ‘P’ clips in stainless steel and if you buy them from your local hydraulics supplier instead of the chandlery they will be a fraction of the price.

But what about the time when you only need to clip a few wires into position to keep them from trailing in

or more. The one thing wrong with these clips is that the smaller versions come with lightly galvanised nails for hammering into position. And while heavy-duty galvanising is excellent for anchor chains, the light coat used on these nails will soon rust through in a damp and salty environment.

So why not simply change the nail for a small diameter stainless steel screw? You then have a perfectly adequate ‘marine grade’ cable clip at a negligible price. And if you don’t want to use stainless steel screws, then how about the stainless steel, white-capped nails used for securing fascia boards

the bilge? Electrical wholesalers and DIY shops sell plastic cable clips in a wide range of styles and sizes, many being more than adequate for clamping pipe-work up to 15mm in diameter

to houses. These are readily available from DIY shops and not terribly expensive. Whichever method you choose, the end result is a long lasting (and very cheap) cable or pipe clip.

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EASY WAYS TO BE GREEN

n Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products n Dispose of hazardous waste properly n Spill proof oil changes and re-fueling n Minimise cleaning and maintenance in the water n Recycle your waste and take rubbish ashore n Use the right prop for your boat Do you want to know how green you are? Take the Green Boat test. Email editorboatmart@boatmart.co.uk today for a copy and see how well you and your boat score.

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PROJECT

PRACTICAL PROJECT #98

BUYING SECOND-HAND:

AVOIDING THE PITFALLS While not everyone can afford to buy a new boat, the used boat market is burgeoning with potential bargains. Here Peter Caplen talks you through the finer points of getting it right.

Buying a boat is always an exciting prospect, but with second-hand boats, especially those bought privately without any guarantee, care must be taken to ensure that problem areas are discovered before purchase and that they can be economically remedied. At the viewing stage a defect need not be considered a problem, more an opportunity for knocking the price down. Almost every secondhand boat will have some defect however minor to affect the price. It is up to the buyer to find it.

THE ECONOMICS OF A BOAT How much work a prospective owner is prepared to accept depends on his ability and enthusiasm for DIY. A very neglected boat will sell for much less than one that has been properly cared for. It is however, most important to avoid taking on a major refit beyond your capabilities in a fit of over-enthusiasm. Part of the budget must be retained for repair and refitting materials, which could easily match the purchase price of the boat if the work is to be performed to a good standard.

It must be borne in mind that the work must be performed properly if the boat is to increase in value when renovation is complete. It must also be remembered that all inland waterways craft need to comply with Boat Safety Certificate standards or local equivalents and a boat without a certificate is worth a lot less than one that complies. It can cost a thousand pounds or more to bring a neglected boat up to standard.

In fairness, there is almost no fault or damage that cannot be repaired given sufficient time, money and enthusiasm - but whether the completed vessel will be worth the time and expense is another matter you need to think about prior to purchase. It is important to err on the side of caution when looking at any boat requiring repair and unless you have absolute confidence in your ability to carry out the necessary renovation work, you must add the cost of having the work performed professionally or reject the boat as an uneconomic buy.

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FIRST UP The first decision to be made before looking at any specific boats for sale is the style of boat required and the material of its construction. Most modern boats below about 30 feet are built of GRP, although there are still some very smart wooden examples around. Wooden boats require more careful maintenance than the average GRP boat but due to this fact can often be purchased for a fraction of the price.

The scourge of GRP craft in the last few years has been that of gel-coat blistering, generally known as Osmosis. It appears as blistering on the gel-coat layer below the waterline and if a blister is pierced, it allows a fluid to escape that has a distinctive vinegary smell. If the problem is not too widespread

it can be successfully repaired by the DIY enthusiast but the materials are costly and the job is time-consuming.

Call in a surveyor to check the moisture content of the hull. If this is excessively high, the boat may need a year or more out of the water to dry-out before the gel-coat can be repaired. Osmosis should not appear on a craft that has been stored ashore on a trailer but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still worth checking for, just in case the boat has previously spent extended periods afloat on a mooring.

As there is a wide choice of second-hand boats on the market, it is not usually worth buying a boat with osmosis unless the price is very attractive. A surveyor should definitely be consulted for advice where osmosis is concerned.

Check below the waterline for evidence of osmosis

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