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SEASON PLANNER BEST EVENTS AND DESTINATIONS FOR UK BOATERS

HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE

Incorporating Boat & Yacht Buyer

ONLY £3.50

May 2010

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HARD KNOCK LIFE GADGETS GALORE

THE SUPER-TOUGH LEISURE RIB FROM REDBAY

BOAT ACCESSORIES TRIED AND TESTED

VITAL MAINTENANCE GETTING SET FOR SUMMER

BUYING USED

VALIANT RIB FOR UNDER £5,000

SPRING FISHING

BLACK BREAM AND SMOOTHHOUND

BRUMMIE BARGAINS ALL THE BEST FROM THE NEC

DINGHY ON TOUR BEST BOAT-FRIENDLY UK VENUES

MAY 2010

BUDGET BEAUTIES GET STARTED IN BOATING FOR UNDER £1,000

CARDIFF MARINA

BRITAIN’S NEW BOATING HOT SPOT

SPRING SPECIAL TER EARLY SEASON DIY TIPS TO KEEP YOU ON THE WA

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PRACTICAL, AFFORDABLE BOATING

BUY A BOAT FOR UNDER A GRAND Editorial Editor: Alex Smith Email: EditorBoatMart@Boatmart.co.uk Art Editor: Mark Hyde Contributors: Jane Rickard, Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Phil Pickin, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber

Advertising Tel: 01223 460490 Senior Sales Manager: Samantha Broome Advertising Manager: Claire Broadmoore Private Advertising Queries: 01223 460490 Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Garland

Production Studio Manager: Sal Law Production Controller: Anthony Gibbons Tel: 01223 460490 Email: copy@cslpublishing.com

Subscriptions Subscription Hotline: 01442 879097 Fax: 01442 872279 Email: boatmart@webscribe.co.uk Managing Director: Sue Baggaley Web: www.boatmart.co.uk

Published by: CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HX Tel: 01223 460490 Fax: 01223 315960 © 2010 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat and RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines.

Printed by Garnett Dickinson 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.

This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

46 CARDIFF MARINA IN FOCUS

37

BOAT MART FEATURES

FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT

BUYING ADVICE REDBAY STORMFORCE 650 ............... 23 A hardy new RIB from the workboat guru

PAGE 137

VIKING FAN CLUB ...............31 A long-term admirer visits Viking HQ VALIANT V490 ....................44 A great used RIB for affordable boating

BUDGET OF THE MONTH....46 Serious boats for under £1,000 GETTING HITCHED ............52 Facelifted Suzuki Grand Vitara on test

IMPELLERS AND THERMOSTATS SORTED

LIFESTYLE CLASSIC CORNER ............. 81 The best classic events of 2010 DINGHY WORLD ............... 85 Ideal UK destinations for dinghies ANGLING ADVICE .............. 89 Get your hooks sorted this season BRUMMIE BARGAINS .........93 The best on show from the annual NEC exhibition

DIARY DATES ....................99 Two months of must-see boat events PRACTICAL TECH TALK ...................... 105 Keep yourself safe from fire PRACTICAL MONTHLY .....107 Impellers and thermostats in focus PRACTICAL PROJECT .....111 Vital maintenance for early-season boating

EQUIPMENT TOP GEAR ......................... 56 A fishing rod in a pocket-sized case

GETTING IT RIGHT ...........117 Take your boat abroad this season

107 IN BUILD AT THE VIKING FACTORY

31

INSHORE SKIPPER ............ 65 The art of camp boating on the continent

97

ELECTRONICS MADE EASY ....................... 71 The all-electric power supply explained

BOAT MART REGULARS Throw us a line .............. 09 Newsline ........................ 15 Subscribe ....................... 74 Courses ........................ 120 Boats for sale ................ 137 Classifieds .................... 149 Next issue .................... 160

NEWSLINE

Newsline Compiled by Irving Stewart & Alex Smith

BUDGET BOATING WITH BIC The world of lightweight tenders and small standalone runabouts seems to be more open to the idea of design ingenuity than most, and that’s not particularly surprising. After all, they need to be stable, durable, easy to carry, simple to manoeuvre and affordable to buy.

It’s a tough job and in this case, the answer to that challenge is the new BIC 245.

The 245 incorporates various carry handles, making it easy to carry - and at just 39 kg in weight, it’s a job that can be accomplished by just one person, particularly in view of the

The Exe Sailing Club stands out for the way it has engaged with the local community

stern configuration. Here, you will find two wide roller wheels integrated into the design of the hull, enabling you to manoeuvre the boat over beaches, banks and jetties without undue effort. The design of the wheels also means they do not substantially affect the performance of the boat when on the water.

With a choice of four colours, the package includes oars, rowlocks, rope and a seat and is priced at £549. How’s that for affordable versatility?

01332 813150 www.ultrasporteu.com

EXE WINS RYA CLUB OF THE YEAR 2010 Manageable for one man and priced at just £549, the new BIC looks like excellent value for money

TEMPEST TO DEBUT AT SB SHOW Hockley Marine has added to the increasing number of product launches at the Sports Boat and RIB Show in May, by committing to exhibit its new Capelli Tempest 770 WA Cabin RIB. Making its show debut, the Tempest 770 WA uses the same fantastic sea hull as the famous Rubson Raid endurance craft. The difference here is that the space is manipulated to incorporate a cabin with double berth and separate toilet compartment.

This has been accomplished by raising the deck area and making a hard superstructure with a walkaround cabin and stainless steel guardrail around the forward deck. As on the larger 900 and 1000 WA models, the aft cockpit has ample seating with a table

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for entertaining and incorporates a cooking hob and freshwater sink under the helm seat. It also comes as standard with a stern freshwater shower and bathing ladder. The demo boat will be fitted with a Suzuki 250hp outboard engine, which should give the boat a top speed of around 45 knots. Come and see her debut appearance first hand at the Sports Boat and RIB Show from 22 to 23 May 2010. www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

See the Tempest 770 at the SB Show in May

The Exe Sailing Club has been crowned RYA Club of the Year 2010 by new RYA CEO, Sarah Treseder, at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show. The Devon-based sailing club was selected from among five strong finalists courtesy of the extent to which it encourages people to get out on the water, the range of quality and safe activities it provides and how well it manages to engage with the local community.

The club has a full membership and a current waiting list, plus a year-round racing and training programme for both dinghies and cruisers. It also has a wide range of social activities for club members, including a Christmas pantomime.

Jackie Bennetts, who coordinates the RYA Club of the Year competition, explained the logic behind the decision: “The success of Exe Sailing Club is down to its ability to attract and maintain a well qualified and motivated band of volunteers. It is an excellent club, offering fantastic activities and it’s a worthy winner of this award.” The other clubs on the shortlist included Bury Lake Young Mariners, Donaghadee Sailing Club, Spinnaker Sailing Club and Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club. www.exe-sailing-club.org

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 15

ORKNEY 592 REdbaY StORmfORcE 650-S

Stormforce for leiSure boaterS Q: What do you get if you make a 6.5-metre Redbay RIB lighter, quicker and prettier? A: You get the Stormforce 650-S. Alex Smith reports.

T

here are very few brands with a reputation for solidity so profound that the brand name becomes virtually synonymous with it. Arguably, Humber has achieved it and so too have the likes of Ribcraft and Ocean Dynamics. But up on the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, there is a company that has been knocking out boats to tackle tough Atlantic seas since 1977. Redbay Boats started out building traditional wooden clinker boats, before developing a range of GRP fishing boats, from 12 to 21 feet in length, that would make their name both with day fisherman and the commercial workboat market. As for their RIB range, well that didn’t actually emerge until 1990 but, since then, it has become renowned for its unerring resilience in tackling the often wild stretch of water between Northern Ireland and the Scottish west coast. It seems that, for Redbay, build quality is not just a fanciful sales pitch. It’s a routine necessity . . .

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 23

ViKiNg - thE cRuisER’s ORKNEY chOicE 592

Viking powerboats the cruiser’s choice David Webber visits Viking Powerboats for a look at the latest developments in the world of the modern family cruiser . . .

V

iking Mouldings started life in modest surroundings in 1973. In 1981, following rapid expansion, they transferred to their current premises in Great Dunmow, before buying the rights for Seamaster boats in the early 80s. They introduced some tried and tested improvements to this already popular boat, which they would eventually start producing a few years further down the line.

The current owners, Vinny Clayden and Wayne Goodwin, took control of the company in 2006 and it is from that same HQ in Great Dunmow that they now manufacture and fit out the entire Viking range. And while these cruisers are most famous for their popularity on the inland waterways, they are also now beginning to appear in increasing numbers on our estuaries and coastal regions.

The current Viking range includes wide and narrow beam craft from 6.1 to 9.14 metres in length. The larger boats can be driven by inboard shaft drive or by single or twin outboards (which, curiously enough, are

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claimed by the builders to offer better handling than the inboard version). The company is also willing to tailor the specification of any of its range to suit the customer’s needs. Common requirements include interior and exterior styling, air conditioning and even the individual’s own choice of entertainment system. In fact, it is really a case of just telling them what you want and letting them set about making it happen.

Obviously the spec has a direct impact on the price but what you end up with is a very individual boat, designed to satisfy whatever criteria are important to you.

Today, Viking is well known and respected for its durable inland waterways craft and has garnered a substantial UK following among the boating fraternity. In fact, as a long-term admirer of the brand myself, I was delighted to get a chance to visit their production facility in Essex to see what was new from Viking in 2010 . . .

The famous riverboat builder has been making headway into our coastal and estuary regions in recent years

The Viking fleeT It was clear from the start that the Viking premises is home to a skilled set of craftsmen.

It took only a few minutes to perceive that

The Viking factory is exactly how an admirer of the brand would hope to find it

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 31

DEALER PROFILE

DEALER PROFILE

FURTHER INFORMATION ■ Cardiff Marine Village ■ 02920 343459 ■ www.cardiffmarinevillage.com

CARDIFF MARINE VILLAGE As whispers of a new boating Mecca begin to circulate in earnest, Stuart Field visits south Wales to discover just how far the regeneration of Cardiff’s marine quarter has come . . .

O

ver the last half a century Cardiff has changed dramatically from a major industrial port to a centre of culture, sport, commerce and recreation. Today, with devolution in place, Cardiff is also the seat of Welsh government. More to the point, the city has already hosted a Commonwealth Games, the Rugby World Cup and countless other major international events. Even as you read this, Cardiff is gearing up for the 2012 Olympics and, given the vigour of its commitment to major events in the past, it is likely to make a great job of it.

Yes, Cardiff is a place with a buzz, which, in stark contrast to some of the more staid and traditional areas of the principality, is rarely shy of taking a flier, or of making almost wilfully controversial decisions. A classic example is the erection of the huge barrier that transformed the tidal Cardiff Bay into a massive ‘lake’. This has already created a new (and very popular) waterside lifestyle for the city and has inevitably attracted vast investment at Mermaid Quay and other prime locations around the bay.

The latest phase of the ongoing regeneration is focussing on the Cardiff International Sports Village. Here, both Cardiff International Pool and the Millennium Stadium will be prime venues for the coming Olympics. So what about goings on down at Cardiff Marine Village itself . . .

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CARDIFF MARINE GROUP A few years ago, conscious of the ambitious plans for local regeneration, the Cardiff Marine Group acquired a marina in the old Ely Harbour, which contained 50 berths, and an adjacent parcel of waterside land on which there were old buildings housing Cardiff Marine Services. The company also acquired a second parcel of land, just a short distance up the Ely river, on the Penarth Road - an extremely popular retail area - and drew up ambitious development plans.

The first phase of the plan, now complete, has incorporated four major features. Firstly, there has been an increase in the number of berths in the marina from 50 to 350.

Secondly, the Penarth Road site has been developed as a new operational HQ, itself with dry berthing for craft of up to 30 feet in

Shops and offices in purpose-built facilities at Cardiff Marine Village

length, plus hard standing for boats, a boat launch and lift and a new location for Cardiff Marine Services in modern purposebuilt facilities. Thirdly, some dedicated retail showrooms have sprung up, alongside twostorey accommodation for workshops and offices. And finally, there is additional hard standing at Roath Basin for 200 boats of up to 80 feet in length, plus a fully mobile marine

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The new dry stack facility is already proving a big hit

Boat Mart I May 2010 I 37

BUYING ADVICE

WHAT WILL £1K BUY YOU?

from one and start this popular series again, e we’ve decided to go back to square issu last the in tted spo . have less may or 00 you As afloat for £1,0 look at a few ways in which you can get scratch. So this month we’re going to While it’s nice to savour the joys of a luxury cruiser, a quick RIB or even a large yacht, it’s a fact that people (especially kiddies) get more fun from just playing around on the water and relaxing afloat. Some of us like to motor, others like to sail, and a growing number of people like being able to paddle their own canoes. Little craft like these can be easily carried on a roof rack and launched virtually anywhere there’s water – even in just a few inches. There are literally hundreds of different canoes and kayaks to choose from, each offering different characteristics and requiring varying levels of skill. So let’s start with a couple of traditional Canadian style boats that would make stunning entry-level family craft . . .

LINDER INKAS 465 / 525 Linder’s aluminium Inkas canoes are light in weight, beautifully made and last a lifetime, so why not consider a 465L? If there are just two of you, at around £50 under our budget (and a mere 28kg) a 465L is superb. If you’ve got a couple of kids, or like to carry camping gear or a lot of clobber, the larger Inkas 525 is designed for family fun. Unfortunately this model is a bit over our budget but it’s certainly worth every penny.

■ BHG Marine ■ 08456 446645 / 01590 613600 ■ www.bhg-marine.co.uk

WETLINE 260 ECO

PLASTIMO 2.6 At just £349, the 260 Eco is a steal

Over the past few years we’ve seen literally dozens of small, affordable inflatables appear on the market, many of them well under the £1,000 mark. One of the most popular and long established of these comes from Wetline. The Wetline 260 Eco is a great way to get afloat for the first time and compares very well to the competition for value. This light and easy to handle roll-up slatted floor inflatable will easily take two people and can be rowed or fitted with a small petrol or electric outboard. At just £349 the Eco is ideal to chuck in the boot or carry in a caravan when you go on holiday.

■ Unipart Marine ■ 01929 551138

46 I May 2010 I Boat Mart

For a small family a Linder Inkas 525 is ideal

Plastimo are wizards at sourcing extremely affordable and useful marine goodies and, with hundreds of chandlers and boat shops stocking their products, you don’t have to go far to see what’s on offer. If you need a little boat as a tender, you have the urge to explore the occasional river or canal, or you simply want to get afloat for a spot of fishing or bird watching, look no further. Plastimo’s tough little rigid tenders come in either grey or dark green. The 2.1-metre rigid tender has a suggested price of around £395, while the 2.6-metre double-skinned D-rated version is a touch over £600. OK so the boats are not exactly streamlined but they are extremely roomy, safe and stable. They’ll float in a few inches of water, can be rowed or paddled, and are absolutely great for children. Whichever you chose, when you’ve finished boating, simply chuck it on your roof rack, take it home, fill it up with water and you’ve got a totally indestructible paddling pool. What more could you ask?

■ 01489 778850 ■ www.plastimo.com

Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

The Plastimo is a broad, stable, durable, child-friendly runabout

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EQUIPMENT

whaT To look for STaINlESS STEEl BoaT fITTINGS

Us boaters who favour stainless steel fittings on boats don’t really care what name is given to its grade, its technical makeup or its abilities. All we really want is a stainless fitting that looks the part and will be resistant to rust.

There are in fact many different grades of stainless steel that are used in items such as cutlery, surgery, industrial equipment, fire arm components and, of course, the marine environment. But all we need to know is that the grade we are using will do the job. In the case of marine leisure, the items we see on the shelves are normally marked with the stainless grade.

Known as type 304, this classic 18/8 or A2 stainless steel will do most of what we want it to, both above and below the waterline, in salt and fresh water.

Type 316 is the next most commonly used grade, and is also the most prolific type in use for marine purposes, because of its increased resistance to corrosion.

This 316 steel is also used extensively in the building of nuclear reprocessing plants.

But if you really want to go the extra mile and get yourself the best, then 316L is what you should be looking for. This grade is often used in marine applications because of its high resistance to corrosion.

Years down the line you might just consider it money well invested.

60 I May 2010 I Boat Mart

EXPENSIVE VErSuS BuDGET Dogs are great companions on the water but, just like people, they are not all strong swimmers, so remember to protect your canine friend in the same way as you would other members of your crew. The dog buoyancy aids featured here are both high-quality products. Choose one to suit the type of waters you frequent.

Budget

exPensive

Crewsaver Petfloat PriCe: £29.95 - £34.95

ruff wear Big eddy float Coat PriCe: £67.50 - £70

Petfloat is a simple cat or dog buoyancy aid that will keep your pet safe and comfortable in the water. Suitable for riverside activities and sailing, features include built-in lifting handle, a D-ring for attaching a lead and retro-reflective tape for high visibility. It is adjustable, quick to fit and available in four sizes (measure from collar to base of tail).

The Big Eddy Float Coat is designed for aggressive swimmers in rough or fast-moving water, day or night. The strategically placed PVC-free buoyancy cells support dogs in a natural horizontal swimming position, allowing them to go further for longer with less fatigue.

Features include abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon, contoured neck straps for comfort and fit and 3M Scotchlite reflective trim for better visibility.

Available from Lifejackets UK Tel: 01202 625256 www.lifejackets-uk.co.uk

Available from Muddy Paws www.muddypaws.co.uk

SofTwarE rEVIEw - wakEBoarD SuPErSTar In a world increasingly commited to ‘virtual’ pleasures, Avanquest is likely to do very well. Here, they have released a watersports game for Wii fans. Gamers can jump on their Wii Balance Boards and experience the feeling of kite surfing, wake boarding, windsurfing and PW racing in various locations around the world. The multiplayer mode allows one player to drive a PW, while the other is towed on the board behind. Relying on the driver to set up runs, the boarder must concentrate on executing big tricks to rack up points. Players can choose from a number of characters, ranging from a tattooed muscle-bound wakeboarder to a laid back surf dude. If you fancy taking to the water from the comfort of your own living room, this is a fine way to achieve it.

Price: £24.99 www.avanquest.co.uk

Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

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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 wife, 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)

TIME FOR A CHANGE OF TACK? Colin Jones shakes things up with a trip to the French Alps for a committed spell of camp-boating.

W

e all deserve to jerk our lives out of lethargy by enjoying the adventure and challenge of change.

To that end, we have put our motor sailer, Abemama, up for sale so she will not be launched this year in case somebody wishes to inspect her. But that doesn’t mean we will clip our wings. On the contrary, following on from our pleasant experiences of 2009, we are again planning a boating expedition to the French Alps.

Our vessel will again be the Tinker Foldaway RIB and our cabin will be the caravan. The masterplan began to unfold last October and could well serve as a model for your own adventure. Whether you just dream

about it or you actually make it happen, you will discover that it is almost as much fun to plan as it is to carry out. Here’s how you go about it . . .

PHASE ONE The excitement began by scouring the big map of France. I was looking for the blue blobs, which denote lakes and estuaries big enough for sailing. I then located each area of my shortlist on one of the more detailed pages of the Michelin Road atlas of France.

Even if a magnifying glass is needed, you can still find areas where there is more than one possibility. After much discussion, we also decided to get away from the coast for a number of reasons based on our ➧

Grab a map, pick a blue bit and get stuck into some concerted research

My compact, collapsible boat and trailer combo will be my weapons of choice once again

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 65

ANGLING TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith. 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 36-foot 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. I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.

ANGLING THE RETURN OF THE FISH

Jason Tucker bags a beautiful spring smoothhound

M

Roger Bowring is no stranger to the early season bounty

ay is here and with it comes an upsurge in fishing. By the end of the month all the regular summer species should be lining up for your baits but already two of the most exciting fish will have set up camp in our waters - black bream and smoothhound.

Smoothhound may be one of the smallest of our sharks but it’s a real tiger of the sea. As for the bream, well they arrived off Portland weeks ago and will now have spread along the coast to Dover and, if the usual pattern is followed, they will also be appearing in many northern areas. One of the hotspots for bream is the eastern end of the Solent and along the Sussex coast. Be aware that they are shoal fish, so if you catch one, more will follow. And one of the very best bait to get them interested is hermit crab.

I have said for a few years now that black bream are getting bigger and moving to new grounds and that still applies. Find a feeding shoal and sport will be fast and furious. Fish have to be quick to grab food before others snatch it first, so bites can be quick and vicious. Baits are varied but some of my best results have come from mini squid, which are available frozen from your bait supplier. Ragworm, peeler crab and mackerel strips are also worth a look.

As with all fishing, keep rigs simple. Three hooks up paternoster-style is popular. Another is two hooks up and one on a longish trace below the

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 89

SHOW REPORT

Birmingham Boat Show

Stuart Field heads for the NEC to uncover the fresh product news from the marine exhibitors . . .

T

his year, Birmingham’s Boat and Caravan Show opened its doors with queues of eager punters at the pay desks. Perhaps the trimming of the event by the length of a weekend had encouraged a little more enthusiasm but it was certainly a good sign. And the fact that it snowed like hell for much of the first day did little to dampen the public’s enthusiasm or cause any delays on the truly excellent Midland transport systems. If ever proof was needed that the boating scene north of Watford is more vibrant than most Solent dwellers imagine, the annual Birmingham event is surely it.

THE BIRMINGHAM NAVY Occupying no fewer than six of the NEC’s massive halls, this event really is huge. The caravan exhibits drastically outnumber the boats but, significantly, the area occupied by the marine element at the NEC is ever expanding and this year the extra demand for boating space in Hall One prompted the organisers to move the camping and outdoor displays into the Pavilion. Perhaps in 2011, these unfortunate exhibitors might actually be forced outdoors.

Remarkably, Birmingham, which is about as far from the sea as you can get in Britain, has more miles of canals than Venice and is at the very heart of our inland waterways system - so it’s hardly surprising that canal boats and canal holidays always feature strongly at the NEC. Birmingham is also the home of the ‘Birmingham Navy’, comprising literally thousands of very keen and determined trailer boaters who like nothing better than to hitch up their craft and head for the coast, or their favourite ski lakes. This probably explains why boat dealers from all over the UK have traditionally supported and attended the Birmingham show, offering everything from canoes

The robust and wokmanlike Aquanaut Drifter CS makes its UK debut here at the NEC

Cobra has never missed a show yet

It’s all smiles as the Boat Mart stand opens up

Dickies are on hand with a fresh Beneteau range

BHG demonstrates just how tough an inflatable canoe can be

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Boat Mart I May 2010 I 93

PRACTICAL MONTHLY

PRACTICAL MONTHLY

The next few pages are packed with maintenance, upgrade, restoration and DIY news, plus tips and advice from David Webber, Peter Caplen and Jane Rickard. Let us know what projects you’re currently working on and we’ll do our best to help out.

resTorATIoN esseNTIAls equipment and materials to use.

What to do, how to do it and the right

GREEN BOATING EASY WAYS TO BE GREEN

n Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products n Dispose of hazardous waste properly n Spill-proof oil changes and refueling n Minimise cleaning and maintenance in the water n Recycle your waste and take rubbish ashore n Use the right prop for your boat GreeN TIP oF THe MoNTH Chart your course

It’s often best to let the experts choose the right prop for your needs

ProPellers Apart from the smallest dinghy, all boats need a propeller for either main or auxiliary propulsion and this is the point where many DIY renovators make a fundamental error. The propeller is the final link in the chain between the engine and the sea and it is the design, type and size that decides how well the power produced by the engine translates into thrust to move the boat.

The final part of any renovation scheme is to ensure that the prop is perfectly matched to the boat and engine. It is perfectly okay to buy the prop secondhand at a boat jumble if it is the correct type and size for the job but the only way to decide this is to calculate what is required, using a computer-based propeller program. lancing Marine sells a program on disk that is very well regarded in the industry

but at £50 it may prove too expensive to buy for a single calculation.

If you are buying a new propeller then the company making it will be able to do the calculations for you at the ordering stage, thereby saving the cost of a calculation program. The details required for an accurate propeller calculation are always the same (see below).

Gather these together and take them to your local dealer and you can look forward to a life of better efficiency and performance: n length overall n Waterline length n Beam n Displacement (in cruising trim) n Max engine power n Max engine revs n Gearbox reduction ratio n Max clearance beneath boat for prop to be installed

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WHY? study your waterways to prevent boat propellers from damaging sensitive sea floor habitats or injuring marine life. Also, avoid consuming excess fuel and plan your trip in advance to avoid confusion and misdirection.

HoW: Plan your trip in advance, making use of local knowledge and charts. You could also use an autopilot, which can steer better than most captains and maintains a longer attention span.

DID You KNoW? In the uK we have the second largest fish in the world, the basking shark. our thanks to the Green Blue for their help with this tip.

Boat Mart I May 2010 I 107

PROJECT

PRACTICAL PROJECT #102

PRE-SEASON CHECKS

With the onset of spring turning our thoughts to the big summer cruise, it’s high time we got those practical pre-season jobs done. Peter Caplen runs us through the vital checks.

By now, you will probably have completed a few longer runs already so the boat should be performing nicely and be prepared in most respects for the big jaunt. But if any equipment has been less than co-operative during the last few months, now would be a good time to check it out before the main holiday begins. For a start, we should be thinking about the on board tool kit. Is it comprehensive enough or was something missing the last time you attempted to complete a repair? Now is the time to fill any gaps in the inventory.

Batteries Batteries have a habit of dying round about the middle of summer. Having spent the winter languishing unloved and uncharged in a cold Top-up the batteries with deionised water

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damp atmosphere they are no longer able to maintain their charge or provide the power for engine starting or prolonged stop-overs. Of course if they were regularly charged throughout the winter they shouldn’t be giving any problems but if they were allowed to run right down they will probably resist taking a full charge unless a high-powered alternator and marine charging regulator are fitted. It is sometimes possible to revive a flagging battery, albeit temporarily, by having it charged at the battery suppliers on a powerful garage charger that can overcome resistance to charge and return the battery to its full capacity. But rather than chance a failure on holiday it is sensible to fit a new battery before the trip begins. Batteries in good condition should have received a service during the winter lay-up but if they were missed then cleaning and re-greasing of the terminals and topping up of the electrolyte level will ensure they behave while cruising.

Clean the terminals and grease them with Vaseline to keep them corrosion-free

You will need to consider new batteries if the old ones fail to hold a charge

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GETTING PRACTICAL IT RIGHT

GETTING IT RIGHT

FoREIGN FIElds

THE aRT oF boaTING abRoad

You have decided that you want a foreign holiday with a difference. Well just before you head for the ferry, let’s have a quick look at the things you need to consider.

By Jon Mendez.

The Gendarmes are friendly but they will expect appropriate documentation

I

f you want to go boating abroad you need to do some homework. How long can the trailer be? How wide? How heavy?

How fast can you go? Are you allowed on all lanes of the motorway? Is your boat weight allowed with those brakes or do you need an upgrade? All of this information is needed before we leave domestic shores behind.

The boat itself should obviously be seaworthy for the area you intend to visit. Although many foreign destinations offer unrivalled sunshine and a million sandy coves, there are often local weather considerations. Hotter climates for instance often have strong sea breezes that pick up during the day. And if you’re heading for

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Be aware that your battery has a limited lifespan

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