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Motorboat FEBRUARY 2015
Owner Affordable practical boating
BOAT TEST
English Harbour 27 Destination Guide
Fairline Targa 40 l Adjusting engine tappets
LITTLEHAMPTON
Welcome to the February issue.
From the Editor
We have just about recovered from our 10day stint at the London Boat Show where it was great to meet so many of you, and thank you for all your lovely comments about the magazine. It would seem that London is still a show that divides opinion. Visitor numbers were slightly up, but on many days the show felt deserted. For some exhibitors this meant being able to spend
@
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2 October 2013
February 2015
JHanslip
Would a London show that opened on say a Tuesday, and run through until Sunday attract fewer visitors? I think not. If you are mad about boats, you will visit the show regardless, and holding it over a shorter period should concentrate the attendance and make the whole event feel a bit more like the spectacle that it deserves to be. This month we have also been following the drama of the Hoegh Osaka in the Solent (inset). As we go to press there is still no official word as to why the ship developed a list that required it to be grounded on Bramble Bank. She is now docked back in Southampton where her cargo, more time with potential customers, and for including some expensive cars, is the customers, easier access to the products, being unloaded. The fate of these but I wonder if a shorter London Boat Show vehicles has not yet been decided but if the story of the MV Cougar Ace is might be the answer. DĂźsseldorf, arguably the largest in Europe is run over nine days, anything to go by, a similar incident that occurred during an Paris also runs for nine days. HISWA, the exchange of ballast Netherlands International Boat Show is water in 2006, they held over 6 days, while the Miami Boat Show, so large it is held over three locations may well all end up being scrapped. a bus ride apart, runs for just five days.
welcome aboard
onEdition
See our full round up of boat show news, new boats and equipment, plus a video on page 10
Editor, Neale Byart Advertising: For all brokerage, 01268 922992 display or classified adverts neale@motorboatowner.co.uk 01268 922994 advertising@motorboatowner.co.uk Associate Editor, Claire Frew Subscriptions: 01268 922991 01268 922993 subscriptions@motorboatowner.co.uk claire@motorboatowner.co.uk Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd
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Every Sargo boat is built very solidly, without compromises. That’s why her ride is anything but rough even in rough seas.
HAMBLE
SARGO - the new name for Minor Offshore
Sargo’s solid and hydrodynamic hull is famous for its amazingly quiet ride. This is a genuine all-season boat whose speed, handling and ride make you feel safe even when the going gets tough. In fact, Sargo offers more safety margin than most skippers might ever need. On Finland’s pristine Arctic West Coast we construct every Sargo’s hull to withstand rough seas anywhere. The thickness of the hull and the supporting beams are designed with safety in mind. A heavy-duty hull keeps the center of weight low enough while ensuring stability and durability.
The complete Sargo model range (25-36 ft) is internationally certified as B-Offshore, which proves our boats’ capabilities as true all-weather/all-season vessels. So you do not have to take just our word for it. Sargo is a premium boat built in Finland, a new brand based on a great tradition since 1967. Rain of shine, you’ll be fine. Sargo’s solid facts speak for themselves – without making too much noise about it.
Marco Marine is the UK importer for SARGO - THE ALL SEASON BOAT.
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VPE ONLT VAO
SARGO - same awesome boats just a new name What more could you ask for?
Marco Marine Limited, Marco Marine Limited, Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Hampshire, SO31 4JD Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Hampshire, SO31 4JD Sarins Hamble: Båtar Oy Ab, 67900 Kokkola,453245 Finland, info@sargoboats.fi, www.sargoboats.fi +44 (0)2380 Hamble: +44 (0)2380 453245 E SARGO RANGE e: info@marcomarine.co.uk e: info@marcomarine.co.ukwww.marcomarine.co.uk www.marcomarine.co.uk RTH M234
VPE ONLT VAO
CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2015
REGULARS
PRAC TICAL
PRACTICAL
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NEWS page 6 INBOX page 12 CUTTING EDGE page 18 Q&A page 26 TESTED page 54
pets Adjusting engine tap HOW TO
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2 3
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YOU WILL NEED
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SHOW REVIEW page 12 New Boats page 18 Cutting Edge page 56 Project Boat
HOW TO IN 12 ST EP
1
12
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p22
Februa
ry 201 5
PRACTICAL
Adjusting engine tappets p42
page 60 2015 Programme
Cruising in Company page 62 Second Look
p62
LITTLEHAMPTON Destination Guide
p70
BOAT TEST
p30
Fairline Targa 40
CLASSIC CRUISER GUIDE GUIDE CLASSIC CRUISER Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
English Harbour 27
5
Look & Sea
Mayland 16
NEWS 75th Anniversary return to Dunkirk
This year it is expected that over 50 of the courageous Little Ships will make a return voyage to Dunkirk. The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships received an official invitation from the Mayor of Dunkirk to return to Dunkirk in May 2015, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. Boats based on the Upper Thames will be assembling at Teddington, where they will then depart for the muster point in the Royal Docks in London on 16th May. The fleet will then make for Queenborough, followed by Ramsgate, before departing for Dunkirk on Thursday 21st May. The elderly, traditional vessels will be crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and will be escorted by the RNLI and the Royal Navy. The association has organised a commemorative return every five years since 1970 and, despite the average age of the Little Ships now being close to 80 years, it is anticipated that this return may be the biggest yet. For full details and a programme of events visit the association’s website www.adls.org.uk
Marina of the Year Awards
The winners of the Yacht Harbour Association (THYA) 2015 Marina of the Year Awards were announced its at the CWM FX London Boat Show. The Coastal Marina of the Year (over 250 berths) category was won by Mayflower Marina in Plymouth. Newcastle City Marina scooped the award for Coastal Marina of the Year (under 250 berths), while the Inland Marina of the Year was awarded to Overwater Marina in Cheshire. The awards were open to all 84 Gold Anchor accredited marinas and over 3000 people voted for their favourite. Mayflower Marina located in Plymouth, Devon
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February 2015
If you any have news from your region, please email us at
editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
Scarab boats in UK
Scarab jet boats, of Miami Vice fame will soon be available to buy in the UK. Dealer 158 Performance, based in Lincolnshire has also teamed up with Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) to launch the new Scarab 255, available from Spring 2015.
Onboard WiFi Hotspot • 3/4G MiFi and Routers • High Gain Antennae Internet Everywhere See us at the
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www.wif ionboard.co.uk sales@wif ionboard.co.uk 01298 427203
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7
NEWS ABC Marine to build Team Britannia boat Boat builder ABC Marine (Aluminium Boat Company) has been commisioned to build the Team Britannia, the wave slicing super boat that will be captained by Alan Priddy and is set to break the Round the World Powerboat Record for charity. The 80-foot single hulled boat which has yet to be named, will be built out of marine grade aluminium at the companies factory on Hayling Island. The aluminium has been produced by Blackburn Metals and is being laser cut by south coast firm Aalco. Construction is expected to take around four months before the start of an extensive, three-month programme of sea trials. Alan Priddy commented “Up until this week, the project was only on paper. We had pledges of support, a crew, but no boat. The ordering of the metal, appointment of a boat builder and a commitment of around £1.8 million of material, equipment and construction costs as part of the £2.9 million project, means this just got very real.”
Seaglaze Owners Association
Sourcing and replacing windows, particularly for older boats, can be difficult and expensive. However, marine window manufacturer Seaglaze is trying to make the ‘one-off ’ window a thing of the past, and has launched an Owners Association scheme. By working with Owners Clubs and Associations, the company hope to build up a database of templates and in turn provide members with cheaper replacement windows and spares. As the information is gathered, details of boat makes and models supplied, including prices, will be added to Seaglaze website. The company is urging clubs to get in touch. For more information visit the Seaglaze website.
DIARY DATES Notts & Lincs Boat Jumble 8th February Gosport Boat Jumble 15th February Essex Boat Jumble 22nd February Beaulieu Boat Jumble 26th April Horning Boat Show 2nd May Jersey Boat Show 2nd-4th May 75th Anniversary Return to Dunkirk 21st May Northern Boat Show 5th-7th June Gosport Marine Festival 13th June Southampton Boat Show 11th-20th September Click any of the above for more info
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February 2015
If you any have news from your region, please email us at
editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
FIRST LOOK
Sealine C330
The new Sealine C330 was launched at the Boot Düsseldorf. Here are some exclusive photos, thanks to Penton Hook Marine Sales. The boat will be from £181,899 fitted with a single D6 330hp.
PRICE FROM
£181,899
Join our trustee team – make a difference In 2014 the Wetwheels Solent boat enabled 1286 disabled and disadvantaged people aged between three and 99 years of age to experience a fun, stimulating and unique time afloat. Our founder, Geoff Holt MBE, is passionate about the many amazing memories taken away by those who have been out on Wetwheels Solent and on our latest boat in Jersey. As a motorboat owner you’ll understand why this works so well. We plan to open new Wetwheels centres in further locations, to make this experience available to more disabled and disadvantaged people. The Wetwheels Foundation is looking for one or two skilled and motivated volunteers to join our team of trustees – you’ll assist with shaping and delivering this vision. Please visit wetwheelsfoundation.org/vacancies/ for more information about the role and how to apply. Or email recruitment@wetwheelsfoundation.org
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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NEWS
CWM FX London Boat Show The 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show kicked of the boating season this January at ExCel London. Over 400 exhibitors assembled in ExCel’s south hall over the Christmas/New Year break and there was the usual exciting mix of chandlers, marine services and equipment, with a large proportion of the hall dedicated to motor boats. There were a few new
attractions on offer, such as the Rain Curtain at the show entrance, which miraculously stopped as you walked through, and the 4D experience. Singer Nicole Scherzinger wowed the crowds when she cut the ribbon to launch Sunseeker’s new 57 Predator on Public Preview Day. There was also a royal visit by Princess Anne on the Wednesday.
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February 2015
EXCLUSIVE SHOW VIDEO Click here to see our ‘Highlights’
Particularly eyecatching were the retro outboards on the Classic Motor Boat Association UK stand and two very lovely heritage Sunseekers (above). Organisers say the show attracted 92,288 visitors over the 10 days. Next year’s show takes place from 8-17 January 2016 at ExCeL London. If you didn’t manage to get to the show, don’t worry. You can watch our three minute video roundup by clicking here. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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INBOX
@
STAR LETTER
Power outage mobile app
Having read your article, ‘Winterise your boat’ I am happy with the precautions I have taken on my boat. I decided to go down the route of leaving the boat in commission and have, as you suggested, installed tube heaters controlled by a thermostat. I also have a maximum-minimum thermometer installed so I can check to see they are working well. I was particularly interested to read that you are using a SIM card enabled socket to monitor the power supply. I would like one of these but found that they are quite expensive, so I have just started my own trial of a much cheaper option using an old android mobile phone. I bought a pay as you go sim card for £10, which includes £10 worth of data. Whilst at home (using my wireless broadband connection) I downloaded an app which will send a text to me when the charger to the phone loses power. So I have now plugged this in on my boat and tested it to make sure the phone has a signal and it worked. I am using a free app called ‘Power outage’, but once I knew it would work I bought the ‘Pro’ version for just £3. This allows me to set a time delay between the loss of power and the text being sent and also it will send me another text when the power is restored, which may save me a wasted trip to the marina. I believe there are a few apps available and some allow you to program the phone to perform other tasks and send multiple texts. I don’t suppose this will be 100% failsafe but it is an attempt at an additional safeguard. I thought other readers may be interested in this. Dave Stewart Editor replies: I like the idea Dave and it certainly sounds like a cost effective way of monitoring shore power. My only concern would be the very small risk caused by leaving a phone charger on charge continuously. I have heard of cases where phone chargers have overheated, but the risk is probably no greater than leaving any other item permanently plugged in.
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February 2015
email:
editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
Greenline owners
I was really interested to read your test report on the Greenline 33. I own boat number 331, which we bought new from the Greek dealer in May 2014 in Lefkas Marina. Our boat was shipped from the factory via Italy, and because they were one week late with delivery they paid for new flight tickets for us. Next to me in our marina is boat number 8, also British owned and a Greenline 40. It does not get much better than having a hybrid with the sun we get in the Ionian. In our first season the set up puts more in than we can take out, and that is with full aircon and the freezer, all from the solar roof. It’s ice and ice creams all round, and doing 4knots back from Meganisi to Lefkas Town Marina for free on electric towing a lure for Tuna suits me. We are delighted with the boat. I’m an engineer by trade and I’m building a website, www.greenline33.co.uk, to help Greenline owners. Keep up the great job, it’s a pleasure to read. Clive Hepper Editor replies: It sounds like you have the perfect boat for your requirements. I love the 33 but suspect us British boaters may have to rely on diesel a little more.
A cockpit Christmas
We decided to take the plunge and spend Christmas aboard our Princess V39 Gîte, which is based on the River Hamble. It was absolutely fantastic, and enhanced by excellent weather, of course. On Christmas morning we went for a walk to Manor Farm Country Park, then I managed to get the turkey in the oven. Whilst we recommend griddled Brussels sprouts, griddled carrots are not so good. The best thing was, it was not only mild enough to serve canapés and bubbly in the cockpit to a neighbouring boat on Christmas Eve, we also had breakfast, lunch and dinner (dark by then of course) on Christmas Day there too. I really hadn’t expected that to be the case. I thought we’d be huddled down below. Penny Rawle Editor replies: What a lovely idea and it sounds like bliss. I hope santa knew where to find you. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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NEWBOATS We trawled the halls to find you the latest in boats, gear and technology. We’ll start with some of the best new boats at the show.
Jeanneau Velasco 37F
PRICE FROM
£273,028
It’s not often we see new flybridge boats under 40ft, even less so one fitted with shafts. Jeanneau’s new Velasco 37F is just that, and comes with a few neat design features too. On the bathing platform there is transom door cockpit access on either side, at the helm a sliding door provides easy side deck access for the skipper, and on the bow there are sunpad cushions with adjustable backrests. Gone are the reverse sheer screens of the Velasco 43, replaced by traditionally styled windows. Power is supplied by a pair of Volvo D4 300’s. LOA: 11.43m Beam: 3.84m Displacement: 8271kgs www.jeanneau.com
Ribeye Prime SIX19
The Ribeye Prime SIX19 is billed as the ultimate leisure RIB, and we can see why. Built with no compromise, the Prime series use advanced materials and design to deliver a beautiful looking boat with practical and superb optional features. The boat is powered by a Yamaha F150 and is said to be good for 50 knots.
PRICE FROM
£49,995
LOA: 6.19m Beam: 2.43m 1000kgs ribeye.co.uk
Quicksilver Activ 455 Open
The Quicksilver Activ 455 Open proves that getting on the water really can PRICE be inexpensive. FROM £19,733 The unsinkable walkaround boat provides seating for the family, a useful amount of storage and an ergonomic helm. It comes with a single Mercury 40, 50 or 60hp outboard and a boat only price of just £9,499.
LOA: 4.54m Beam: 1.85m Displacement: 401kgs ex engine Price with 60hp and road trailer £19,733 www.barrus.co.uk
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February 2015
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LONDON BOAT SHOW SPECIAL
Jersey 36
Last year we were won over by the then new Jersey 30, a boat that could be yours for under £100k. This year it looks like Fibre Classics have done it again
PRICE FROM
£139,999
with the sub £140k Jersey 36. The 36 comes as standard with a single 210hp Vetus or a pair of 80hp engines. For an extra £20,000 the boat can be equipped with a pair of 250’s . The boat offers a dinette and galley up in the wheelhouse and a pair of double berths in an open plan cabin down below. LOA: 11.35m Beam: 3.85m Displacement: 6350kgs www.fibreclassics.co.uk
Elan Power 30
PRICE FROM
£142,000
The Elan 30 has been around for a while, but the model on display at London has been tweaked and improved. In the engine room the tanks have been re-designed for better engine access, on deck the teak has been upgraded and at the helm the boat now has a classy leather dash as standard. The boat still offers two separate double cabins and a very attractive asking price. LOA: 9.90m Beam: 3.47m Displacement: 4500kgs www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk
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NEWBOATS Broom 30 Coupe HT
PRICE FROM
The Broom 30 Coupe HT may be based on the old 29 but the design changes have really brought it bang up to date. While the 30 wouldn’t look out of place on the coast, it is designed for life on the river and comes with a single 60hp Nanni and a shaft drive configuration.
£139,950
It offers a single double cabin, a typically practical Broom style galley, a lower dinette, and a nice open and sociable cockpit. LOA: 9.14m Beam: 3.17m Displacement: 4000kgs www.broomboats.com
PRICE FROM
£70,700
Bayliner Ciera 8
The eagerly awaited Bayliner Ciera 8 was finally unveiled to the British public at London. The 27 foot boat is the first in a new range of Ciera’s and offers, as Bayliners always have, a practical and competent package at a very attractive price. Based on the hull of the 255, the Ciera 8 delivers four berths in an open plan cabin, an optional cockpit galley, a reversible transom seat and Mercury’s new 4.5 litre 250hp V6 petrol engine as standard. LOA: 8.15m Beam: 2.55m Displacement: 2900kgs www.bayliner.com
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February 2015
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LONDON BOAT SHOW SPECIAL
Corsiva Coaster 600
At every boat show there is always one boat that stands out for us. At London it was the diminutive Corsiva Coaster 600 Deluxe. This 19ft cuddy just oozed class with its mixture of teak laid decks, dark GRP and upgraded upholstery materials. The headline price of under £20,000 doesn’t include an PRICE FROM
£15,995
EX ENGINE
outboard, which for a decent sized motor will add another £10k, but there is also a non deluxe version available that shaves £4k of the base price. LOA: 5.95m Beam: 2.55m Displacement: 900kgs ex engine www.valwyattmarine.co.uk
Selva
PRICE FROM
£20,500
Selva, the Italian outboard manufacturer, reappeared at last year’s Southampton Boat Show after a few year absence from our shores. They were back again at London, and this time they were also exhibiting a range of boats, including the C5.9 pictured here from their Cruiser range. The basic little cuddy boat is available with a range of Selva engines from 60 – 100hp and an inbuilt 100 litre fuel tank. The cabin can be equipped with an optional toilet and the cockpit has a small sink and a generous seating/sunpad area. LOA: 5.95m Beam: 2.34m Displacement: 750kgs ex engine www.stirlingsmarine.co.uk
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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CUTTING Raymarine Dragonfly DV
EDGE
Raymarine’s Dragonfly range has been expanded with no fewer than seven new models. You can now equip your boat with this clever underwater technology for as little as £199 with the new four inch Dragonfly 4 DV. There are two other four inch models, three five inch versions and a wireless black box version for display on mobile devices. Some models also offer conventional CHIRP sonar and GPS chart plotting capabilities. Price from £199 raymarine. com
Marine Teak
Sealine S23 and S25 owners can now spruce up their cockpit thanks to teak table specialist Marine Teak, who have designed and introduced a replacement table that should simply slot into the existing fittings. Made using teak from sustainable plantations in Indonesia, the Marine Teak range includes many other model specific, as well as some generic, teak tables to bring a touch of class to any boat. Price £299 www.marineteak.co.uk
Pinpointpal
Pinpointpal is a small tracking device that can be fitted to a boat, PWC or anything with a 12 volt supply. The price is all inclusive for two years, with no SIM or top ups required. At the end of two years you can continue service for just £25 a year. A free app lets you track your item and movement alerts will let you know if it has been moved. The unit draws around 30mA and comes with a backup battery should main power be lost. Price £240 www.ribs.co.uk
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February 2015
LONDON BOAT SHOW SPECIAL
Garmin echoMap
Garmin have launched the next generation of echoMAP products. The range of 4, 5, 7 and 9 inch combination chartplotter/ fishfinders come with built in cartography and integrated HD-ID sonar and DownVu scanning sonar capabilities, doing away with the need for a separate sounder black box. Additionally the 7 and 9 inch models have built in SideVu technology. Price from £299.99 www.garmin.com
Icom M423G
BaroPlug
Mantsbrite, a company usually more associated with commercial boating, had a couple of new products that looked very useful to the leisure fraternity. The one that really caught our eye was the BaroPlug, an NMEA 2000 barometer. Plug it into the NMEA backbone and you get atmospheric pressure readouts on any compatible display such as those from Garmin, Navico and Raymarine. Price £139.99
Icom launched its very first fixed radio with an inbuilt GPS receiver. The M423G offers all of the features of the existing M423, such as noise cancelling technology and compatibility with an optional HM195G remote COMMANDMIC, but has been upgraded with a new white backlit screen and improved speakermicrophone, as well as the inbuilt GPS. They also launched the M323G, a version of their entry level M323 but with inbuilt GPS.
www.mantsbrite.com
Price circa £240 (M323G) & £360 (M423G) www.icomuk.co.uk
H2O Dinghy Davits
H2O Dinghy Davits offer an alternative way of storing, launching and recovering your tender. Made from high density polyethylene and stainless steel, the davits pivot to allow easy launch and recovery and can be used on inflatable or rigid keel tenders. Price £995 www.bhg-marine.co.uk
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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CUTTING
EDGE
Yamaha F130
Yamaha has filled the gap between the F115 and the F150 with an all new F130. The four cylinder, 16 valve, 1.8 litre engine comes with multi-point fuel injection, a 35 amp alternator, Y-COP immobiliser/security system and Yamaha’s compact and lightweight single ram power trim and tilt. At just 174kg, the F130 offers the best power to weight ratio in its class. Price £ 12,299 www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk
Mercury MerCruiser 250hp
In what must be the biggest shakeup of petrol sterndrive engines since the launch of fuel injection, Mercury MerCruiser has built their own 250hp 4.5 litre V6 engine to replace the long running 4.3 litre V6 and 5.0 litre V8. The new engine is 59kg lighter than the small block V8 and offers features such as Adaptive Speed Control as well as compatibility with SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift and joystick control in twin installations. Mercury has also done away with the need for a 20 hour service and has added an easy to use drain system for winterizing. The engine will be offered with Alpha and Bravo drives. Price from £9,834 for bobtail engine www.barrus.co.uk
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February 2015
PERSONALISED PRODUCTS We can supply hand held dry powder, foam, CO2 or water mist extinguishers in all sizes personalised with your boat name, make, model and logo Price from £12.00 PREMIUM RANGE Anything from the standard or engine room ranges using high quality, corrosion resistant stainless steel cylinders. Price from £120
sales@firemonkeyltd.co.uk
A cost effective range of hand held dry powder, foam, CO2 and water mist extinguishers from 1kg/litre to 9kg/litre and a selection of fire blankets from 1m2 to 1.8m2. Price from £10.00
ENGINE ROOM SYSTEMS Build your own engine room system from a large selection of components. 1kg/litre to 50kg/litre, foam, CO2, dry powder, FM200 and water mist. Manual, automatic or electronic activation. Price from £100
08452 177574
BOAT FIRE SYSTEMS
STANDARD RANGE
PRACTICAL
HOW TO
Adjusting engine tappets
YOU WILL NEED
A djusting tappets is becoming somewhat
a lost art. This has its roots in the fact that car engines, where most DIY boat owners hone their skills, have been built with self adjusting hydraulic tappets for around 30 years. Boat engines however, particularly diesel engines, are a little way behind, and even the likes of Volvo were still producing diesel engines with manually adjusted tappets as recently as 10 years ago. So while most of us can discard our feeler gauge when it comes to automotive maintenance, there are still many boats out there running on engines with good old fashioned manually adjustable tappets, and regular checking and adjusting is an
TOOLS • Feeler gauge in either metric or imperial, depending upon age of engine • Spanner/socket to remove rocker cover • Spanner to loosen locking bolt • Screwdriver to adjust clearance • Socket to fit crank nut with extension to ease turning the engine
DIFFICULTY RATING
ooooo important part of the service regime for these engines. In fact for some, such as Volvo’s 24 valve 6 cylinder KAMD/KAD 44 and KAMD/KAD 300, it is absolutely crucial that this is done at the specified hours to avoid potentially very expensive engine damage.
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February 2015
When we talk about adjusting tappets we are referring to ensuring that the gap between the rocker arm and the valve stem is the right size. As the camshaft spins the cams or lobes on the shaft open and close the inlet and exhaust valves by operating the rocker arm. Between the rocker arm and the stem of the valve is a small air gap. The gap is there to allow for expansion of the metals when they get hot. If you set the tappets up to have no gap between rocker arm and valve stem when the engine is cold, expansion as they became hot would mean the valve would fail to close properly, and the engine would be down on power as compression in the cylinder would be lost. Loss of engine power will also be encountered if the gap is set too big. In the extreme, a badly adjusted tappet could allow the valve to come into contact with the piston, which will result in valve damage, requiring extensive and expensive engine dismantling to fix. The gap is checked when the valve is fully closed and the easiest way you do this on most in line engines is to use the rule of five, for four cylinder engines, and the rule of 7 for six cylinder engines. The rule is simple. Turn the engine over using a large socket on the crankshaft nut until both valves on any particular cylinder rock. That is when one has just stopped rising and the other hasn’t quite started falling. Whatever cylinder is on the rock, you can measure and adjust the valve clearances of the cylinder that would bring the total up to five or seven. So for example if cylinder number one is on the rock, check and adjust cylinder number four on a four
Rocker arm Valve stem
Adjusting screw Lock nut
Push rod
Valve spring
Cylinder head
Exhaust inlet Valve
Cam follower Camshaft
The gap that is measured and adjusted is between the valve stem and the rocker arm
cylinder engine or cylinder six on a six cylinder engine as one and four add up to five and one and six add up to seven. If cylinder three is on the rock, check and adjust cylinder two on a four cylinder engine and cylinder four on a six cylinder engine and so on. While this system works on most engines there are some exceptions so you should check your owners manual for the firing sequence of your engine and also the correct valve clearances. On most engines cylinder number one is at the front but again you should check your owner’s manual before starting. While the engine we are working on here uses the same clearances for both inlet and exhaust valves, many engines do not, so in these cases you need to be sure you understand which valve is which. Before you start you should activate the engines stop solenoid to ensure there is no danger of the engine starting while you are turning the crankshaft over manually to set the sets.
Motorboat Owner Š Digital Marine Media Ltd
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PRACTICAL
HOW TO IN 12 STEPS
1
You’ll need to remove the rocker cover. On some engines this may require removing high pressure fuel lines that run over the top 4
The valves are ‘on the rock’ when one just finishes rising and the other hasn’t quite started to fall. Click on the video for a visual 7
If adjustment is needed you must first slacken off the locking nut just enough to allow the adjusting screw to turn
2
Check the firing order and the clearance figures in the owner’s manual. They are sometimes printed on, or around, the rocker cover 5
With cylinder one on the rock you can check the gaps on the paired cylinder, number four, as both its valves will be fully closed 8
Using a screwdriver you can set the clearance by adjusting the screw. Keep checking as you adjust until you have the right sized gap
3
With a socket on the crankshaft nut, turn the engine slowly until the valves on cylinder number one rock 6
The gauge should slide into the gap with minimal resistance on both sides. Anything different and it needs adjusting 9
Tighten the nut to the correct torque and check the gap again in case anything moved. If it has, you’ll need to start again
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10
11
12
With the first valve set you can now do the same on the other valve in that cylinder. Remember to check if it requires a different gap size
Now turn the engine over again so that cylinder number two is on the rock. Once it is, adjust the clearances on both valves on the paired cylinder
Once you have finished all cylinders, reinstall the rocker cover gasket, re-fit the cover and tighten the bolts to the torque specified in your owner’s manual
COST £
TIME TAKEN
This is one of those rare service jobs that usually doesn’t cost anything. You may need to replace your rocker cover gasket, so you could figure around £10-£20 per gasket, although some are considerably more, so take care when removing them to not cause any damage. Some engines do not use a gasket, instead relying on sealant between the rocker cover and the cylinder head. If your engine uses sealant, ensure you have a tube of suitable stuff, usually silicon, with you before you start the job. Volvo KAD/KAMD44 and KAD/KAMD300 are two such engines.
A four cylinder, eight valve, engine with easy access and minimal adjustments should only take around one hour. A 24 valve, six cylinder engine with fuel pipes, and possibly other bits to remove and replace, will take around four hours, maybe longer if lots of adjustment is needed. These engines would warrant a difficulty rating of 4/5.
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Q&A
Your Questions Answered
Steyr engines
Q In my hunt for my next boat I have
come across one that I really like, and at the right price, but it is fitted with Steyr engines. I have never heard of them so am a bit wary of taking it further. Are Steyr engines any good and is there anything in particular I should be aware of?
A Technically I don’t know much about Steyr engines but I do know that they
are well regarded and I have heard next to nothing about problems with them. They are lightweight, due to their aluminium construction and they are built as a monoblock without a separate head. One thing to consider is that they are cambelt driven, so belt changes in accordance to the schedule are very important. Having said that, they are designed to break the valve followers, rather than damage the valves themselves, should a belt let go, and fixing it again is not the difficult job it can be with other engines. Steyr engines have been successfully used in endurance racing, including prestigious events like the Cowes –Torquay and the Round Britain races. The bottom line is that if I were looking for a boat, and found one with Styer motors, I would not be in the least bit concerned. In fact, I might see it as a bit of a bonus.
BMC and Enfield sterndrive spares
Q I am currently looking at buying a 23 foot
Seamaster to keep on the Thames. The boat in question is fitted with a BMC diesel engine and Enfield sterndrive. It all seems in good order but I am concerned about spares, service items and replacement parts for this old technology. Are BMC and Enfield parts still widely available?
A Both of these old marques are still well catered for,
with specialists dotted around the country fixing, servicing and supplying parts. As you are going to be based on the Thames, try contacting Chertsey Meads Marine Boatyard on 01932 564699 www.boatgear.info, as they offer support for both these brands. 26
February 2015
If you have a question, email us at
editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
Can it be corrosion?
Q The photo (right) shows the prop and shaft
from a Freeman 24, moored on the Thames at Eynsham. When it was craned out this year we discovered what, at first sight, we thought to be corrosion, but a light tapping with a small hammer and it flakes of. Once it is removed there is no pitting to the blades or the shaft. Other boats moored in the same area don’t seem to have this growth. Any idea what it is?
A I can only assume that it is lime scale. I have never seen it as bad as this before but
can offer no other suggestions. Why other boats in the area remain unaffected is a bit of a mystery. Can any of our readers offer any suggestions?
Birchwood TS34 loss of power
Q My Birchwood TS34 has suddenly
lost power. Last time we were out on her, about three months ago, she reached her usual cruising speed of 22 knots without a problem. Now she struggles to go more than 12 knots and won’t get up on the plane. She is fitted with twin 200hp AD41’s which rev all the way up to 4300rpm when in neutral. What could be the problem?
A A problem like yours is nearly always due to fouling. Three months is more
than enough time for fouling growth to reach the point where is stops a boat from planing. A haul out and a bottom scrub and new coat of antifouling will nearly always correct this sort of problem. Having said that, there are other areas to look at. When were the fuel and air filters last changed? If they are blocked the engines will struggle to produce full power under load, although with blocked air filters you would expect to see lots of black smoke as a clue. Another possibility is propeller damage, but you should be able to see these with the drives lifted. If the hull, drives and propellers are clean and undamaged, and you have new fuel and air filters, you may need to check that the turbo is working properly. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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Q&A
Your Questions Answered
Do I need to have a survey?
Q When you write about used boats you always suggest having a survey. While I understand the logic behind this there surely has to be a lower limit where a survey is not financially viable. I am looking to spend a couple of thousand pounds on a small used boat, but a £400 or £500 survey seems a bit overkill. What should I do?
A At the bottom end of the market it could be argued that a survey is even more
important due to the age and condition of the boats you are likely to find. If you spent £2000 on a boat, only to find that in reality it was almost worthless due to serious hull defects, a £500 survey would have been money well spent. Ultimately much depends on how practical you are when it comes to inspecting any potential purchase. I would be happy to carry out my own survey on a boat up to a couple of thousand pounds, but I would certainly understand someone else, who is perhaps new to boating, paying to have one done. Another option would be to ask a friendly surveyor if they would perform a more basic survey, perhaps just a hull inspection, to ensure the basic structure of the boat is sound. Anything else, particularly on a budget boat, can usually be easily and cheaply repaired.
Changing impellors
Q I have just taken out my impellors while doing the first
service on our new boat. The recommendation is to change them every year but the ones I have removed still look as good as new. At around £40 each I am reluctant to throw them away but I imagine if I keep them as spares I’ll end up with lots of part used impellors after a few years. Can I just stick them back in and carry on using them?
A If you are happy to change an impellor out at sea, I would say go ahead and reuse
them. I have done so in the past, and in fact once used the same impellor for four seasons before finally changing it, and even then it still looked good for another year at least. If you would rather not be working down in a hot engine room I would suggest changing it. A new impellor doesn’t guarantee you won’t have a problem while on passage but it does help to minimize the likelihood. 28
February 2015
If you have a question, email us at
editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
Stop the waves slapping
Q Is there any way to muffle the slapping noise of
waves hitting the bow? We sleep in the forward cabin and the noise is sometimes so bad it keeps us awake. Once I even turned the boat around in the night just to get some peace.
A If you do an internet search for ‘wave slap preventer’, you will find many blog and
forum posts discussing this issue. It seems that many people have made their own device to stop the noise, with varying degrees of success, or companies like C&J Marine Ltd have taken a design and put it into production. None of the versions I have seen look easy to deploy, but if they can provide you with a good nights sleep the effort will be worth it. Do let us know how you get on if you decide to buy or make one. I am sure other readers would be interested in hearing the results.
Sportsfisher - single or twin?
Q I am at the early stages of looking for a
new sportsfisher, so much so that I haven’t even narrowed it down to a particular model yet, something I am hoping to do at this year’s London Boat Show. Some of the boats I am thinking of, like the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 855, are available with a choice of single or twin outboards. Going for a single will save a little on the purchase price, so is there really any benefit of choosing the twin option?
A As well as saving you money up front, choosing a single will also save on both
servicing and running costs. It will also offer better performance than two engines providing the same horsepower. The benefits of twins are better maneuverability and, of course, the peace of mind that if one engine breaks down you have another to get you home. If the second engine, as a backup, is important to you, there really is only one option, opt for twins. Personally I find that modern four stroke outboards are so reliable nowadays that I would be happy to go to sea, and even across the channel, in a single engine boat. If I was to buy a single engine version, and I almost certainly would, the one concession that I would make would be to specify a bow thruster, just to make maneuvering that little bit easier. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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CLASSIC CRUISERS
a complete guide to the best boats on the used market
Fairline Targa 40 H ave you outgrown your 35ft sportscruiser? Perhaps you dream of escaping off to the clear, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The Targa 40 might be your perfect boat, and was one of the real success stories for Fairline in the noughties. Over a decade on, not only are these boats still popular, but some of the earliest used versions are now available from a little over ÂŁ100k. In other words you can buy a Targa 40 now for around half the price when new. In 1999, in the wake of the success of the Targa 43, Fairline commissioned naval
architect Bernard Olesinski to design a mid-range, fast 40ft sportscruiser. His brief was to create a luxury 2-cabin, 6-berth boat that would supersede the mid-90’s 38 and 39 models. The boat would not only have to appeal to UK buyers, but to the Mediterranean market too. However, there was a challenge. Like the sister model, the 43, it had to have a tender garage and this was unheard of in a boat of this size at that time. Production began in late 1999 and in matter of months the Targa 40 was unveiled. At the time it was the largest sterndrive powered Targa of the range and
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Built 298 1999 - 2007 Prices then £221,379 (2004) Prices now £110,000 - £220,000 Length 41ft 6in / 12.67m Beam 12ft / 3.66m Draught 3ft 2in / 0.96m Air Draught 13ft 2in / 4.02m Fuel 164 gallons / 746 litres Water 66 gallons / 300 litres Engines KAD44, KAD300, D6 Displacement 7.5 tonnes
sported some very attractive features too, not to mention a huge social, sunseeking cockpit. It was an immediate head-turner and distinctively Fairline, with its sleek, edgy exterior. Fairline built 298 Targa 40’s in 8 years, with the very last boat coming off the production line in June 2007. Why was the boat so successful? We had a look aboard a few examples to find out. Interior You descend steeply into the main accommodation via a sliding centre companionway door and a set of
moulded fibreglass steps. The saloon area immediately oozes luxury, plump upholstery (often leather) with flowing curves and glossy wood, set off by offwhite headlining and light carpet. It’s quite a dark entrance area yet inviting and extremely private. There were two main wood finishes available, the rich and dark American Cherry, which proved the most popular and a lighter coloured Honey Maple. These were gradually phased out in later models, in favour of the neutral tones, walnut and oak. The moulded companionway steps
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The saloon is comfortable and oozes luxury. But watch your step, the companioway is quite steep
are often subject to criticism by owners and we are aware of at least one owner replacing them. There are four curved steps down to the saloon which are quite steep and have to be tackled with care. The top two steps hinge up and conceal a decent sized bin. A useful feature but unfortunately in practice it’s fairly awkward to use, as the steps don’t lift up high enough. A solution maybe to add a hatch stay spring which would at least hold it in position. The saloon dinette is a shallow U-shape with an oval table, adequate for four people dining. When you have more guests to dinner you will find two stools stowed neatly in the outer lockers under the seating. There is further storage under the middle settee sections and overhead there is a flush panel of eye
level lockers. While the curved settee is ideal for dining, it’s perhaps not the best shape for lounging. A square cornered U-shaped settee would offer better lounging capabilities. The saloon dinette converts into an occasional double berth. Unfortunately assembling this is a bit of a procedure, and requires carrying aboard two fairly large components. The Bezenoni table is lifted out of the way (this is not used as an infill). A heavy, metaledged, hinged panel with a leg support fills the void, and a folding infill cushion is placed on top. The galley area to starboard cranks up the modern feel another notch. Its brushed metal surfaces, component concealing worktop and teak flooring are sure to impress. Electric or gas systems were available but we were surprised to
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The galley is practical and stylish. The large fridge is excellent for a family
find only a two-burner hob on this familysized 40 footer. It’s a little bit restricting if you are entertaining down below. However, cooking may be supplemented by use of the electric cockpit griddle, if fitted. The curved worktop has a circular sink and a mirror image shallow drainer. Both are concealed under worktopmatching lift-out covers. It would be advisable to store the sink and hob covers while at sea, to prevent them coming adrift and damaging the floor. Below the worktop there is a huge cupboard, a large fridge with an imposing curved front and a drinks cabinet with a mirrored interior. There is even an area to hang tea towels. Another panel of flush, eye-level cupboards provide further storage for your tea-making essentials, condiments, mugs and crockery. There is a trivet on top of the fridge unit, which is useful for hot saucepans and plates, which lifts out when not in use so you don’t loose valuable worktop space. The boat’s main switch panel is just above the galley worktop and
is protected by a clear plastic lifting panel. There is ample storage on the boat, and this includes a sizeable gas-strutted locker in the saloon floor. Owners tell us this is capable of swallowing up six large plastic storage boxes. Forward of the galley is the boats only toilet compartment, which adjoins the saloon and is also en-suite to the forward master cabin. Inside there is a separate, cylindrical shaped shower cubicle with a revolving door. There is also a sea toilet, an oval sink and two fairly large storage lockers. Notably the locker beneath the sink has a clear front so your spare toilet rolls are on view to the world, which is quite odd. Another unusual feature is how the top mirrored panel above the sink hinges out, revealing a secret integral locker. Check around the frame of the shower cubicle, as often this door can rattle around if it is not locked in position while at sea. It’s also worth checking for leaks or staining in the carpet around the base of the cubicle outside in the saloon.
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The forward master cabin has a 6ft 6in x 5ft 3in double, with steps up either side and plenty of storage
Lift the small hatch just outside the toilet and cabin entrances and you will find the shower tray. We note that the boat has a 66-gallon water tank, which should be sufficient for a couple showering, and also families, if they are careful. The forward master cabin is again impressive. A 6ft 6in by 5ft 3in island
double berth stands proudly central, with steps leading up either side. There is a small wardrobe to port, a door leading to the toilet compartment to starboard and lovely dressing mirror feature on the aft bulkhead. There is plenty of storage with two drawers at the foot of the berth, panelled eye-level cupboards around the The mid cabin is a generous size. It offers two singles or a double
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perimeter and further in-hull storage under the berth itself. The mid cabin is surprisingly spacious. It has two singles, which form a double with an optional infill. There is also a large wardrobe and a small two-seater settee. There is goodseated headroom above the bunks and plenty of room at the foot of the beds to stand and change. Three portholes and a skylight to the dash in the cockpit provide light. The latter was a £602 extra. Another useful and popular option in this cabin was the £542 vanity sink unit. Its removable worktop-matching cover slots in neatly behind and acts as a splashback. The boat’s main electrical panel is located in the mid cabin wardrobe on the port side. Under the aft-most bunk you will find the
2005 £139,950 (featured) Twin Volvo D6 350hp diesels Boats.co.uk 01702 258885 www.boats.co.uk
2002 £149,950 Twin Volvo KAD44 260hp Aspire Boat Sales 01489 572480 www.aspireboatsales.com
2003 £143,500 Twin Volvo KAD300 285hp Burton Waters 01522 567404 www.burtonwaters.co.uk
There is plenty of storage under the sink in the toilet compartment, plus a ‘secret’ vanity locker
2001 £153,750 Twin Volvo KAD44 260 hp Global Yacht Brokers 01202 842439 www.globalyachtbrokers.co.uk
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The tender garage was designed for a 2.7 metre RIB with its outboard attached
water tank, while beneath the other bunk Fairline fitted a 181-litre holding tank as an option. A surveyor recommended examining the hull in these lockers, as stress cracking might be found here if the boat has had a hard life. When aboard there are some more general things to look out for. Over carpets are often used to cover up marks and ‘tired’ areas, so lift these and examine underneath. The glossy wood, particularly on the eye-level cupboards, can turn a little milky on the lower edges. We think this is possibly caused by heat, perhaps if a boat has been used in the Med. It is
If a boat has been used in the Med you may find a factory-fitted passerelle under the cockpit step
also worth checking for staining around the portholes that could indicate leaks and, finally, the blinds have been known to corrode through exposure to saltwater. Diesel heating, air conditioning, a passerelle and generator are some other useful features to look for, as the cost of retro fitting these options can be pricey. On Deck The 40 is often criticized for its narrow sidedecks. We would agree that it is quite awkward getting out past the radar arch, to move forward along the side decks, particularly as the stanchions follow the line of the windscreen and don’t go far enough aft, but this is something you will get used to. The tender garage is a real selling point on this boat. Besides keeping the exterior lines of the boat clean, the garage lifts up without the removal of any cockpit seat cushions, and deploying and recovering a tender, with an engine fitted, is easy. Just imagine having no davits to limbo under, or a tender to restrict access across the bathing platform. However, there is one niggle. The garage is manually operated
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For dining, lounging and socialising, the spacious cockpit will be the area that you will use the most
and can be quite heavy to lift. It is opened and lifted from the handle on the transom. Loading up the large fender locker in the roof of the garage will make it’s operation heavier still. The garage lid is on gas struts, which have been known to weaken or leak through age. Some owners have upgraded these to an electric ram system for ease. The garage was actually designed to accommodate Fairline’s own tender, which is a rebranded Valiant 2.7m (a £1382 extra in 2004). A winch control for pulling a tender up and into position is a useful extra to look for here. We also noted a 12volt cigarette socket just below the winch control, which is very handy if you have an electric inflator for your tender or towable toys. Ensure that there is a prop to hold the garage open, this important component is usually mounted under the garage lid and losing it overboard
is common. Also ensure that the set of rollers for bringing the dinghy aboard are still with the boat. The bathing platform feels small and restrictive with the garage door open, plus the door itself creates a bit of a head-banging hazard. It is definitely something to be wary of, particularly with kids onboard. With limited space, launching and recovery is best completed as a one-man/woman operation. Fairline fitted a cartridge passerelle system as an extra. This is housed under the first step up from the bathing platform. On boats without a passerelle this is a useful long locker, deep enough to store mops, boathooks and deck brushes. Cockpit and helm This is a boat that evokes cockpit living, and there is certainly plenty of space for a family or a couple to spread out and enjoy
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Raymarine navigational kit is fairly standard. It is possible to fit next generation chartplotters
themselves in the sunshine, or undercover. The area feels vast owing to a tall radar arch and the high canopy. At the helm everything falls neatly to hand and the stylish network of dials continue over the companionway door. The single helm seat is on runners and also has a hinged bolster for seated and standing helming positions. If you’re planning to use the boat at sea, navigation kit is an important consideration, as this can be costly to upgrade. A Raymarine RC520 chartplotter together with Raymarine ST60 instrument and ST6000 autopilot was fairly common on this
Check the clear sections of the canopy, as these can go cloudy through exposure to UV
particular model. We do know of one example that had a Raymarine C80, which was then replaced with a Raymarine C120. Opposite the helm is an L-shaped seating area. Some owners suggest that the whole forward cockpit area could do with being a little higher, as this would provide a better view forward, when underway. Behind it is a large U-shaped dinette area, ample for cockpit drinks and dining for eight or more people. Immediately behind the helm seat is a wet bar with a fridge and an optional griddle. Beyond the dinette area is the sunpad area, which can be made larger thanks to a hinging backrest. The transom door is level with the dinette backrest, which is useful for keeping any pets or little ones in the main part of the cockpit. There is a lot of canvas on the Targa 40. Its canopy is a bugbear to many owners, particularly with acres of clear pvc to maintain. Inspect the condition of the canopy carefully as this will prove expensive to replace. It is definitely worth checking the section where the canopy meets the garage, as fitting problems and damage here are common. In
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Olesinski’s hull is striking and extremely capable. Navy hulls will require yearly polishing. Check around the hull and bathing platform for any marks
Britain when the canopy is up 90% of the time, some owners have made their own design adjustments. For instance being able to clip up or roll the front windscreen into the middle is a good feature. Another useful modification is to re-position the zips each side of the garage, which allows it to open without having to undo too much of the canopy. It seems JB Yacht Covers, based on the Hamble, has completed a lot of design and modifications to canopies of several Solent based 40’s. Clear PVC and canopy material can perish in the heat of the sun, so if you are thinking of taking this boat to sunnier climes, such as the Med, a tonneau cover is very useful, the cover can be off in a matter of minutes. However, this does mean you loose the large enclosed area when the temperature drops at night.
services in for regular cleaning tasks might be a consideration.The majority of 40’s have a navy hull. Despite being quite attractive and easier to maintain, very few white hulls exist and these are usually early examples. Olesinski’s medium to deep V hull shape offers planing speeds from mid teens upwards. The boat will run comfortably flat with little or no trim required. However, it will require bow down trim in heavier seas. When it comes to lateral trim, having automatic trim tabs would certainly be useful. With the Volvo electronic controls and a bow thruster fitted as standard, the boat is also very manageable for close quarter manoeuvres. Overall these boats are extremely well built, capable and easy to handle.
Engines Hull and Handling The Targa 40 is powered by twin Volvo When it comes to the hull and exterior, the Penta diesel sterndrives, with a combined Targa 40 is a fair-sized boat to maintain horsepower ranging from 520-800. When and clean. Savings can be made by the model was first introduced in 2000, carrying out yearly hull and maintenance it was fitted with a pair of 6 cylinder, tasks yourself, such as antifouling and 3.6 litre 260hp Volvo KAD44’s. When polishing, while getting professional new these engines offered a top speed of
39
The engines are located aft of a large lazerette area.Working between or above these D6’s might be a bit of a challenge
around 30 knots and a cruising speed of around 27 knots. Soon after, the larger, 35-knot KAD300 285hp option was made available, and proved equally as popular. By 2003 Fairline had introduced the all-new Volvo D series engines to its range, and although these engines are significantly heavier, they took the Targa 40 to new heights in terms of speed. The 40 was made available with twin Volvo D6 310hp giving a 37-knot top speed. Finally, from 2004 onwards, Volvo D6 350hp engines were an option, giving a gutsy 40 knot plus top speed. In 2004 there were four engine price options available. The KAD44 base engine carried a price tag of £221,379, the KAD300 version was £229,326 and the larger D6 310 was £241,639. The boat was also available with twin Volvo 8.1Gi 380hp petrols, but we understand only one of these was built. Today a KAD44 version should give a cruising speed in the region of 25 knots at 3000rpm. Considered by many to be a little underpowered, these versions tend to carry the lowest price on the used market. Equally, if speed is not a problem,
these versions, if they have been well maintained, might be more of a bargain. KAD300 models should offer a higher cruising speed of 26 knots at around 3000rpm, making them slightly more desirable. These are sometimes similarly priced to the D6 310hp versions. The D6 versions should offer a cruising speed of 28 knots. The KAD engines are usually coupled to Volvo Penta DP-E or DPG drive, while the D6 engines run on DPH drives with external steering rams. Be aware that the raw water intakes on the front of the drive legs have very fine holes and could be prone to overheating through fouling or blockages. This is something to inspect when servicing the drives. Running a large, sterndrive, dieselpowered sportscruiser is not going to be cheap. However, you should expect around 40% better economy against an equivalent sized diesel shaftdrive-powered boat. A well-maintained Targa 40 should offer 1.4-1.8mpg economy at cruising speeds. Obviously there is sterndrive maintenance costs to consider, but if you are able to source spares and carry out some of the
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work yourself this will save on labour costs. If you are looking at models with KAD series engines be aware that these 24 valve motors require regular checking and adjustment of the valve clearances to avoid potentially expensive cylinder head damage. This is something that you can do yourself, but you need to be aware when it was last carried out before taking on a pair of these engines. Look for a fully documented service history. Access to the engines is via a long hatch close to the cockpit transom door. This gas-strutted hatch opens from aft and you enter the space via a step and standing on the starboard fuel tank. Immediately you are greeted with lots of usuable lazarette space for fenders or a generator, if fitted. The boat’s batteries are housed in a large fibreglass box on the port side.
The engines are aft in this cavernous space and working around them is tight but doable. There is an inspection hatch in the garage floor, which provides access to the top of the port engine. Conclusion The Targa 40 is a very competant package. It is quick and easy to handle and it offers comfortable accommodation with touches of luxury throughout, not to mention a superb cockpit and excellent tender storage. It does lack a double helm seat and second toilet, and the steep steps to the cockpit are somewhat of a hazard, but overall it is a great choice for a family boat or a couple looking for a bit more space.
Before buying any used boat, always employ the services of a IIMS or a YDSA accredited surveyor and, if you have any doubt about the engines, a separate engine survey by a suitably qualified person is also recommended.
Family Fairline Targa 38 1993-1994
Fairline Targa 39 1994-1997
Prices £80,000-£90,000 Length: 40ft 9in Beam: 12ft This 40ft sterndrive offers two cabins and became known as the Targa 39 in the mid 90’s. Buy one (pictured) 1994 £79,950 www.boatshowrooms.com
Prices £70,000-£100,000 Length: 40ft 9in Beam: 12ft Identical to the previous Targa 38. These are usually powered by KAD42 230hp diesels. Buy one (pictured) 1996 £89,950 www.salternsbrokerage.co.uk
Fairline Targa 43 1997-2005
Prices £135,000 - £180,000 Length: 45ft 1in Beam: 12ft 5in Olesinski’s 45ft shaft drive sportscruiser offers 6 berths, and a larger tender garage. Buy one (pictured) 2004 £139,000 www.ancasta.com
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Littlehampton Guernsey
Once a Victorian seaside resort, Littlehampton has been the source of inspiration to many famous artists and writers. Today its harbour is a useful and charming bolthole awaiting discovery by Claire Frew
T
he West Sussex coastline often passes in a bit of a blur, overlooked and bypassed on trips along the Channel, or to and from the Solent. When it comes to the small port of Littlehampton we think you are really missing out if you choose to cruise on by. Steeped in history this tidal inlet offers very accessible town quay moorings, a beach and a charming town to explore with ample facilities. For smaller boats with a low air draft it also offers exploration of the beautiful South
Downs via the meandering River Arun. Littlehampton dates back to AD43 with Iron Age and Roman settlements found in the area. By the 1670’s Littlehampton had a small town quay, used mainly by fishing boats, with Arundel upstream being the most established port on the River Arun. It wasn’t until the river mouth was re-cut in the 1730’s that Littlehampton became established as a trading port. As a result, several boatyards lined the river, building and repairing the merchant
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February 2015
Destination Littlehampton Town Council
Gosport
LITTLEHAMPTON
Littlehampton Brighton
Eastbourne
Cowes
Salcombe
sailing ships of the time. Soon ships began to favour Littlehampton, over navigating the winding and silting river, and by the 1920’s it had overtaken Arundel. The two main imports were coal from north-east England, and timber from Norway. By the early 19th century sea bathing was fashionable for the well-to-do and Littlehampton had become something of a seaside resort. With the introduction of a cross channel ferry service to Honfleur in Normandy, and a new railway station opening in 1863, tourism boomed. Unfortunately the cross Channel ferry service was short-lived, and operations
were shifted to Newhaven in 1882. Despite this, by the mid 1930’s the seafront was welcoming 250,000 visitors a year from London and beyond. It is said that famous painters and writers such as Byron, Coleridge, Shelley and Constable visited and sought inspiration from the town. In 1944 Littlehampton was a base for a Royal Marine Commando Unit, called the 30 Assault Unit and notably Ian Fleming, the famous author of the James Bond novels, was the senior CO for the unit. Post war there was a decline in trade for the town. However, boat builders such as ARC Marine were constructing wooden
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You will need to be wary of the strong tides and commercial traffic as you approach. Left, the leading light. Below, the entrance channel looking north from the east breakwater
Town Quay Harbour Office
Lighthouse
West Pier
Training Wall
Tide Gauge Leading line 346°
leisure motorboats from 1950, while Osborne Yard built over 100 lifeboats until 1990. In the 1960’s the port became a base for the dredging of seabed sand and shingle, an industry that remains in operation to this day. Bulk carriers are frequent visitors to the port and unload their cargo at Baltic Wharf, just above the footbridge.
Approaches
Access to the harbour is from 3 hours before high water and 2.5 hours after. However, it is recommended, particularly on a first visit, that you arrive on the flood
tide, between half tide and high water. A sand bar extends 600 metres southwards from the end of the West Pier, which is charted at 0.7 metres above chart datum. There is a red, white and black marked tide gauge on the end of the West Pier which, if necessary, can be read using binoculars on a final approach. You can calculate the depth of water over the bar by subtracting 0.9 metres from the height of water indicated. The Harbour Board advise avoiding approaching in strong south to east wind conditions. Despite the winds being predominantly southwesterly, local boaters also recommend that visitors
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February 2015
Destination
LITTLEHAMPTON Sussex By the Sea
The harbours town quay is fringed with attractive modern waterfront homes and a promenade
Visiting and resident boaters are advised to monitor channel 71 (and 16 if possible) when approaching the harbour. If a large commercial vessel is departing the harbour master will announce a temporary closure of the port, this is to avoid these vessels meeting any inbound traffic in the narrow entrance channel. You are advised to hold station outside until the ship has cleared and the port is re-opened. The most regular visitor is the Ben Varrey, a 75-metre bulk carrier that is usually accompanied by a pilot boat. If you have AIS fitted you will be able to track any commercial shipping movements in the harbour. Once you are within the harbour Harbour Board
should avoid entering in any strong onshore wind directions, as a swell can build over the bar. The entrance channel has a pier to the west and a training wall to the east, both have port and starboard beacons at the end, which are lit at night. The training wall is covered at half tide but is marked by a series of green, starboard posts. From seaward the entrance can be identified by a white lighthouse structure and the turreted castle of an adventure park, on the east bank at the harbour mouth. The harbour team recommend a final approach on bearing of 346Âş True. The shallowest point is between the two entrance beacons. Be aware of the cross tide as you approach, as a strong west going tide sets across the entrance from HW-1, therefore favouring the east side as you approach is recommended. Also the tidal current in the harbour can flow up to 5 knots on a rising or falling spring tide. Once parallel with the west pierhead you will find deeper water on the east side of the channel, passing port to port of any departing vessels.
Bulk carriers are still frequent visitors to Littlehampton and unload at Baltic Wharf
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The Littlehampton Harbour Board building overlooks the town quay and has toilet facilities
piers there is a speed limit of 6.5 knots. On the port side there is a series of wooden pile moorings, and the pontoons of the Arun Yacht Club. By contrast, to starboard on the town side, you have the recently constructed seawall and promenade with its small commercial short stay pontoon, which is followed by
the long town quay pontoon overlooked by a series of attractive modern waterfront homes.
Where to moor
If you are looking to stay for a short period, we would recommend berthing alongside the town quay pontoon, as
10m Overnight Berth £26 (3rd night is free) 10m Week Berth £130 (Summer includes 2 nights free) 10m Week Berth £53.60 (Winter) 10m Month Berth £POA 10m Annual Berth (Pier Road) £3,245 Tel: 01903 721215 www.littlehampton.org.uk
Harbour Board
Town Quay
Littlehampton Marina
10m Overnight Berth £28 10m Week POA 10m Annual Berth £3500 Daily/Weekly Boat Park £2.50 per metre Annual Boat Park £230/£250 per metre Tel: 01903 713553 www.littlehamptonmarina.co.uk 46
February 2015
Destination there is excellent access to local facilities, waterfront restaurants and the town centre. There is something special about mooring to a town quay, perhaps it is the feeling of being part of the community. A series of small cafes and restaurants are within stumbling distance, while the High Street is just a 6-minute walk away. The southern section of the town quay pontoon is reserved for visiting boats and is overlooked by a white Harbour Board building. Here you can moor and stay afloat at all states of tide. Be aware that the local boats on the northern tip of this pontoon often dry out at low water. The pontoon is secure with a coded gate. The Harbour Master recommends mooring into the current whenever possible, so we would perhaps suggest having fenders and lines on both sides on entry. Visitors can radio the harbour on VHF channel 71, or simply moor alongside the long town pontoon and report to the Harbour Office. There is a 10% discount on berthing for organised rallies and, in busy summer periods, the town quay is popular with local and cross channel yacht rallies, so you will need to be prepared to raft, or be rafted to. The Harbour Masters told us that booking isn’t usually necessary but we would recommend calling ahead to see
Where to fill up
There is petrol and diesel available at Littlehampton Marina. The marina operates the fuel berth during marina working hours, which are normally 8am-6pm in peak season. You can either moor up and ring the bell for assistance, call up on VHF Channel 80 or call the marina on 01903 713553.
Tides
The standard port for Littlehampton is Shoreham (+/- 10 minutes difference approx). The Littlehampton bar is 0.9 metres above chart datum. The average tidal heights for the harbour: MHWS – 5.9m / MLWS – 0.4m MHWN – 4.4m/ MLWN – 1.7m. Spring range 5.5m / Neap range 2.7m. As a rule of thumb and regardless of springs or neaps, 2½ hrs before HW until 3 hrs after HW there will be at least 3.4m on the tide gauge and so 2.5m over the bar.
Slipways
Harbour Board
Above the footbridge is the commercial bulk carriers dock, Baltic Wharf
LITTLEHAMPTON
There is a public slipway on the east bank of the harbour, in front of the RNLI Lifeboat station. This is accessed by road via Surrey Street (postcode BN17 5AW). Use is free of charge but harbour dues are still applicable and can be paid in advance at the Harbour Office. There is also a pay and display car park on the north side of the lifeboat station. Littlehampton Marina has a large private slipway and charges for use vary from £17-£20 each way. The marina also offers two secure boat parks for longer stays.
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High Street
10 15
Bus Station
14
6
13
5 4
KEY
££
8
7
2
1 Harbour Office & Facilities 2 The Moorings 3 Mussel Row 4 Fred’s Fish & Chips
Cashpoint Chandlery Train Station
12
Fuel Berth 1
5 Harbour Park 6 Littlehampton Marina 7 Littlehampton Museum 8 The Fish Factory 9 Arun Yacht Club 10 Baltic Wharf 11 Nelson Hotel 12 Look and Sea & Harbour Lights
£
3
Footpath
£ C
Facilities, food and a good time are never far away. There is plenty to do for all ages
1
9
2 3 4 11
5
13 The Steam Packet
1
Lidl Food Store
2
Morrisons Food Store
3
Iceland Food Store
4
Sainsburys Food Store
5
Waitrose Food Store Slipway
East Beach
14 Arun View 15 The Boathouse
West Beach
how much space is available and if there are any large rallies expected. There are coded toilet and shower facilities on the ground floor of the Harbour Office and there is a board outside showing the daily weather forecast. If you are looking for a longer stay, moorings can be arranged on the town quay. Alternatively, Littlehampton Marina
Mussel Row on Pier Road serves local seafood
is an option (VHF Channel 80/ 01903 721215), which is on the left bank of the river, up beyond Baltic Wharf and the footbridge. This small 120-berth marina offers moorings with electric, fuel and water. The footbridge swings, and openings can be arranged by contacting the Harbour Master. Note that these must be arranged before 4.30pm the previous day. The bridge clearance at MHWS is 3.6m (based on HW Littlehampton 5.9m), so passage is usually possible for smaller boats. There is a useful height gauge just before the bridge. The marina’s outer pontoons float at all states of the tide, while the pontoons closest to the shore (used by boats of 6 metres or less) dry out. On site there is a large slipway, a restaurant, chandlery and two secure boat parks with launching services for boats up
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February 2015
Destination
LITTLEHAMPTON
Marine Supplies
Viewing tower of the Look and Sea Exhibition. The Harbour Lights cafe is on the ground floor
to 10 metres. Littlehampton’s High Street is just a 10-minute stroll away over the swing bridge and along Bridge Road.
Where to eat & drink
The many eateries of Littlehampton are sure to cater for every taste and budget, from tea rooms to award-winning dining, so you needn’t go far for good food. Fresh fish is a particular speciality of the town. Conveniently there are a variety of small restaurants and fish and chip shops behind the harbour wall in Pier Road. Fishing is still an important industry for the harbour and there are two fish restaurants we can recommend at opposite ends of the spectrum. Freds Fish and Chips is a favourite for the obligatory seafront food feast or, if you are looking for a sit down meal, Mussel Row (01903 715966) is a great choice. As the name suggests, mussels are one of its specialties, but its diverse and locally sourced menu also includes juicy steaks and gourmet burgers. There is also a Thai, a Chinese and a large pub on the corner of the quayside called the Nelson Hotel. If you fancy a treat after tying up, The Moorings is a must. This lovely café serves lunch, light bites,
Marine supplies and services can be found mainly on the west bank of the river. There is Davis’s Yacht Chandlery on Rope Walk (01903 722778). Vantage Marine offers a wide range of services including engine and sterndrive servicing (specialising in Mercruiser and Volvo Penta), chandlery and engine parts, GRP & gelcoat repairs and welding and fabrication (01903 733370). Sussex Boat Shop offers boat repairs, boat transport and marine upholstery (01903 713684). Calor Gas is available from Travis Perkins, in Pier Road.
Food Supplies
Walking from the town quay, the closest supermarket is Lidl on the corner of Pier Road and New Road. There is a small Morrisons and Iceland on Surrey Street, and a larger Sainsburys opposite the town clock at the start of the pedestrianised High Street. There is also a Waitrose on the road called Anchor Springs, which is probably the largest supermarket in town, but is slightly further to walk.
Charts & Pilot Books
• Admiralty SC5605 East Channel Chichester to Ramsgate Chart Folio • Admiralty Chart 5055: English Channel - Newhaven To Calais • Imray C9 Beachy Head to Isle of Wight • Shell Channel Pilot • Reeds Channel Almanac
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Littlehampton Town Council
Blue Flagged East Beach is a great place for families in the summertime
traditional cream teas and homemade cakes in beautiful bone china crockery. The tower of the Look and Sea is a predominant feature of the harbour and it houses the Harbour Lights Café and Bistro Restaurant (01903 718984) on the ground floor. The restaurant is open from 8.30am until 5pm, serving food throughout the day. Rain or shine, who could resist the £7.95 ‘Harbour Full English’? It’s hard to beat. With outside seating overlooking the harbour you can watch the swans gather, and the world go by. Walking further along the waterfront there are two great pubs to choose from.
The Steam Packet (01903 715994) and The Arun View (01903 722335), either side of the swing bridge are highly recommended and serve locally brewed Arundel Gold ale. The Arun View is a particular favourite with the locals and has a large conservatory area with waterfront deck, which is lovely in the summer months. There is also a small mooring available by arrangement. If you are moored at Littlehampton Marina, The Boat House (01903 718261) is recommended. This friendly café is a 15-minute walk from the town quay and is a good choice for families. While out shopping, the town’s High Street has the usual mix of mainstream pubs and coffee shops to choose from. There is also an Italian, a couple of curry houses and a large fish restaurant, called The Fish Factory (01903 715000).
Places to visit
There is a lot to see and do in Littlehampton and nearby. First and foremost there are the beaches. The East Beach has a Blue Flag and is patrolled by There is waterfront dining and local ale to be had at The Arun View inn, next to the footbridge lifeguards in the summer. When the tide 50
February 2015
Destination
Arundel Castle image
goes out beyond the shingle it reveals nice soft sand. If you like walking, West Beach is a wildlife reserve with boardwalks through the dunes. Here you can see the remains of Littlehampton’s Napoleonic Fort and eat in the café during summer months. If you have kids aboard it will be hard for them to resist the large amusement park on the waterfront. Harbour Park is open from early March to mid September. Here there are rides including a log flume and bumper boats, an arcade and many of the usual seafront fairground attractions. Entry is free to the park with tokens or ride wristbands priced from £18. As mentioned earlier, many lifeboats were built at Littlehampton and its lifeboat station is home of the original Blue Peter 1 and D Class (Spirit of Juniper) lifeboats. It is open most days to visitors. Across the road is the Look and Sea Heritage Exhibition. Not only does its viewing tower offer spectacular 360° views over the town and harbour, but displays tell the harbour’s story and, as you ascend
Littlehampton Town Council
The spectacular Arundal Castle is a short bus or taxi ride away
LITTLEHAMPTON
each level, you follow the course of the River Arun. Adult entry is £2 and children £1, which is payable on the ground floor in the tourist information centre. A visit to the gorgeous, neighbouring town of Arundel is a must. If visiting by boat is not an option, you can visit by bus or taxi. The main bus station is in Anchor Springs (outside Waitrose). From here you can catch the number 700 to Arundel, which takes around 26 minutes. You will find the taxi rank outside The Fish Factory. Arundel is absolutely stunning, full of olde-worlde charm with old english pubs, antique shops and tea rooms. It is a
The town of Arundel dates back to tudor times. It was originally a main port on the River Arun
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Image provided by the Harbour Board
River Arun is suitable for smaller motorboats with low air drafts. It is five nautical miles to Arundel
steep climb up the High Street to Arundel Castle but a visit is highly recommended. The castle is an imposing fortress that dates back to the 11th century. There are various tickets available encompassing some or all parts of the castle, priced between £9-£18 for adults and a flat rate of £9 for children. The Littlehampton Museum makes for an interesting visit. Not only is the museum free, it houses in the region of 30,000 objects, charting the history of the town and the harbour. Littlehampton’s High Street has a good
Littlehampton’s pedestrianised High Street
selection of shops for supplies and for the discerning window shopper. A weekly market is held in the precinct every Friday, from 9am to 3pm, where you can buy a wide range of products with stalls selling fresh bread, fruit and veg, fresh meat, clothes, accessories and more.
The River Arun
The beautiful tidal River Arun winds its way up through the South Downs to its head of navigation at Pallingham, covering 53 miles. If you have a small motorboat or trailboat, a visit to Littlehampton would not be complete without a lunchtime stop up river at Arundel. The five nautical mile passage up from Littlehampton town quay should take between 40 minutes to an hour obeying the speed limit. High water tidal differences on the river are Littlehampton +25 minutes at Ford and Littlehampton +50 minutes at Arundel. It is said that leaving an hour before HW Littlehampton and carrying the flood up stream would give you maximum time
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February 2015
Destination to explore. As there are several bridges to traverse, air draft is an important consideration. The two bridges in Littlehampton are 3.6m at MHWS. The next bridge is the Ford Railway Bridge which is 5.9m, followed by Arundel New Bridge which is 5.6m. Stay in the middle of the channel for the deeper water. The mud riverbanks slope steeply, which can make it difficult to see the surroundings as you head up river. There is a small floating visitors pontoon just downstream of the Arundel Old Road Bridge on the port side, which is run by the overlooking café, the Edible Sandwich Company (01903 885969). A stay up to 3 hours is £4, while a maximum of 6 hrs is £8. Overnight mooring is by arrangement and is £15. Extra care should be taken when mooring up and securing your boat due to the strong current. It is possible to reach Pulborough by boat. If you wish to venture further upstream it is worth noting that Arundel Bridge has only 4ft of headroom at high water and the tides produce strong currents in the river so further research, using local knowledge, and good prior planning is essential. The Littlehampton Harbour Master governs the river as far as Arundel Old Bridge, while upstream is maintained by the Canal & River Trust.
LITTLEHAMPTON
Transport
Littlehampton Train station is on Bridge Road. From here Southern Railway and First Great Western operate services to Brighton, Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis, London Bridge and London Victoria, Portsmouth & Southsea and Chichester. From here it takes just under two hours to get to London, 50 mins to Brighton and just over an hour to Portsmouth Harbour.
Weather
Live weather data from Arun Platform Met Office Shipping Forecast Wight Met Office Inshore Waters Forecast - North Foreland to Selsey Bill Live weather data Greenwich Lightship
Distances
Approximate distances in nautical miles from Littlehampton: Brighton 18 miles Shoreham 14 miles Chichester Bar 19 miles Gosport 25 miles Cowes 31 miles Eastbourne 36 miles Fecamp 71 miles Dover 79 miles
Further afield
Brighton, Eastbourne and Solent ports, such as Gosport, Cowes are all within easy reach of Littlehampton. There is also good cross-Channel cruising opportunities, as the French coast is just 70 miles away.
The visitors pontoon and café beyond at Arundel
For more information visit: www.littlehampton.org.uk www.sussexbythesea.com
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tested Remoska In the November issue we gave you details of a cooking device that readers had enthusiastically told us about at the Southampton Boat Show. The Remoska is a mini oven with the heating element in the lid, which will bake, roast, poach or grill. Why are we bringing you details of a cooking pot? The reason is simple, many boats don’t have a proper oven on board to enable you to produce ‘home from home’ cooking. The Remoska solves this with one portable gadget that uses just 400w and produces delicious food in roughly the same time as a conventional oven. All you need on your boat is either shore power or a suitable inverter. The Remoska comes in two sizes, the Standard, which cooks for 2–4, and the 580 Watt Grand, for 6–8 people. We tested the Grand in conjunction with the excellent Remoska recipe book (£9.99). We started simple with jacket potatoes, which turned out superb; golden and crispy on the outside and flaky on the
We tried cooking lots of staple ‘boat grub’ meals, even a ‘one pot’ roast dinner
PRICE from
£149.99
inside. Moving on to some easy to prepare ‘boat grub’, we cooked pizza, meat pies, chips and part baked bread, all of which turned out perfect. We found that items took a few minutes longer to cook than usual, but this could be attributed to us keep lifting the lid to see how things were going. Obviously, the more you lift the lid the slower the cooking time. Progressing onto a couple more adventurous items, we tried some cheese scones and a full blown roast dinner. Although the scones were a little too golden on the top, they were a lovely texture and delicious. The chicken dinner was perfect and all cooked in one pot in a little over an hour. The Grand Remoska is probably too large for the average galley, but the standard size would be perfect. You do have to make Motorboat Owner sure you have plenty “A great alternative of space to rest the lid for boats without down, and as the lid an oven” gets very hot it needs Value 2/5 to be handled with Usability 4/5 care. The Remoska Performance 5/5 comes with its own
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February 2015
All tests in Motorboat Owner are carried out by real boaters in real life situations
sturdy stand to protect your worktop, but we would suggest also using a non-slip mat, to stop it sliding around should the boat rock. The Remoska can also cook ready meals in their oven-proof and foil containers, cakes in loose-bottom baking tins and food wrapped in plastic cooking bags or foil. Being Teflon coated, the pan is extremely easy to clean and the lid only needs a quick wipe over. The Remoska is extremely versatile. It doesn’t come cheap, but if you have no alternative means of providing home cooked food on board, it would make a very practical addition. Cheese scones took 20 minutes to bake, they were absolutely delicious
Contact: Lakeland Ltd www.lakeland.co.uk
Salt-Away
PRICE from
£9.50
Salt is the common enemy for all coastal boats. It dulls brightwork, attacks aluminium, and corrodes the ferrous metals of our engines and exhausts at an alarming rate. SaltAway is a product that, as the name suggests, removes salt. It is sold as a concentrate, a ready to use pump spray at 10% dilution, and a 472ml refillable trigger spray at 20% dilution. You can also buy a hose adapter that will dilute as you go when hosing down boat exteriors. Dilution levels seem a bit complex, anything from 0.5% to 20% depending upon application, so for our test we chose one towards the weaker end of the scale, a 1.5% solution. We started with two vials of salt water (16ml). Into one we added 0.24ml of SaltAway and then into both a mild steel nail. Two weeks later and the results speak for themselves. Despite the concentration of Salt-Away being so weak it is barely perceptible in the water, there was not a trace of rust from the nail. The untreated vial was coloured bright orange from rust. Based on this, a Salt-Away engine flush after use would almost certainly extend the life of heat exchangers, exhaust manifolds and even the engine Motorboat Owner itself on a raw water cooled boat. “A useful product You can rinse your whole boat in the fight against with a diluted solution, or spray corrosion” your fishing tackle with one of the ready mix products after a Value 3/5 Usability 3/5 day on the water. The uses for Performance 5/5 Salt-Away are many. Contact: Salt-Away UK www.salt-away.co.uk
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Motorboat Owner
£1K
CHALLENGE
PROJECT Mayland 16
I
t’s now almost February and the new season is approaching fast. The list of jobs to get Olive ready for our 2015 summer holiday doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter, and this month we had Christmas, the New Year and the small matter of the London Boat Show to fit into our schedule. Having said that, work has progressed and, although not much has been ticked off the jobs list, a couple of things have definitely moved further along the ‘jobs underway’ list. First up is the boat’s new
canopy. Claire has been busy making the large section that goes from the windscreen all the way over the cockpit to the transom. This was made in three parts, using the old cover as a template, and sewn together. We have managed to reuse the Velcro strips from the old canopy to fix the new one to the framework, so that’s a couple of quid saved, and we will also be reusing the zips to make a roll up aft section. As I write, the canopy is being lifted onto the boat for a first fitting, and so far so good. Hopefully next month we’ll
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February 2015
“The old cockpit cushions were too far gone, so we set about making new ones” be able to show you the finished article with windows in place. For my part, my limited spare time has been taken up making the cockpit upholstery. This sounds rather grander that it is, as all there are is a pair of trapezium shaped cushions. The skills learnt from our upholstery course have again been put to good use and the result is a pair of brand new cockpit seat cushions for very little money. Unfortunately the old cushions were too far gone to reuse any part so I had to source new foam, new material and some other consumables. I had no idea just how expensive foam is. I started my search looking for a large sheet that I could cut into the required shape, maybe with some left over for the cabin cushions, but the prices quoted were often eye watering and, if my internet search found a more affordable supplier, the cost of shipping or collecting made it equally unattractive. In the end I found a mail order outlet that would provide the cushions cut to my exact specifications and ship them for a reasonable rate. Cutting foam accurately is not easy so this alone made Foam 2 Go my preferred supplier. The next task was choosing some material. Vinyl would have been the obvious choice, but to keep costs down I instead chose a waterproof fabric from a seller on eBay. The fabric was available in a wide range of colours and is designed to be used for outdoor seating. At just £5.49 for 1.5m2 we could
Claire has been busy making the main part of the black canopy. Here it is at the first fitting. She will be re-using the zips from the old canopy
get enough for both cockpit cushions for under £17. When it came to colour choice we couldn’t ignore the fact that it was available in Olive. Elsewhere I have finally managed to fit the helm seat that I recovered a couple of months back, so things are at least starting to look like they are progressing in the cockpit. Our only other expenditure this month has been some stockinette for the foam, and some Velcro strips for the cushion cover openings. All in all it’s been a cheap month but we have more than made up for that in man hours, with everything being fiddly and time consuming. Next time I get a canopy made, or some cushions re-upholstered, I’ll have a much better understanding of what’s involved and why the bill is the size it is. If anyone wants to have a go at making their own cushions I would thoroughly recommend the one day course run by Hawke House. This is the basics of what we were taught, and how I went about making cushions, but there is much more to it than meets the eye, and so much more to be learnt by attending the course. Find out more at www.hawkehouse.co.uk
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1
Start with a template. We used brown paper and marked the edges, the orientation and any other useful info
4
Next we measured and cut material for the cushion sides. We made them a little narrower than the thickness of the foam plus a seam allowance
7
Once all the bits of material were joined together it was time to bring in the foam. Ours was pre cut, but an electric carving knife makes a great foam cutter if needed
2
We then transferred the pattern onto the material to produce a top and bottom for our cushion. Ensure the template is the right way up
5
We then started stitching it all together . We started by sewing the sides onto the bottom and then adding the top
8
We covered the foam with stockinette to ease fitting and prevent wear. A slit was cut into the foam at each end to poke the stockinette ends into
3
Add a seam allowance to three of the sides and an extra flap of material to make the Velcro enclosure section on the back
6
We sewed in some Velcro to seal our cushion, rather than using a zip. Zips tend to corrode and Velcro is much easier to work with
9
Then it’s just a case of stuffing the foam into the new cover, closing up the Velcro and putting it in place on the boat
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February 2015
Before and after. Below, the vinyl cockpit cushions were torn and had been left out in the weather.The new cushions are made from a waterproof ‘olive’ coloured fabric and 2-inch foam
We originally found Olive’s damaged folding helm seat in the toilet compartment in bits (below). We re-made the seat and back cushions and have now fitted it to the boat
The boat’s steering wheel needs a bit of attention. We have removed it and it is on our list for next month.
Motorboat Owner
£1K
CHALLENGE
This month’s spend
Foam for cushions: £27.71 Stockinette: £2.99 Velcro strips £2.00 Material for cushions: 16.47
Monthly Total £49.17
Total to date: £852.16 Budget remaining: £147.84 Time spent this month 16 hours
Total time to date
60 hours 45 minutes
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Motorboat Owne r
Cruise in C ompa n y
Cruise in Company 2015 Programme
Broaden your horizons Channel Islands & France Cruise 31st May - 13th June Dunkirk & Opal Coast Cruise 2nd - 15th August
C
ruising in company is a fantastic way to broaden your experience and expand your cruising horizons. It also offers great security for those venturing offshore for the first time. Our Cruise in Company team will be there before, during and after each passage, offering a helping hand, advice and assistance whenever it is needed. We also make all of the arrangements for your cruise, leaving you free to just turn up and enjoy your holiday.
Where This year we will be running two Cruises in Company. The first will start in the Solent and will head off across the Channel to the west Cotentin coast of France, and the ports of Cherbourg, Carteret and Granville, and the Channel
Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. The second cruise will start in Ramsgate and, in this 75th anniversary year of the evacuation, will visit Dunkirk and the Opal and Normandy coasts of France, including Bolougne, Dieppe and St Valery en Caux. When The Channel Islands and France cruise will start on the 31st of May, returning on the 13th of June. The Dunkirk and Opal coast cruise will commence on the 2nd of August and return on the 15th of August. Can I come? All subscribers to Motorboat Owner are eligible to sign up. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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February 2015
How much does it cost? Entrance fees are £395 inc VAT per boat regardless of size. There is no limit to the number of people onboard and no hidden costs.
What paperwork will I need? Compulsory paperwork: • Passports for all crew • The boat’s original Part I or SSR registration document • Certificate of boat insurance (at least £2m third-party cover) • Ship’s radio licence • VHF operator’s certificate Recommended: • Proof of the boat’s VAT status • EHIC health cover card • Travel Insurance • Manuals for all on-board systems • Coastguard CG66 registration
What does the entrance fee include? The fee includes all of the planning, admin work and any assistance you require during the trip. By being part of the group we may also be able to negotiate some discounts on berthing and fuel, although this is at the discretion of the harbours visited.
Do I need formal qualifications? Officially no formal RYA qualifications are needed for these cruises. If you have any, such as ICC, CEVNI etc, it is a good idea to bring them with you. Do I have to carry certain equipment? As a minimum, we ask that your boat is equipped to the levels laid out in the RYA publication C8/98 Cruising Yacht Safety. A full list will be sent out with your booking form, but any vessel regularly going to sea should already be equipped to a suitable level. How can I apply? Register your interest at cruise@motorboatowner.co.uk We’ll reply with a booking form, which just needs filling out and returning to us by post.
What is the cancellation policy? Once your booking is confirmed, and payment made, a full refund will be issued as long as the space can be filled. There will be an admin fee of £25, but other than that you will receive a full refund right up until the day of the cruise, as long as we can re-book your place. Our cruises are subject to a minimum number of bookings. We reserve the right to cancel the event if they are undersubscribed. In this event you will receive a full refund.
CRUISING IN COMPANY
Can I bring any boat? We can accept any boat that is capable of making a cross Channel passage, has a safe range of at least 100NM and a cruising speed of at least 16 knots.
How can I find out more? If you have a specific question not answered here, please feel free to email us at cruise@motorboatowner.co.uk or call Claire Frew on 01268 922993 What happens next? There are limited spaces available so please register your interest at cruise@motorboatowner.co.uk as soon as possible. We’ll reserve a space for you pending the return of your completed form and payment. Once this is received your place will be confirmed.
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USED BOAT
SECOND LOOK
Shetland Family 4 1982 ‘Wanderer’
W
e were having a chat in the office the other day about which model of boat has had the longest production run. We didn’t come up with the answer unfortunately, but we did decide that the Shetland Family four must be in with a chance of being in the top five, if not clinching the title. It would also probably win the accolade for most redesigns while keeping the same model name. Launched in 1973 the mark 1 Family Four was tweaked and improved
on a regular basis until the boat that you can still buy today, we make it the mark 8, was launched in 1999. The boat we are looking at here is a mark 4, which were produced between 1982 and 1987. Wanderer’s actual year of build is believed to be 1982, making her one of the earlier mark 4’s. She was originally sold through a dealer in Poole and seems to have spent part of her life in Poole Harbour, judging by the 1993 harbour dues sticker on the window,
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February 2015
FOR SALE
£3,850
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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A complete package for very little money. A few little jobs are required to bring her back to life
before ending up on the Thames. The mark 4 Family Four was rated for an outboard of up to 70hp, but Wanderer is fitted with a Yamaha 15hp two-stroke. This means that she is really only suitable, in current form, for life on a river or very sheltered inshore coastal waters. With this engine expect a top speed of around 8 knots and a cruising speed closer to 6 knots. The engine is electric start but still has the manual rope start in place as well, which is useful if the battery ever goes flat. The engine also still has the tiller attached, which is another useful emergency feature should the steering fail, although the throttle is only controllable from the helm. While the engine is now quite old, it appears to be a 1981 model, these two stroke Yamahas are pretty reliable units. As long as a sea trial throws up no obvious problems it would be safe to assume a good few more years service is still available under the hood. Upgrading Wanderer in the future to something more powerful would be a pretty straightforward operation, so if you wanted to start your boating life on 64
the river and change to estuary or coastal boating later, it would be easy to do without changing boats. A great advantage of a boat like Wanderer is the fact that she comes sitting on her own trailer. As long as you have
The engine is the same age as the boat, but the two-stroke Yamaha is usually a reliable motor
February 2015
some space at home, boating doesn’t get much more affordable than trailing. The trailer doesn’t come with any markings or manufacturers details, and is also devoid of a specification plate. This is not unusual with boats of this age and size but it would be worth looking into the requirements for a trailer to have a plate detailing its capacity before using it on the road. The trailer will also need attention in a couple of other areas too. Being ungalvanized it will need regular painting and treatment to any areas of rust, although at the moment the metalwork appears to be in reasonable condition. The tyres are past their best, both showing signs of perishing and losing air, and the handbrake locking mechanism is seized. The latter could be fixed in five minutes with some oil and a bit of persuasion. The former will take a trip to your local tyre outlet and the removal of around £80 from your wallet. Just make sure that the new tyres are rated for the load being carried. The boat itself will weigh around 600kgs, the engine, fuel, battery and other additions will easily add another 100kg and the trailer will weigh in the region of 200kg. The exterior of the boat is in remarkable condition for its age. The bottom has been recently antifouled, the topsides have been polished and are looking nice and shiny, and the superstructure looks to be in good order. There are some very minor scuffs on the side of the hull, a very small amount of damage to the rubbing strake at the bow and a few old redundant fixtures and fittings on the superstructure that could be removed if you were so inclined. The vinyl canopy is on good condition, but when the time does eventually come for a replacement it’s useful to know that
The handbrake ratchet mechanism needs freeing
you can go onto the Shetland website and simply order a new one, in a variety of colours, straight off the peg. On the transom there is an auxiliary outboard bracket onto which you could bolt a little 3 or 4hp engine to act as an emergency backup. In the cockpit there are a pair of lockers on either side of the outboard well. The starboard one contains a single 12 volt battery and the port one houses the 24 litre portable fuel tank. This area does not appear to be vented or have an overboard drain, which is something that may need looking at. In front of these
The 24-litre portable fuel can is stored in the port locker aft. Check for an overboard vent
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USED BOAT
SECOND LOOK
The helm is quite sparten, a sign of a life on the river but there is space to add kit if needed
two lockers are a pair of long bench seats which look like they have been added by a previous owner. These benches offer lots of additional cockpit seating, some useful storage and, at a push, two extra berths in the cockpit. All of these cushions have been recovered fairly recently and
The canopy is on good order and provides decent headroom for the sub six footer 66
are very serviceable, although they would benefit from a bit of tidying up, as would the cockpit lining. At the helm there is a single folding seat, which could do with recovering as the vinyl is cracked. The helm itself is a bit of a blank canvas with no instrumentation apart from a steering compass. There is enough space to add a VHF and a small GPS if needed. With the canopy up, standing headroom is around 5’10� in the middle of the cockpit, dropping a couple of inches by the helm. The steering and throttle/gear shift all seem to operate freely. Entrance to the cabin is via a bi-folding plywood door with a lift out fibreglass companionway hatch overhead. The door would benefit from a coat of varnish and, for security, some form of locking mechanism would be needed for both.
February 2015
The cabin is quite spacious for such a compact boat. There is some evidence of leaks around the windows and the galley is ready to be recommsioned
Inside the cabin is surprisingly roomy. There is only sitting headroom, but once inside it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. The cabin is largely given over to two V berth bunks. There is a slot-in table to turn this area into a dinette, and the table top drops to turn the bunks into a double. There does not appear to be the required infill cushion on board so this may need to be made from scratch if a double berth is required. On the starboard side aft you’ll find a small galley unit consisting of a sink with manually pumped cold water. The tap is currently not connected to anything, but would only require a bit of pipework and the installation of a small removable
water tank to make this operational. The cupboard underneath the sink is large enough to house the tank with space to spare. Opposite this unit is another square storage unit and this, together with all the under bunk storage, should supply more than enough space for all your bits and bobs. Just in front of the bow cushion is another square box, which would originally have been designed to house a porta potti. It is currently empty but would only take the placement of a potti to bring this facility back into service. There are a few signs of water ingress into the interior, and these look like they are all emanating from the windows. The
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USED BOAT
SECOND LOOK
The additional cockpit lockers add some useful extra storage and seating
Perspex of the windows themselves is still in very good condition, so it shouldn’t be too onerous a task to remove and reseal them. Once this is done some tidying/ replacing of the cabin linings will be in order to bring the boat back up to spec again. The overhead hatch, a usual source of leaks, actually looks to be leak free, which is a bonus. Conclusion Ultimately Wanderer is one level up from our project boat. It’s still a project, but one that you could buy now and be using on the water tomorrow with nothing more than a good clean up. All the work that needs doing could be undertaken while
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Boat Name: Wanderer Make/Model: Shetland Family Four Year: 1982 Engine: 1 x 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke LOA: 17ft 7in / 5.36m Beam: 6ft 10in / 2.08m Displacement: 590kg exc. engine Fuel: 24 litres Water: n/a Clarke and Carter 01621 785600 www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk
SPECIFICATIONS
This locker would have housed a porta potti and is ready to do so again, if required
the boat is in service and at a pace that time, and available funds, allow. As an entry into boating you can’t go far wrong with a little Shetland and Wanderer, if bought for the right money, is a boat you could start with, and move up from, without losing much, if anything, in the process. It may not be the tidiest Family Four out there, but it’s almost certainly the most affordable.
February 2015
English Harbour 27
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February 2015
BOAT TEST
Length (LOA): 8.5m / 28ft 0in Beam: 3.1m / 10ft 2in Displacement: 3800kgs Fuel capacity: 200 litres Water capacity: 230 litres RCD category: B Engine as tested: Single Volvo Penta D2 75hp Saildrive Other Engine options: Volvo Penta D1 30hp Saildrive, Volvo Penta D3 140 or 170hp sterndrive Price from ÂŁ99,950
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F
rom its very first appearance as a drawing on a brochure at the 2014 London Boat Show, we knew the English Harbour 27 was going to be something just a little different from the norm. When we saw it for the first time in the flesh later that year at the Southampton Boat Show, we just knew we had to test it at the earliest opportunity. That opportunity came just before Christmas when boat number one was temporarily based on the Beaulieu River for some sea trials, and we were invited along for a look. They didn’t need to ask twice. With a design team comprising Andrew Woolstenholme, designer for Broom and Hardy, on the hull and Adam Greenwood, ex Fairline director and designer, on the upper decks and interior, the English Harbour 27 was off to a good start before
it even left the drawing board. In just about every way the 27 is different to almost any other boat of this size that I have been on, with an interior that feels lighter and more airy than anything else, features that belie its diminutive size, and a driving experience that, on this river version, was first class. On the subject of versions, the 27 will be available with three drive options. The first, and the one we tested, is with a saildrive coupled to a
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February 2015
“A superbly stylish 27 footer. Everything about this boat feels bigger than you expect”
The aft cockpit provides a great family sized seating and dining area
Volvo Penta D1 30hp or D2 75hp engine, our test boat had the latter. The second is an electric drive system powered by an 11kW motor, and the third is with a Volvo Penta D3 sterndrive of either 140hp or 170hp. The saildrive versions have a deep keel to help protect the prop and provide good tracking at slow speeds. The larger engined version will be fitted with a slightly smaller keel. The semi displacement hull of the 27 lends itself very well to being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. With an electric motor or, with the smaller saildrive, it would make a great river cruiser delivering 5-7 knots. With the larger saildrive it can be put to service as a tidal boat with promised speeds of up to 12 knots. Add one of the larger sterndrive packages and the 27 is turned into a coastal boat capable of speeds of up to 24 knots. Ultimately, wherever you cruise to, there is a 27 Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
perfectly equipped to take you there. Stepping on board through a gap in the bulwark and down onto a teak laid step on either side you immediately notice how stable the hull sits in the water. Even moving from side to side it is hard to get this boat rocking. The Woolstenholme designed semi displacement hull carries lots of buoyancy right out to the chines, ensuring that the boat is less affected by wash than usual. Everything about this boat feels bigger than you would expect on a 27 footer. The side decks, laid with teak effect as standard, are around 23cm wide and extend all around the whole boat, including across the transom. The doors are 46cm wide, as wide as those on a 60ft boat as Adam is keen to point out, and so it goes on. The cockpit is divided in two with the aft half offering U-shaped seating around a nice teak table; a perfect family sized
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alfresco dining area. There is plenty of useful storage within this seating and the floor beneath the table, laid in teak effect along with the rest of the cockpit as standard, lifts to provide access to the engine compartment. On the test boat, with the little Volvo D2, there was ample space to get in and around the engine for checks and maintenance. Even with the larger D3 in here, I can’t see access to the engine being a problem. In the engine room there is also the 190 litre water tank and 40 litre hot water tank, mounted to port to counter the weight of the boats batteries. Just forward of this, where you board the boat, the two teak laid steps house the fuel and battery shut offs on the starboard side and a small rope locker under the port step. In the floor a deep self draining locker has been designed to house six fenders. There are no stays on any of these locker lids, good to stop people falling down them if left open, but inconvenient when storing and retrieving items. In the
An optional cockpit fridge can be fitted beneath the helm seat
back of the helm seat there is a large life raft sized locker and an optional sliding drawer fridge low down. One step up into the forward part of the cockpit and you have a decent double navigator’s seat to port and a generous single helm seat to starboard. The nav seat lifts to reveal a gas locker designed for a pair of 4.5kg bottles or, on an all electric boat, this area can be equipped with a sink and an electric grill adding to the usefulness of this outside living space. In
The gas locker can be turned into a wet bar, with a sink and grill on an all electric boat. The steps incorporate the boat’s electric panel and a pair of rubbish bins 74
February 2015
A very spacious interior for a 27 foot boat with ample light provided by overhead glass panels
front of the nav seat you have a pair of cup holders, a small area for your crew’s bits and bobs and a nice flat area to lay out a chart, although no storage area for them for when not in use. Opposite, the comfortable helm seat slides fore and aft and the dash layout means everything is easy to see, reach and operate. There is room on the dash for a seven inch multi-function display but nowhere obvious to fit a helm mounted VHF set, so a black box model with separate handset may have to be considered. In front of the instrument binnacle is a small chart table that is best viewed when standing at the helm. Four steps lead down into the cabin. These are quite steep and would benefit from a handrail. The bottom two steps lift and here you will find a pair of rubbish Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
bins. The upright between the second and third step contains a Perspex cover, behind which is the boat’s electrics panel. Potentially this cover could be kicked on the way up the steps or left open and trodden on by someone coming down. Either way this looks like a weak point and care is going to be needed to ensure this panel remains undamaged. Once down in the cabin the boat’s tardis like feel doesn’t diminish. This area has the galley to port and the toilet compartment to starboard and comes with well over 6ft headroom. The cabin is one of the lightest and airiest I have ever seen with everything finished in bleached American white oak. This, together with lots of overhead glass and portholes on both sides, means the cabin will never feel dreary. In fact on the cold December
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The mid berth singles pull together to convert to a double if required
doesn’t like it. The galley consists of a two-burner hob with overhead extractor, a large fridge, a single deep sink and a microwave. A sink cover provides extra workspace but is heavy and will need careful storing when the sink is in use. Storage is pretty good too with three units in the galley and some open storage behind. An opening port is perfectly placed above the hob, and the overhead lights, built into the extractor, will make all the difference when cooking at night. Opposite is the toilet compartment and what a space it is. Step inside and you would think you were on a 40 footer with a separate toilet/shower compartment that wouldn’t be out of place on a boat of A practical no-nonsense galley with good facilities that size. The first section is spacious and well appointed with a good sized sink, a and adequate storage
day we were on board, it almost had a summer feel to it, despite the near zero temperatures. The English Harbour guys call this the weathered beach house look and I haven’t found anyone yet who
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February 2015
double cupboard underneath, more storage behind the sink, a towel rail, an extractor fan operated by the lights and two decent mirrors. There is even a flush mounted hook on the back of the door. The one small problem is that there is no frosting on the large porthole, or any blind fitted, so privacy may be an issue. The toilet and shower compartment, separated with a bi-fold door, does have a frosted porthole and is also equipped, as standard, with an electric toilet and thermostatically controlled shower. Back out in the cabin and it’s noticeable that it’s all on one level. There is no step up into the dinette area and no step down into the cabin. The vast headroom of the galley area drops just as you move into the dinette space. I found it dropped just a little too soon as I bumped by head twice on the day but an owner would quickly get used to this and remember to duck just that millisecond earlier when going to sit down. The dinette is huge, you could easily seat six, and the table would be more than adequate for that number too. Light floods in from the skylights above during the day and more than adequate lighting keeps it nice and bright at night too. Behind
The dinette converts into a very generous double Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
The toilet compartment would not be out of place on a much bigger boat
the seats on both sides is a fiddled shelf with a storage cupboard at the aft end, the port one for crockery and the starboard for drinks, and at the pointy end is a nice shelf, deep enough to store pilot books or other reading material. Beneath the dinette seating there are lined storage lockers either side with access to the bow thruster and separate battery at the front. In either end of the seat bases there is a useful sized drawer to provide easy access to some of that under dinette storage. As you would expect, the table drops to turn the dinette into a large double berth of around six foot long and five and a half foot wide. The infill cushions are stored in a shallow locker in the cabin’s flexiteek lined floor. On the starboard side there is a half height hanging
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PERFORMANCE As tested 50% fuel 50% water 2 crew Force 1
RPM
locker with shelf storage above. In the mid cabin there is a dressing area with over six foot standing headroom together with a decent amount of elbow room. Above this a frosted glass panel provides plenty of natural light from the cockpit with a curtain for nocturnal privacy. There are two single berths, each six foot by just over two foot wide which, with a bit of a fiddle, push together to make a double if required. As two singles, the starboard bunk does feel a little hemmed in but, as this is the one doing the sliding, it opens up when used as a double. We are told that future models will be modified to improve this. The mid cabin also has its own half height hanging locker. On deck we have already noted the wide side decks, but it’s worth mentioning that
1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Knots LPH
GPH
MPG
3.8 5.2 6.2 7.7 8.8
0.22 0.55 1.06 1.98 3.96
17.3 9.45 5.85 3.89 2.22
1.0 2.5 4.8 9.0 18.0
Range (nm) 761 415 257 171 97
Noise
58 60 64 70 76
they also come with bulwarks all around, ranging from three inches deep aft, up to eight inches deep forward. The decks have been intentionally designed to remove trip and toe stubbing hazards and as such you will find water and fuel fillers located under lifting sections with spill capture areas and deck drains incorporated. The cleats are all mounted up on the toe rails and the anchor winch is mounted underneath the anchor locker lid. The locker itself is a good size and has a separate area for winch remote control. Our boat wasn’t fitted with the optional bathing platform, and to my mind was better
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Whatever engine option the 27 is fitted with, access should be easy. At the helm, a 7-inch chartplotter display fits perfectly above the engine dials
“It wafts along serenely in almost complete silence, akin to an electric boat” off for it. The lovely flush yacht style lines of the stern would be spoilt, plus it will add a lump to your mooring fee. Another option not fitted but worth mentioning is a GRP hardtop. I haven’t seen any drawings yet but I think this could be a nice feature for the British climate. The boat looks quite tall, but is actually deceptive. The declared air draft of 2.3m, without the radar arch, should mean it has access to most inland waterways. The radar arch, if chosen, can be made to fold as an option. The cockpit can be fully enclosed with an optional canopy which, with a heater outlet in the cockpit, would help to extend your cruising season significantly. The canopy is a bit of a handful but is very flexible in its usage. Whole canopy, whole canopy with sides removed, front half only Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
or just a bimini. It’s all possible. Underway The 27 offers a commanding driving position either seated or standing. With the canopy up there is just under six-foot headroom at the helm, which might limit the taller skipper’s options. On this boat I found the steering wheel a little too close, particularly when standing, but we are told that later models will have it set back a touch. Having the ability to tilt the otherwise vertical steering wheel, might also increase the options for finding a comfortable position when swapping between seated and standing. At slow running speeds, with the engine purring at around 1000rpm, the 27 wafts along silently, almost akin to driving an electric boat, and at an economy that is
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virtually unheard of in boating terms. Bring it up to normal river speeds and you are still only running at 1500rpm for a quiet, refined and still very economical cruise. Finding a stretch of water where we could open up we managed to achieve a maximum of 8.8 knots from the 75hp D2. This is a little way short of the claimed 10 knots, so it is possible that there is a still work to do on propeller selection. The screen offers great protection when seated, although the quite thick join between front and side panel does create a blind spot large enough to lose a rower or similar behind. You just need to remember to bob your head around as you cruise along to ensure nothing is being hidden. A single wiper sweeps a fairly small area of the screen, so in heavy rain visibility will be compromised when looking out over the port bow. I can’t see a second wiper on the options list, but having one added would be very worthwhile.
There is excellent headroom under the canopy. It is in two parts with a useful front bimini section
Underway, the steering is responsive and the boat turns very well, the buoyancy in the hull ensures that turns are almost flat. It’s an easy boat to drive and manoeuvre, although precise slow speed manoeuvering is hindered by a slight kick to starboard when reverse is engaged, and a slow response to steering in reverse. The bow thruster helped overcome these issues and is an option definitely worth considering on the saildrive version of the 27.
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Conclusion The 27 is a very different boat to almost anything else on offer. It has more usable space than it seems possible to cram into a 27 foot hull. The interior is brilliant and that toilet compartment feels like it has been stolen from a 40 footer. On the exterior it has a certain yacht style to it that will almost certainly appeal to those giving up the rag and stick. The saildrive version would make a great river boat and, with the larger engine, will be very capable of estuary and coastal work. We will be very interested to see how the sterndrive package works out in the salty stuff, but with an Andrew Woolstenholme hull I can’t
The 27 makes a great river boat but is also quite at home on the coast
imagine it will anything but superb. If you are in the market for a sub 30-foot family boat, don’t make your buying decision until you have been on the English Harbour 27.
ENQUIRIES: English Harbour Yachts 01832 274114 www.englishharbouryachts.com YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Intercruiser 28 Cabin
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LOA: 8.5m Beam: 3.0m Displacement: 3500kgs Enquiries: Val Wyatt Marine 01189 403211 www.valwyattmarine.co.uk
LOA: 8.7m Beam: 3.05m Displacement: 4700kgs Enquiries: Bushnells 01189 402162 www.bushnells.co.uk
LOA: 8.2m Beam: 2.8m Displacement: 3250kgs Enquiries: Cockwells 01326 377366 duchymotorlaunches.co.uk
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The Dutch built Antaris is another boat ideal for a sedate life on the river but can also achieve a good turn of speed.
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The Duchy has a two berth open plan cabin. What it lacks in accommodation, it more than makes up for in timeless elegance.
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Finnmaster T8
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PENTON HOOK MARINE SALES www.thamesboatsales.co.uk USED BOATS
NEW Sealine S330 £196,800 February delivery. Single Volvo Penta D6 330hp. Lots of extras
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£340,598
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NEW Sealine S380 £257,000 May delivery Twin Volvo Penta D4 Diesels
2012 Fairline Squadron 42 £369,500 Twin Volvo D6 370hp Diesels Leather upholstery, full nav package
2009 Jetten 37AC £155,950 Single Yanmar 75hp Diesel. Great specification
2009/10 Sealine SC35 £154,950 Twin Volvo D4 260hp Diesels Great specifications
2005/06 Sealine S34 £92,500 Twin Volvo KAD32 170hp Diesel Lovely example with low hours
£134,950 1998 Sealine F43 Twin Volvo Penta 370hp Diesels. £134,950. Viewing Recommended
Broom 33 from £82,950 Choice of two. Both fitted with Twin Volvo Penta 200hp Diesels
2008/09 Sealine S25 £42,950 Single Volvo Penta D3 190hp Diesel Well equipped and comfortable
2003 Sealine S28 £54,950 Twin Volvo Penta KAD32 170hp Diesels. Versatile sportscruiser
1989 Fairline Turbo 36 £74,950 Twin Volvo Penta 306hp Diesels. High specification
March Delivery. Huge specification
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1998 Rinker 232
Single Mercruiser Petrols- £9,950 Contact Windsor Racecourse
1985 Fairline Mirage
2x Volvo AQAD30 Diesels - £34,950 Contact Thames & Kennet
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1994 Fairline Targa 28
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1999 Sealine F33
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1998 Sealine F36
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2005 Regal
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Single Volvo Penta Petrol - £39,950 Contact Walton
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Single Suzuki 70hp Outboard - £22,950 Contact Walton
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Seven Superior Marinas Throughout the UK
Single Yanmar 240hp Diesel - £38,950 Contact Walton
1999 Four Winns 258 Vista
Single Volvo 5.7L V8 Petrol - £18,500 Contact Upton
We have over 140 boats to choose from at seven different locations
SCAN HERE to view our boats for sale
www.tingdene.net Pyrford Marina
Tel (01932) 343 275 River Wey, Surrey
Thames & Kennet Marina
Tel (01189) 477 770
River Thames, Caversham
Brundall Bay Marina
Tel (01603) 717 804 Norfolk Broads
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
Walton Marina
Racecourse Marina, Windsor
Walton on Thames
River Thames, Windsor
Tel (01932) 221 689
Tel (01753) 851 717
Upton Marina
Tel (01684) 593 111 Upton upon Severn
Stourport Marina
Tel (01299) 827 082 Stourport on Severn
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Classified
2009 Seaward 25
Superb example of this seaworthy boat. Twin engines. Lots of extras including diesel hob, heating and drying legs. Lying Emsworth includes half tide mooring for next season. Email for full specifications
£84,995
07966 155574 gilbertpark@me.com
Thinking of Salcombe for your boat next year. Probably the cheapest moorings available at £20 per foot April/October. Best for twin keel boats up to 40ft where owners leave the boat for some time before voyages. www.salcombemoorings.co.uk
Motorboat Owner Affordable practical boating
1983 Fairline Turbo 36
1989 Fairline 21 Sprint
£59,950
£11,950
2007 Broom 450
2001 Mayland Topaz
Twin Volvo TAMD60B 235hp Diesels. Excellent sea boat. Cruised extensively. 2 cabins 7 berths. Well cared for example. 0118 947 7770 jo@tingdene.net
Twin Volvo D9 500hp diesels. 6 berths in 3 cabins. Raymarine nav package, 12kw generator, bow thruster, heating, air-con, hydraulic arch. Avon dinghy with 6hp.
£345,000
01636 704022 sales@newark-marina.co.uk
Single Volvo Penta AQ205A 205hp petrol. 4 berths in 2 cabins. New canopy and hob. A great starter boat. Lying Penton Hook Marina 01932 570055 sales@pentonhooksales.co.uk
2010 Tohatsu 50hp outboard, Garmin Fishfinder, Cobra VHF, New canopy and batteries. Just polished and antifouled. Good condition and ready to go. Essex
£6,750
07941 468549
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Ciera sunset
Bayliner Ciera in Lough Erne, N.Ireland SPOTTED! by Marty Monteith
What lies beneath
Sunk boat in Toulon harbour SPOTTED! by Martin Cambridge
The Muppets row
Tender to Kermit called ‘Miss Piggy’ SPOTTED! by Claire Frew
December dusk
Winter boating sunset Windsor Marina SPOTTED! by Lars Klawitter Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
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Owners Directory i Arvor Boat Owners Club
Dawncraft Owners Club & Forum
www.arvorboatowners.co.uk
www.dawncraftowners.com
Atlanta Boat Owners
Electric Boat Association
www.atlantaboats.co.uk
www.electric-boat-association.org.uk
Bavaria Owners’ Association
Elysian Boat Owners
www.bavariaowners.co.uk
www.elysianboats.co.uk
Bayliner Owners Club
Fairey Owners Club
Beneteau Owners’ Association
Fairline Owners Club
www.baylinerownersclub.org
www.beneteau-owners-association.org.uk
www.faireyownersclub.co.uk
www.fairlineownersclub.com
Birchwood Boat Owners Forum
Fjord Club
birchwoodboatowners.myfreeforum.org
www.fjordclub.com
Broom Owners Club
Fletcher Owners Club
www.broomowners.com
Chaparral Boat Owners Forum
forum.chaparralboats.com
Classic Motor Boat Association www.cmba-uk.com
Classic Offshore Powerboat Club www.classicoffshore.com
Cleopatra Owners Club mycleopatra.ning.com
fletcher-boats.co.uk/your-fletcher/owners-club
Freeman Cruisers Forum freemanboats.forumer.com
Freeman Owners Club
www.freemancruisers.com
Freeman Cruisers freeman-cruisers.forumotion.co.uk
Haines Owners Club www.hainesmarine.co.uk/owners.php
Coronet Cruisers
Hampton Safari Boat Club
freespace.virgin.net/simon.sherlock/index.htm
hamptonsafaribc.webplus.net
Cranchi Owners Club & Forum
Hardy Owners Club
cranchiownersclub.com
86
www.hardy-owner.org.uk
February 2015
Mariah Owners Club
Sea Ray Owners Club
www.mariahownersclub.com
www.clubsearay.com
Maxum Owners Club
Sealine Forum
www.maxumownersclub.com
www.sealineforum.co.uk
Microplus Boats
Sealine Owners Club
www.microplus.dk
www.sealineowners.com
Monterey Fourm
Seamaster Club
forums.montereyboats.com
www.seamasterclub.co.uk
Moonraker Owner’s Club
Seaward Owners Club
Nauticus
Shetland Owners Association
www.moonraker.dk/eng_index.htm
www.nauticus.co.uk
Nelson Boat Owners Club
www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk
Nimbus Owners Club UK www.nimbusowners.co.uk
Norman Appreciation Society www.normanboats.co.uk
Princess Owners Club princessownersclub.com
www.seawardboat.com/club.html
www.shetlandowners.co.uk/shetland/
Star Craft Owners Club www.bates-starcraft.co.uk
Sunseeker Owners Club sunseekerownersclub.com
Viking Owners Club
www.vikingowners.org.uk
Warrior Boats Owners Club
www.warriorboatsownersclub.co.uk
Regal Owners Forum www.regalownersforum.com
Relcraft Boaters Group www.relcraftboatersgroup.co.uk
Rinker Owners Club www.rinkerboats.com/owners-club
Owners Club missing?
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editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk
Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd
87
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