Motorboat Owner November 2014 by Digital Marine Media Ltd

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Motorboat NOVEMBER 2014

Owner Affordable practical boating

BOAT TEST

Sargo 28 Explorer PRACTICAL

Watchet l Freeman 23 l Fitting a bowthruster Boating in retirement

Welcome to the November

From the Editor

issue. Winter is just around the corner and we are already hearing stories of boats being lifted, and plans being made for laying up. Our boat has only just been put back in the water, after the initial two weeks on the hard standing back in April turned into something rather longer. We may have missed some of the best boating weather we have seen in a few years, but I

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

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2 October 2013

November 2014

am not going to dwell on it. We will take full advantage of the quiet waters and half empty marinas that winter brings, and keep on boating all the way through. My only regret is that we don’t have any diesel heating on board to allow us the joy of quiet overnight anchorages. So before you take your boat out just consider giving it a go. Typically we get some fantastic periods of high pressure over the winter

months and those places that you avoid in the height of season due to the hordes, you may find you have all to yourself, unless of course we beat you to it. One nation that knows a thing or two about cold weather boating is Finland. This month we bring you a test on a Finnish boat that would make the perfect all year round cruiser, the Sargo 28. In this issue we also have the second part of our practical feature. My bruised and grazed hands are not all I have to show for my efforts, we now have a working bow thruster. We also reveal the latest on our project boat, which is coming along nicely. This series seems to have struck a chord with many readers, and I have heard lots of stories about your own budget projects and restorations, some of which make our £1k pot sound opulent. Please feel free to send us some images and details of your projects, either current or past, we would love to see them.

welcome aboard

The Sargo 28 Explorer, a boat for all seasons. Read the test on page 68

Editor, Neale Byart Advertising: For all brokerage, 01268 922992 display or classified adverts neale@motorboatowner.co.uk 01268 922994 advertising@motorboatowner.co.uk Associate Editor, Claire Frew Subscriptions: 01268 922991 01268 922993 subscriptions@motorboatowner.co.uk claire@motorboatowner.co.uk Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

enjoy the

feel the

LIGHT

SPACE VERSATILITY

discover the

the all

NEW

S330

F380

S380

F450

S450

Contact your local dealer Southern & Eastern England Penton Hook Marine Sales Ltd T: 01932 570055 E: chris@pentonhooksales.co.uk W: www.thamesboatsales.co.uk

www.sealine.com

North of England, Scotland & Wales Shepherds Marine Ltd T: 01539 446004 E: sales@shepherdsmarine.co.uk W: www.shepherdsmarine.co.uk

Mainland Spain Sealine Costa Blanca T: +34 965 708 542 E: mark@sealinecostablanca.com W: www.sealinecostablanca.com

CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2014

p12

PRAC

PRACTICAL

NEWS page 6 INBOX page 10 CUTTING EDGE page 28 Q&A page 36 TESTED page 60

TICAL

REGULARS

ter Fitting a bowthrus

HOW TO

PART 2

2 3

I needed mountin to produce a my bow g platform for fibregl battery. We had ass bearer ed in some s previo usly so 4

Make sur the cor e you choose rec SE40 thr t size fuse. Our uster

in nor NEEDdraws mal use 183A YOU WILL , so 250 A fuse

thruster

bow L ast month we installed the Sealine S28. It

our mechanicals onboard get it working, so is now time to actually at powering, wiring, this month we look all the other aspects battery charging, and ion. to the electrical installat

page 30 Project Boat

Before you big one because much decision, and it’s a on what choice of what follows depends do you run is, you make. The question

I used

Side Pow with a er thrusters main sw come incorp orates itch unit tha t the a fuse and the electronics, battery master switch . I moun ted 6

The nex t where job is to dec to ide contro mount the Make helm ls. Ideally sur be on behind e it is clear it should the and the the thr opposite sid supplie n, ottles so e to d templa using the you can 52m te, drill use un m hole for 8 the con a it trol 9

????????? ????????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ????????? ???????? You now ???????? wires fro need to fee d the contro m the thrust Connect l un er This sou it up to the contro up the helm helm. l, nds November me 2014 and clip screw it in pla was one easy but for ce of the covers on the screw longer to finish the job . At the this part of other end ,

You can also dri G 3mm ULTY RATIN ll the fou mo DIFFIC again usi unting holes, r templa ng the stick-o te as a n guide

ooooo 28

Boating in retirement

TOOLS • Electric drill 7 • 52mm hole saw • 25mm hole saw • 3mm drill bit tool • Hydraulic crimp • Wire cutters • Wire strippers • Sharp Knife • Screwdrivers • Spanners

Choices a start you need to make

Mayland 16

page 62 Practical advice

From the tem plate I down a piece cut of marin e ply and painted down screw to the bearer ed it s

PRACTICAL

Novemb er

2014

Fitting a bowthruster Part 2: Electrics

p20

page 79 Look What I Saw

Readers photos

p50

WATCHET

Destination Guide

MY BOAT

p68

Geoff Holt MBE WetWheels BOAT TEST

p40

Freeman 23

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

Sargo 28 Explorer

NEWS Quagga Mussel Warning

Following the discovery of the invasive Quagga Mussel in the Wraysbury River, joining the River Thames in Surrey, The Green Blue organisation wants to make sure inland and coastal boaters ‘Check Clean and Dry’ their boats and equipment. Jane Swan, from The Green Blue said “The Quagga Mussel is a highly invasive non-native species. It can affect whole ecosystems by filtering out large quantities of nutrients. It also presents a serious biofouling risk by blocking pipes and smothering boat hulls and other structures. Eradication of most invasive species once established outside their usual range is very difficult”. For boaters in the water The Green Blue are encouraging washing off both the anchor and chain before leaving an anchorage. For boats coming out of the water, checks and thorough cleaning must be carried out, particularly before changing locations. Quagga mussels are quite similar to zebra mussels, they are small with a dark brown and light brown stripy shell. They are more rounded than a zebra mussel so when placed on its front it will roll to one side. Quagga mussels also have an undulating (as opposed to a straighter, horizontal) seam between the shells. If you think you may have found a Quagga Mussel, send an email with a photograph and location details to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk To find out more about The Green Blue visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk

Vote for your favourite marina The Yacht Harbour Association (THYA) has announced the launch of its 2015 Marina of the Year Awards. ‘To help improve standards’, Coastal and inland boaters in the UK and abroad have been invited to share their experiences and vote for Largs Yacht Haven their favourite Gold Anchor marina. There are four categories of winners, UK coastal marinas, UK inland marinas, International marinas and superyacht marinas. You can vote online now at www.marinaawards. com and choose from 28 inland and 58 coastal Gold Anchor Marinas. Voting closes on 20th December 2014 and the awards will be presented during the London Boat Show on Thursday 15th January 2015. 6

November 2014

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

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Charge for Cowes Ferry

Foot passengers using the Cowes Floating Bridge Ferry may soon have to pay 50p each way for the privilege. The current chain ferry is over 38 years old and is free to pedestrians, whilst lorries pay £7.60 and cars £2.20. The council plan to install a new ferry by the summer of 2016 and recover costs by imposing the charges. A decision on the proposed charges will be taken in January 2015

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Thames summer lock assistants thanked

Volunteer Environmental Agency lock assistants have been working on the River Thames for four years. The efforts of these volunteers were recognised at a “thank you” celebration and awards ceremony in October, held on board the French Brothers’ The New Queen of the Thames.

NEWS Scotland’s Boat Show success

It is reported that over 13,000 visitors flocked to the 3-day Scotland’s Boat Show 2014 at Kip Marina, Inverclyde (October 10th-12th). At the show there was the latest in marine equipment, live music, luxury and classic cars, a marquee showcasing local crafts, a children’s play area and a farmers market with fresh and organic foods from local suppliers. On the water there were Flyboarding displays from WetJets.co.uk and RYA Scotland hosted a full programme of activities both on and off the water. It is reported that new boat sales totalled over £2 million over the weekend. There was over £15m worth of boats on display and Broom Boats was among the motorboat manufacturers present at the show, with its new 30HT making its debut. Sunseeker also had queues of visitors wanting to look aboard its San Remo 51ft sportscruiser. Designated a ‘Homecoming Scotland 2014 Official Event’ its organisers claim that Scotland’s Boat Show is the largest boat show in Scotland and the third largest in the UK. Scotland’s Boat Show 2015 takes place on the 9th, 10th & 11th of October.

Broads crime crackdown

Norfolk and Suffolk police are cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour on the Broads as they join Broads Authority rangers on patrols. Six Constables were given training by Broads Authority rangers on boat handling, byelaws and water safety during October. PC Paul Bassham of BroadsBeat, said “We’re aiming to be more proactive in preventing crime on the Broads and act as a deterrent while reassuring people of a police presence and offering safety and crime prevention advice. Many criminals are quite brazen and will operate during the day. We ask people to look out for each other and report anything suspicious by ringing 101 quoting project Kraken, or in the event of a crime actually taking place, to ring 999.” There has been a recent spate of thefts at Brundall boatyards in which eight boats were entered and four chart plotters stolen. The Police have urged boat owners to check their boats regularly particularly during the winter, to keep equipment and valuables out of sight, and take serial numbers of outboard engines, phones, iPads, VHF radios and other gadgets.

November 2014

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

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

New RIB for Dorset Police Yacht Haven development begins on the Hamble The Dorset Police marine section, based in Poole Harbour, has just launched its new £54,000 RIB. The 42-knot, four seater Humber Ocean Pro 7.5m named “Flare”, is powered by twin 140hp Suzuki’s and will help police the county’s 89 miles of coastline and 12 miles offshore.

Photo supplied by Suzuki

In early October the first pile was driven in for the creation of the Prince Philip Yacht Haven on the River Hamble. The Royal Southern Yacht Club and its neighbour, the RAF Yacht Club, have joined together for the construction project, which will provide greater flood protection and approximately 70 all-tide, walk-ashore berths for motor and sailing boats. RSrnYC member Geoff Holt MBE, plans to establish ‘WetWheels Hamble’ at the club. Work will be completed by April/May 2015. HAMBLE

SARGO - the new name for Minor Offshore

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SARGO - same awesome boats just a new name What more could you ask for? Marco Marine Limited, Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Hampshire, SO31 4JD Hamble: +44 (0)2380 453245 SEE THE SARGO RANGE Motorboat Owner Digital Marine Media Ltd e:©info@marcomarine.co.uk www.marcomarine.co.uk ON BERTH M234

INBOX STAR LETTER

Fresh water on tap

PRACTICAL

I’d like to say thank you to Motorboat Owner and David Hutchinson for the recent article on how to fit a water filter. I successfully fitted one to our Princess V39 yesterday, with your digital instructions to hand, so we now have er system Fitting a water filt filtered drinking water. I was a bit concerned about the prospect of possibly cracking the Avonite work top as I drilled the hole for the special tap. Fortunately, the tip from Landau to reverse drill slowly, worked a treat. We bought ooooo the kit at the Southampton Boat Show. The salesman had promised to send additional fitting instructions. On my return home last night, I discovered the additional instructions had arrived in yesterday’s post. They were... a copy of the article from Motorboat Owner! Many thanks for giving me the confidence to try. You are welcome on board for a cup of clear tasting tea at any time. Steve Rawle The Editor replies: That’s great Steve, this is just what our practical features are all about. I’m glad that the install went so smoothly, and I’ll definitely take you up on that offer of a cuppa, just make sure you get the biscuits in! contam ina

The un te free, fresh tasting they hav its are also water. ver just nee e no power req y simple to uirement fit, be con unted and som nec water supply ted to, or in ewhere it line wit . The kit which h, for ou r model contains the the filter, is aroun d 14cm tall

HOW TO

INSON d to be DAVID HUTCH can mo

HOW TO IN 12 ST EP

and 17c m in dia bracke meter, t, hoses the dedicated a mounting for fixings inlet and ou tap, a pair of . Yo tlet and some fitt u may nee suitable d existin ings to connecto add to thi s g supply t the filt the ins tallation hoses depend er to the ing type on your bo upon at.

The kit . Ours had the dedica ted NEED tap bu WILL YOUEco t Gener logy al X-1 and supply both the TOOLS X-2 filt if req er ers wit • Screwdiv uired hout, • Electric Drill

rs of mineral D o you carry large containethe water because water when cruising Even worse, are from your tank is tainted? that comes the water you afraid to drink of what it might from your tanks because

• 20mm Hole saw tails 4 • Spanner for hose • Sharp knife

CONSUMABLES • Masking tape s specific • Hose connection to your system

You nee d locatio to find a sui n tab for the with space eno le We fitt caniste r and acc ugh corner ed ours right to the water in of the ess supply cupbo the under pipe ard the will hav sink. Ensur e e filter cha enough spa you 5 ce for nges 6

G contain? DIFFICULTY RATIN were. Large five Well we did, and we Cut int shop bought water o litre containers of If you the water sup galley aboard our are ply. were stowed in the tap, tee using a spe shops, If you an and cruiser AquaVit. are usi off back from thecial to carry Princess 430 motor ho se that and con nect the tap, the col ng an existin with a safe and secure . us expense com provided ongoing These g Th es with water tank kit with d water sup for tha to the treating whilst cruising, e outlet the t tap ply tee and our Despite drinking water supply hose only used is div filter is ythr the but they were Motorboat r liquid, generall we filt er pie ough the filt erted either from the ner © and ashore in the marina, to store, heavy AquaPuOw Digital er, so no con the ceAugust nient Marine is req2014 inconve ome, Media tee the new dedica nected to cumbers uired Ltd ted tap hose tai , or to l of the 12 tap existin g 15

Boat mystery continues In response to your ‘Mystery Boat’ in the Q&A section last month. Birchwood used the name Commodore for many years, the smallest I can find a record of is 22 feet. Could this be one of those? If so it’s British. Thanks for the very interesting magazines, good to see your smiling faces again at Southampton. Graham Nisbet The Editor replies: We initially had the same thought Graham, unfortunately it doesn’t look like any Birchwood we have ever seen, so the mystery remains.

November 2014

email:

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

When is a circle not a circle?

Having just fitted a bow thruster to my Crownline 250CR I was very interested in your article. I feel that you missed one very important issue concerning cutting the holes in the hull. You mentioned that you could also use a jigsaw to do this, as I did, but you should have pointed out that if doing so you need to mark out the hole on the hull in an elliptical shape. The way I did it was to buy a length of 6mm stainless stud, grind a point on one end, and bend it into a u shape at the radius of the required hole. I then drilled a 6.5mm hole through the hull at what would be the center of the tunnel, and repeated this on the opposite side of the hull, and then fed the rod through both holes and proceeded to rotate the rod, thus scribing the hull with the correct shape hole to be cut out with a jigsaw. Mike Leicester The Editor replies: A very good point Mike, and well worth mentioning. I like your method of marking the hull, ingenious.

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Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

HOW TO

Fitting a bow thruster

PART 2

YOU WILL NEED

L ast month we installed the bow thruster

mechanicals onboard our Sealine S28. It is now time to actually get it working, so this month we look at powering, wiring, battery charging, and all the other aspects to the electrical installation.

Choices

Before you start you need to make a decision, and it’s a big one because much of what follows depends on what choice you make. The question is, do you run

TOOLS • Electric drill • 52mm hole saw • 25mm hole saw • 3mm drill bit • Hydraulic crimp tool • Wire cutters • Wire strippers • Sharp Knife • Screwdrivers • Spanners

DIFFICULTY RATING

ooooo

November 2014

your bow thruster form the engine start battery, or do you install a dedicated bow battery? There is of course no right or wrong answer; each has its merits and

pitfalls. We chose to install a dedicated battery in the bow, which adds a little complexity and expense to the job, but it does save effort and money elsewhere.

Why install a bow battery? The biggest single reason is power you should always aim to minimize it demand. Bow thrusters, even small by using correctly rated wires. ones like we have installed, draw lots So back to our example. Our of Amps. The more Amps you draw, thruster is a 2.2kW/12 volt model. To and the longer the cable run, the work out how many Amps it draws ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? thicker the cable needs ???????????????????????? to be. On a you simply divide the Watts by the boat, where the engine start battery is Volts. This gives us an answer of normally somewhere aft, you can end 183Amps. Next you need to know the up requiring some seriously fat, and distance between the bow thruster and therefore seriously expensive, cables to the battery that is going to powering it. deal with the current. Every electrical This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a straight line measurement, wire offers resistance to the current you would need to account for the passing along it. This resistance results route the cable will take, and then in voltage drop, in other words, the double it for the full circuit. On our voltage that reaches the end of the nine metre boat, I calculated that the cable is lower than what went in at cable length would be seven metres the beginning. The loss to resistance one way, or 14 metres for the full is turned into heat and therefore large circuit, once I had taken into account currents, run over long distances on wire that is too thin, results in cables that heat up and can, in a worst case scenario, even catch fire. Even without the fire risk, voltage drop equals poor performance of the thruster, so

If you are fitting a bow battery an AGM one is best as they are spill free and vibration resistant Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

the tortuous route through the bilge the wire would have needed to take. Lastly, you need to define an acceptable voltage drop over the length of the cable. I would advise that for a bow thruster this should be no more than 5%, so if 12.7 volts are going in, you are getting at least 12 volts at the business end. With the current draw, the distance, and the acceptable voltage drop, we can now work out the cable size. The easiest way to do this is to find a cable size calculator on the Internet. You need to find one that is suitable for single core wiring in a 12-volt system, and also be aware that not all calculators are specific about the distance, regarding whether it is one way or the complete circuit. Many will also be American and use American Wire Gauge sizes (AWG) Wire size is a very important issue. Choose a size that will carry the current with minimal voltage drop

rather than our metric system, but again there are plenty of conversion tables to be found on the web. There are also some other parameters to consider, such as ambient temperature, which when running through an engine room will be quite high. I just err on the side of caution when doing these calculations and go at least one size larger, rather than trying to scrimp on cable. My calculations reveal that to safely run our bow thruster from the starter battery in the engine room I would need to use cable of around 90mm2. A quick search online reveals that 14 metres of wire this size will be in the region of £250. Now if you take the same installation, but place a battery very close to the thruster, as I am doing, you end up requiring much smaller cable. With a total cable length of just two metres, the calculations show that I could use cable as small as 15mm2. I chose to upgrade to 25mm2 for a total cable cost of just £10. That’s not to say that there are savings to be made by sticking a battery in the bow, because you obviously have to buy the battery and you need to install some way to charge it. In fact when the sums are done, it is usually slightly more expensive to do it this way, but I have been saved the hassle of threading two very large cables through the boat, I have added power, and I have added some useful weight in the bow, meaning I should need less use of trim tabs to bring the bow down.

November 2014

Charging a bow battery When installing a battery in the bow, you have to decide how you’re going to charge it. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can simply run a couple of small gauge wires from the starter battery to the bow battery for charging purposes. You have to think of a worst case scenario where one or the other battery is dead, which would result in either the thruster or the starter motor trying to draw full power from the other battery. You could get around this by installing wires big enough to deal with the current, but then you might as well not have bothered to install a bow battery in the first place. You could, of course, connect a mains powered battery charger to the bow battery and rely on shorepower charging when you are moored. This would work, as long as you didn’t spend too long away from marinas, but on an extended cruise, without access to mains power, you could soon find your bow battery running flat. What I have chosen to do is add a DC/DC charger in the shape of a

CTEK 250S Dual. This acts like a normal battery charger, but uses another battery as the power source. So with it connected to the starter battery, it will, when the starter battery is receiving a charge itself from either the alternator or the mains charger, charge the bow battery. It can deliver a charging current of up to 20 Amps and produces a five stage charging process just like a smart mains charger. As a bonus, you can connect a solar panel to the D250S and it will also use the current from this to charge the bow battery as well, either in conjunction with the starter battery, or on its own if the starter battery itself if not receiving a charge. CTEK’s 250S Dual is a useful way of charging a bow batttery from the existing battery bank

Enquiries: • Sleipner Motor Ltd sleipner.co.uk • CTEK www.ctek.com

CONSUMABLES • Wire, thick gauge for power supply • Wire, mid size for charging cables • Wire, thin gauge for main switch power supply • Various sized crimp connectors • Self amalgamating tape

NEXT PAGE > Here’s how I completed the electrical installation with a bow battery and DC/DC charging system

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

HOW TO IN 30 STEPS

I produced a mounting platform for a bow battery by creating a cardboard template over the bearers previously glassed in 4

Make sure you choose the correct size fuse. Our SE40 thruster draws 183A in normal use, so I used a 250A fuse 7

You can also drill the four 3mm mounting holes, again using the stick-on template as a guide

From the template I cut down a piece of painted marine ply and screwed it down to the bearers 5

Decide where to mount the helm control. Ideally it should be on the opposite side to the throttles so you can use both together 8

You now need to feed the wires from the control unit up to the helm. This sounds easy but was, for me, one of the longest parts of the job

Side-Power thrusters come with a main switch unit that includes the electronics, a fuse holder and the master battery switch 6

Make sure it is clear behind and then, using the supplied template, drill a 52mm hole for the control unit 9

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

Connect up the helm control and screw it in place. At the other end, the cable simply plugs into the main switch unit

November 2014

There is another wiring loom included in the kit that also connects to the main switch unit and plugs into the thruster

The battery was placed in position, (it will be mounted in a box), and we could begin running the main power cables

Start by removing 1cm of insulation by running a sharp knife around the wire, but be careful not to damage the conductors

The numbers stamped on crimp terminals indicate the cable size and the diameter of the ring. In this case 25mm2 and 10mm

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need a hydraulic crimp tool, which can be hired. Alternatively one like I am using can be bought for about ÂŁ30 on eBay

The hydraulic crimp tool achieves a good mechanical fixing without the need for solder

As I have used black wire for all cable runs, I add some tape to the join, red for the live cables and black or green for the negative

The negative cable is run direct to the thruster, while positive cables take power from the battery to the thruster via the switchgear

This just leaves these two small wires, one positive and one negative. These supply power to the switch unit itself

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

Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

They are connected to the power supply. The positive wire is fused at 5A and can also be switched if required

The protective cover can now be added to the main switch unit. I have taped a spare fuse to the outside so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handy if needed

The CTEK D250S was mounted in the same locker as the switchgear. It should be mounted near to the bow battery if possible

You need to run two wires to connect the starter battery to the DS250S. These needed to be sized at 6mm2 for this installation

When connecting anything direct to a battery it should be fused as close to the power source as possible. I used a 20A fuse

The positive and negative from the aft starter battery are connected to the D250S by running wires through the boat. Again a tricky job

Connect the D250S to the bow battery. 6mm2 cables were suitable for our short run, but 10mm2 is needed for runs over two metres

The D250S comes with a temperature sensor to optimize its charging characteristics. This is fixed to the bow battery

The finished master switch and charging unit. These are out of sight but very accessible in one of the dinette lockers

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

November 2014

The almost finished bow thruster compartment. All that remains is for the battery to be placed in a box, which is on order

The system can now be powered up and tested. Side-Power thrusters auto power down after a few minutes of non-activity

With the engine running, the lights confirm that the bow battery is getting a charge. These lights go out when the engine is stopped

BOW THRUSTER

ENGINE START BATTERY

CTEK D250S DUAL

Wiring is quite simple. We used 2m of 25mm2, 14m of 6mm2 and 1.5m of 1.5mm2

TIME TAKEN

MASTER SWITCH UNIT

BOW BATTERY

HELM CONTROL

PRE-WIRED CABLE ASSEMBLY

The job took me one very long day. About half of this was taken up simply feeding wires from the helm and the engine bay forward. Add this to last months total and you should be able to undertake a complete bow thruster install in three to four days.

COST £ This month I spent the following: Automatic main switch unit £369, helm control £120, battery £175, CTEK D250S Dual £200, fuse £4.99, Side-Power supplied cables £50, miscellaneous cables and connectors £50. This brings the month’s total to £969. Add this to last months spend and the total cost of fitting the bow thruster comes out at £2364. This is a big saving over having one professionally installed, making it well worth the effort.

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Geoff Holt MBE WetWheels

hat if one event changed your life forever? What if your boating or even your complete way of life was compromised? This is a reality that Geoff Holt has faced, but did it stop him going out on the water? No, and there hasn’t been any stopping him since. We joined Geoff aboard his boat WetWheels at the PSP Southampton Boat Show to find out more. Geoff ’s boating life began at the tender

age of 7 in a sailing dinghy. He grew up in a boating family, his stepfather was a keen sailor and he recalls many happy family holidays messing about on the River Hamble. Geoff ’s passion for sailing grew, and by the age of 16 he was crewing on board large charter boats. He quickly notched up three Atlantic crossings. In 1984, after just getting a job on board a charter yacht in the British Virgin Islands, his life was to change forever. On

November 2014

a hot sunny day at Cane Garden Bay, Geoff ran down the beach into the turquoise shallows and dived in. His head hit the sandy bottom and the force broke his neck. He was left paralysed from the chest down at the age of 18. Geoff was flown back to the UK and spent over a year in hospital. He had some movement in his hands but now faced life in a wheelchair ad thought “it was the end of his life on the water from that moment”. During his Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

MY BOAT

“There are countless opportunities for disabled people to go sailing but very few to go out on a powerboat”

time in hospital there was a significant and saving grace. He met and fell in love with his nurse. Geoff and Elaine have now been happily married for 27 years. It wasn’t until 1991, 7 years after the accident, that he became acquainted with the water again. He was introduced to a specially adapted 15ft trimaran dinghy, called a Challenger Trimaran. From that point he never looked back and many achievements were to follow. Geoff ’s

Geoff aboard his Challenger Trimaran ‘Freethinker’ at the beginning of his round Britain attempt

trimaran was called Freethinker and in 1992, a determined Geoff became the first disabled person to sail single-handed around the Isle of Wight. Inspired to help others in the same predicament, in 1995 he established RYA Sailability, of which he was chairman for 6 years. In 2007 he became the first disabled person to sail single-handed around Great Britain in his 15ft trimaran. In the winter of 2009/10 he sailed 2,700 miles across the Atlantic in a 60ft Catarmaran, aptly named Impossible

Dream, a journey that saw him return to Cane Garden Bay, 25 years after his accident. We asked him if it was a sad occasion. “No, it was a celebration” he replied. Later he was awarded an MBE and was made ‘Yachtsman of the Year’. During this time he also spent 15 years working for marketing company Deloitte “which allowed me to carry on with my hobby” he said. Not only was he determined for others to experience the joys of being out on the water, he also wanted “to empower Geoff and his son Timothy on board his Pioner Multi, called ‘Jaffa’

November 2014

MY BOAT ‘Liberty’, Geoff ’s Nabb 23 with a Suzuki 90hp

people and change people’s perceptions of the disabled”. Although he is ‘a yachtsman through and through’, he admits “motorboats give me a rush, there is no waiting about in the elements for sails to go up and fill, it is instant”. Also a keen fisherman Geoff said “the dinghies did not allow me to go offshore so I’ve always had a motorboat to go fishing in the Solent”. The motorboats he had owned up until that point included

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

a Pioner Multi, he named it Jaffa due to its bright orange polyethylene exterior. It had a drop down bow which Geoff admits he didn’t use, as he preferred to wheel himself into the bow of the boat backwards off the pontoon, a scary manoeuvere which he said he often did with his eyes shut. Jaffa was powered by a 20hp outboard “it planed, just about, at its 12 knots maximum speed on flat water, so long as there were only two of you in the boat and

WetWheels was built in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Twin Suzuki 300hp outboards give 35 knots

one of you was hanging over the bow” he said. His next boat was a Nabb 23 Dory, powered by a 90hp Suzuki, capable of speeds of up to 26 knots. It was called Liberty and Geoff produced the smart artwork for the name, which he was very proud of. While he could happily singlehand both boats, they lacked protection from the elements and weren’t really suitable for the Solent chop. He also wanted to be able to take friends with him and venture out to mid-Channel wrecks for fishing. At the 2010 Southampton Boat Show he was commissioned to write up a group

A thumbs up from Geoff at the Cheetah factory

of motorboats in terms of accessibility. Among them was an outboard powered motor catamaran with an enclosed wheelhouse, built by Cheetah Marine on the Isle of Wight. It seems it was love at first sight but sadly he could not afford it, and said as much in the feature. In his blog for that day entitled ‘Dirty Secret’ he admitted to liking powerboats and wrote “from my research, I think it has to be a catamaran for me, purely from a stability point of view. It must also have full weather protection. Of course, I’m talking myself into a Cheetah Catamaran but I always did have champagne tastes with lemonade pockets.” Shortly afterwards Cheetah Marine contacted Geoff and invited him to visit the factory in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. They said that if Geoff could source two outboard engines they could come to an arrangement on the price. The company agreed to build him a boat at cost. Geoff wanted a 9-metre size catarmaran with a semi-enclosed wheelhouse. Cheetah Marine were used

November 2014

MY BOAT

to building custom boats, and designer Sean Strevens said “we have built several Cheetahs for the disabled, but Geoff ’s boat is the largest to be driven by a wheelchair user carrying other wheelchairs”. Geoff said “she was conceived, designed and built specifically so I could captain her from my wheelchair. Key design features included a side-opening door, wide enough for my wheelchair to access via a ramp from the pontoon, and a raised steering and navigation area so I can skipper the vessel in comfort and safety. As I also wanted to take friends and family

out, regardless of disability, I installed a number of tie-down points for wheelchairs and touch-sensitive steering so that others may share the enjoyment I get from being on the water.” He admits as a young child, he didn’t like sharing his toys. “As I got older, I came to realise that you can get just as much enjoyment watching others enjoying your treasured possessions.” Geoff realised quickly that his friends and disabled passengers “were not able to write cheques for the fuel” but he was still very keen for others to enjoy the boat. For Geoff the two key points of the project

Geoff and other electric wheelchair users are able to board the boat via a ramp and position themselves at the helm. Touch sensitive steering was installed for those with limited hand mobility Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Mission accomplished, the WetWheels effect. Happy faces as the boat is unleashed at 25 knots

were, people need to have access to the water, and they need to be able to drive the boat. “There are countless opportunities for disabled people to go sailing but very few to go out on a powerboat” he said. Geoff paid in the region of £90,000 for the boat, which would normally have cost £155,000. Outboard manufacturer Suzuki was quick to come on board as sponsors and supplied two 300hp outboards on permanent loan, engines that would normally cost in the region of £25,000 each. Raymarine also came in as sponsor, equipping the boat with the latest in navigational equipment. The boat was named WetWheels and it was launched three years ago at the 2011 Southampton Boat Show. The WetWheels Foundation was set up as a Community Interest Company (a CIC is a special type of limited company which exists only to benefit the community). So where did the name WetWheels come

from? Well Geoff ’s nickname was always ‘Skids’. However, at his Rotary Club his nickname was ‘WetWheels’. A name that not only embodies him but represents what he is giving to the disadvantaged. WetWheels is based at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and, through donations and fund raising, it can take groups of up to 10 for a day out on the water. The boat is out most days during the summer and is run by Geoff ’s friendly team, qualified skipper Keith Plumridge and WetWheels Office Manager Karen Read. Geoff, who now does a lot of public speaking gets out on the trips whenever he can. The boat is also available for RYA Powerboat Level 2 training, as well as fishing trips and oneto-one mentoring sessions. This year alone the boat has racked up 1000 trips. It most notably took part in the Queens Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012 and attends annual events, such as the Dartmouth Regatta. The boat has an extremely spacious

November 2014

MY BOAT The WetWheels team invite local community care homes and schools out on the water

deep cockpit utilising all of the 3.7m beam. Its wheelhouse has a helm ramp to accommodate wheelchairs and an L-shaped bench seat on the port side. With the twin 300hp engines the boat has “as much power as a Ferrari” Geoff jokes. It’s extremely nimble with a top speed of 35 knots, and a comfortable cruising speed of 25-27 knots. The catamaran hull is stable, solid and very capable. Geoff really believes that there should be some medical research conducted into why boating is so stimulating, “we are only scratching the surface” he said. We went out on several 30-minute trips during the 10-day PSP Southampton Boat Show, which included groups of elderly as well as young children with disabilities. We saw instantly why he thinks this. What WetWheels provides is beyond a sensory experience. It has the power to light up the face of a person who cannot see nor hear. Perhaps it is the feeling of the wind across their face or just the acceleration. It is phenomenal. Geoff surmises “Often people are nervous of what to expect when Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

boarding Wetwheels but, within minutes, everyone, regardless of ability, is grinning from ear to ear. It is contagious. Behind every trip we make, there is a story worthy of its own page”. So what’s next for WetWheels? Since WetWheels was launched in 2011, an identical boat, WetWheels Jersey has been successfully set up and is now operating independently out of St Helier. Geoff is also looking into opportunities to create new boats so “watch this space” he said. Geoff and his team are an inspiration. Long may it continue.

Meet the WetWheels team. Skipper Keith Plumridge and Office Manager Karen Read

CUTTING Raymarine CP200

Boaters with Lighthouse II powered Raymarine displays can now add CHIRP side scanning sonar capability with the new CP200 SideVision. The CP200 uses a unique multi angle transducer, that allows optimum performance at various depths. Price £474 www.raymarine.com

MagicEzy

Frustrated with the time and mess when fixing fibreglass damage on your boat? Australian company MagicEzy claim its products can do it in seconds. It has developed a range of all-in-one, coloured gelcoat repair products that can fix damage quickly and simply. The range includes a 9 Second Chip Fix for chips, gouges and scrapes, and a Hairline Fix, which seals and colours stress cracks and crazing. Both are available in 11 different colours. Price £19.99 www.onwardtrading.com

Zhik Hydrobase

If you plan to boat right through the winter, you’ll need to think about getting a really good base layer. Hydrobase, from Zhik, uses Super Thermal technology to offer superior moisture management. The result is a lightweight, flexible, warm and dry under layer that helps to regulate body temperature. Worn on its own it even provides UV protection. Price £79 www.zhik.com

November 2014

the latest boating gear and technology

Remoska

Fancy hot winter stews afloat this winter? Introducing the Remoska, a one pot electric cooker which was invented by the Czechs over 60 years ago. It draws only 400 watts, so it can be used on boats with shorepower or even with a suitable inverter. It can be used to make casseroles, pasta bakes, pies, roasted meats and vegetables. Price from £149.99 www.lakeland.co.uk

Quba iCases

Looking for a nautical gift for your loved one this Christmas? Quba has introduced this stylish range of canvas and sailcloth cases for protecting your Apple iPhone and iPad.

Cotton canvas iPad case £29 Cotton canvas iPad Mini case £25 Sailcloth iPhone 5th Generation cover £15 www.quba.com

Icom IC-M400BB

Kru Lifejacket Ocean Safety’s excellent Kru range of lifejackets have been redesigned and relaunched. The range includes Kru XS, Kru Sport Pro, Kru Professional and Kru Commodore and feature stronger fabrics and an attachment point for a Kannad R10 AIS locator beacon. Price from £45 www.oceansafety.com

Icom has launched a new dual station black box VHF. The IC-M400B uses a Commandmic at each helm, so is perfect for boats where dashboard space is tight. The mics are removable to prevent theft and can be mounted up to 18 metres from the black box by using extension cables. Price £662.50 www.icomuk.co.uk

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Motorboat Owner

£1K

CHALLENGE

PROJECT Mayland 16

he month started with an urgent hunt for a replacement outboard, after the first one that we bought turned out to be irreparable. Back on eBay I quickly found another Johnson 20hp two stroke long shaft. This one had a starting bid of £200 and was, by all accounts, in perfect running order. It was also significantly newer than the previous motor, being 1987 compared to 1973. I reasoned that another Johnson would mean we should be able to amalgamate the throttle and shift controls and fuel tank

from the first engine much easier than if we went for a different make, so a bid was placed and I watched as the auction closed, poised with a slightly higher bid ready to snipe if someone else came along. In the end I was quite surprised to find no other bids, as was the seller who explained to me when I was picking it up that he thought it would fetch around £300. Back home I was very eager to rig it up and make sure it was running. Sure enough, after a couple of pulls on the starter, it fired up and was running like a

November 2014

“The first engine was irreparable so we found another Johnson for £200” dream, well a smoky smelly dream, but that’s two-stroke for you. This new engine was tiller controlled, so the first job was to remove the tiller handle. This was as simple as unbolting it, disconnecting the throttle cable and cutting the kill cord wires. The new engine was then mounted onto the transom, bolted up tight and the newly overhauled engine controls were fixed at the helm. What I had to do now was connect the two together, which meant working out how to turn this engine into a remote controlled version without spending much, or any, money. On the engine, next to the gear selector, there was already a mount for a shift cable. Although this was home made, damaged and therefore no use, I could at least use one of the mounting holes to fix a bracket from

We bought this Mayland 16 for £450. It has been named ‘Olive’ after the original gelcoat colour

the old engine. I drilled a couple more holes through the engine casing so that I could fix it on more securely and once done, the cable, which is slightly longer than required, was connected. Testing confirmed that I had achieved a good gear selection response from the helm. Next it was time to look at the throttle. Again, it looked like a homemade bracket had been added to the throttle linkage under the hood at some point. I could use this to attach the business end of the throttle cable. No doubt this engine had been run on remotes in a previous life. Using the second bracket from the old

Old cable mounts were removed and the brackets were swapped over from the broken engine Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

The old pulley and cable steering system has seen better days. The cable had lost its plastic costing in places and the fixing clamps at the engine end were rusty and crunbling away

engine I managed to find a way of securely fixing the body of the throttle cable to the engine casing using Heath Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best methods. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit rough and ready, but the most important thing is that it is safe and secure and testing confirms that it works very well. Next it was time to turn my attention to the steering. This boat came with the old cable and pulley system that was so popular back in the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Despite warnings of doom from people trying to sell me

an upgrade to something more modern, I decided that budgets meant I has to stick with what we had. Certainly, with anything more than 20hp on tap I would probably have gone for the upgrade, but decided instead to make what was already there as safe and reliable as possible. Clearly the system was old, and looking at the cable it was kinked, corroded, and even missing some of its plastic sheath where it would be running on the pulleys. The clamps at the engine end were rusty to

Some new cable and clamps were sourced, and the steering was overhauled 32

November 2014

At the engine end, a steering bracket was fabricated from an old piece of stainless steel

the point of imminent failure. Back on the internet I managed to source nine metres of replacement plastic covered stainless steel cable and a couple of galvanised clamps for less than ÂŁ20. The steering drum at the helm, and the bottle screws, springs and shackles at the engine end, are all serviceable and have been retained. Just one final conundrum, how was I going to connect the steering cables to the engine? A bit of online research led me to OMC part number 0123012. This was the bracket designed to fit this engine if it was to be used with a cable and pulley steering system. I managed to find it available in the US, but postage costs were prohibitive and many of the dealers were simply not allowed to ship into other territories. Unfortunately, no one that I spoke to in the UK seemed able to source the part, as it was no longer available. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and, with the part being quite simple, I used an old off-cut of stainless steel plate and made a suitable bracket. This was fixed to the engine using the designated fixing points and the steering system was duly attached. With the cables tensioned the steering was tested and everything is working fine. I have run some dual core electrical cable from the helm controls to the engine and

connected these up to make the kill cord operational. The cable was from the wiring that was ripped out at the beginning, so came at no cost. I will probably need to drill two new holes in the bracket at some point. The cables currently foul the engine at full lock, but I have enough spare metal in my bracket to move them further away when I get time. This aside, I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to say that the propulsion side of things is pretty much finished. Elsewhere this month, Claire has started sprucing up the interior. More turquoise paint is being covered up, this time we have been using white bilge paint from Premier Marine Paints that we picked up

Our recently overhauled throttle and shift box was mounted and connected up

Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

at the Southampton Boat Show. Like the paint we used in the cockpit, this provides good single coat coverage and a bright and shiny wipe down surface. Best of all, it was only £12.50 a litre at the show. Last month I mentioned that we were thinking about, and looking at starting on the boat’s canopy. This has progressed a little, although not as much as I would have liked. We started by laying out the cover that came with the boat. This is completely unserviceable and way beyond repair, but it will be very useful as a template and for working out how much material we need. After measuring what we had, we decided that 10 metres of material, that seems to typically come in rolls that are 1.5 metres wide, would be enough to reproduce the cover. Obviously we will need some windows and 3m2 of transparent material should be plenty to provide windows in the side and back sections of at least the size that were already there. Good quality canopy fabric is around £20 per metre, which would mean we would be facing a bill of over £200 in material alone for our canopy. Clearly we would need a cheaper alternative, so we started looking at other types of outdoor waterproof fabrics and requested a few samples from various suppliers. We found a lovely range of colours from a company selling outdoor bean bag fabric, but unfortunately, when the samples arrived, we realised that they were simply too lightweight for a boat canopy. The same company, called I Want Fabric, also sold different grades of transparent PVC material for windows, and we also requested some samples of these. One of them was perfect for our canopy. It was UV, cold, crack and fire resistant

Claire has been painting over the bright turquiose interior with white bilge paint

and, at under £14 for what we need, very inexpensive. Back on the hunt for canopy material, we stumbled across a supplier called Fabrics 2 Cover on Amazon. They were selling a black heavy-duty waterproof polyester canvas fabric at just £5.49 per metre. The sample has arrived and it certainly looks tough enough for the job. We have ordered 10 metres and are awaiting its arrival, together with the clear PVC. To keep costs down, our plan is to try and reuse as much of the hardware from the old canopy as possible. The zips appear to be in good order, and even the Velcro that holds the canopy to the framework looks reusable. I’m reliably informed that we already have some suitable rot proof thread in our stores, so hopefully all we’ll need to add to this is the

November 2014

Measuring up the tatty old canopy. We are planning to use this as a template

We sourced fabric samples from waterproof bean bag material to Cordura. Then there was the colour to decide on. What colour canopy for a green boat?

cost of a few fixings. While the budget has been shrinking at quite an alarming rate, we had a bit of good news, money wise, this month. I was introduced to someone who was looking for a new gearbox for their old 20hp Johnson. Once I explained what I had available, he made me on offer of £75 for the whole engine. His reasoning is that the gearbox was going to cost around £40, and having a spare cowling, carburettor, set of coils and any other bits that were still serviceable was well worth another £35. We both went away very happy. Next month it is looking like it’s going to be all about needles and threads. Hopefully the canopy material will arrive any day, so we can get started on that, but we have also both enrolled on a boat upholstery course. Claire is already quite handy with a sewing machine, but I haven’t ever really progressed much beyond my Cub Scout home help badge,

which involved sewing a button onto a shirt. The course is run by Hawke House in Gosport and sounds ideal for anyone contemplating doing his or her own upholstery. We’ll let you know how the course goes and how we have progressed with canopies and cushions next month.

Motorboat Owner

£1K

CHALLENGE

This month’s spend

20hp Johnson £200 Bilge paint £12.50 9m steering cable £17.46 Steering cable clamps £2.20

Monthly Total £232.16 Less the sale of the old engine £75.00 Updated Monthly Total: £157.16

Total to date: £703.95 Budget remaining: £296.05 Time spent this month

11 hours 30 minutes

Total time to date

28 hours 15 minutes

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Q&A

Your Questions Answered

What RCD category should I go for?

Q I am looking to buy a boat of around 7 to 9 metres for costal and occasional cross Channel passages. Some of the boats I have looked at have been RCD category C, while others, that seem much the same in terms of size, style and design are category B. Is it really the case that the Category B boats would be ok for a cross Channel passage but the category C boats wouldn’t?

A RCD categories can be a bit of a misnomer. While an A category boat is usually

built to standards that will allow ocean passages, and D category boats are usually fairly obviously only suited to inland and sheltered coastal waters, category B and C boats at the size you are looking at are not usually very different. The RCD regulatons state that category C boats are designed for conditions up to force 6 with seas up to 2 metres while category B are designed for up to force 8 and 4 metres. Personally I wouldn’t want to be doing a cross Channel passage on any boat in a force 8 with 4 metre seas, even a category A one. Buy the boat that you like and, regardless if its C or B category, only take it across the Channel when conditions allow. For a boat in the 7-9 metre range I would suggest that this is when the wind is force 3 or less, and wave height quite a bit less than 1 metre. Anything more and it won’t be fun, and there really is no point in going boating if you are not enjoying it.

Plastic windscreen replacement

Q I have a small fishing boat that I use in and around the Wash. It has a curved plastic front windscreen which is cracked, crazed and ready for replacement. I don’t know the make of the boat, but as it’s from the 1970’s they are almost certainly no longer around. Who can I go to for a replacement screen?

A I suggest you have a word with Littleport Boat Haven. They specialise in boat

windows and can make a replacement curved screen using your existing one as a template. You can speak to them on 01223 655428 www.littleportboathaven.co.uk 36

November 2014

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Volvo AQD32 performance

Q I am looking to buy a Fairline Phantom 32 fitted with twin Volvo AQD32’s. What sort of performance can I expect out of this boat and what are the availability of spares for an engine of this age?

A The 106hp AQD32 was an Indenor engine, a subsidiary of Peugeot. The six cylinder units are simple to maintain and service parts should be widely available. Where you may have trouble is sourcing larger components of the engine. Things like cylinder heads, which can be damaged through overheating, and water pumps can be very difficult to find. With only 212hp on tap, I doubt you’ll get much more than about 18 knots out of the boat in question, and its realistic cruising speed will be in the region of about 14 knots.

Do I need to antifoul?

Q My Quayline normally lives on a trailer but I

am planning to launch it and leave it in the water for the last two to three months of the season to save the hassle of towing and launching, as we hope to try and use it almost every weekend. The hull isn’t antifouled and I’d rather not paint it, but will it be ok for up to three months. I am thinking of somewhere like Torquay or Brixham.

A Fouling severity varies from year to year but the latter part of the season is

when the water is at its warmest, and marine growth tends to flourish. In three months I have seen boats that were antifouled become so fouled that they could no longer get up on the plane, so there is a real risk of your hull ending up with heavy fouling. Why not find somewhere that will store the boat on the trailer for you, many marinas or boatyards even offer a launching and recovery service. Alternatively maybe look for a dry stack berth, Blackness Marine on the River Dart offer this service, as does Plymouth Yacht Haven, a bit further west. If you really want to leave it in the water without antifoul then you may have to accept the possibility of heavy fouling and a significant loss of performance, unless you can find a way of giving the hull a regular scrub. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Q&A

Your Questions Answered

Intruder alarm

Q My boat recently got broken into on its

riverside mooring. Nothing of any value was taken but the damage that was done getting in will cost quite a bit to repair. If the saloon doors are alarmed, it still wouldn’t sound until the damage was done. What I want is something that will scare of any intruder before they get that far. Do you have any ideas?

A If you go into our back issues and download the May 2014 issue you can read

about our installation of a Boat Warden security system. Not only is this a very comprehensive alarm, it also has the ability to add on such things as a canvas snap switch that detects if someone undoes the canopy, or magnetic reed switches that you could add to a transom door. Both of these should help see off a criminal before they have even set foot inside the cockpit. The system also offers remote monitoring and alerts via your mobile phone.

Shafts to sterndrive, any tips?

Q I have moved from a twin shaft drive boat to one

with twin sterndrives and I am having trouble getting the hang of close quarters manoeuvring. On my previous boat I left the helm centred and just used the throttles, which offered me complete control of the boat at slow speeds. I have tried this with the out drives and although it sort of works, it is no where near as good. I guess I just need to get used to it, but are there any tips you can pass on?

A The best advice I can give you is to forget your shaft drive technique and get using

that wheel. With drives you really should be using the benefits of vectored thrust. I find a twin sterndrive boat to actually be more manoeuvrable, although with all that steering it is definitely harder work. When you are manoeuvring just always remember the motto ‘steer before gear’. Get the drives pointing the right way then drop the engine into gear. You would probably get a great deal of benefit in hiring an instructor to come on board for half a day, once you have been shown, it will soon become second nature. 38

November 2014

If you have a question, email us at

editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Volvo AD41 temperature

Q My twin AD41’s seem to run at different

temperatures. The port engine sits at around 85°C when cruising but the starboard engine rises to about 90°C. Neither overheats, even if I run at full throttle, but is the hotter starboard engine an early sign of something amiss?

A Is this a recent change or has it always been like this? If the starboard engine is

running the calorifier, it would not be unusual to see it running a bit warmer. Don’t discount inaccuracies with the gauges, you can cross check the real engine temperatures with an LED thermometer. Of course there could be a problem on that engine, such as a failing impellor, worn pump or partial blockage of a heat exchanger. Running at 90°C is not unusual so, apart from continuing with your normal maintenance regime, I would simply keep an eye on it and be ready to delve further if it creeps up any more.

Running a petrol V6

Q I have read much about the petrol vs diesel

debate but my budget just won’t stretch to a nice diesel powered sportscruiser. I am currently looking at a Falcon 23 with a Volvo AQ205 petrol engine. The boat is in my budget, but I need to work out if I can afford to run it. How much fuel will it really use if I just do short hops around my local cruising area?

A The 205hp V6 AQ205 was a carburetted engine, which means it won’t be quite

as efficient as later fuel injected V6 petrol engines. I would estimate that at full throttle this engine will be using around 14 gallons per hour and, at a cruising speed of around 3500RPM, something more like 8 gallons per hour. While these figures sound scary, the reality is that local boating nearly always entails quite of bit of slow speed stuff. Getting in and out of marinas and harbours at each end, mooching along the coastline, or entering a bay to anchor for lunch will all be done at displacement speeds where the engine will be burning a gallon or two an hour. The reality is that the boat will use less fuel than you might imagine, unless you are going everywhere flat out or are running at speed for hours on end. It won’t be cheap, but a day on the water should be doable for a reasonable sum, and you can at least console yourself that you have saved quite a bit of cash over buying a similar diesel boat. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

CLASSIC CRUISERS

a complete guide to the best boats on the used market

Freeman 23 I f you have a budget of £4-10k and you’re looking for a small, practical, classically styled river cruiser then the Freeman range is definitely worth investigating. The Freeman 23 is particularly popular, easy to handle and economical to run. Its open plan interior offers four berths and lends itself well to a couple with occasional guests or a young family. ‘This is boating at its purest’ is how one broker described a Freeman 23, and we could not agree more. With white GRP and friendly curves, these classic style Freemans are in a class of their

very own. Like the original VW beetle of the boat world, they are well built and full of character. The 23 was introduced in 1970 as a development of the Freeman 22 Mk1 and 22 Mk2 models. Freeman increased the length of the existing 22 Mk2 to 23ft 3in and gave the new 23 model more space in the toilet compartment and cockpit. It has slightly squarer lines than its predecessors, which is noticeable around the fore cabin exterior. It is also easily distinguished from the 22 Mk2 by the lack of a step in the side deck. The 23 was in production for 8

November 2014

Built approx 700 1970-1978 Prices then £3,945 exVAT 1975 Prices now £4,000-£9,950 Length 23ft 3in /7.08m Beam 7ft 6in /2.28m Draught 2ft 0in /0.66m Air Draught 6ft 10in /2.08m Air Draught CT 7ft 3in /2.21m Fuel 68 litres / 15 gallons Water 68 litres / 15 gallons Displacement 1524kg approx

years and around 700 of these boats were produced. We don’t have an exact number but we understand that there were four production lines running between 1970 and 1976, each line produced a boat a week, therefore four 23’s were being turned out a week. That’s an incredible number of boats, and testament to Freeman breaking new ground in GRP boat production during that period. A version known as ‘cabin top’ was introduced in 1973, this essentially was a hard-top-covered cockpit 23 with an integrated wrap around windscreen. We

understand production of the standard version ceased in 1974 and building of the cabin top version continued on until 1978. With the development of the cabin top, also came the use of new materials and techniques. Traditionally Freeman interiors were always mahogany. However, Freeman introduced lighter woods and a matt finish varnish on some of the later cabin top versions. Freeman’s popularity has spread across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Today, key areas in the UK to start any Freeman 23 buying search would be on the Norfolk

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

The forward V-berth can be screened off using the wardrobe door and usually converts to a double

Broads, the River Ouse, the River Thames and on the Lancaster Canal in the north. We would always recommend buying through a broker as it gives you some level of protection, but also visiting a brokerage establishment in these areas may also give the opportunity to view several examples at the same time. You may find 23’s available on auction and classified websites such as Preloved and Ebay. It goes

Freeman 22 Mk2, and Freeman 23 Cabin Top

without saying to be wary of ‘projects’ and our advice would be to do your research and know the costs involved. These boats are very much a labour of love and require regular maintenance. Production of Freeman cruisers ceased over 30 years ago but these boats are still just as popular today as they were back then. There are some excellent examples of the 23 out there, as well as a great support network of enthusiasts, including forums, an owners club, a fan club and of course Sheridan Marine, who are Freeman specialists based on the River Thames at Moulsford and supplier of pattern parts and services. Interior The Freeman 23’s accommodation is a classic four-berth layout, with two V berths in the bow (approximately 6ft) and a dinette that converts into a double berth. This open plan layout can be divided into two by opening the wardrobe door out across the boat. Freeman’s are well known for their quality of woodwork, it is said that every boat was fitted out with veneered

November 2014

Traditional and functional, the open plan layout is ideal for day and extended cruising for two

panels from the same tree so that the grain matched perfectly. The boats were originally hand varnished with three coats, but later a spray system was used in the factory before the cabinetry was fitted on board. Like most boats of this era, it is a good idea to inspect the condition of all the wood surfaces, particularly near windows. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to look behind curtains and check under bunk cushions, particularly if they are beneath windows or under deck fittings. Any staining or

discolouration may indicate a leak. The V berth often converts into a double and there is ample locker storage beneath each bunk. Lift the bunk cushions and check for any staining on the wood hull linings. Above the berths, in the cabin roof is a GRP escape hatch and there is a useful eye level shelf below the foredeck. The extra 15 inches over the 22 models provided more room in the toilet compartment. This meant the toilet, usually a porta potti, could now face bow

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The 23 has a well equipped galley with an oven. The toilet compartment is basic with a porta potti

to stern. The cubicle of the 22 is more of a square shape and therefore the toilet is mounted athwartships. Like many boats of this era the original washing facilities aboard the 23 are primative. The water system consisted of a single manual hand pump tap in the galley. Having hot and running water on boats was a luxury until the late 1970s, but many boats will since have had water pumps and calorifiers fitted to provide hot and cold running water to the galley. The toilet compartment does not have a sink and is often lined with carpet. Having a shower aboard will enhance any boat but it would

The dinette is perfect for two. It also converts into a useful double berth

be a fairly big undertaking for this toilet compartment. Sheridan Marine say getting the hot water to the compartment is fairly doable â&#x20AC;&#x153;by extending your existing hot water supply system. It is the removal of the used water, the building in of the shower tray and the waterproofing of the compartment that require the thought and effortâ&#x20AC;?. Adding a small hand basin in the compartment or having a transom shower fitted, if there is a bathing platform, would be practical and fairly easy to do. Note that some Freemans will be fitted with sea toilets. Use of these on inland waterways is restricted and you will need to ensure that there is a holding tank and pump out fitting on the deck so there can be no discharge overboard. There is a surprising amount of standing headroom throughout the cabin area, at approximately 5ft 10ins. In the saloon two large oblong shaped windows either side provide light and views outside, both slide open from the stern. The dinette seating is very snug for three people but ideal for two. Although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of a process this area converts into a fairly large double

November 2014

berth. For this the table is dropped into place, the forward bench seat slides out into the companionway and a jigsaw of cushions is arranged. The galley is well appointed and offers all the essentials for day trips and extended stays afloat. There is usually a gas oven with a grill and two-burner hob, a single sink and large cupboards for storage. Panels fold down to conceal the hob and sink creating useful worktop space. Originally the boat would not have been fitted with a fridge. However, some of the later models had a fridge incorporated into the helm seat. This is a great feature to look out for and is also something you can fit yourself, as the same unit is available through Sheridan Marine. On Deck The 23 has stanchions just around the bow section, the side decks are fairly narrow but there are well positioned handrails along the cabin roof for crewing. The wooden handrails and mast on the cabin roof will need seasonal attention. A light sand and re-varnish should restore their lustre and this is perhaps a nice job for the winter months. The foredeck and side decks may appear flexible underfoot. This is due to the boats foam core construction. Unfortunately this movement leaves the decks prone to stress

The ‘eyebrows’ over the front windows give character

1973 £4,950 (featured) Single Watermota Sea Wolf 35hp Essex Boatyards 01702 258885 www.essexboatyards.com

1974 £9,950 Single Watermota Sea Wolf 35hp Boat Showrooms Harleyford 01628 569888 www.boatshowrooms.com

1972 £8,495 Single Watermota Sea Wolf 35hp Bridgehouse Marina 01995 603207 www.bridgehousemarina.co.uk

1974 £7,150 Single Watermota Sea Wolf 35hp John Freeman (Sales) Ltd 01491 652085 www.freemancruisers.com

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The wood lined cockpit is practical and enclosed but may need attention. Inspect the fuel and water tanks which are under the cockpit seat. The fuel tank above has been replaced

cracking, so be sure to check around deck fittings and along cabin joins for signs of this. The flexing is not too difficult to cure by introducing a product like expanding builders foam but you will need to check that the core is not waterlogged before any work is carried out. During the build the side decks were finished in a white gelcoat with grit mixed into it to provide grip underfoot. This layer can wear thin in places and become slippery when it is wet. Such surfaces can be rubbed down, filled and coated with special deck paint, such as Hempel Non Slip Deck Coating to restore the look and grip. Be wary of non-slip decking, while it is very practical it may cover bad areas of stress cracking. The air draft of the standard model is 2.08m, therefore this version, depending on river conditions, is capable of going under Osney Bridge (2.28m) on the River Thames. The Cabin Top version at 2.21m will also squeeze under with little to spare.

Cockpit and helm The condition of the cockpit is your first indication of whether a boat has been cared for. Stepping aboard you should be greeted with a beautiful traditional wood lined cockpit, and of course there should be the accompanying varnish smell. Each cockpit panel is made from lightly veneered plywood and should be the same wood as the interior. Black patches in the panels may indicate that water has penetrated the surface, perhaps as a result of the boat being left exposed to the elements. These patches can be made good by sanding, but as the veneer is thin it is easy to reveal the plywood beneath. Some sections can be removed for maintenance or replaced, alternatively existing panels can be covered with thinner ply and varnished in situ. Sheridan Marine sells various thicknesses of Freeman veneered ply for this very purpose. Traditionally the cockpit cushions are

November 2014

ribbed navy blue vinyl. Investigate the corners and seams of the cushions, as this is where the vinyl is likely to crack or tear through age and exposure to UV. A replacement like-for-like set of cushions cost £399. Lift the lower back seat cushion to check the condition of the wood underneath. If the cockpit has been left exposed the wood beneath may be wet or damaged. Beneath this seat you will find access to the 15-gallon water and fuel tanks (starboard and port side respectively). There is also a large rope locker between, which gives access to the steering cables for routine maintenance. The gas supply, a 4.5kg bottle, is housed in a locker in the void between the back seat and transom. On top of this locker is a useful area for storing ropes and fenders. In achieving full headroom in the accommodation the helm with accompanying fold-out navigators seat (if fitted) are quite high. The seats offer good visibility forward. The battery banks can be found under the helmsman’s foot rest. Inspect the condition of the canopy. Just to give you an idea, a new ‘off the shelf canopy’ for a standard Freeman 23 from Sheridan Marine will cost £655.28. Cabin Tops (factory fitted hardtops) are slightly more desirable as they feature the attractive full wrap around windscreen, therefore these may carry a moderately higher price tag. Hard top 23’s (a standard 23 with an aftermarket hardtop) are often sought after for their practicality in the British climate. Today Sheridan Marine can supply a removable GRP hardtop for standard 23 models. Traditionally the throttle and gear lever were separate. There is a kit available to convert the long through-the-floor gear lever to a side mounted hand control.

A through-floor gear lever in the cockpit was traditional. Helm seat units can house fridges

Hull and Handling The 23 has a semi displacement hull which is ideally suited for inland cruising. A combination of a shallow-V entry at the bow, a long shallow keel and shaft drive power make the boat a joy to handle. If the boat is out of the water, inspect the keel for any damage, note that this is not part of the hull moulding and is bolted through the hull. Inspect these bolts for any leaks from the inside by lifting the floor panel in the saloon. Be aware that hulls may have been repainted so any scrapes in the paint may be difficult to patch. Some 23 hulls have been known to suffer from osmosis blistering but you may find these have been peeled and treated

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A semi displacement hull and a long keel equals efficient, obedient and economical cruising. Some have been known to suffer from osmosis

already. Serious buyers should employ a surveyor to give the hull and the rest of the boat a thorough check over. When it comes to replacing underwater fittings on Freemans, it is important to know that John Freeman used only bronze on his boats in order to minimise the effects of galvanic corrosion. Original and replacement fittings, including rudders, propshafts, props and bolts are all available from Sheridan Marine. Along where the deck meets the hull there is usually a wooden rubbing strake with a rubber and metal insert, which extends all the way round the boat. There

is also a wooden lower rubbing strake, which runs around the aft section of the boat. Check along this for any obvious impact damage and also inspect the condition of the wood where it meets the hull. If water has been allowed to penetrate these wooden features it can cause them to rot. The wood, usually mahogany, will need to be maintained fairly frequently by sanding and re-varnishing for protection.

Engines These boats were most commonly powered by a single petrol, Ford derived, WaterMota Sea Wolf Crossflow 1100cc 35hp engine. This engine should push the boat along at a top speed of 7-9 knots. Another factory engine option was a four cylinder Perkins 4.107/08 45hp diesel engine, but these versions are quite rare. Re-engining with diesel is not unheard of. We have seen a 23 that had been reengined with a Beta 3 cylinder diesel. Re-engining with a diesel may mean better fuel economy, but at river speeds it will take a while to re-coup your outlay. The engine is located under the aft dinette bench seat. Main access to the The engine, usually a 35hp Watermota Sea Wolf, top of the engine is via a lifting locker lid under the cushion, and a vertical opening is located under the dinette seating

November 2014

door under the table. A further panel next to the companionway steps detaches by removing a few screws. The back of the engine and the prop shaft are accessed via a large panel in the cockpit floor. The low gurgle sound of these boats engines is lovely, and reminiscent of a classic car. Safety issues aside, the Watermota petrol engine is often favoured over a diesel as they are quieter, cheaper to run and maintain, and have excellent spares availability. Watermota UK has dealers throughout the UK and Ireland, you can also get advice, and order or buy ‘off the shelf ’ spares, through Sheridan Marine. Most boats should by now have been converted to run on unleaded fuel. The only difficulties to consider with a petrol-powered boat is waterside fuel availability, and strict regulations for transporting and storing spare fuel.

Boat Safety Scheme A Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate is required for boats on most inland waterways and rivers, and this is renewable every four years. Most 23’s are kept inland, so these should already carry a BSS certificate. Providing gas, fuel and bilge pump systems have been properly maintained and no modifications have been made since the last assessment, BSS renewal should not be a problem. See the Freeman Cruisers website for advice on BSS requirements and modifications. Conclusion If you want a cheap but traditional style boat, and don’t mind a bit of regular maintenance, the 23 is for you. Hunt out a good one, look after it, and you should get your investment back when you come to sell it.

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

Family Freeman 22 1957 - 1976

Prices £4,000-£7,000 Length 22ft Beam 7ft 6in Just over a foot smaller than the 23. Mk1 and Mk2 models also came in narrow beam. Buy one (pictured) Mk1 1964 £6,995 www.bridgehousemarina.co.uk

Freeman 24 1974 - 1983

Prices £8,000-£14,000 Length 24ft 6in Beam 9ft The 24 has the same layout but it is newer and wider, with a more angular exterior. Buy one (pictured) 1980 £11,995 broadlandyachtbrokers.co.uk

Freeman 26 1965-1972

Prices £6,000-£15,000 Length 25ft 10in Beam 8ft 10in An enlargement of the 22, it has more interior space and single or twin engine options. Buy one (pictured) late 60’s £8,950

www.jonesboatyard.co.uk

Watchet

Guernsey

The charming Somerset harbour of Watchet is an important Bristol Channel bolthole and has a lot to by Pam Born offer the visiting motorboater

he Bristol Channel may seem an unlikely cruising destination, with challenging tidal ranges to contend with but the area has so much to offer. Eight miles east of the drying harbour town of Minehead, on the North Somerset coast, and to the west of the City of Bristol, lies the town of Watchet. Its harbour provides good shelter and facilities within the tidal gated marina. There is also a multitude of leisure activities to keep you entertained in the surrounding area.

The town of Watchet, once the site of a Saxon mint, was raided by the Vikings and said to be Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s inspiration for the ‘Ancient Mariner’ poem following a visit to its quaint, narrow cobbled streets in 1797. Watchet Harbour has a long history of sea-faring, fishing and ship-building, dating back over 1000 years. During this time the busy little harbour has been used as a commercial port for the export of lime, cloth, agricultural products and

November 2014

Destination Watchet, a Bristol Channel bolthole and North Somerset holiday destination?

WATCHET

Swansea Cardiff

Bristol

Watchet

Padstow

iron ore, from the surrounding area. Ships carrying cargos of salt, coal and alcohol were also regular visitors to the quayside. Stories of smuggling were rife and the port was even used for military purposes at one time. As a consequence of all this activity, which peaked in the late 1800’s, the harbour thrived and was enlarged many times over the years. The lighthouse on West Quay was erected in 1862 when Watchet was at its busiest as a trading port, and the Lifeboat Station followed in 1875. Sadly, today the huge Outer Harbour walls lie bare of ships, with the official status of a commercial port being withdrawn in 1999. Subsequently, as part of the town’s regeneration plan, the area around the harbour was subject to much improvement and the new marina was opened in 2001 by Sir Robin KnoxJohnston. Further redevelopment of the marina and the East Quay boatyard area is still in the pipeline.

in the Bristol Channel. The tide can run up to 5 knots at springs and is predominantly west going. Access to Watchet Harbour is restricted by tide. The outer harbour dries completely and the rocky foreshore dries approximately half a mile out. Tide and approximate gate entry times

Approaches

The approaches to Watchet are fairly straightforward, however any visitor to the harbour must be aware of the strong tides

The 7ft high statue of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘Ancient Mariner’ on Watchet’s Esplanade

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The marina sill gate is automatic and traffic lights control entry N

West Pier

OUTER HARBOUR

Watchet Harbour Marina

can be found on the Watchet Harbour Marina website. Although access to the harbour is roughly 2 hours either side of high water, it is recommended visitors avoid trying to enter when the tidal gate has just opened due to the strong currents. The first time visitor should consider approaching no earlier than 1 hr 30 mins before high water. Entry to the harbour is between two breakwaters and the entrance is approximately 28 metres wide. The breakwaters are marked either side with

a lighthouse on the West Pier and a beacon on the East Pier. From seaward the entrance is identified by a red lighthouse and flagstaff on the West Pier. At night entry should be with caution, the West Pier lighthouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s green light is visible approximately 9 miles offshore and the beacon on East Pier is a flashing red, which is visible at 3 miles. Be aware of the large pleasure steamers that visit Watchet and dock on the West Pier. Entry to the harbour is best avoided in strong onshore winds.

November 2014

Destination

WATCHET

Watchet Harbour Marina is very sheltered and is located in the centre of the market town

When approaching the harbour from the north, for example from Cardiff, Culver Sand needs to be avoided. Culver Sand is approximately 6 miles northnorth-east from the entrance and is marked by east cardinal East Culver and west cardinal West Culver. Lilstock firing range is approximately 5 miles to the east of Watchet but there are no restrictions on passing through this area. However, if you

are approaching Watchet from the east you can contact the range to find out when it is active if you wish (01935 840551). The marina and the Reeds Nautical Almanac recommend using waypoint 51°12’.00N 003°18’.80W, which is approximately 1.1 mile off the entrance, for your final approach the harbour. To request a berth contact ‘Watchet Marina’ on VHF Channel 80, or call them on 01984 631264, when you are approximately 1 mile off. The marina maintains a listening watch seven days per week from 0730hrs to 1730hrs. Once inside the pier heads of the outer harbour the marina lies immediately to port. The marina entrance is identified by port and starboard beacons either side of the lock gates. Red and green traffic lights on the starboard side of the gates control vessels entering and exiting the harbour The marina does dry to soft mud in places so it’s and should be obeyed. The fuel berth is worth consulting the Harbour Master on arrival located on C hammerhead, which will

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KEY 1 Marina Office and Chandlery 2 Watchet Tourist Information 3 Esplanade Bar 4 Hellikers Tea Room

West Pier

5 The Star Inn 6 7 8 9

Watchet Museum The London Inn

OUTER HARBOUR

Watchet Train Station Co-op Food Store 10 Spice Merchant

11 The Bell Inn 12 Pebbles Tavern

13 Harbour Fish Bar

F 10

7 12 13 11

B A

6 4

Esp

lan

O HF

AS W

R VE

ade 3

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Railway Fuel

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Cashpoint Train Station Footpath Slipway Bus Station

Watchet Harbour is best approached on a rising tide. Access to the marina is via a tidal gate which is open approximately 2 hours either side of high water

be on your starboard side as you come through the marina breakwaters. Visitors must be aware that the marina suffers from silting despite being dredged

regularly. This means that some areas of the marina are deeper than others and some areas dry to soft mud. We would suggest calling ahead at least a day prior to any visit so arrangements can be made for an appropriate berth.

Where to moor

The Marina Shop houses a chandlery, a gift shop, a cafe and the marina office

Watchet Harbour Marina is located in the heart of the town, overlooked by a wide pedestrian Esplanade. The independent, family friendly marina currently has over 100 berths and offers both visitors and permanent berth holders all the usual facilities expected of a modern marina, with shorepower and water on the

November 2014

Destination pontoons, showers and laundry facilities and WiFi. The marina offers good security, with CCTV and access to pontoons, and shower and laundry facilities via a coded key fob. There is also a slipway with trailer parking, hard standing with boat lifting crane, open and undercover storage, and boat repair facilities. The marina office is located within the chandlery cum gift shop on The Esplanade, overlooking the marina. This opens at 7.30am daily, closing at 5pm in winter and tide dependant hours during the summer season. As well as 25002ft of chandlery space, the shop also sells Calor Gas and Camping Gaz, clothing, ice creams and hot snacks. For an overnight berth, including electricity, the charge is £2.25 per metre, or £22.50 for a 10 metre boat. The weekly rate is £14.86 per metre, including electricity. If it is just a quick 4 hour visit over high tide you need, this is charged at the flat rate of £6.54 per stay.

Where to eat & drink

With an abundance of pubs, cafes, restaurants and tearooms in Watchet, you will be spoilt for choice. The Star Inn can be recommended, it is just off Market Street in Mill Lane and adjacent to the

WATCHET

Where to fill up

Marine diesel is available on the hammerhead of C pontoon from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm. The nearest petrol station is in Williton, which is about 2 miles away.

Charts & Pilot Books

• Admiralty SC5608 Bristol Channel Leisure Chart Folio • Admiralty 1165 Bristol Channel Worms Head to Watchet • Imray C59 Bristol Channel • Imray 2600.6 Nash Point to Flat Holm / Imray 2600 Chart Pack • Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlas Bristol Channel Lundy to Avonmouth • Imray Bristol Channel & River Severn Cruising Guide by Peter Cumberlidge

Marine Supplies

Watchet Harbour Marina run a chandlery and yard services including lift out, pressure wash, yard storage and slipway assistance. The marina can also provide an extensive list of other local specialist marine suppliers and engineers. For marine repairs and maintenance there is Infinity Marine Tel 07763 334656 and Southwest Boat Engineering Tel 07957 588049.

Events

Watchet Music Festival August. Watchet Carnival July Watchet Summertime August (fireworks on the Saturday evening) Watchet Market on The Esplanade every Wednesday from May-Sept. The Star Inn is recommended and has a garden Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

On charming Market Street you will find the Watchet Market House Museum, and a selection of good pubs, tea rooms and restaurants

Washford River, which runs through the town. This pub has a great atmosphere, and the beer and food are extremely good. Two more pubs are just a short walk away on Market Street, The Bell Inn and The

Visiting boaters are welcome at Esplanade Bar, home to the Watchet Boat Owners Association

London Inn both have a good selection of food with an olde-worlde appeal. The London Inn backs onto the tidal harbour with views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales. There are several other pubs just a bit further into the town. If you are in the mood for fish and chips, The Harbour Fish Bar is opposite The Bell Inn on Market Street. The Spice Merchant Indian Restaurant is located on the corner of Market Street and West Street. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hearty breakfast, or an afternoon slice of nautiness or cream tea you seek, then head to the traditional Hellikers Tea Rooms on Market Street. If you are wanting to sample the local cider and ale then a visit to Pebbles Tavern is a must. The Esplanade Club is adjacent to the marina and offers great views over the

November 2014

Destination

WATCHET

Weather information

Inshore Waters forecast Lands End to St Davids Head Shipping Forecast Lundy www.metoffice.gov.uk

Food & Supplies The Watchet Boat Museum gives insight into the Somerset boat building industry

harbour. With its regular live bands, it’s a great place for those looking for a lively evening out.

Places to visit

For visitors young or old, there is a good choice of leisure activities in the area. Within the town there are two museums, the Market House Museum in Market Street, near the harbour, where you can view items of local history, and the Boat Museum, in Harbour Road near the railway station. If you fancy a nostalgic trip back in time, the West Somerset Railway is said to be England’s longest preserved Steam Railway and operates a regular service to Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. It calls at a further seven stations along the way, including Dunster, famous for its castle, and Blue Anchor Bay. No visit to Watchet would be complete without a walk around the narrow streets of the town and harbour, where you can discover the history and charm of this ancient town. Be sure to visit the Tourist Information Centre on the Esplanade to pick up the excellent leaflet on the Heritage Trail and other attractions.

The only supermarket is a 2 minute walk from the Harbour in Swain Street. This small Co-op is perfectly adequate for everyday supplies but you might like to buy your fresh bread and cakes from one of the many bakery/tea rooms in the town. You will also find a hardware store, a chemist, post office and Lloyds Bank cashpoint amongst the shops in Swain Street.

Transport

Webber Bus Ltd run a half-hourly service from Watchet Harbour to Taunton, and the seaside town of Minehead, where you can connect with another route which goes to Porlock Wier. There is also an hourly service to Bridgewater. The Buses of Somerset company offer a more comprehensive service from Watchet Harbour, with a regular service between Minehead and Taunton, and connections to many other far flung towns including Yeovil, Glastonbury, Axminster, Dulverton, Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton. West Somerset Railway run steam and diesel trains to Minehead and Bishops Lydeard from the Watchet Harbour Station. The timetable varies according to season, so we would suggest you check the website for details. They also run a number of special events during the year.

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West Somerset Railway run steam and diesel trains to Minehead and Bishops Lydeard from Watchet

Just a few miles east of Watchet you can visit Doniford Farm, where you can see exotic and farm animals, wander around historic farm buildings, buy local produce, handmade crafts and gifts, or sit and enjoy the sea views over a meal in the café and restaurant. Doniford has free entrance and is open all year round.

Tropiquaria Adventure Park offers more for the energetic youngster, with animals, an indoor playcastle, puppet shows, pirate ship activity area, an aquarium and much more. Entrance for adults is £9 and for children over 3 years it is £7.50. The park is open daily from mid-February to midNovember.

A changing coastline

The Somerset lagoon In 2014 a regeneration and tidal energy project for the Somerset coastline was announced. Plans encompass a 5000 hectare lagoon with a breakwater spanning between Culvercliff in Minehead, and Blue Pen Point at West Quantoxhead. The lagoon will house a new deep-water ferry terminal, and

a 200-berth locked all tides marina to the west. It will also be a source of renewable energy with turbines built into the breakwater walls, making use of the 14.5m tidal range and a head capacity of 90 million cubic metres of water in the lagoon. The project is expected to cost in the region of £2.4 billion.

November 2014

Destination

WATCHET

Staying longer?

10m boat week = £148.60 10m boat month (summer) = £392.60 10m boat annual berth = £2403

Slipways Just a stones through away from the marina, Swain Street is the main shopping street

For the older generation there is the West Somerset Mineral Railway Trail, from Watchet to Washford, or The Coleridge Way, a 51-mile walk of breathtaking scenery. Having such great bus and train services means there are lots of opportunities further afield. You can visit the seaside town of Minehead, Dunster Castle and Gardens, Lynton and Lynmouth, Porlock Wier, Exmoor National Park and, if it is a bit of retail therapy you want, hop on a bus to Taunton. You could even ‘let the train take the strain’ and visit Butlins at Minehead for the day.

There are two concrete slipways at Watchet. One in the Outer Harbour, and one in the marina. Use of the marina slipway (off Esplanade and Swain Street) in the west end of the marina is approximately £10.78.

Tides

Gate movements are automatic. Marina gate and tide times are listed on the marina website

Further afield?

Just across the Bristol Channel, on the South Wales coast you will find good harbour facilities at Cardiff, Swansea and Penarth. Marina group, Quay Marinas www.quaymarinas.co.uk operate Portishead Quays Marina and Penarth Quays Marina in the Bristol Channel. Padstow on the North Cornwall coast is a fair distance but is well worth a visit.

Distances

Approximate distances in nautical miles from Watchet to: Cardiff 18 miles Penarth 18 miles Portishead 30 miles Swansea 35 miles Bristol 38 miles Padstow 88 miles

Watchet will be in the east corner of the lagoon

For more information visit: www.watchetharbourmarina.co.uk www.visit-watchet.co.uk

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tested Evo-Stick Serious Stuff Liquid Metal

PRICE for 290ml tube

£10.95

I was having some trouble separating the lower gearbox unit on my little 3.3hp Mercury tender outboard and as I got more and more heavy handed with it I managed to completely snap off one side of the cavitation plate. I looked at the price of a new gearbox housing and immediately dismissed any idea of fixing it that way. I either had to live with it, or find a way of fixing it back on. A while ago I had been in a meeting with a representative from Evo Stick and he had provided me with some samples which had, until this point, remained under my desk. One of these products was called Liquid Metal and the tube was full of promises such as “easier than welding”, “the ultimate metal

A thick bead was run along the break and two years later they remain joined

Heavy handed oafishness resulted in a broken cavitation plate. Could it be stuck back on?

adhesive” and “bonds metal to metal with a virtually unbreakable grip”. While I can easily imagine this kind of product working on two flat surfaces with lots of surface area, I really didn’t hold out much hope of it successfully joining two bits of aluminium end to end, especially as it was just a few millimetres thick. Add to this the fact that it was going to be used in a pretty hostile environment and it really felt like I was wasting my time. With little to lose I ran a thick bead along the join, pressed the two halves together, smeared the squeezed out excess along the outside of the join both top and bottom and left it to set. With the engine reassembled the cavitation

November 2014

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

plate felt reasonably solid. There was a small amount of flex in it, but it felt like a strong bond. That was over two years ago and that engine is still providing good service and despite being lifted on and off and stored in a locker. Even after being roughly manhandled, as I have made no allowance for the repair, it has remained intact. In fact it still feels as strong today as it was just after it was repaired. To be honest I don’t think I would have believed it if I was hearing this story from someone else but the truth is that this product really seems to work, and work far beyond my expectations. For that reason alone it is definitely worth having a tube in stock, just in case you need a quick repair on something metallic. Motorboat Owner

“A surprisingly good product that fulfills all claims” Value

Usability

4/5

5/5

Performance 5/5 Contact: Bostik www.bostik.co.uk

Hudson Wight Performance Jacket

PRICE

£129

With winter fast approaching I was looking for a good quality warm and waterproof boating jacket. It needed to be fleece lined, it needed a hood and ideally I wanted something long in the body. At the Southampton Boat Show I was introduced to the range from new British brand Hudson Wight. The Performance jacket seemed to tick all the boxes and it looked to be reasonable value. Since the show the weather has gone downhill faster than Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, and the jacket has already seen plenty of action. It is certainly nice and warm, the hood is nicely designed and works well, the cuffs are adjustable, the high collar comes into its own when the rain is horizontal and the outer pockets are zipped and fleece lined. The jacket also has two inside pockets, one on each side, which again are zipped and fleece lined. It’s a very conservative jacket, available in blue or grey with just a bit of colour in the logo on the sleeve and back, but Motorboat Owner the result is that it is also very “A smart winter smart, and just as suitable for jacket with all the right features” wearing around town, when you have arrived, as it is for Value 3/5 doing it’s job on the flybridge Usability 4/5 while getting there. Performance 5/5 Contact: Hudson Wight www.hudsonwight.com

Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

ADVICE

Boating in retirement

BY PAM BORN

B oating is good for you. It is a known

fact that the physical activity and mental stimulation of this leisure activity keeps your body and brain healthy, particularly in older age. For this reason it is beneficial to continue boating into retirement. But, how many long-term boaters can actually afford to boat once they give up employment and have to rely on the much smaller fixed income of an old age pension? If, of course, you are not in a

position that forces financial constraints once you retire, you are lucky, but many of us are, and it is at this stage of our lives that we have to make certain decisions that will impact on how we boat, or in fact, whether we boat at all. There is no doubt that boating is expensive, and with the major annual expenditure on moorings, insurance, fuel and maintenance rising by the day, is it really feasible that retirees can afford to

November 2014

continue with their much loved leisure pursuit? Many of us didn’t believe that we would be able to continue boating for as long as we have; often sacrificing pension contributions in order to finance our hobby. We envisaged that upon retirement we would sell our boats and this would ultimately become our pension pot. I have known many who have pointed to their own boat and announced, “that’s my pension”. However, when the time comes, can we really just sell up and walk away from our treasured vessel and the lifestyle and social interactions that our wonderful hobby brings? Most of us will say “no” and this means changes have to be made to the way in which we boat, in order to be able to afford it for just

that little bit longer. After all, retirement should be when we have a much increased amount of free time to enjoy. So let’s examine ways in which we can hang onto our boats for as long as our money and bodies will allow. The biggest single expenditure for your boat is usually the mooring. Finding a cheaper mooring is challenging to say the least, as these are few and far between and you normally get what you pay for. For example, a swinging mooring may be much cheaper, but is it worth the risk of having little or no security; not to mention the inconvenience? These are things that few motor boaters, even in retirement, are prepared to consider. The obvious options for saving money are:

Change your cruising ground River cruising is often less expensive than coastal cruising in terms of moorings, fuel consumption and insurance. You will also certainly notice the difference in overnight visitor mooring costs. A coastal visitors berth may currently cost between £30 to £50 per night, whereas a farmer’s field or town mooring on a river will often set you back no more than a fiver. However, you do have to factor in the cost of a river licence and BSS certificate. The slow pace of inland is ideal for retirement. Plus you can venture out mid week and in most weathers Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

PRACTICAL

Secure a permanent mooring Easier said than done, and probably not feasible for most of us, but worth a thought all the same. Leasehold (or even better, freehold) moorings are few and far between, but if you have just received a lump sum on retirement, it may be worth investing in a more permanent berth for your boat. You must, of course, budget for the cost of any maintenance, rates and service charges etc, but knowing that you do not have to pay big mooring bills year after year is a great comfort to

This 11m berth recently sold for ÂŁ34,000 through Waterside Properties

the serious boater. There is also the added advantage of a lump sum from any eventual sale. Obviously, buying a property with its own mooring would be another ideal option and there are quite a few available in new marina developments which could be considered.

Downsizing If you are prepared to sacrifice the space and facilities that you have with your preretirement boat, buying a smaller, more fuel efficient craft can release funds that will pay for your boating for several years. Likewise, downsizing your residential property could bring in some much needed capital to run a boat, but make sure you earmark it for this purpose and do not allow the money to be absorbed into general living expenses.

Boat sharing

You can halve, or more, your boating costs by sharing with friends, family or even complete strangers. Some retirees share with their working age offspring. You can boat during the week, they can have the boat at the weekends. There are

also some formal boat sharing outfits such as Pure Latitude, Parkstone Bay Boat Club and Flexisail where a membership fee provides access to a range of boats. The website BoatShareFinder.org allows you to buy or sell shares in a variety of boats.

November 2014

Become a member of a boat club This could not only provide you with the social interaction during your increased leisure time but, if they also have their own waterside premises, there may be facilities to moor or store your boat. Boat club moorings are often have very long waiting lists, but usually they will have room to store a smaller vessel at vastly cheaper prices than commercial yards or marinas. If you are lucky, you could get away with a yearly fee from as little as a few hundred pounds for a 30ft boat. DIY maintenance such as antifouling and

Rochester Cruising Club

simple servicing jobs often come into their own when you have retired. You’ll also find great camaraderie at boat clubs and there are always other friendly members around to offer help and advice.

Change the way you boat We are certainly not advocating here that you go over to the ‘other side’ and become a yachtie. You might think that this will give you cheaper cruising but sails are high maintenance and need to be replaced at regular intervals and they do not come cheap. No, we were thinking more in terms of trail boating. This can be particularly cost effective if you have a small piece of land or driveway at home to save on storage or dry-stack fees. Coupled with the fact that in retirement you can please yourself with regard to when you visit places, and perhaps also choose times out of season, it could open up the exciting potential of exploring many different cruising areas, with the advantage of being less expensive and less crowded. We know of a couple who swapped their river cruiser for an 8 metre rib with an outboard and use it

for coastal day trips. Having the time to choose to boat only when the weather was set fair was a big bonus for them. However, having the right vehicle with a tow bar capable of doing the job also has to be worked into the equation.

RIBs are a fantastic platform for estuary and coastal exploration on sunny summer days

PRACTICAL

Sell and Charter

If all else fails and you have to sell your boat in order to rein-in expenditure, try to keep some of the capital aside. This could be earmarked to provide you with one or maybe two charter holidays per year for a few years. Charter holidays in the UK and Europe are quite reasonably priced outside of school holidays, or you might like to consider something more exotic and further afield, such as the Intercoastal Waterways of Florida’s

Gulf Coast or the British Virgin Islands. Chartering is obviously not for those who long for the comfort and personal refinements of their own boat, but at least it will keep you afloat a little longer with the bonus of no maintenance.

CASE STUDIES

It is always nice to hear of people who have made their boating dreams come true in retirement and here are a few boating couples that have made it work for them:

Roger and Lyn Snelling’s

dream had always been to retire early and “sail off into the sunset” on their boat. In preparation for this life changing event they sold their fast sports cruiser several years ago, swapping it for a Eurobank 36 trawler yacht, which has an enormous amount of very comfortable living space and excellent seakeeping. Roger admits that the slower speed took a lot of getting used to, but the resultant saving in fuel costs was ideal for their needs. Their plans were nearly scuppered by the depressed economic climate, which caused annuity rates to hit rock bottom. However, with the sad and untimely death of a very dear friend, they realised the importance of making the most of life and fulfilling their dreams whilst they could. Roger and Lyn therefore, gave up work and following the necessary preparation and improvements to R-Escape they embarked on their first summer-long cruise to the West Country. In order to keep expenditure down, they seek out cheaper overnight moorings, they are no strangers to swinging moorings, and eat meals aboard more often than they used to. This is no great inconvenience as R-Escape is equipped with a large galley and full-size oven. Sadly their first summer afloat was in 2012, possibly the worst summer for decades, but on last year’s cruise to the Channel Islands and Brittany they thankfully Roger and Lyn’s Eurobank 36 R-Escape experienced almost perfect weather conditions. 66

November 2014

Jeff and Gerry Gartshore

feared their boating days were numbered when they both suffered serious health scares shortly after retiring. Instead of giving into their ailments and selling their beloved Broom 38 Virginia Lady, they decided to make the most of what little boating time they thought they had left. Firstly, they secured a lease on a coastal marina mooring (so they always had a base to return to and they wouldn’t have to incur hefty annual mooring fees) and with a few adaptations to their boat, they spent the first of many summers cruising in Holland. Successive summers have been spent cruising the south west and western UK, including the Isle of Man and Scotland. Now fully recovered from their previous health problems, Jeff and Gerry may be proof that Jeff and Gerry’s Broom 38 Virginia Lady boating does actually keep us healthy and active.

Roy and Betty Souster

were introduced to, and became hooked on boating when they were in their fifties. Now, over three decades later, they have enjoyed their much loved hobby on the River Thames well into their eighties. With wide side decks and easily accessible grab rails, their Freeman 27 offers safe boating. However, Roy admits that once he and Betty retired, boating on a fixed income became a different proposition, mooring fees are constantly increasing, as well as river licence fees and fuel etc. However, he says that with careful management it remains possible to continue to enjoy boating activities. They have been members of the Upper Thames Motor Yacht Club for many years; enjoying the social events and camaraderie that the club provides. An additional benefit is that, although the club has limited moorings with a long waiting list, they could take advantage of occasional moorings and winter lift out at preferential club member rates, which are considerably cheaper than marina rates. Roy says, “We are convinced that boating has been good for our health and wellThe Sousters Freeman 27 ‘Cavalier’ being and has helped us to stay fit and active”. Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

Sargo 28 Explorer

November 2014

BOAT TEST

Length (LOA): 8.8m / 28ft 8in Beam: 2.98m / 9ft 8in Displacement: 4200kg Fuel Capacity: 375 litres Water Capacity: 100 litres RCD Category: B Engine as tested: Single Volvo Penta D6 370hp Other engine options: Single Volvo Penta D4 260hp or 300hp, D6 330hp, Yanmar V8 370hp or twin Volvo Penta D3 220hp Price from ÂŁ161,874

Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

have always had a bit of a thing for wheelhouse walkaround boats; they just seem to make so much sense for British boating. I think it all started around the turn of the century when I was a guest at Finnboat, Finland’s boatbuilding showcase, and I took the helm of what was to become one of my top 10 boats, the Botnia Targa 31. So here I was, 14 years later, back at Finnboat. In front of me was a boat very similar in many ways to the Targa, but arguably much more contemporary. The boat in question was the Sargo 28 Explorer. Not heard of it? That’s possibly because until that very morning, when an official announcement was made, the brand was known as Minor Offshore. The 28 is not a new boat, but the ‘Explorer’ part of its name is a new concept, available on the four most popular models, the 25, 28, 31

and 36. The Explorer offers styling upgrades designed to appeal to the next generation of boat owner. The list of variations between the standard 28 and the Explorer version are many, but after looking at the pictures you won’t be surprised to hear that around 90% of the quite long list have the words black, grey or glass associated with them. If you think boats should be all white and navy blue, look away now. In fact

November 2014

don’t look away, because Sargo also offer a standard 28, which delivers an identical package with a more traditional use of colours and materials. There’s no doubt you are looking at an Explorer model as soon as you set eyes on it. The matt black rails instead of shiny stainless steel, the grey hull and wheelhouse roof edging, it’s even got a matt black radome on the roof. I’m usually quite conservative when it comes to styling, but personally I really like what Sargo has done with the Explorer and, for those that like to be different, I have no doubt that it really will appeal. One of the benefits of a boat like a Sargo is its deck space. Yes you have to sacrifice some internal volume, but for those that understand that boating isn’t really all about semi naked ladies lounging on sun pads, the deck space offers a perfect working area. The side decks are very wide, one level and deep, with the bulwarks coming up to knee height, with a rail on top for added safety. A gap in the rails amidships offers an alternative to the bathing platform as a way of getting on board, and an optional small folding step on the inside, helps with what would otherwise be quite a big step down. Up front, in true Scandinavian style, there is further access over the bow by stepping over the teak laid anchor locker lid, beneath which is a decent sized space for all your anchoring kit. At the aft end, things are just as practical. The large aft cockpit sole lifts almost completely to reveal the engine room. Our test boat was fitted with the largest single engine option, a Volvo Penta D6 370hp, but the boat is also available with twin D3 220hp. With such a large engine hatch, access to the mechanicals, particularly on the single engine boat, is very good. The Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

“If you think boats should be all white and navy blue, look away now” downside is that the hatch is quite awkward to lift, as there is very little space left to stand on. In each aft corner there is a useful rope locker that can also double up as a seat. On the aft end of the wheelhouse there is another teak topped bench seat, which conceals a very useful locker below, perfect for storing fenders or other mooring kit. The easiest access onto the 28 is via the bathing platform. A metal transom gate, in matt black of course, allows access into the cockpit, with just two very small steps to negotiate. The bathing platform itself is large and offers teak middle sections that

The Sargo 28 offers easy boarding from the stern and a host of practical features

The galley and dinette in the wheelhouse separates the two double cabins at either end

lift to provide some access to the drives and props when they are lifted. Two matt black fender baskets on the aft rail provide a convenient place for four of your fenders. The stern anchor, as fitted to our test boat, does somewhat get on the way, but as this is unlikely to find its way onto a UK spec boat,

this is not really an issue. Access to the boatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accommodation is through a sliding door on either side of the wheelhouse. These doors come with a really simple mechanism that locks them closed or just slightly open. A nicely crafted piece of wood locks over the door handle, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The aft cabin delivers a good sized berth, but with limited headroom

November 2014

The forward cabin has en-suite facilities

simple, elegant and practical. There did not appear to be anyway of fixing the door in the fully open position, which is what you would want on a nice day. This seems like a very easy fix, and one that I am sure the dealer would do for you if required. From the wheelhouse there are three steps down into the forward cabin, which offers an offset double berth. Beneath the aft end of the berth the mattress lifts to access a storage compartment, and under the forward end of the berth another panel provides access to the bilge. At the foot of the bed is a small standing area with 6 foot headroom, although the lip of the moulding overhead reduces this by a couple of inches in parts. Further storage is provided by a small hanging locker and

Motorboat Owner ÂŠ Digital Marine Media Ltd

cupboard on the port side aft. With the companionway shut for privacy, the only light and ventilation into the forward cabin is provided by the overhead hatch. This, together with the dark wood and materials, means it can feel a little sombre. While the cabin is quite compact, you have to remember that this boat is only 28 feet and a great deal has been given over to usable outside space. Considering this, and the fact there is still so much more of the interior to discover, it is amazing just how much Sargo has squeezed in. Just off the forward cabin, to starboard, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the toilet compartment. Headroom is a little tight, at between 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in depending upon where you stand, but overall the space is pretty good.

PERFORMANCE As tested 75% fuel, 40% water, 2 crew, Force 1 These fuel figures are calculated using generic data and may not provide an accurate representation of fuel usage for this combination

RPM Idle 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Our test boat was fitted with a sink and toilet; a shower is an optional extra. Back up in the wheelhouse, you find a galley forward and to port, beneath the windscreen. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reasonably basic arrangement, with a small sink and two-burner hob, but it does come with some useful storage both above and below, and a built in rubbish bin. A fridge is located beneath the helm seats behind you as you stand at the galley. At the aft end of the wheelhouse Sargo has designed a comfortable U-shaped seating and dinette area. The area looks large enough for a family of four, although the table leg position will probably mean someone having a slightly less comfortable

Knots

LPH

GPH

MPG

4.0 6.6 8.4 12.0 21.5 30.0 37.1

2.1 4.0 14.0 32.0 37.0 54.0 78.0

0.46 0.88 3.08 7.04 8.14 11.9 17.2

8.70 7.50 2.73 1.71 2.64 2.52 2.16

Range (nm) 717 619 225 141 218 208 178

Noise (dB) 62 64 72 75 79 81 82

dinner. On the aft wheelhouse bulkhead there is a large opening window that flips up underneath the cockpit overhang to provide plenty of fresh air, regardless of what the weather is doing. Blinds are fitted to all windows aft of the sliding wheelhouse doors which provide a good degree of privacy when moored stern to. Storage in the wheelhouse is limited to some open space beneath and next to the dinette seating on the starboard side and a high level shelf aft. The really clever part of this boat can be

November 2014

Engine options start with a single D4 260 and go up to a pair of D3 220’s. Top speeds range from 30 to 39 knots

“It feels like a sportsboat. The D6 370hp gives lively acceleration and a top speed of 37 knots” found by lifting the port side section of the U-shaped dinette seating. It hinges up on a gas strut and the forward bulkhead suddenly turns into a door. You now have in front of you a couple of steps that lead down into another completely separate cabin with a large double berth. It’s a bit of a squeeze to get down there and, once in, headroom is very limited at a little over 5ft, but for an occasional guest cabin or somewhere for the kids to retreat to, it is ideal. There is a single opening port to offer some light and ventilation and a small cupboard, cubbyhole and shelf provide some storage, as well as access to bilge and services. At the helm Sargo have installed two very comfortable, adjustable and supportive seats and I have to say, the driving position is Motorboat Owner © Digital Marine Media Ltd

excellent. It is very rare to find a boat that offers a really good driving position both standing and seated, but the 28 does just that. This is helped by the sliding seat and lifting bolster, but the pièce de résistance is the way that a whole section of the dashboard, complete with steering wheel, throttles, trim tab and bow thruster controls, swings up for perfect positioning when standing. Both the helm and the navigator seats come with separate footrests for when seated, and the large sliding sunroof overhead, which can be locked open, partially open or closed, allows fresh air and light into the boat when the weather allows. Overhead, large, clear engine instruments and a VHF have been mounted above the helm.

Underway Sargo tell us they have worked hard on soundproofing and it is clear that it has paid off. The figures speak for themselves, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a sound meter to appreciate it. It really does seem quiet at all speeds. What is always surprising when jumping in a boat like this, is that it drives like a sportsboat. The 370hp D6 offers very lively acceleration and a top speed of a tad over 37 knots. The twin D3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are said to be good for 39 knots. You can throw it into corners and it simply responds to the command with no fuss and no evidence that it is ever likely to get out of shape. The steering wheel knob is great for quick changes in direction either at speed, or more likely when docking, and throwing the boat into the huge wake produced by our photo boat did little to upset the hull or cause much in the way of slamming. In fact, this boat was so much fun to drive, I found myself looking for wake and waves on the otherwise very calm and flat water. When we did find some, and I managed to really stuff it into them, the flared bow swept the water away, with very little making it onto

Your crew will love you for providing side, fore and aft decks that are so easy and safe to work

the windscreen. As already mentioned the driving position is superb, the helm seat is utterly comfortable and visibility is good, with just a couple of small blind spots on the aft quarters. I could find just one very minor niggle with the helm. When standing, and with the console swung upwards, the steering wheel slightly obscures the multi function display, but I really am nit picking here. Conclusion In the UK, the Sargo has lived in the shadow of the Botnia Targa for quite a while and, having now been on one,

November 2014

that feels rather unjust. It is an equally impressive boat to drive, and offers just as practical a package. If contemporary is your thing you might even say that the Explorer has an edge over the Botnia in the styling department. If you are more traditional, the standard 28 will almost certainly appeal. Yes the cabins are a bit small and access to the toilet compartment for those in the aft cabin means a trip to the forward cabin, but you have to remember that this is a 28 foot boat that manages to offer two separate cabins, full walk around decks and a fully enclosed wheelhouse in a package that is great fun to drive and very sea worthy. Ten years ago I thought I’d struggle to

Comfortable, supportive and adjustable seats

find a boat to top the Targa 31 in my affections. It may not be quite as big, but the Sargo 28 is right up alongside it in my books, and I can’t think of any higher praise.

ENQUIRIES: Marco Marine Tel: 02380 453245 www.marcomarine.co.uk YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Nordstar Patrol 28

Botnia Targa 27.1

Sargo 28

LOA: 9.3m Beam: 3.1m Displacement: 4300kg Enquiries: Nord Star UK 01259 211662 www.nordstar.co.uk

LOA: 8.9m Beam: 3.04m Displacement: 3900kg Enquiries: Wessex Marine 01202 700702 www.wessexmarine.co.uk

LOA: 8.8m Beam: 2.98m Displacement: 4200kg Enquiries: Marco Marine 02380 453245 www.marcomarine.co.uk

Another wheelhouse walk around from Finland. The Patrol 28 is also available with a flybridge. Price excludes delivery to the UK

PRICE from £145,243

The starting price is attractive, but add the toilet module, galley and delivery to the UK and it’s on a par with the 28.

PRICE from £143,940

If the matt black and grey of the Explorer range is not for you.The standard 28 serves up a more traditionally styled boat.

PRICE from £154,570

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 Marlin

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

NEW Sealine S330 £196,800 January delivery. Single Volvo Penta D6 330hp. Lots of extras

NEW Sealine F380 £340,000 May Delivery. Huge specification Twin Volvo Penta D4 Diesels

NEW Sealine S380 £257,000 May delivery Twin Volvo Penta D4 Diesels

2012 Fairline Squadron 42 £369,500 Twin Volvo D6 370hp Diesels

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

2009/10 Sealine SC35 Choice of 2 from £154,950 Both 2010. Great specifications

2009 Sealine SC29 £89,950 Twin Volvo Penta D3 190hp Diesels. Well specified and clean example

Westwood A35 Choice of two. From £129,950 Good accommodation & use of space

1991 Broom 33 £87,500 Twin Volvo Penta 200hp Diesels Incredibly spacious and practical

1998 Sealine F36 £89,950 Twin Volvo KAMD43 230hp Diesels Six berths, bowthruster, holding tank

2005 Marex 280 £59,950 Price Reduced Single Yanmar 76hp Practical sea and river cruiser

1989 Fairline Turbo 36 £74,950 Twin Volvo Penta 306hp Diesels. High specification

Leather upholstery, full nav package

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

Distributors for

Tel: 01932 570055 sales@pentonhooksales.co.uk

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RIB tide

An valuable lesson learned at Herm Island SPOTTED! by Kevin Simpson

Ice cream anyone?

Ice cream boat at Harleyford Estate SPOTTED! by John Frew

Stunning Solar 32

A fine example, ‘Dandy Regent’ at Henley SPOTTED! by Jeff Holmes

Vauxhall Hippo

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November 2014

Maxum Owners Club

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www.sealineforum.co.uk

Microplus Boats

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Nauticus www.nauticus.co.uk

Nelson Boat Owners Club

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Norman Appreciation Society www.normanboats.co.uk

Princess Owners Club princessownersclub.com

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