Boat Mart January 2010 preview

FISHING FOR FLOUNDER

ELECTRONICS IN 2010 - OUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST MARINE EQUIPMENT

JANUARY 2010

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AFFORDABLE BOATING

EXCEL BECKONSJUST WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE 2010 LONDON BOAT SHOW?

FIGHTING WITH FLARESKNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

MAC ATTACK V SMARTWAVETHE FAMOUS KIWI IMPORTS GO HEAD TO HEAD

A-GRADE ANGLING ON THE RIVER TEIGN

DO TWIN ENGINES REALLY MAKE SENSE?

THE MERITS OF A GOOD PAIR

ALUMINIUM DINGHIES EXPLAINED

TOP TOUGH-GUY ‘TINNIES’

Incorporating Boat & Yacht Buyer January 2010

HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE

www.boatmart.co.ukONLY £3.50

BUY A BOAT SPECIAL!FISHING FOR FLOUNDER

BUY A BOAT CLASSICS, FISHERS, DINGHIES AND DORIES - YOUR PERFECT BOAT LIES INSIDE

BM JAN 10 COVER.indd 1 2/12/09 12:59:25

LETTERS

10 I January 2010 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

COMING UP INSIDE THIS ISSUE 42 BARGAINS FOR £22K

Three more value tempters24 MAC ATTACKThe Kiwi import blazes a trail

ENGINECONTACTSDo you know of any contacts to get hold of an

Owner’s Manual for a 115hp Yamaha V4 outboard,

circa 1990 - 1991?

Paul, Kent

BM: You can call Yamaha UK on 01932 358062

or visit the website at www.yamaha-motor.

co.uk. Otherwise, if it’s not necessarily an original

manual you require, take a look at either www.

themotorbookstore.com or www.repairmanual.com.

They provide just about everything in the way of DIY

workbooks for engines.

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TRANSOM TALKMy wife has just bought me a 15-foot

Fletcher speedboat hull. I’m guessing it

was probably produced in the mid-70s. It

doesn’t require too much work to make

it into a nice little boat, so I have a good

springtime project on my hands. But as a

relative novice, even though I have sailed,

operated RIBs and worked on large motor

yachts, I don’t have a clue what to stick

on the transom. I would welcome any

advice or suggestions.

Chris, South Wales.

BM: Choice of motor rather depends on

the construction and weight, plus whether

or not it has a proper deck. At 12.5 feet in

length, it could probably get on reasonably

well with anything from a 30hp to a 70hp

motor. But we’re not big fans of putting

oversized and overweight engines on the

back of small boats, so make sure you

look at weight as closely as you do power.

Don’t worry too much about brand as

every one of the major manufacturers

now produces clean, refined, efficient and

reliable engines. Instead, your primary

consideration, after finding the right weight

and power balance, is finding the right

price.

You don’t say how much you want to

spend. Nor do you say what you intend

to use it for, so it’s difficult to recommend

a specific motor. Your best bet is to take

a look through these pages. The major

manufacturers all run ads so check out

their websites and call for advice.

How do you clear the little salt circles that stick to the

windows from seawater spray, I have tried all sorts without

success. Anyone found the secret?

Keith from Dorset

BM: Warm water with washing up liquid is a popular option

but there are some better, dedicated car products around,

that some of the BM readers have used with great success.

Honda, for instance, does a car care kit with some glass

cleaner that seems to work extremely well. The Halfords

version is also pretty good but avoid using household products

as they will tend to smear.

Once you’ve cleaned the screen, apply one of the many

‘Rain Guard’ products on the market. It stops the water sticking

to the screen, enabling you to avoid the build up of salt for far

longer. Again, a product like Mer Rain Away is readily available in

Halfords for under £10.

SCREEN CLEAN

BM JAN 10 throw.indd 10 2/12/09 13:06:56

LETTERS

Boat Mart I January 2010 I 11www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classified ad service

85 Finding FlounderTen simple tips for success

77 Show FeverFind out what London has in store

101 FlareS guideIt pays to know what you’re doing

Maritime & Coastguard Agency

Tel: 0870-600-6505

Flares (out of date): 02380-329-332

Web: www.mcga.gov.uk

British Marine Federation

Tel: 01784-473-377

Web: www.britishmarine.co.uk

British Waterways

Tel: 0845-671-5530

Web: www.britishwaterways.co.uk

British Waterways Scotland

Web: www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Broads Authority

Tel: 01603-610-734

Web: www.broads-authority.gov.uk

Dinghy Cruising Association

Web: www.dca.uk.com

Environment Agency

Tel: 08708-506-506

Web: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Boat Safety Scheme

Tel: 01923-201-278

Web: www.boatsafetyscheme.com

Hydrographics Office

Web: www.ukho.gov.uk

Inland Waterways Association

Tel: 01494-783-453

Web: www.waterways.org.uk

Marine Leisure Association

Web: www.nfss.co.uk

Royal Yachting Association

Tel: 0845-345-0400

Web: www.rya.org.uk

Royal National

Lifeboat Institution

Tel: 0845-122-6999

Web: www.rnli.org.uk

Scottish Inland

Waterways Association

Web: www.siwa.org.uk

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

We’re planning to take our Maxum 1800SR3

across to Italy next summer to enjoy some quality

lake skiing. For us it’s about as good as it gets

for the stuff we value - namely, camping, wine,

skiing, beer, fine food, skiing, sunbathing, beer,

wine, fine food, wake boarding and beer. Trouble

is, after trailering across half of Europe, by the

time we get there, we are not exactly in the mood

to enjoy each other’s company. It usually takes

two days before we are speaking again! Any tips

much appreciated.

Taylor from Swindon

BM: Long distance trailering need not be a

trauma. There are several things you can do to

make it more bearable. Firstly, sort your rig out

before departure so you don’t have to fix things

in the dark en route to Italy. And if you’re not the

DIY kind, then get it properly serviced and kitted

up with all the regular trailer spares.

Secondly, try to take someone along who can

share the driving, so your progress is non-stop

and you can snatch some decent sleep without

having to double the amount of time it takes. And

if the idea of a bickering family really is a problem,

think about putting them on a cheap flight and

picking them up at the airport at your destination

once the boat’s in the water and the fraught stuff

is all behind you. Even now, there are plenty of

cheap flights to be had if you book in advance

and the credit you will get from the rest of the

family for your sacrifice will be immeasurable.

Trailer To The lakes FroM TheForUM

BETTY BOOp

Just looking at the other posts

prompted me to think about leaking

covers for winter. I’m due to change

over to my heavier canvas cover but

I’m considering a tarp lining underneath

to double protect on water seeping

through. Any thoughts on whether that

will cause extra condensation compared

to the condensation from the bilge

water? Heating the engine bay isn’t an

option unfortunately.

JOkABOAT

I prop the engine cover open a few

inches and put the heavy cover on but

put stuff (old bits of wood, foam etc)

round the edges to lift the cover and

provide ventilation.

Take out the carpets and seat covers

and anything else that will absorb damp.

Remove the floor storage cover and

leave the drain plug out. I tape mine to

the steering wheel in a plastic bag as a

reminder to replace it.

I have made up a frame of plastic one-

inch plumbing pipe to support the cover

as it sags when it gets wet. It looks like

a wide ladder that, when wedged into

the cockpit, makes two hoops that go

across the boat. It works really well.

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

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

some careful planning

BM JAN 10 throw.indd 11 2/12/09 13:07:37

NewslineCompiled by Irving Stewart & Jane Rickard

Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad servicewww.boatmart.co.uk Boat Mart I January 2010 I 15

Preparations for the much-anticipated

return of the Sports Boat and RIB Show

are gathering pace. The event, which

will run from 22 to 23 May 2010 at

Ocean Village Marina in Southampton,

has seen its exhibitor list swell in the

past month with the signing up of some

major industry figures. EP Barrus will be

attending, with boat partners including

Stingher RIBs, Revenger RIBs, Ring

Powercraft, Cobra RIBs, Renagade

RIBs, Scorpion RIBs and Orkney Boats.

Barnet Marine, distributor of XS, Avon,

Bombard and Zodiac RIBs, will be

there, alongside Warsash Marine, with

its super-durable French-built Zeppelin

RIBs, and Hockley Marine, importer of

the illustrious Capelli RIBs, reviewed

to such acclaim in previous issues of

SB&RIB. The shared ownership fleet

of RIB Shack Marine will also be there,

with its Ribeye boats and Ribtec cabin

cruisers, as will the British RIB-building

perfectionists from J-craft.

Southwater Marine is also now on

board with a selection of Monterey

sports boats, as are Tribal Watersports

and Sorcerer Boats. With six months to

go until the show kicks off, it looks like

being a hell of a weekend. We will keep

you updated as further details emerge...

www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

SPORTS BOAT AND RIB SHOW GATHERS PACE

TOY CHEETAH HITS THE WATERA new 7.9-metre Cheetah, designed and built for operation

by a skipper in a wheelchair, has just hit the water.

Cheetah Marine worked closely with retired�engineer, Vic

Toy, to create the latest custom-built catamaran.

Vic has been disabled since 1965 and, having retired

from business and bought a holiday�apartment at Cobbs

Quay in Poole, he and wife, Joan, thought it was time to

invest. The resulting boat, named ‘Hadron’, is powered

by twin Honda 90hp outboards, giving top speeds

of 28�knots. Twin side doors with wheelchair-friendly

openings provide easy access straight from the pontoon

to the cockpit. The deck slopes up to a false floor in

the wheelhouse, giving�good visibility all-round and the

wheelchair can be fixed into both helm or crew positions

via a lock-down rail, set into the deck.

The new boat was delivered in early November�and Vic

has been delighted with the entire process: “The whole

project has gone�remarkably smoothly. Next on the�agenda

is a training course for Joan and myself to Powerboat

Level 2 / ICC�and VHF licence.”�If you go boating in the

Poole area, give him a wave . . .

www.cheetahmarine.co.uk

NEWSLINE

Having launched its first sloop onto the

market back in 1994, Interboat is set to

launch a new style of boat altogether.

The Intender 660 and 770 are designed

to take the Dutch boat builder into the

world of sporting, luxury tenders and

the engines reflect that with Volvo diesel

options of up to 220 hp.

The designers expect around 27

knots from the reinforced hull, with stable

handling characteristics. Relatively light

weight make the boats easy top tow

but the most striking external elements

are the firm rubber fenders surrounding

the gunwhales and the simply designed

swimming platforms with open access

to the cockpit. Both models have as

standard running cold water and a 12-

volt Fridge as standard, while the 770

even accommodates a toilet beneath the

foredeck. The space allows a maximum of

ten passengers and comfort and finishing

are expected to be well in line with existing

Interboat cruisers. We’ll keep you up to

date on developments.

www.interboat.com

INTERBOAT LAUNCHES THE INTENDER

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

The new 7.9-metre Cheetah hits the water in Poole

The Intender signifies a new direction for Interboat

BM JAN 10 newsline.indd 15 2/12/09 13:09:55

web filler.indd 1 2/12/09 13:14:10

BUYING ADVICE

24 I January 2010 I Boat Mart Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements www.boatmart.co.uk

We humans have used

small boats since the

dawn of history – in fact

since our forefathers

discovered that they couldn’t walk on

water, and realised many creatures

below the surface considered them

a tasty snack. Today, the diversity of

small boats people use, and the way

they are used, greatly varies across the

globe and gives a hint to international

idiosyncrasies. But in essence there are

only two basic types of small boats,

‘soft’ and ‘hard’. Make your own mind

up about coracles!

InternatIonal boatIng

stereotypes

The Americans like ‘tinnies’ and bow

riders, as long as they can exceed the

national speed limit. So do the Aussies,

perhaps because it seems a very

efficient way of re-cycling mountains of

beer cans. The French don’t seem to

mind what a small boat’s made of, as

long as it has comfy seats and a loo.

The Scandinavians, however, own and

use more small boats per head than

any other region on earth.

Meanwhile, the Polynesians simply

hollow out trees to make canoes - and

then use them to train seriously big

guys who come over here and thrash

us at rugby. And we Brits seem to like

little old things with clinker hulls and

oars. Or we carry blow up craft around

in caravans and car boots, rarely (if

ever) actually getting them wet.

But it’s a toss up between the

Antipodeans and the South Africans

as to which of them displays the most

comprehensively suicidal attitude

toward small boats. The former

launches tiny (vastly over-powered)

inflatable catamarans through

horrendous surf and then races them

twin testIn this, his 2,000th feature for our esteemed publishing house, stewart suffield

compares two resolute little craft - the smartwave and the Mac attack . . .

MAC AttACK

BM JAN 10 MAC V SMART.indd 24 4/12/09 13:42:25


Smartwave v mac attack

within yards of the beach. They also drive shallow

V-hulled boats on lakes and rivers at obscene

speeds. But then so do the Irish.

On the other hand the outwardly ‘normal’ New

Zealanders are actually stark raving mad. They

dig shallow ditches in fields and then drive little

V8-powered 14-foot jet boats round in just a

few inches of water. They also race similar boats

upstream in extremely shallow, rock infested

rivers. Frequently they even chuck small boats off

cliffs to launch them, simply because it’s quicker

than finding a convenient beach or slipway! Don’t

forget, this is the nation that invented bungee

jumping, zorbing, and Shotover Canyon Swinging.

They also love base jumping, whereas we Brits

invented cricket, rounders and ballroom dancing

– which probably explains a lot.

Materials to abuseAnyway, the point of this little discussion of

national preferences is to explain the mindset that

goes into the selection of an appropriate boat

building material. In NZ, in recent years, there’s

been a huge move away from GRP boats in favour

Smartwave

Naturally enough, the Kiwis tend to favour polyethylene

BM JAN 10 MAC V SMART.indd 25 4/12/09 13:42:45

ORKNEY 592 FlippER 520HT

www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classified ad service Boat Mart I January 2010 I 29

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

You know when you hold a

baby’s shoe in the palm of

your hand, you can’t help

marvelling at how so small a

thing could possibly house a

foot? Well when you see two

grown men driving a boat like the Flipper 520

HT it is equally difficult to avoid being charmed

by the implausible loveliness of it all.

Now I know how patronising that sounds

but I certainly don’t mean it that way. After

all, I have owned a 2CV and a Mini so I know

what petite, if slightly amusing, perfection is all

about. Even now, I own an eight-foot inflatable,

which frequently gets me laughed at by callous

children as I motor, like an oversized plimsole,

up and down the local river . . .

The point of course is that scale in itself

is not an impediment to excellence as long

as expectations are adjusted and the right

compromises are made. As I approach the

Flipper 520 HT, a boat of less than 17 feet in

length, which still manages to incorporate a

double berth and a five man cockpit, I am very

curious to see just what kinds of compromises

the designers have made in order to achieve

that extraordinary feat.

ON THe iNSideThe moment you step on board you realise

that the entire boat is covered in sturdy chunks

of metal, from the aft ladder to the robust

cleats, the cockpit handrails and the enormous

foredeck rail that runs straight off the roof to a

peak above the anchor locker. Every single bit

of habitable space inside the 520 HT is lined

with a stainless grab handle.

This is all great to see but it doesn’t rescue

the 520 from the inevitable criticism that the

walkways to the foredeck are prohibitively

awkward. It’s easy to see why it’s been done.

After all, this is a very small boat, so Flipper are

keen to maximise what internal space they have

by ensuring that every spare inch of the beam

is reserved for the boat’s occupants. But the

peripheral sills along which you have to walk to

access the foredeck are considerably narrower

than the width of my foot. And because this is

a small and relatively shallow boat, there is a

fair amount of heel generated as you make your

way around the side of the screen. And then,

BM JAN 10 FLIPPER (25-28).indd 29 2/12/09 13:23:09

BUYING ADVICE

40 I January 2010 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

BUYING USEDSelecting the right boat for your needs requires forethought, simply because everyone has differing needs. There are now so many boats to choose from the possibilities are infinite, but over these pages David Greenwood and Irving Stewart provide buying advice as well as spotlighting a good used buy you might consider.

Today, countless boat builders

include centre consoles in the

ranges but in 1989, when we first

tested this boat, it was virtually an

unknown concept.

The guys at Fletcher took an

enormous leap of faith with the

Malibu and although, when afloat,

the boat looked like a dory, it was

soon evident that this was not the

case. In fact the Malibu was nine

inches longer than the classic

Arrowstreak and far beamier at

seven feet in width. It was actually

based on the Arrowbeau, with

its deep (24 degree) deadrise,

razor sharp spray rails, and wide

pronounced chines. It absolutely

oozed sporting potential and

an enviable ability to remain

stable when at rest, and it added

all of this to the ‘unsinkable’

characteristics of the dory.

NovelTy

In 1989 the novelty of a

walkaround multi-purpose

performance boat with equal

appeal to fishermen, waterskiers

and speed freaks took half a

page to describe. And yet other

surprises awaited our original test

team, even before we got afloat.

The Malibu boasted a yamaha

90hp auto lube outboard instead

of a Mercury, which was the

traditional engine of choice for the

famous ‘Black Max’ packages of

the day.

AFloAT

So having made the trip down to

the sea, and outrun the Arrowflyte

camera boat, we took its crew

aboard the Malibu and completed

our tests with four up. In brief

she planed at 19mph (in just 4.5

seconds), cruised at 21mph at

3,500rpm and peaked at 45mph

with the yam on full chat - and all

with the thud-free ride of a classic

Fletcher. But it was the handling

that surprised everybody. Unlike

a conventional sports boat, the

centre console and seating plan

of the Malibu allows the centre of

gravity to be maintained precisely

where it’s supposed to be. Thus,

in typical Fletcher style, she never

put a foot wrong even when

we tried hard to put her off her

balance. She handled the sea with

utter indifference and only got

airborne when a passing, and far

larger, Bayliner kindly left behind

a big hole, which we had to leap.

She even managed, on the return

trip, to run against a very strong

current in less than two feet of

water with the yam on virtually

full tilt – and she still handled

perfectly.

In short this all-round boat

was a real eye opener. Sadly, it

was also way ahead of its time

and did not generate the sales it

deserved. A decade or so later,

when we all got used to centre

console control, the fickle public

all wanted RIBs and the Malibu

was dropped from the Fletcher

model line up.

originally the boat cost £12,500

with a full spec yam 90 or £10,056

with a similar Mercury. In good

condition today a classic Malibu

might fetch anything from a few

hundred pounds to £3,500. But if

you can find one on offer, even if it

needs love, grab it and experience

for yourself the fun, versatility and

performance you can derive from

a classic boat and just 90hp . . .

BUYING SECONDHAND - Fletcher Malibu 17 With Irving Stewart

For professional yacht brokers and agents visitwww.abya.co.uk

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

The Small Craft & Yacht SpecialistsYDSA

BM09

SU Y

BDSA

ban

ner

n view the boat and make your offer

subject to survey.

n Pay the deposit and receive a receipt

and signed Sale Agreement, agreeing

dates for completion.

n Ask for proof of ownership before paying

out for a survey.

n Request Confirmation of Recreational

Craft Directive Compliance or exemption.

n Instruct your surveyor and await the

report.

n Negotiate on work to rectify material

defects and agree an adjusted price if

necessary.

n Ask to see all equipment and gear not

currently on the boat but which is included

in the sale price before handing over the

balance payment.

n Arrange your boat’s insurance before

handing over the balance due.

n When you give the final payment, make

sure you receive a Bill of Sale, previous

Bills of Sale if possible, Certificate of

Registration or letters or Statutory

declarations from pervious owners

relinquishing further interest in the boat,

Builder’s Certificate, original receipted

vAT invoice and all other relevant

documentation.

For information on buying a used boat check

out RyA Buying A Second Hand yacht.

KEY STEPS TO BUYING PRIVATELYOR YOU MIGHT WISH TO USE A BROKER

n A broker will provide a sale and purchase agreement

n Sort out all the finance

n Advise what documentation is required

n Negotiate between the parties

n Provide a Bill of Sale and advise about registration

n Provides the marketing and viewing of the boat

n Help discussions with the surveyor

For more information about buying and selling a boat

see www.abya.co.uk or www.rya.org.uk. The AByA

is the Association of Brokers & yacht Agents and is a

good port of call for anyone buying or selling a boat.

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

BM JAN 10 SECONDHAND.indd 40 2/12/09 13:33:01

EQUIPMENT

www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements52 I January 2010 I Boat Mart

CUTTINGEDGE CREWFITCrewsaver is set to launch a new lifejacket aimed squarely at the leisure boater. The Crewfit 190N is lightweight, extremely comfortable to wear and thoroughly modern, with much more compact dimensions than the popular Crewfit 150N. Approved to the new standard (BS EN ISO 12402), the Crewfit 190N is designed to support the user, even when wearing heavy waterproof clothing. When inflated, two asymmetric lobes overlap to provide better turning performance to keep an unconscious casualty face-up. Other features include an integrated back mesh panel and fixed dual crotch straps to keep it in the right position. You also get belt tidies, a soft-feel collar, dual lifting beckets, reflective tape and a whistle. There are various models, with options of a harness, a sprayhood and a light. If ever there was a leisure jacket that users will genuinely want to wear, this is it.Price: pending UK launch in January 2010

02392 528621 www.crewsaver.co.uk

FLOATING COBRAS Floating VHF handhelds are not a new concept but they are a very sound one, which is why it is so good to see a range of floating VHF handheld radios from Cobra Marine. The engagingly named MR HH330 FLT EU and the equally catchy-sounding, Bluetooth-equipped MR HH475 FLT BT EU are bright orange for easy visibility on the surface of the water. They are compact too and yet the controls and the screen

remain sufficiently large to be user-friendly. With six watts of power, these

are Cobra’s most powerful handheld radios yet, enabling relatively clear long-range communication by way of a noise-canceling microphone. They also offer an Automatic Transmission Identification System (ATIS) feature, used to identify marine vessels in some European inland waterways. But the best feature by far is ‘BURP’ - a function that vibrates water out of the speaker grill to improve performance in extreme conditions. Whatever will they think of next...Price: from around £100

www.cobra.com

EQUIPMENT

FLOATING COBRAS Floating VHF handhelds are not a new concept but they are a very sound one, which is why it is so good to see a range of floating VHF handheld radios from Cobra Marine. The engagingly named MR HH330 FLT EU and the equally catchy-sounding, Bluetooth-equipped MR HH475 FLT BT EU are bright orange for easy visibility on the surface of the water. They are compact too and yet the controls and the screen

remain sufficiently large to be user-friendly. With six watts of power, these

are Cobra’s most powerful handheld radios yet, enabling relatively clear long-range communication by way of a noise-canceling microphone. They also offer an Automatic Transmission Identification System (ATIS) feature, used to identify marine vessels in some European inland waterways. But the best feature by far is ‘BURP’ - a function that vibrates water out of the speaker grill to improve performance in extreme conditions. Whatever will they think of next...Price: from around £100

www.cobra.com

TOP GEARENGINE NEWS KIT & ACCESSORIES BOOK REVIEWS BUYING ADVICE

TRUE UTILITYHow many times have you arrived at your destination to find that your money is reduced to sodden flapping sheets - or worse still, lost altogether? Well here we have the keyring CashStash from True Utility. This clever little capsule has a special cash clip, allowing you to wrap an emergency note inside. It takes up virtually no room on your keyring and yet it will readily get you outof trouble by covering that last round of drinks. Constructed from chrome-plated, aircraft-grade aluminium with a waterproof neoprene ‘O’ ring, it makes a great stocking filler.Price: £4.99

www.trueutility.com

BOOK REVIEWS

CUTTINGEDGE CREWFIT

grill to improve performance

Whatever will they

GREAT GIFTIDEA

BM JAN 10 top gear.indd 52 4/12/09 13:46:28

TOP GEAR

Boat Mart I January 2010 I 57www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

ENGINE SHORTS

Following the announcement in America

that there are four new Yamaha outboard

models to be introduced during 2010, in

addition to the new F4, F5 and F6 we told

you about last month, a few more basic

details have emerged, in advance of the

official European release.

We can now reveal that Yamaha will

introduce a new lightweight, big-block V6

range in a choice of three horsepower

sizes - the F300, the F250 and the F225.

The fourth new engine will be the F70,

a model which now gives the Yamaha

outboard range even more variants,

ensuring the ideal outboard is available for

every transom.

When it comes to sports boats and

small RIBs, fitting the engine can double

the price of the boat and these new hi-

tec engines are a huge temptation to

an opportunist thief. This is not a new

problem. In fact it’s one that has long

been appreciated by personal watercraft

owners and builders, both of whom

have introduced stringent security

and anti-theft devices on these easily

stolen machines.

Now it’s the turn of the outboard and

Yamaha has launched the new Y-COP

anti-tamper system on all new outboards

from 30 to 100hp. It represents a very

substantial sector of engine sales in the

UK so it makes a lot of sense.

In essence the Y-COP system utilises

a simple remote handheld transmitter

to immobilise the engine, and therefore

also the boat. The signal from the

transmitter is picked up by a receiver

fitted to the boat, which is plugged into

the LAN (Local Area Network) hub. The

signal is then passed to the engine ECM

(Engine Control Module – as fitted to all

EFI engines) via the standard LAN wiring

system. The engine ECM recognises the

unique signal from the transmitter and

unlocks the system to allow the engine

to run – just like your car immobiliser.

In addition the Y-COP is also clever

enough to recognise if someone is

tampering with the system and even if

it is disconnected or destroyed it will

lock the engine into a low rpm mode

– enough to get you home but useless

to thieves.

Boats with this range of engines are

often left unattended stored on a trailer

or left on the deck of their mother ship

and are very tempting as targets for

thieves. With the introduction of Y-COP,

the value of these boats to thieves is

dramatically reduced, just as it is in

contemporary cars. Just don’t leave your

Yamaha keys where an astute thief can

easily find them!

ENGINE NEWS

outboard range even more variants,

ensuring the ideal outboard is available for

every transom.

enough to recognise if someone is

tampering with the system and even if

it is disconnected or destroyed it will

lock the engine into a low rpm mode

– enough to get you home but useless

Boats with this range of engines are

often left unattended stored on a trailer

or left on the deck of their mother ship

and are very tempting as targets for

thieves. With the introduction of Y-COP,

the value of these boats to thieves is

dramatically reduced, just as it is in

Boat Mart I January 2010 I 57Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service


Yamaha keys where an astute thief can


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

BM JAN 10 top gear.indd 57 4/12/09 13:48:40

INSHORE SKIPPER

INSHORE SKIPPERwith Colin Jones

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


Our 90 hp Yamaha has always been

reliable and has several times taken

us on 100-mile plus open water

Channel crossings, safe in the

knowledge that we could stop for a picnic lunch at

the Channel Light Buoy and it would start again.

I wish I could say the same about several of the

garage full of small outboards that I have owned

and often cursed. We are mostly talking here

about two-stroke outboards of less than 9.9 hp.

I remember on one occasion driving 150 miles,

spend two sweaty hours siting the caravan and

erecting the awning, before going down to the

beach for an hour’s mackerel fishing - only to find

that the bloody outboard would not start.

Cue an hour’s drive to Plymouth, followed by

a two-day wait, before going to the beach again

and finding that my £45 service had been wasted

- yes, the motor still refused to start. It was not my

best holiday and I suspect that a similar tale could

be related by hundreds of other lemmings who

BABY OUTBOARDS RECONSIDERED

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

BM JAN 10 skipper.indd 63 2/12/09 13:52:37


SHOW PREVIEW

SHOW TIME

ClassiC boats

In association with Classic Boat magazine,

International Paint and Old Pulteney, the Classic

Boat attraction has been a star of the show since

2004. With the atmosphere of a friendly working

boat yard, approachable and engaging craftsmen

will be on hand to offer hints and tips when it

comes to traditional skills and workmanship on

these much loved boats.

the owner’s area

The Owner’s Association area in the Boulevard is a

place where boat owners from various associations

can meet up, swap hints and tips and discuss their

boats with like-minded sailors. For those looking

to buy a boat or to upgrade, this sales-free area

is also a great place to meet owners, who are

passionate about their choice of boat and are very

willing to discuss the options available.

boating on a budget

For those visitors who have been following the

Boating on a Budget diary pages on the show’s

website, the 36-year old Hunter 19 ‘Barangoola’

will be on display. She is being raffled off in order

to raise funds for the Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI,

with tickets on sale at £5 each. The ‘Barangoola’

demonstrates just how affordable boating can be

as she will be transformed into a shiny good-as-

new cruiser by loving volunteers in the run up to

the Show for a budget of just £5,000.

get interaCtive

Show visitors can test their marine skills against

friends in the interactive Deck Games zone, the

centrepiece of which is a 25-metre long indoor

pool. The pool will feature model yacht racing,

which tends to become tremendously competitive

and vocal if past years are anything to go by.

At the weekends, younger visitors can also

experience kayaking on the pool with Pelican

Kayaks. Conducted under the watchful eye of the

Lee Valley Canoe Cycle coaching team and with

all the latest equipment provided by Avoncraft,

visitors are encouraged to book early on the day

to avoid disappointment. And for even younger

visitors, there is a colouring area provided, in

association with International Paints.

2010 TulleTT Prebon london inTernaTional boaT ShowRunning from Friday 08 to 17 January, the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at London’s ExCeL is the capital’s best

established marine event. With more than 400 exhibitors, showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, engines, electronics, deck

equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more, it’s an ideal way to kick off the new year.

Fast Show Facts

The 2010 event will be the 56th London Boat Show It lasts for ten days

It expects to receive 122,000 visitors There are more than 400 exhibitors

Prices of new boats exhibited range from £500 to £10 million

Kelly Brooke made a welcome appearance in 2009

BM JAN 10 LIBS.indd 77 4/12/09 14:02:16


ANGLING

ANGLING

TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith, and we used to fish together in the Solent. I then moved to Torquay in 1961, and after obtaining my boatman’s licence I bought a 36ft harbour launch which was the first angling charter boat in Torquay. Since then I have fished in a variety of boats all around the UK as well as around the world from Sweden to New Zealand and North America to Mexico, and I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.

ANGLING

TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith, and we used to fish together in the Solent. I then moved to Torquay in 1961, and after obtaining my boatman’s licence I bought a 36ft harbour launch which was the first angling charter boat in Torquay. Since then I have fished in a variety of boats all around the UK as well as around the world from Sweden to New Zealand and North America to Mexico, and I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.

Another year has slipped beneath

the waves that many will not

mourn - a year not great for

fishing despite a promising

start that faded as the weather

deteriorated in the summer months. But as a

new year dawns with a promising start in the

rivers it gives us hope of seeing full fish boxes

later in the year.

Whatever the weather, over the next month

or so we should be casting off with reasonable

flounder fishing because the colder it gets,

the better the fishing usually is. The past few

years have been poor but, in 2008, I did notice

in my local Devon rivers that more flounder

were caught, including a handful over three

pounds, so there is hope. And as I write this,

encouraging news has come in of a good

start to the winter flounder season. The first

big flounder match on Devon’s River Teign (the

Torbay and Babbacombe ASA’s annual small

boat competition) saw three flounder of more

than two pounds topping the list from among

the 20 brave anglers who chose to do battle

with torrential rain and strong winds. This was

followed two days later by another of 3.3.6

caught by Nick Best - a promising start indeed.

FINDING FLOUNDER

Flounder are widespread. Almost every river

is stocked with them but some do have more

and better fish than others. Tackle is the same

everywhere - a light rod with a small multiplier or

fixed spool reel, line 10lb to 12lb BS, although

BS is not critical. Rigs are a personal choice and

they do vary around the country, developed for

local conditions, but my advice is to keep them

light - single or double hook flowing trace with

carbon sharp wire hooks, size 1, 1/0 or 2/0, with

beads above. Red and yellow are my preference

but others prefer green and white. Whatever

your choice, they all attract fish.

Is colour important? I am not sure but what

we do know is that beads are an attraction to

a flounder, as they cause the bait to flutter and

move in the tide, and they also tend to keep the

bait out of the reach of thieving crabs. Without

doubt, peeler crab is the prime bait in most

rivers but it is a difficult issue because in some

rivers ragworm are better while in the Salcombe

Estuary, lugworm can often head the list. People

tend to know their own patch, so use what the

locals use and if bites are hard to come by, try a

different bait.

If flounder are not your cup of tea, then

whiting should offer another target. The bigger

fish are usually found along the south Devon

coast but a bonus here would be a few cod.

TIME FOR A NEW BOAT?

If you are not fishing for the next month or

so you might be dreaming of upgrading your

existing craft or buying your first boat. Well now

is a good time to start looking because you often

stumble across bargains in the winter months.

Take a quick look through these pages and you

will be surprised what crops up.

First and foremost, safety has to be the

number one criteria. Your fishing boat has to be

HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2010Whiting make a useful winter alternative

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

BM JAN 10 ANGLING.indd 85 2/12/09 14:27:16

PRACTICAL MONTHLY

Boat Mart I Janaury 2010 I 95www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classified ad service

PRACTICALMONTHLY

MONEY SAVING IDEASSaving money without sacrificing the

quality of the work is one of the key

factors in successful boat restoration.

Quite often it is simply a matter

of seeing things from a different

perspective. Let’s take for example

pipe and wiring brackets. You can

buy excellent ‘P’ clips in stainless

steel and if you buy them from your

local hydraulics supplier instead of

the chandlery they will be a fraction

of the price.

But what about the time when you

only need to clip a few wires into

position to keep them from trailing in

the bilge? Electrical wholesalers and

DIY shops sell plastic cable clips in a

wide range of styles and sizes, many

being more than adequate for clamping

pipe-work up to 15mm in diameter

or more. The one thing wrong with

these clips is that the smaller versions

come with lightly galvanised nails for

hammering into position. And while

heavy-duty galvanising is excellent for

anchor chains, the light coat used on

these nails will soon rust through in a

damp and salty environment.

So why not simply change the nail

for a small diameter stainless steel

screw? You then have a perfectly

adequate ‘marine grade’ cable clip at a

negligible price. And if you don’t want

to use stainless steel screws, then how

about the stainless steel, white-capped

nails used for securing fascia boards

to houses. These are readily available

from DIY shops and not terribly

expensive. Whichever method you

choose, the end result is a long lasting

(and very cheap) cable or pipe clip.

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

What to do, how to do it and the right equipment and materials to use.

GREEN BOATING

Do you want to know how green you are? Take the Green Boat test. Email [email protected] today for a copy and see how well you and your boat score.

EASY WAYS TO BE GREENn Use environmentally-friendly

cleaning productsn Dispose of hazardous waste properlyn Spill proof oil changes and re-fuelingn Minimise cleaning and maintenance

in the watern Recycle your waste and take

rubbish ashoren Use the right prop for your boat

GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH

SPILL-PROOF YOuR OIL CHANGES

Why? Oil is toxic to fish and water

species. Prolonged exposure affects

reproduction, growth and feeding of

aquatic life, even at low concentrations.

Oil and fuels are the most frequently

reported pollutant of inland waters in

England and Wales.

How: For oil changes, use an oil

change pump to transfer oil to a spill-

proof container. Wrap a plastic bag or

absorbent pad around the oil filter to

prevent oil from spilling into the bilge.

Transfer used oil or waste fuel in proper

containers and dispose of in oil waste

facilities. You should also dispose of

all oily or fuel-soaked materials in the

hazardous waste containers. Never use

soap to disperse fuel and oil spills as it

increases harm to the environment.

Did You Know? The Oil Bank Line will

give you details of your nearest oil

disposal centre: www.oilbankline.org.uk.

Our thanks to the Green Blue for their

help with this tip.

A corrosion-resistant DIY clip is a very simple job

BM JAN 10 PRAT MONTHLY.indd 95 2/12/09 14:29:32

PROJECT


PRACTICALPROJECT 98#

THE ECONOMICS OF A BOAT

How much work a prospective owner is

prepared to accept depends on his ability and

enthusiasm for DIY. A very neglected boat

will sell for much less than one that has been

properly cared for. It is however, most important

to avoid taking on a major refit beyond your

capabilities in a fit of over-enthusiasm. Part of the

budget must be retained for repair and refitting

materials, which could easily match the purchase

price of the boat if the work is to be performed

to a good standard.

It must be borne in mind that the work must

be performed properly if the boat is to increase in

value when renovation is complete. It must also be

remembered that all inland waterways craft need

to comply with Boat Safety Certificate standards or

local equivalents and a boat without a certificate is

worth a lot less than one that complies. It can cost a

thousand pounds or more to bring a neglected boat

up to standard.

In fairness, there is almost no fault or damage that

cannot be repaired given sufficient time, money and

enthusiasm - but whether the completed vessel will

be worth the time and expense is another matter

you need to think about prior to purchase. It is

important to err on the side of caution when looking

at any boat requiring repair and unless you have

absolute confidence in your ability to carry out the

necessary renovation work, you must add the cost

of having the work performed professionally or reject

the boat as an uneconomic buy.

BUYING SECOND-HAND:

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

Buying a boat is always an exciting prospect, but with second-hand boats, especially those bought privately without any guarantee,

care must be taken to ensure that problem areas are discovered before purchase and that they can be economically remedied. At the

viewing stage a defect need not be considered a problem, more an opportunity for knocking the price down. Almost every second-

hand boat will have some defect however minor to affect the price. It is up to the buyer to find it.

FIRST UP

The first decision to be made before looking

at any specific boats for sale is the style

of boat required and the material of its

construction. Most modern boats below

about 30 feet are built of GRP, although there

are still some very smart wooden examples

around. Wooden boats require more careful

maintenance than the average GRP boat but

due to this fact can often be purchased for a

fraction of the price.

The scourge of GRP craft in the last few

years has been that of gel-coat blistering,

generally known as Osmosis. It appears as

blistering on the gel-coat layer below the

waterline and if a blister is pierced, it allows a

fluid to escape that has a distinctive vinegary

smell. If the problem is not too widespread

it can be successfully repaired by the DIY

enthusiast but the materials are costly and

the job is time-consuming.

Call in a surveyor to check the moisture

content of the hull. If this is excessively high,

the boat may need a year or more out of the

water to dry-out before the gel-coat can be

repaired. Osmosis should not appear on a

craft that has been stored ashore on a trailer

but it’s still worth checking for, just in case the

boat has previously spent extended periods

afloat on a mooring.

As there is a wide choice of second-hand

boats on the market, it is not usually worth

buying a boat with osmosis unless the price

is very attractive. A surveyor should definitely

be consulted for advice where osmosis is

concerned.

Check below the waterline for evidence of osmosis

BM JAN 10 PROJECT.indd 101 2/12/09 14:30:39

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Boat Mart January 2010 preview