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Best buys for £1K, £2K, £5K and £10K

On board a classic 1930s French Neptune sailing canoe

DIY EXPERT

■ FISHFINDERS■ NEW FISHER PROFILE■ TOP ANGLING SPOTSPLUS ANGLING NEWS

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PLUSFANTATSTIC RECEPIE

TIDY YOUR PIPEWORKPUT IT RIGHT THIS WEEKEND WITH

OUR STEP-BY-STEP PROJECT

SERVICE YOUR OUTDRIVESAVE MONEY WITH OUR DIY GUIDE

EARLY SEASON MAINTENANCESIMPLE TIPS FOR ENGINE, HULL & TRAILER

DIYPROJECT

THE 17-FOOT FISHER FROM ATLANTIC MARINE

12KTEMPTATION

PLUS JUMBLE WATCHIN SEARCH OF THE UK’S GREATEST BOATING DEALS

BOAT SHOW

BARGAINS20Highlights of the 50th Birmingham boat festival

EASYWEATHERMASTERCLASS FROM THE

INLAND ADVENTURES Ten great reasons to buy a GRP cruiser

MAY_COVER2_R.indd 1 24/03/2011 11:44

ContentsMay 2011

Newsline

12 UK News Find out what’s happening on the water near you

16 Boating Accessories All the latest gadgets for the acquisitional leisure boat skipper

24 Strange but trueStewart Suffield scours the UK for the more unusual boating stories

Buying Advice

30 Restoration treasure On board a 1930s sailing canoe

40 Five boat buying options Five new boat profiles to get you thinking

48 Tow car test Picking the perfect used Land Rover

58 Boat Show Bargains Highlights of the 50th Birmingham boat festival

£12K temptation 52The 17-foot fisher from Atlantic Marine

113 Narrowboats 114 Cruisers118 Commercial118 Fishing Boats120 Ribs 121 Dinghies121 Sports/Speed Boats122 Personal Watercraft123 Classic Sail124 Trailer Sailers 125 Sailing Dinghies125 Sailing Yachts130 Chandlery 131 Engines

Looking To Sell?If You’re Looking To Sell Your Boat, Then Boat Mart (In Conjunction With Boatandyachtbuyer.Co.Uk) Can Help

Boats For Sale

contents.indd 8 24/03/2011 17:27

May 2011

On the water

64 Events Diary Find an event near you in April and May

66 Readers’ letters New gear, mystery boats and outboard advice

70 Jumble watch In search of the UK’s greatest deals

72 The Good Life Part 1 of our inland liveaboard blog

74 Show Watch Four more events under the Boat Mart microscope

Practical

78 Inland adventuresWhat to look for in a classic GRP cruiser

79 Early season maintenance Elementary DIY for engine, hull and trailer

80 Practical Kit Four more upgrade avenues for the DIY boater

82 Practical ProjectThe perfect outdrive service

87 Mini Project Fix up your pipework like a pro

88 Skippers’ tips Forecast the weather with the RYA

92 Angling Advice Learn to fish for the beautiful Wrasse

94 Trailer talk Get the best out of your trailer boat

40

88

DIYPROJECT

contents.indd 9 24/03/2011 17:27

12 ● www.boatmart.co.uk ● Boat Mart

Newsline

Round Britain BlessingThe Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) has played host to the Bishop of Sherborne for the official boat blessing of the Round Britain and Ireland Challenge Dehler Varianta 44 Fleet. The Academy has formed a partnership with this new event, offering people the chance to race around Great Britain and Ireland or join for a single leg. The race will run three times a year, starting and finishing in Weymouth, where the academy will form the base for the training.

Charlie Walker, MD, Round Britain and Ireland Challenge, said: “We are now in preparation at the WPNSA for the start of race one. The blessing was a time to reflect on all of the team’s hard work in setting up such a popular event that will see three 2,500 mile circumnavigations during 2011 alone.”www.rbic.co.uk

Scottish mergerBosun’s Locker has formed a merger with boat dealer and marine engineering company, FYM. This combination of two of Scotland’s top marine specialists is designed to produce one of the most comprehensive boating services in the UK, with clothing, equipment, boat sales and engine repairs.

Together, the companies boast more than 70 years experience and the joint venture will allow them to offer a huge range of brands, including Finmaster, Linder, Nord Star, Orkney, Quicksilver, Regal and Warrior. The combined business will also become a Premier RIB centre for Avon, Zodiac and Rib-X.

The merger comes after the announcement that FYM’s Director, Keith

Stewart, is soon to retire. He said: “It was important to join forces with a company that complements what FYM does. A marina location with access to the water and a sailing school on site is the obvious place for our company to be and Port Edgar’s planned new 20-ton boat lift makes the location extremely attractive.”

FYM will make the full move to Port Edgar by the end of April, with the business continuing to operate under the two established brand names. To celebrate the merger, customers are invited to the annual Demo Weekend on 30 April and 01 May at Port Edgar Marina.01313 313875www.fym.co.ukwww.bosuns.co.uk

Kit News - P16From searchlights to rope cutters, it’s all here . . .

bm_may_news.indd 12 24/03/2011 12:40

Boat Mart ● www.boatmart.co.uk ● 21

NEWSLINEUK BOAT NEWS

Suzuki’s new gaugesSuzuki has launched a set of new electronic instruments called the Suzuki Modular Instrument System (SMIS). The new system uses an expandable cable system to transmit graphic and numerical data to the Multi-Function Gauges, which can display real-time readings of a wide range of information, including trim, speed, RPM and fuel consumption.

As the gauges are NMEA2000 compatible, they can also be linked to other electronic devices such as GPS receivers and chart plotters, allowing the user to overlay engine information on the screens of other devices. Easy to set up and install, the gauges are available in two and four-inch sizes and come with grey, white or chrome bezels so you can match them to the console of your boat. The new system can be used with nearly any boat and any of Suzuki’s Electronic Fuel Injection models from the DF40 right up to the DF300.

Shigeyuki Masuda, Group Leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa Marketing & Planning Group within Suzuki’s Marine

Division, said: “These new Multi-Function Gauges are an excellent addition to our range of parts and accessories. When fi tted to our new generation Lean Burn outboards, customers will be able to see the low fuel consumption fi gures as well as feel the benefi t in their pockets.”www.suzuki-marine.co.uk

Engine NewsHonda superpowerAt the recent Miami Boat Show, Honda announced its fi rst new engine at an increased horsepower for many moons - the BF 250. Details are a bit sparse and the engine is not due to hit our shores until the end of 2011, but what we do know is that it will be based on a unique 3.6-litre design, with a “striking and sleek exterior”. It will also incorporate the very latest Honda fuel saving technologies, such as BLAST, VTEC, and ECOmo - and it will be NMEA 2000 compliant, enabling it to be easily integrated with the very latest electronic equipment.

Phil Webb, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) said: “The reason for bringing the BF250 to market is because we’re seeing a defi nite shift (mainly driven by America) which sees customers with larger boats wanting to make the change from inboard engines to outboards and thus, more powerful outboards are required. Particularly for the European marine market, the fi nancial motivation for running a diesel inboard engine simply isn’t there any more because of the removal of the tax break for red diesel.”

Although offi cial pictures of the new engine had not been released when news of the new engine arrived, we did manage to grab one taken by a visitor to the show on his phone . . .www.honda.co.uk/marine

The Tohatsus fi nally arrive . . .

Having been unable to show their new portable engines at the London Boat Show, Tohatsu Marine managed to get a couple of its new engines to the Birmingham Boat Show a few weeks later. The new 5 and 6hp lightweight four-strokes should be available in the UK from about July 2011. www.tohatsu-uk.net

bm_may_news.indd 21 24/03/2011 12:41

24 ● www.boatmart.co.uk ● Boat Mart

Strange but trueIn the fi rst of a new series on the more unusual side of boating, Stuart Field takes a look at some standout news stories from the last 12 months . . .

The tendency for people to undertake dangerous expeditions has been a perfectly natural feature of human history. We have always strived to discover what lies beyond the horizon and, by and large, whenever we have managed to fi nd it, we have planted a fl ag and set about subjugating the locals. But this new regular article is not just about swashbuckling adventurers. It is about brave manufacturing pioneers, big personalities, remarkable objects, strange stories and incidents in the boating world that make you sit up and take notice. Here is a selection to get you started . . .

The have-a-go heroesA boat trip from Tampa to London across 7,000 miles of open ocean seems like a hell of an undertaking. But when Ralph and Robert Brown stepped off their tiny fi shing boat at London’s Limehouse Marina, they seemed unsurprised by their success. Thousands of experts had said it was impossible and yet in making the trip, they had also made history by setting several world records, including the

smallest powerboat to cross the Atlantic, the fi rst fl ats boat to cross the Atlantic and the longest ocean voyage in a fl ats boat.

A fl ats boat is designed to run with the engine down in less than a foot of water. This particular craft, built by the Brown brothers in Hudson, Florida, is a tunnel-hulled catamaran fi lled with closed cell foam, which can run in just four to six inches of water. Called the ‘Intruder’, it is just 21-feet in length and

powered by a Suzuki 115hp outboard, with a 9.9hp auxiliary as an emergency backup. But what really separates this boat from other craft that have attempted the trip is the fact that it has no cabin for shelter, no keel for stability, no sail for extra propulsion and no support boat to carry supplies or to help out. It is essentially a lake boat and yet it took on an ocean.

The two men were completely exposed to the elements for the entire voyage. During that time, they survived massive waves from two hurricanes. They came close to running out of both fuel and money and they narrowly avoided being ‘run over’ by an iceberg in Greenland. But despite all the tribulations, the boat retained its seaworthiness. Trouble is the attached equipment fell apart from the combined impact of an estimated 140,000 slams during the 7,000-mile crossing. It’s a hell of an achievement and one unlikely to be equalled for a very long time . . .

24 ● www.boatmart.co.uk

We need you

If you have any

embarrassing,

instructive or

off-the-wall stories,

get in touch

with the BM

crew now

bm_may_wtf.indd 24 24/03/2011 13:11

Buying AdviceBuying Advice22PACKEDPAGES

P30 The beauty of a classic sailing canoeP40 Five new boat profi les to get you thinkingP48 On the road for the latest tow car testP52 Does the Atlantic Fisher 510 really make sense?P58 The best from the Boat and Caravan Show

Atlantic Fisher 510

Forgotten Treasures

PLUS - fi nd out what you can buy on the

used boat market for £1K, £2K, £5K and £10K

Tow Car Used TestFreelander 4 put

through its paces

bm_may_opener.indd 2 24/03/2011 13:18

30 ● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

We all dream about fi nding a treasure at the bottom of the garden, or coming across a used bargain that warrants a place on the Antiques Road Show. Well the story behind this 1930s sailing canoe fi ts both of those visions. It was found at the bottom of a garden, in very good condition (considering the length of time it had lain there) and was then given to the present owner to restore for his own use.

An adventurous heritage The story behind this boat is unusually well documented, as the fi nder was none other than the grandson of the original owner. The canoe was built in 1930 by George Seyler, a well-known boat builder with his yard right on the riverbank at Le Perreux sur Marne. He built various types of picnic boat for river cruising, one of which was this Neptune class sailing canoe. It was a very popular model

in the 1930s and George built quite a few of them for wealthy Parisians who came to the country for relaxing weekends. He offered storage in his boathouse at the yard and put them in the water on request - essentially running an early ‘Park and Ride’ scheme.

By and large, these boats were used for picnic trips down the river, but this canoe was destined for far bigger adventures than that. She was built for a merchant navy captain, who took her all over the world on the deck of his ship and explored the waters around the ports he visited. These excursions were pretty exotic for the time - North and West Africa, Canada, the near East and the Malaysian

Peninsular were all waters that saw the captain visit in this little boat. In fact, he even named her after one of the little villages he visited in Nigeria - ‘Le El Oued II’.

You can imagine him letting go, with a basket of supplies and some goatskin bags of water, possibly a few bottles of wine and some cheese wrapped in muslin. The sail would have taken him quickly along the coast and then he could furl the rig and paddle

Hidden treasureHow nice would it be to cut back the bushes in your overgrown garden and fi nd a nautical treasure just waiting for some TLC? Simon Everett takes a look at a classic 1930s sailing canoe . . .

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Boat Mart ● Buying Advice ● 31

BUYING ADVICEUSED BOAT TEST

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34 ● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

Used Advice

The question of whether a used boat is too far gone is one only you can answer. After all, Joshua Slocum (the fi rst man to sail single-handedly around the world) bought a run-down old boat called ‘The Spray’ for his voyage. He set about renovating her in

preparation for the feat and by the time she was ready, there was only one original timber left. So was she too far gone? Well not for him. He was a professional 19th century sailor, accustomed to making and mending his way around the world on commercial sailing ships.

By the time he embarked on the big trip, he knew all there was to know about wooden boats and their repair.

Unfortunately, we can’t all be like Joshua Slocum. Instead, we need to take a realistic look at ourselves as well as the boat. For many of us, polishing and painting may be the only skills we can apply but some people may be able to go further, especially if they have developed special skills in the day job. Could you rebuild an engine? If not, do you know someone who could do it for you? Could you estimate the cost of getting this done?

In short, the secret of happiness is to be realistic about your skills, your budget and your time, but here is a thought. For the past two years I have been watching a young couple renovate a Channel Islands 22 built in the mid 1970s. They bought her for a song and she now looks better than when she was fi rst launched all those years ago. Her hull and topsides are gleaming. All the wood has been stripped back and re-varnished, the old heads are now a wet-room with shower and the berths are sprung and recovered. It took two years of evenings and weekends but the results are outstanding. They now have a vessel that turns heads wherever they go - and I guarantee, the moment you see what can be done, it will get you thinking about just how much you’re capable of.

- Is that boat too far gone?

For professional yacht brokers and agents visit www.abya.co.ukThe Yacht, Power & Small Craft Specialists

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

● View the boat and make your offer subject

to survey.

● Pay the deposit and receive a receipt and

signed Sale Agreement, agreeing dates for

completion.

● Ask for proof of ownership before paying out

for a survey.

● Request Confirmation of Recreational Craft

Directive Compliance or Exemption.

● Instruct your surveyor and await the report.

● Negotiate on work to rectify material defects

and agree an adjusted price if necessary.

● Arrange your boat’s insurance before

handing over the balance due.

● 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.

● 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 previous 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

the RYA’s ‘Buying A Second Hand Yacht’.

KEY STEPS TO BUYING PRIVATELY

● A broker will provide a sale and purchase agreement● Sort out all the finance● Advise what documentation is required● Negotiate between the parties● Provide a Bill of Sale and advise about registration● Provide the marketing and viewing of the boat● Help discussions with the surveyor

For more information about buying and selling a boat see www.abya.co.uk or www.rya.org.uk. ABYA is the Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents and is a good port of call for anyone buying or selling a boat.

with David Greenwood

BUYING ADVICEEXPERT TIPS

bm_may_secondhand.indd 34 24/03/2011 13:37

40 ● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

Intender 770 It might be a super-plush tender, but as a standalone boat, the new 770 has plenty to offer . . .

Interboat’s latest craft is described rather boldly by Director, Jerry Schuiten, as “a new type of open boat”. The Intender 770 (and its smaller sibling, the 660) are apparently designed to get the Dutch boat builder into a new area of distinctly sporty and modern-looking tenders. They can be equipped with Volvo inboard diesel engines right up to 220hp, enabling speeds of up to 27 knots. But it is not the pace (or the stable handling characteristics) of the new Intender that are particularly notable but the extremely unusual open transom. This is designed to allow easy access to the water for divers, skiers and watersports enthusiasts. With the top spec engine, the boat easily tows a waterskier and as a general sports boat it makes a very classy alternative to a RIB.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary transom shape, another striking aspect of the boat’s appearance is the fat rubbing strake, which essentially replaces the more traditional rope fender. The central steering position is the focal point of the boat, with great views and easy access to all quarters of the craft, while the broad instrument panel allows the latest nav aids to be fi tted.

The Intender features secure, shoulder-height, inward-facing seats for up to eight people, which is great for family boaters - and the features list is also very useful. You get a full galley with a 40-litre fridge, single burner, sink and cold water system, plus a full spray canopy and tonneau cover. You even get a toilet room in the bow with a

black waste tank, which is dischargeable via the deck or through the hull. You get cockpit lights, twin batteries, a spayhood and rear cover, plus a solid teak bathing platform.

The shallow draft and low bridge clearance are both big bonuses for navigation on inland waterways and the decent turn of speed and stability will be useful assets on Europe’s coastal waters. It may be marketed as a posh tender but if you are tempted, give Val Wyatt Marine a call and fi nd out if it suits your needs as a very striking standalone boat.

Specifi cations

Length overall: 7.7 mBeam: 2.8 mWeight: 2,500 kgFuel capacity: 67 litresWater capacity: 50 litresPower: 52 - 220 hp People capacity: eight

660 Price: 33hp - £42,300 110hp - £55,800 170hp - £60,200

770 price: 52hp - £60,900 110hp - £73,230 170 hp - £77600 220 hp - £85,000

ContactVal Wyatt Marine01189 403211www.intender.nl

So what’s the 680 all about?While the 660 and 770 are of particular interest because of their blending of traditional shapes and modern, coastal, sporting capabilities, the very newest Interboat craft on the market is the 680. It is identical to the 770’s smaller sibling, the 660 in almost all respects (including price and spec). But where it differs is in the stern, where (in place of the striking confi guration you see here) you get a more conventional closed transom.

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64 ● On The Water ● Boat Mart

Events DiaryTwo more months of must-see events are about to take hold of the UK boating scene. Here are some of the standout dates in April and May . . .

April

03 April - Norfolk Boat JumbleRoyal Norfolk Showground, Norwich NR5 0TT● Entry - £3 ● 01485 541566

10 April - Irish Boat JumbleCarrickfergus Sailing Club, County Antrim BT38 8BE● Entry - £3.50● John Dillon - 07721 888789

10 April - Gloucester Boat JumbleNational Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks GL1 2EH● Entry - £3.50● 01425 318200

24 April - Plymouth Boat JumbleCity College, Devonport PL1 5QG● Entry - £2.50● Dean Reynolds - sbba. ● boatjumbles@blueyonder.co.uk

30 April - 02 May - International Beach Kite Festival, Weymouth Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Weymouth beach plays host to Britain’s biggest kite festival. Expect competitions, a trade village and free children’s kite workshops, plus a funfair on the pavilion forecourt and a fi rework display.● Entry - free● www.visitweymouth.co.uk

May

03-07 May - Festival ofHarbour Walks● Entry - Free● 01243 512301● www.conservancy.co.uk

07-08 May - Plymouth Sail and Power ShowQueen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth, Devon PL4 0LP● Entry - free ● 01752 671142 ● www.sailandpowershow.co.uk

14-15 May 2011 Rickmansworth FestivalBatchworth Lock, RickmansworthYou can expect canal boats, a

boating ‘tug of war’, boat trips, guest speakers, an environmental fair, live music and an animal farm for the children.● Entry - free● www.waterways.org.uk

APRILMAY

17 April - Beaulieu Boat Jumble

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu SO42 7ZNWith around 1,000 stands to rummage through, plus a ‘Boat Mart’ section, with a wide range of used boats, from classics to nearly new and those in need of restoration, the Beaulieu event remains the pinnacle of the UK’s annual jumble calendar.● Entry - £9.20● 01590 612888● www.beaulieuboatjumble.co.uk

30 April - 02 May - Canalway Cavalcade, London

The Canalway Cavalcade at the end of April in London is a unique community and waterways festival at the heart of the capital. It will see more than a hundred boats gathered in the pool, with working and traditional boats in a colourful procession. It will also involve trade shows, live bands, lots of kids’ activities, a real ale bar and a variety of snacks. ● Entry - free● www.waterways.org.uk

13-15 May - RIBEX

Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of WightThe UK’s only dedicated RIB exhibition will be showing more than 80 boats afl oat in the event marina, ready for public sea trial, plus a whole tented village of special exhibits, food outlets and interactive displays. There will also be an open air public concert on the Saturday night. ● Entry - £4.50● www.ribexhibtions.co.uk

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Boat Mart ● On The Water ● 65

ON THE WATERDIARY OF EVENTS

Event in focusFestival of Harbour WalksIf you love walking and love coastal views then the Festival of Harbour

Walks could be the mini-Festival for you. Taking in more than 40 miles of coastline over four days, it promises to be an event to remember.

Now in its seventh year, it uses mainly shoreline paths

around both Langstone and Chichester Harbour, enabling you to get a feel for why this area is so special for boaters.

Walkers complete a circumnavigation of Langstone Harbour, crossing the entrance by ferry. The walk includes parts of the old Hayling Billy Line, views of the old Oyster Beds and the nature reserve of Farlington Marshes.Moving into Chichester Harbour on Wednesday 04 May, the walk will start at the top of the Thorney Channel and then follow the shoreline clockwise around Thorney Island. Then it’s on through the thriving village of Emsworth and along the shoreline to the day’s end in the pretty farming village of Northney.

On Thursday it begins again at Nutbourne but heads in the opposite direction around the Chidham Peninsula and into the picturesque village of Bosham for lunch. The afternoon stretch runs through countryside and reedbeds to fi nish at Fishbourne.The fi nal day takes in the one of the popular harbour routes from the sand dunes of East Head right up to Fishbourne. Lunch is at the historic Itchenor Sailing Club, with an afternoon stop for tea at Dell Quay providing plenty of time to enjoy the views.The Festival of Harbour Walks is organised by Chichester Harbour Conservancy and Langstone Harbour Board. Judi Darley for Chichester Harbour said: “All the walking is virtually fl at and can be accomplished by anyone with a reasonable level of fi tness. Each day, we visit sailing clubs for breaks and always get amazing coffee and cakes. We look forward to welcoming lots of walkers to this year’s Festival.”

The event is funded by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy but donations are welcome. ● Date: 03-07 May● Entry: Free ● Tel: 01243 512301● Web: www.conservancy.co.uk

27-30 May - Fishguard Folk FestivalPembrokeshireConcerts, dance, busking, real ale and guided ● Smugglers walk.● www.pembrokeshire-folk-music.co.uk

28-30 May - Crick Boat ShowCrick Marina, West Haddon Road, Northants● Entry - £10● 01283 742971● www.crickboatshow.co.uk

28-29 May - Southend Airshow

Southend SeafrontThisis one of Europe’s largest free air shows, with an attendance of around half a million people, providing nine hours of fl ying over two days. There will also be more than 30 mobile caterers and ice-cream vans, plus three military areas, more than 20 exhibitors, a market and ground attractions covering more than a mile of the seafront.● Entry - free● 01702 390333● www.visitsouthend.co.uk

21-22 May - Sports Boat and RIB ShowOcean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 3TG● Entry - free● 02380 229385● www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

bm_may_diary.indd 65 24/03/2011 14:13

78 ● Practical Expert ● Boat Mart

Is there a case for low-tech sailing?

with David Greenwood

Tech Talk

When you’re looking in chandler’s shops or leafi ng through magazines, there is always something exciting about new gadgets. Technology that tells you more, does it quicker, offers greater accuracy or makes your life more comfy is always a big draw. But if you want all the comforts you enjoy in your own home, some hesitation begins to creep in. Sure, it’s good to have on board refrigeration, stereo systems, microwave ovens, TV and DVD, but they come at a price . . .

In for a pennyYou don’t just have to buy the gadgets themselves. You also have to fund a beefi er battery bank and a shore-power hook-up, which suggests the need for an expensive marina berth rather than a tidal mooring. That brings with it a greater risk of electrolysis from stray current, and the chances are that your vessel is more vulnerable due to the increased number of through-hull fi ttings some of this technology requires. When it comes to cruising, you will need to cruise from marina to marina in order to hook up to shore-power if you want to enjoy all your toys, so the romantic idea of slinging your hook in a sheltered and secluded anchorage for the evening will become nothing more than a distant memory.

So where do you draw the line? How much technology do you need and what can you do without? Everyone’s answer will be different but the question is still worth asking, because technology is both a liberator and an enslaver. Your answer to the question will determine the sort of boating you can do.

The vital basicsHere is a starter for ten. I wouldn’t venture out of the harbour without VHF and a depth sounder. With regard to VHF, I also carry a handheld backup, which does not rely on the boat’s main power source. I also carry GPS (once again with a handheld back-up) but I plan and plot my trip on paper as well, so I can always revert to the tried and tested old-fashioned navigation methods if necessary. Everything else is a luxury, which has to justify its place on board before it is considered. For me, if the purchase requires me to spend my evenings in a marina, it is a non-starter. What about you?

GRP Cruisers

Buying Used

ClassicsPart 1

In the fi rst of a four-part series, David Webber takes a look at buying a classic GRP cruiser . . .

Classic GRP cruisers are wonderful creatures, offering bygone beauty, style, panache and breeding - and they don’t have to be expensive. There are literally hundreds of them around in the UK at good prices and the Freeman range of cruisers, now considered a classic, is a prime example. It may sound obvious but what you buy is dependent on what you want. You can either have a true classic boat or a vessel with classic style. There are some lovely looking replicas around and both the original and the reproduction craft have their fans in the boating fraternity.

True ClassicsThere are two ways to buy a true classic boat. You can buy it in pristine condition (with all the restoration complete), in ‘as-new’ condition, or as a project, needing partial or complete renovation. This latter (and most daring) course of action may take several years to complete, dependent on her condition and size. However, in most cases, you can bring her quickly up to a level of mechanical decency and enjoy using her while you complete the remainder of the work.

Five vital considerations for GRP cruiser restoration1 - Be aware of the amount of work and money involved in any restoration project you take on;2 - Take into account the cost of any professional help required;3 - Be honest about the length of time it will take to restore her;4 - Spend as much time as you can, looking at as many boats as possible;5 - Remember, the Inland Waterways Safety Certifi cate does not take into account the condition of the hull.

Finally, a classic boat can be a beautiful thing to own and use, so don’t be put off by the implications - just be aware of them.

Next month we consider some examples and prices . . .

bm_maytech_talk.indd 78 24/03/2011 14:50

Boat Mart ● Practical Expert ● 79

PRACTICALTECHNICAL TALKPractical Diary

The nights are drawing out and the priority is getting back on the water. Here are some key DIY tips to help avoid the pitfalls . . .

If you have planned properly for the new season, you should already have bought your new oil and fi lters, as well as any new anodes, belts or impellors that you need for your engine. It may also be prudent to order any trailer parts before the last minute rush to get on the water. This will avoid you having to wait for out-of-stock accessories to arrive.

Much depends on the weather as to when you start work on your rig for the new season. It may be best not to commission the engine until you are sure your rig will be back in use within a few weeks, but even so - the trailer and boat can be checked, cleaned and prepared beforehand.

The hull Start the season with a clean hull, prepared with a suitable marine wax or other product used previously. If you are going to anti-foul, keep in mind the recommended immersion times after applying the fi nal coat. If the weather is fair, check (and oil or varnish) any woodwork and apply a product such as WD40 to hinges, locks and other moving parts. Use a specialist product such as Starbrite plastic scratch remover on any acrylic-type windows or hatches to remove fi ne scratches and to restore the surface lustre. It’s amazing what a difference these products can make.

The trailerYour trailer may already be back on its wheels with the bearings and brakes checked, greased and adjusted. Before you take her out on the fi rst run, check everything is satisfactory. Every nut and bolt should be tight and secure, the winch, strap and keel rollers should also be in satisfactory condition. Stop after a few miles on the fi rst outing and check that the wheels and bearings are not unduly hot, and that everything else is as it should be.

The engine Ensure everything associated with the engine is satisfactory before starting for the fi rst time. Correct fl uid levels, belts and impellors that are in good condition are critical to your engine’s longevity. A modern marine engine craves clean oil and fresh fuel that is free of water. This may have entered the fuel system through condensation over the winter months, especially if the tank was not full during lay up. If necessary, drain and clean the tank, fi lter the fuel, and mix a fuel additive to absorb any remaining water. Specialist fi lter funnels such as ‘Mr Funnel’, will separate water from diesel or petrol before returning it to the tank.

What does it all mean?

BLAST - (Boosted Low Speed Torque) During periods of rapid acceleration, Honda’s BLAST system boosts performance by adjusting the air/fuel ratio for maximum torque, while advancing ignition timing to its maximum pre-knock level to increase torque under full-load conditions.

VTEC - (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) This varies the lift and duration of the intake valves to provide optimum performances at both low and high revolutions.

NMEA 2000 - (National Marine Electronic Association) This is the on board marine communication standard of boats and vessels and is based upon a CAN bus network. The communication standard of boat equipment (navigation, sensor and display) has been unifi ed so that lots of devices can be connected together (and interact) on the CAN bus network.

RCD - (Recreational Craft Directive) As far as outboards are concerned, this is the governing standard, which dictates acceptable levels of noise, vibration and emissions.

www.honda.co.uk/marine

Four key Honda Marine buzzwords

bm_maytech_talk.indd 79 24/03/2011 14:50

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