A bit oddball but stonking value - Birchwood 370 Sportscruiser

Whitelighter

Whitelighter

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I looked quite seriously at one of these in about 2006 and they were nicely put together. At the time they were £80-£100k and didn't quite stack up.

This one http://www.inautia.com/used-boat-77248080140710010198481005398484.html at a shade under £40k (based on €1.41/£) with KAD44s is a lot of boat for what was until recently 30ft Petrol money. Not that old either at 2001
 
We have looked at one or two previously and friends have one. Actually very nice boats and very practical. The effect of those large side windows is to provide a very sheltered cockpit with a great view (no hazy plastic) and an easily removed sunroof. The hull knuckle isn't to everyone's taste but it is a bit of a Birchwood trademark. This one looks to be excellent value!
 
Whitelighter said:
I looked quite seriously at one of these in about 2006 and they were nicely put together. At the time they were £80-£100k and didn't quite stack up.

This one http://www.inautia.com/used-boat-77248080140710010198481005398484.html at a shade under £40k (based on €1.41/£) with KAD44s is a lot of boat for what was until recently 30ft Petrol money. Not that old either at 2001
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I've just sold an 8m Jeanneau for little under the value of this.

Pity about the Birchwood elipse motif used everywhere. The designer has over designed this with a curves where they are not needed. You can see why they didn't sell well against Farilines and Sealines.
 
I agree with above. If they kept the lines more simple, I suspect they'd have been a more popular boat. Also zero view out of the boat when sitting, with the exception of the skipper.

I don't think this would be a great UK / IRL boat.... look how dark the cockpit looks with the canopy on (which you're going to have on if in this part of the world). Also, given that in the Med you're going to want the top canopy on for shade.... I suspect it'd be a bit of an oven. Even in Ireland, there are days where we remove the front / sides / back for air, but leave the top on for sun shelter.
 
alt said:
I agree with above. If they kept the lines more simple, I suspect they'd have been a more popular boat. Also zero view out of the boat when sitting, with the exception of the skipper.

I don't think this would be a great UK / IRL boat.... look how dark the cockpit looks with the canopy on (which you're going to have on if in this part of the world). Also, given that in the Med you're going to want the top canopy on for shade.... I suspect it'd be a bit of an oven. Even in Ireland, there are days where we remove the front / sides / back for air, but leave the top on for sun shelter.
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Don't agree with that - I had mine in the UK. The cockpit was well laid out and the tear drop windows did offer protection from wind and spray. Even with the canopy on visibility was good and was no hotter than any other boat with the covers on.
 
Switch said:
Don't agree with that - I had mine in the UK. The cockpit was well laid out and the tear drop windows did offer protection from wind and spray. Even with the canopy on visibility was good and was no hotter than any other boat with the covers on.
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Switch model was the first one I serviced including tappers , a real nice one too in case anyone wants one switch one is for sale at Burton Waters in Lincoln.
 
There was a thread a number of years ago with proposals to tidy up the design.
There were some good photo shopped ideas.

I agree on the looks - not awful but not as slick as the more propular models.

That said for anyone looking for a budget way into a proper sports cruiser I still think it's a bit of a bargain.
 
Chum of mine considered this as a direct competitor to the Fairline Targa 37 he was thinking of buying.
Until he actually went out on one,built like a flimsy egg box in comparison.
Leapt,crashed and fidgited about all over the place compared to the solid ride of the Fairline......No flack please..His words not mine.:):):)
Bought a Fairline which was followed by a Targa 43 and then a Phantom 46.
 
Here is the post with the modded pictures

jfm said:
Having seen spitfire's informed post it's easy to see the attraction of this boat. The only bit I dont like (just imho, each to his own) is the window shape. But jrb you could mod that by making grp panels in matched gelcoat and bonding them over the glass on the outside, with matched plywood (covered in vinyl, or something) on the inside. Here are before and after shots. (Would also look good with a black or dark painted hull -I'm not a fan of the knuckle and dark paint would mask it- but I don't have time to photoshop that in right now!)

ORIGINAL
birchwood37.jpg


MODDED
birchwood37modded.jpg
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And the link to the original thread from 2009. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?189993-Birchwood-370-Commando&highlight=Birchwood+370
Some interesting comments relating to the 370 over half a dozen pages
 
Compare inside space to a targa 37 , there a tardis inside. The hull shape is the renowned Ted Andrews design , moulds made from 4x2 and Formica. It was simple building back then.
 
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