American trailerable sport fishers

[MapisM]

as I understand it the remedy will be new hubs and brakes (wich may mean new wheels and axles), a new hitch, and a cheapo trailer board, so probably a few hundred pounds, which isn't the end of the world. Anyone know if this is right, or is it more involved?

When I bought my last lake boat in the UK, her trailer neither had evidence of CE marking on the plate showing the max load, nor the previous owner had any docs.
Otoh, it was a safe bet that it had to be CE certified, since it was made by a UK builder (Bramber).
So, I emailed them and they immediately (and very kindly) sent me a scanned copy of the certificate of conformity, followed by an original stamped and signed, all FoC.
Maybe they can help you somehow also if the trailer wasn't built by them, 'dunno...
Anyhow, you might be interested to know that the components mentioned in that cert. of conf. are as follows:
BRAKES -70/320/CEE & 71/320/EEC
MUDGUARDS - 91/226/CEE
TYRES - 97/27/ CEE
WEIGHT & OA DIMENSIONS - 97/27/CEE
TOWING ARRANGEMENT -94/20/CEE
LIGHTS -76/756/CEE
I can send you a copy if you wish, just pm me your email.

 

[Nick_H]

Thanks MapisM

This is an American made trailer, and having been shown the issues by the driver, it's fairly obvious it doesn't comply with EU legislation.

I've had a reply from the Greek dealer, which clarifies things a bit. They have to get trailers approved by the authoroties, which involves submitting a "type approval" document, and an engineers report. I've no doubt they did this (they've been completely honest in every other respect), but it seems the Greek authorities assess the trailer to check that it's safe, rather than whether it complies in every respect with EU regs. I asked if the trailer was CE Certified, they answered that all their boats and trailers are approved for sale in the EU, but in this case it's actually a national certification. I don't think they intended to mislead me, though I can't be sure.

Having researched it a bit, it seems to me that the trailer I have is much more suitable for a boat than a legal one would be. The EU regs seem to push manufacturers down the route of fitting drum brakes (because they insist on a mechanical handbrake), which can't make much sense on a trailer that will be immersed in sea water? Even without the corrosion issue, there's a reason that even bikes have have hydraulic disc brakes now, because they're better.

 

[MapisM]

Agreed. Having seen various trailers in the US, I must say that none of those I've seen this side of the Pond are anywhere near them.
Btw, I was also told that 3 axle trailers (which are typical in the US for biggish boats) are not allowed here, though I can't tell for sure if it's a EU or an IT rule.
Anyway, the trouble is that regardless of whether it's good enough for your boat, or possibly even better than most CE-certified similar trailers, you are at risk of not being covered by the insurance, I suppose...

 

[vas]

Thanks MapisM

This is an American made trailer, and having been shown the issues by the driver, it's fairly obvious it doesn't comply with EU legislation.

I've had a reply from the Greek dealer, which clarifies things a bit. They have to get trailers approved by the authoroties, which involves submitting a "type approval" document, and an engineers report. I've no doubt they did this (they've been completely honest in every other respect), but it seems the Greek authorities assess the trailer to check that it's safe, rather than whether it complies in every respect with EU regs. I asked if the trailer was CE Certified, they answered that all their boats and trailers are approved for sale in the EU, but in this case it's actually a national certification. I don't think they intended to mislead me, though I can't be sure.

Nick,

although I'm not at all familiar with registration of trailers, what the dealer says makes perfect sense.
Whatever vehicle enters the country got to get a type approval doc, which includes all this mess, docs, engineer report, application forms, time, money and more time...
CE didn't have anything to do with that back at the time (1995) I was checking at importing a 7 replica and although CE should mean something now, I doubt they've changed the legislation (unless EU pushes...)

So, yes, national certificate it is. I doubt you'll be able to get any real help from these guys, maybe talking to the US mother firm? Do they export boats to EU? if so, how?

cheers

V.

 

[Nick_H]

Nick,

although I'm not at all familiar with registration of trailers, what the dealer says makes perfect sense.
Whatever vehicle enters the country got to get a type approval doc, which includes all this mess, docs, engineer report, application forms, time, money and more time...
CE didn't have anything to do with that back at the time (1995) I was checking at importing a 7 replica and although CE should mean something now, I doubt they've changed the legislation (unless EU pushes...)

So, yes, national certificate it is. I doubt you'll be able to get any real help from these guys, maybe talking to the US mother firm? Do they export boats to EU? if so, how?

cheers

V.

Thanks Vas, that all ties in completely with what the dealer has told me. The boat itself is definitely CE cert, I checked with the manufacturer before purchase, but not the trailer it seems. It's a minor set back, and down to a genuine misunderstanding I think. I should have checked more closely beforehand.

 

[Nick_H]

Just to finalise this thread, the outboard dealer was very slow fitting the new outboard, then I was away for a while with work/holiday, then the weather wasn't good, so we only finally launched the boat on Thursday. Having used it for a couple of good runs now i'm really happy with it. It's very quick, pops up onto the plane in seconds with no hesitation, and it rides nice and level without much need to play with the tabs. We've not had much chop yet to test the hull, but it cuts through boat wakes remarkably well, and i've had it airborne and the landing was very soft. The wind protection at the helm is excellent, even when standing or bolstered, and seated passengers fare even better. I can get over 3 mpg at lower planing speeds, but do 50 knots when the feeling takes me. We anchored up for a long lunch in Newtown on Saturday (nice to catch up again Flower Power) which we just couldn't have done on a RIB with no loo, so i'm more convinced than ever that boats need toilets.

So, I really think this style of boat is a good option for a trailerable boat for the UK climate. You can stand at the helm underway, stay warm when you need to, have wind in your hair when you want it, there's lots of deck space, a cabin for the kids to get out of the sun (and which could actually sleep all 4 of us at a push), and that all important loo. Best of all it can live on the trailer (although I have a river mooring in Lymington which is an even better option) so I've reduced my fixed costs exc. dep'n from about £10k to under £1k a year, which makes a second boat sound slightly less ridiculous! I'm personally also very happy about not having outdrives in the water the whole time, though I know opinion is divided on that topic!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Agree Nick. This style of boat makes a lot of sense for the UK. Before I bought my Revenger RIB, I looked very closely at a Grady-White, which is a similar style of boat to yours, and I only went for the RIB because it was diesel powered but I always regretted it because of just the factors you point out, no shelter and no loo. We stored our RIB in a dry stack during the summer and on a trailer in my work yard during the winter to try to keep the costs down. I have to say though that despite the relatively low cost of owning the RIB, there was a hassle factor to looking after 2 boats instead of 1. In the end I sold the RIB because I realised I didn't really have time to use 1 boat let alone 2, that and a reluctant boating family. Good luck with your new purchase and I hope it brings you a lot of fun

 

[z1ppy]

great looking boat that! would love to show SWMBO around that to prove that sportsfishers are not all bait boxes and flimsy plastic!

looks perfect set up for UK boating, especially considering where you live!

 

[Nick_H]

I have to say though that despite the relatively low cost of owning the RIB, there was a hassle factor to looking after 2 boats instead of 1. In the end I sold the RIB because I realised I didn't really have time to use 1 boat let alone 2, that and a reluctant boating family. Good luck with your new purchase and I hope it brings you a lot of fun

Yes, agreed, but on the other hand you can't live in Lymington and not have a boat there. I think this is a better compromise than the Windy, which is retrospect was way too extravagant as a second boat, and being older with twins and outdrives was quite a hassle to look after. Hopefully with a new outboard and 3 year service interval this thing should not need too much maintenance.

I'm fortunate as well that my family all love boating. That may change of course as the kids get older, but at least this will be a good boat for towing ringos and skiers, so hopefully that will hold their interest.

 

[Nick_H]

great looking boat that! would love to show SWMBO around that to prove that sportsfishers are not all bait boxes and flimsy plastic!

That's a shame, it was in LYH for a few days until last night so you could easily have shown your SWMBO around. It's on the river mooring now which makes it more difficult, but if you ever see us out and about on it then you're welcome to have a nose around.

 

[z1ppy]

Thanks Nick, will keep my eyes open for it when im passing the river!

Just sent you a PM.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yes, agreed, but on the other hand you can't live in Lymington and not have a boat there

Ah yes thats true. I bet you can't wait for global warming to make Lymington into the new Antibes. You'll only need 1 boat then

 

[BartW]

So, I really think this style of boat is a good option for a trailerable boat for the UK climate.

fully agree, and a very nice boat indeed,
quite a few nice details that Karnic copied from the original, (but not as nice like the original)

I never understood why you don't see such sport fisher models here more often in local waters,
asked that question here long ago when we purchased the Karnic,

had a fantastic weekend in south holland last two day's with the Karnic,
again a good motivation to keep that boat, even if we use her only 3 weekends per year.

my only "major" cost is the full cover insurance,
should find another solution for that, not in ballance with my usage,

was "cheap" when we travelled her all over europe and used her +200hrs / season. some years back.

 

[Nick_H]

had a fantastic weekend in south holland last two day's with the Karnic,
again a good motivation to keep that boat, even if we use her only 3 weekends per year.

I expect we'll get a fair bit more use than that because we're limited on when we can go to South of France. We definitely want to keep the main boat there for the foreseeable future, but we can only go during school holidays, so there would be long periods where we would be boatless if we didn't have something in the UK. Using my very best boat logic, I've decided the answer is to get the annual costs down, and mentally write off the capital cost, then it seems completely rational to run two boats!

 

[Steve_I]

Just saw this thread, and the Scout pictures! Great choice and congratulations. We used to live in Summerville where they're built and bought a new Dorado 187 last year. Really well built compared with the Bayliner we had before it! Dealer made us an offer we couldn't refuse on our old boat, so we jumped in with both feet (so to speak). Congrats again...

Steve

 

[Nick_H]

Just saw this thread, and the Scout pictures! Great choice and congratulations. We used to live in Summerville where they're built and bought a new Dorado 187 last year. Really well built compared with the Bayliner we had before it! Dealer made us an offer we couldn't refuse on our old boat, so we jumped in with both feet (so to speak). Congrats again...

Steve

I didn't think i'd find another Scout owner on here. The 187 looks a lovely boat, enjoy.

 

[rwoofer]

My second boat (well actually 4th boat, as I have two sailing dinghies as well) is a Merry Fisher 645. Like you I find the secret to justifying extra boats is getting the running costs/hassle factor down. Outboards on small boats with a cabin/cuddy seems the way to go for a Solent runabout.

I've also made my other raggie similarly low cost/hassle as well as cause it is really just for me singlehanding, whereas the mobo is for the family. When the family is older/more boaty orientated then I may go back to higher cost/hassle boating again, but then again we seem to have a lot of fun in small boats.