Any familiar with Bonwitco?

[ADF]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a Bonwitco 'with' 400 from eBay, just wondering if anyone has had any experience of these boats or similar boats. Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

View attachment 43202

Believe the plate says it is a 400c number 110.

 

[Kawasaki]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a Bonwitco 'with' 400 from eBay, just wondering if anyone has had any experience of these boats or similar boats. Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

View attachment 43202

Believe the plate says it is a 400c number 110.

oOoooh, I wouldn't buy the 400c number 110
No way!


























Tee Hee only kiddin!!!

Bonwicto is an old Name in the boaty world and have made good stuff but to answer your question properly what do you intend to do with said vessel? Cos its deffo Hourses for Courses in the boaty World

 

[ADF]

oOoooh, I wouldn't buy the 400c number 110
No way!
Tee Hee only kiddin!!!

Bonwicto is an old Name in the boaty world and have made good stuff but to answer your question properly what do you intend to do with said vessel? Cos its deffo Hourses for Courses in the boaty World

Had me going there

On a more serious note, I guess just pottering around, I was thinking Poole Harbour, maybe Norfolk Broads. Not sure if they are suited to anything offshore/coastal, perhaps I should have included that in my first post.
I guess I would just like to know a little more about the limitations of this type of boat more than anything

 

[Spi D]

Great little boat. Early models often suffer from soaked foam between inner and outer bottom.

Norwegian, designed since 1950 by Bror With as one of a series comprising boats up to mid 20's. Bonwitco was the name given in English markets as the family seemed confusing in any context, I think.

As most Norwegian manufacturers, With entered partnerships to survive. If you Google 'KMV' (manufactured for With and later took over the rights) or 'Dromedille' (the name of their patented hull, suggesting blend of Dromedary and Crocodille properties) you're bound to find a lot.
KMV boats are recognized by GRP inner liners. Skibsplast also made Dromedille hulls at some point in time.

Dromedilles are easy driven, no planing threshold, capable of large(ish) hp.

I'm pretty sure the moulds are now in use somewhere in Eastern Europe.

 

[Vitesse]

Wills Marine in Kingsbridge manufactured the Bonwitco range.

They still sell them but their factory building was converted to flats several years ago. There's a bit of history on the Bonwitco website.

 

[gordmac]

They seem to be well thought of by the fishing guys, try searching (or asking) here: http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/boat-owning-equipment-maintenance/

 

[bumpy_the_dog]

I had a little open Bonwitco on the non tidal Thames for a year when I was between "proper" boats. I ended up trailering her all over the place, Crinan Canal/Loch Fyne, Thames Estuary, and The Solent. She was as old as the hills but was an absolutely smashing little boat. Underlined the old adage that the smaller the boat the bigger the fun!

 

[NickTrevethan]

I had an older single skinned 12ft With for a knockabout. Newer ones have a double skinned hull I think. I had a 10hp Yamaha on the back and (when both cylinders were firing) she went like stink, There was a problem I could not get it fixed, so you’d tool along at 4-5 knots on one cylinder and then they’d both fire and you were on the plane and flying lying in the bottom of the boat if you weren’t holding on. SWMBO was not a big fan for that reason.

Fun little boat – not one I’d take anywhere too lumpy – simply because of the lack of reserve buoyancy in the single skin hull, bt fun in sheltered inland waters.

 

[The Binman]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a Bonwitco 'with' 400 from eBay, just wondering if anyone has had any experience of these boats or similar boats. Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!



View attachment 43202

Believe the plate says it is a 400c number 110.

Brilliant boat! Especially for what you intend................get it bought............ but you had better be quick... Kwacker will have put a bid in already!

I had one of these and because of the hull it will plane with very little horsepower. The guy at Will marine was a great bloke, he knew every one that had been sold, even told me who he had sold mine to and how much it cost. He must be long gone by now!

 

[rich.bonwitco]

hi i know this thread is pretty old now. i have a bonwitco 400. does anyone know of anywhere to aquire a windscreen for them? even well made universal kits would do. many thanks

 

[explores]

I had a 300 double skinned. Great boat,a bit heavy. Been out in some rough weather,handled it fine. Had a 20 horse on the back.

 

[Pendle]

Hi I am new on here from North Wales
I have bought a bonwicto 400 FC number 860 open boat .Due to the previous owner doing alterations. ( Why I dont really know ) taking some foam out of the transom .

It's a case of look before buying . I could not collect so had transport collect it .
Trailer is not bad just need it checking over as stainless rods where used . Stepson will check it over.
The engine just needed a service that's a Johnson 25hp 2 stroke works fine
Over the next 9 months I will try to put it right.
Will only take that long as after buying it I have to go into self isolation due to a shoulder OP and will not be able to work till October November this year . The boat is kept in my work place ?.
I have been in touch with Wills marine today but forgot to ask what the FC on the model number stood for . Any body on here know

 

[gordmac]

Welcome. Might be worth posting on the boat forum at wsf.

 

[ST840]

They seem to be well thought of by the fishing guys, try searching (or asking) here: http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/boat-owning-equipment-maintenance/

I wouldn’t bother with WSF Boat owning and maintenance site anymore if I were you. The main guys in the know have long left there and moved to another better site !
what’s left is just a bunch of wannabe’s .

 

[Kawasaki]

Hi I am new on here from North Wales
I have bought a bonwicto 400 FC number 860 open boat .Due to the previous owner doing alterations.

Whereabouts in North Wales?
Just roughly, no need for exact location right now
I might be close enough to take a look for you
Oserving Guidlines and all that

 

[Pendle]

Thanks Kawasaki that would be great there is no rush
The boats in Ellesmere Port I am in Wrexham
But because of the OP I can not go out before or after the OP for a total of 30 days .
With being at home has got me thinking and looking at the web .
Spoke to Martin at wills marine.
I am filling under the transom with foam sealing it off back to how it was .
Going to look at the floor because there seems to be plywood under the fibreglass matting that has been put down.
The FC stands for fishing cuddy . Which has been taken off at some time so will be looking for a cuddy to fit . No rush for that
Thanks lads

 

[Jim c]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a Bonwitco 'with' 400 from eBay, just wondering if anyone has had any experience of these boats or similar boats. Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

View attachment 43202

Believe the plate says it is a 400c number 110.

Fantastic boats that can hold there own against some bigger boats in rough seas ,very stable ,20 odd knots with a 30 hp easy to handle .early ones suffered wet foam problems but not the end of the word and with some reasonable diy skills can be removed simply enough .

 

[QBhoy]

Great boats and hold such great money too. Plane easily with moderate Hp. You’ll want an 8hp minimum to be sure I’d say. Even with an 8, you’ll likely see late teens mph easy.

 

[Bowlerhat]

Have you tried calling Kingsbridge 2543?