glenndraper
Well-Known Member
29th April
Hi all,
The pilot made the perfect touchdown at Guernsey airport – we are here (with two dear friends whose judgment I trust) for a sea trial of the Aqua-Star 65. I had a broken nights sleep worrying if the weather would be bad enough to put the boat through her paces. The forecast was not good – sunny with a light breeze and slight seas. I have to report that the forecast, as so often, was wrong. To our delight there was a sensible breeze and as we came in to land the waves were just breaking around Alderney
As last time, we were met by Geoff (the MD of Aqua-Star) – we went straight to the factory where we met up with the couple from the Forum (confidentiality forbids me from using his name) - they are to join us on the sea trial.
We spent some time looking at the boats in production and our friends were absolutely fascinated. What impressed me most was that unlike, in this day and age, when everything is mass produced at different locations and manufacturers and just brought together and assembled to make the product. At Aqua-Star everything is built from scratch – each piece of furniture is made from sheets of marine ply and then veneered in the finished wood you have requested. This ethos is used throughout the build wherever possible.
We then left for the Harbour, where the 65 awaited us. I should explain that today we were going to be the guests of Derek and Jackie who are the owners of the First 65 Aquastar built (she is about 20 mths old) Derek and Jackie used to own two Traders and other boats before the Aqua-Star and Derek enthusiastically informs me that the Aqua-Star (in his opinion) is far superior.
As we came upon the VERY SMALL harbour we could immediately see a potential problem – the entrance was (and I’m not exaggerating) about 8.5 meters wide AND in the shape of a zigzag with what can only be described as a raging sea trying to fill the harbour
We knew that it would be touch and go as to whether or not Derek would risk trying the very difficult manoeuvre just to get out to sea!!!!
Our party decided to have lunch in a delightful restaurant overlooking this Harbour. This allowed the tide to come in a little, and as the almost shear cliff sides at the entrance sloped back slightly this had the effect of making the impossibly narrow entrance just a little wider. Whilst Geoff went off and talked with Derek we assumed that he was giving him Dutch courage to attempt the departure at the entrance.
I must admit I had visions of our early morning start (4am wakeup call) all being in vane!
After lunch we headed out to the pontoon and were delighted that it was all about to happen ----- This departure demonstrated how wonderfully manoeuvrable this 65 foot boat was at slow speed (this is in no way a denigration of the incredible skill Derek demonstrated)
It also made absolutely clear that Hydraulic Bow and Stern thrusters are not an indulgent extra, but an absolute necessity if one is to have any hope of safely manoeuvring in a tight space with a “beam on” wind.
Derek manoeuvred, with just thrusters, at right angles to the quay side (against the wind) for about 20 meters (if one only had electric thrusters they would have been in flames by this time) we then had the entrance to contend with. Derek went for it with a combination of engine and thrusters and we popped out like a cork from a bottle, I swear we only had a meter either side, when one considers the price tag on one of these babies you do NOT want the phone to ring at the wrong time!!!!!!
Once free of the entrance (with no thoughts about how we were going to get back in) we headed off towards Alderney and the outer area of the race. The swell was slight at this time but it was blowing 12 – 14 knots.
Derek proceeded to show us how delightfully light and responsive the steering was. We were proceeding at about 11knots (and despite the slight swell) because it was beam on, a definite roll as well as pitch could be seen and felt – we put the active stabilizers on and immediately the roll ceased – this was incredible to us . We are used to our Fairline Squadron rocking and rolling at 11 knots whatever the sea state!!! Derek then increased speed to about 18 knots and after making sure everyone was aware of the ensuing manoeuvre he turned hard to starboard – I could not believe it but she held her inclination all the way round the turn (again if I had done that in our Squadron we would have had the 42” flat screen in 1000 pieces!!!!) we would have been at least 25 degs over!!! Furthermore, Derek kept the turn so tight the blades started to cavitate in her own wash!! For me, lesson number two, active stabilizers are a must, NOT an extra. In fact Jill and I also know that as we are going to moor off quite a bit we should also have inactive stabilization (this is something Geoff is offering on all new boats of this length.)
Finally, we saw some white water ahead of us (this was the edge of the Alderney Race) we headed straight into it. We met the water head on and the wonderful bow shape shed the water as easily as removing your coat in a whore house! I won’t say we remained perfectly dry on the fly bridge but unlike any boat I have sailed in she hardly registered the fact. We manoeuvred her to a quartering sea and again the stabilizers did a wonderful job of taking out the inevitable roll. I went below to try to get a feel for vibration and noise levels – whilst I cannot state “ there was none”, I can only compare with our Squadron, the vibration was negligible (as is with our Squadron).The noise level was about the same as our boat BUT she has twin 700’s and this boat was twin 1000’s HP . At 11 knots and 1350 rpm she was very comfy and relatively silent.
All too soon it was time to head in to that treacherous harbour entrance - the sea by this time was a moderate swell and I did not fancy Derek’s chances, if it was me I would have used the alternate Harbour !!! Derek asked everyone on board to stand by with fenders ready to place between shear rock face (20-30 ft high) and £1.4 m of fibre glass !!!!!!!! Derek had obviously done this before. This manoeuvre was the same as when we exited with one difference, Derek was able to gun the engine when going out to the big wide sea but coming in there was a concrete breakwater / finger right in front of the entrance to protect the boats from the swell – it acted like a chicane.
Again, with judicial use of the throttles and thrusters, this 65 ft boat acted like a ballerina – she danced around all the obstructions leaving everyone with big grins on their faces and Derek with some laundry that needed attention.!!
All visitors on that sea trial were very impressed – she felt a safe boat. We said our goodbyes to Derek and Jackie.
Jill and I know this is the boat for us and on asking our fellow formite he also had decided that this is the one for him. All we have to do now is finalize the price, Geoff seems a decent chap and although I know it is business, I hope we can do a deal in the not too distant future – one that leaves both parties feeling satisfied – that is the best kind of deal !
Watch this space.
Hi all,
The pilot made the perfect touchdown at Guernsey airport – we are here (with two dear friends whose judgment I trust) for a sea trial of the Aqua-Star 65. I had a broken nights sleep worrying if the weather would be bad enough to put the boat through her paces. The forecast was not good – sunny with a light breeze and slight seas. I have to report that the forecast, as so often, was wrong. To our delight there was a sensible breeze and as we came in to land the waves were just breaking around Alderney
As last time, we were met by Geoff (the MD of Aqua-Star) – we went straight to the factory where we met up with the couple from the Forum (confidentiality forbids me from using his name) - they are to join us on the sea trial.
We spent some time looking at the boats in production and our friends were absolutely fascinated. What impressed me most was that unlike, in this day and age, when everything is mass produced at different locations and manufacturers and just brought together and assembled to make the product. At Aqua-Star everything is built from scratch – each piece of furniture is made from sheets of marine ply and then veneered in the finished wood you have requested. This ethos is used throughout the build wherever possible.
We then left for the Harbour, where the 65 awaited us. I should explain that today we were going to be the guests of Derek and Jackie who are the owners of the First 65 Aquastar built (she is about 20 mths old) Derek and Jackie used to own two Traders and other boats before the Aqua-Star and Derek enthusiastically informs me that the Aqua-Star (in his opinion) is far superior.
As we came upon the VERY SMALL harbour we could immediately see a potential problem – the entrance was (and I’m not exaggerating) about 8.5 meters wide AND in the shape of a zigzag with what can only be described as a raging sea trying to fill the harbour
We knew that it would be touch and go as to whether or not Derek would risk trying the very difficult manoeuvre just to get out to sea!!!!
Our party decided to have lunch in a delightful restaurant overlooking this Harbour. This allowed the tide to come in a little, and as the almost shear cliff sides at the entrance sloped back slightly this had the effect of making the impossibly narrow entrance just a little wider. Whilst Geoff went off and talked with Derek we assumed that he was giving him Dutch courage to attempt the departure at the entrance.
I must admit I had visions of our early morning start (4am wakeup call) all being in vane!
After lunch we headed out to the pontoon and were delighted that it was all about to happen ----- This departure demonstrated how wonderfully manoeuvrable this 65 foot boat was at slow speed (this is in no way a denigration of the incredible skill Derek demonstrated)
It also made absolutely clear that Hydraulic Bow and Stern thrusters are not an indulgent extra, but an absolute necessity if one is to have any hope of safely manoeuvring in a tight space with a “beam on” wind.
Derek manoeuvred, with just thrusters, at right angles to the quay side (against the wind) for about 20 meters (if one only had electric thrusters they would have been in flames by this time) we then had the entrance to contend with. Derek went for it with a combination of engine and thrusters and we popped out like a cork from a bottle, I swear we only had a meter either side, when one considers the price tag on one of these babies you do NOT want the phone to ring at the wrong time!!!!!!
Once free of the entrance (with no thoughts about how we were going to get back in) we headed off towards Alderney and the outer area of the race. The swell was slight at this time but it was blowing 12 – 14 knots.
Derek proceeded to show us how delightfully light and responsive the steering was. We were proceeding at about 11knots (and despite the slight swell) because it was beam on, a definite roll as well as pitch could be seen and felt – we put the active stabilizers on and immediately the roll ceased – this was incredible to us . We are used to our Fairline Squadron rocking and rolling at 11 knots whatever the sea state!!! Derek then increased speed to about 18 knots and after making sure everyone was aware of the ensuing manoeuvre he turned hard to starboard – I could not believe it but she held her inclination all the way round the turn (again if I had done that in our Squadron we would have had the 42” flat screen in 1000 pieces!!!!) we would have been at least 25 degs over!!! Furthermore, Derek kept the turn so tight the blades started to cavitate in her own wash!! For me, lesson number two, active stabilizers are a must, NOT an extra. In fact Jill and I also know that as we are going to moor off quite a bit we should also have inactive stabilization (this is something Geoff is offering on all new boats of this length.)
Finally, we saw some white water ahead of us (this was the edge of the Alderney Race) we headed straight into it. We met the water head on and the wonderful bow shape shed the water as easily as removing your coat in a whore house! I won’t say we remained perfectly dry on the fly bridge but unlike any boat I have sailed in she hardly registered the fact. We manoeuvred her to a quartering sea and again the stabilizers did a wonderful job of taking out the inevitable roll. I went below to try to get a feel for vibration and noise levels – whilst I cannot state “ there was none”, I can only compare with our Squadron, the vibration was negligible (as is with our Squadron).The noise level was about the same as our boat BUT she has twin 700’s and this boat was twin 1000’s HP . At 11 knots and 1350 rpm she was very comfy and relatively silent.
All too soon it was time to head in to that treacherous harbour entrance - the sea by this time was a moderate swell and I did not fancy Derek’s chances, if it was me I would have used the alternate Harbour !!! Derek asked everyone on board to stand by with fenders ready to place between shear rock face (20-30 ft high) and £1.4 m of fibre glass !!!!!!!! Derek had obviously done this before. This manoeuvre was the same as when we exited with one difference, Derek was able to gun the engine when going out to the big wide sea but coming in there was a concrete breakwater / finger right in front of the entrance to protect the boats from the swell – it acted like a chicane.
Again, with judicial use of the throttles and thrusters, this 65 ft boat acted like a ballerina – she danced around all the obstructions leaving everyone with big grins on their faces and Derek with some laundry that needed attention.!!
All visitors on that sea trial were very impressed – she felt a safe boat. We said our goodbyes to Derek and Jackie.
Jill and I know this is the boat for us and on asking our fellow formite he also had decided that this is the one for him. All we have to do now is finalize the price, Geoff seems a decent chap and although I know it is business, I hope we can do a deal in the not too distant future – one that leaves both parties feeling satisfied – that is the best kind of deal !
Watch this space.
