Birchwood 37 TS Super Sports opinion

[IvoPed]

Hello

I am maybe buying a 1990 Birchwood 37 TS SS equiped with 2x Cummins 6bta 250hp.
Whats the general opinion on this boat?

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[Portofino]

Slow .

 

[oldgit]

Slow .

From a brokers listing for a T37 but one fitted with 220hp engines .

2 x Mercruiser D4.2l 220 hp turbo diesels six cylinder They drive down ZF hurth gearboxes , down straight shafts to Four bladed bronze propellers, makes around 20-21 Knots. and cruises at 15-16 or so,

Should give a knot or two more if fitted with 270HP Cummins and this would be around the average for a boat of that size of that period.


Seem to remember that Latestarter did suggest a few very minor mods could persuade the Cummins ? to give a little more power , reliably.

In the MBM "25 Years of Motorcruisers" mentions that the TS 37 which developed from the earlier President normally had a pair of 215HP Fords which gave 24 knots.

Possible the last of the classic solid Birchwoods ?
Birchwood never had the prestige attached to Princess or Fairline so usually could not command the same asking prices.
You should be able to drive good deal especially at the moment, fast cash in this price range is king especially if you do not have boat to sell. .
Decent stuff is moving and an offer is always worthwhile.
Price of boat possibly depends on how long it has been up for sale and to certain extent how far its is away from the majority of prospective boat buyers.
Something on the Solent or Thames will command a better price and probably sell quicker than something far away from the centres of population.
You could use this to your advantage.

 

[IvoPed]

Precious info. Thank you very much! As is for river use, speed is not crucial. I was wondering more about build quality and general opinon about 30 year old Birchwoods, as i heard that later Birchwoods had quality isues.

 

[oldgit]

Precious info. Thank you very much! As is for river use, speed is not crucial. I was wondering more about build quality and general opinon about 30 year old Birchwoods, as i heard that later Birchwoods had quality isues.

Without wishing to cause controversy there are some who might agree and of course beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
The boat was supplied with usually wide range of engine options including Volvo Penta/Cummins and Mercruisers.

Personal opnion was that in ye olden days your boat was designed to do a job , cost of materials and labour was added along with a profit margin and the resulting price was stuck on the side of the boat.
At some point boats in order to sell marketed , needed to sold under a price point.
Your boat was constructed with whatever materials and in the time that budget allowed.
Usually some ill conceived "new modern technique/design/material" would be embraced to help cut the corners.
The results, would be costing boat owners time and grief for years to come.

 

[kashurst]

Nice boats. I did my 4 day day skipper on a TS37 - lovely smooth ride. Cummins engines have a solid reputation
Not the fastest boat but not really a problem. I have had a few 30 Knot+ boats and seldom go over 20. Current boat tops out at 24 knots and I haven't missed the previously high top speeds. 17 - 18 knots is a lovely speed - what's the rush?

The Birchwood hull has a small keel so great on a river as it will run straight at low speeds and the keel gives some prop protection.

 

[Switch]

I have no experience with the TS37 but I did own a Birchwood 370 2004 model. I found it well built and well designed. It was fitted with KAD300’s. As long as you have a proper survey (including an engine survey) and it checks out then go for it.

 

[Murv]

Not a great deal of help, but I was torn between the TS37 and Fairline Turbo 36.
General opinion seemed to be that the T36 was a better sea boat, and the TS37 better on the rivers.
The TS37 was a bit "busier" internally and less roomy than the T36 but, from my notoriously bad memory, the super sport is a different layout to the standard boat so that may not apply.

Personally I think the TS37 is a an absolutely stunning looking boat and holds its own even now but, as above, it's all in the eye of the beholder!

 

[volvopaul]

This is the cockpit version ?

 

[Joimda]

I have a TS37SS 1989 with TAMD 41A bullet proof engines but a bit underpowered for this size of boat if you really want to go fast. Comfort is also desirable though, and she takes less than flat calm weather well. With these 200HP engines she has managed just a touch over 20 knots flat out and 17 knots is a comfortable cruising speed. I would expect the 2x250HP motor she should be able to manage 22 or a bit more. As is mentioned in above thread the TS37 has a keel she is semi planning so not slow, but of course not as fast as a planning boat but the ride is rough seas is better. Horses for courses.