Birchwood TS34

[danielbroad]

I'm probably off to see one of these on Saturday - does anybody have any experience of this boat. We're also considering the Sealine 310/320 Statesman.

The Birchwood seems to be heavier and slower - presumably this should translate into better seakeeping.

What other makes / models should be be considering for a 30ft ish flybridge for £60k? We quite like the look of the Fairline Corniche but the styling is pretty dated these days.

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[jhr]

The Corniche may be a little dated but (a) in many ways, its looks are timeless and (b) it's one of the best flybridge cruisers that you can get, of any age or design and, in terms of seakeeping, better than both the Birchwood and the Sealine, imho. Everything I've ever heard about them says that you will always be able to sell it on, and get your money back, but you probably won't want to.

Not sure I'd regard either Birchwood or Sealine as being at the cutting edge of contemporary styling /forums/images/icons/smile.gif. Even if they look more modern now, they will date faster than the Corniche.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[burgundyben]

I delivered a TS34 many moons ago from Southampton to St Kats, over night in Ramsgate. On the way up the thames we pushed into a a right old blow and the boat performed very well indeed, whilst the styling is not my thing its a good boat imho.

I have experience of driving the 305 Sealine lots and the 310 a bit, both suffered from poor build quality in the interior trim and electrical control systems, were an absolute bastard to park, and were a bit crashity bang in any sort of weather both parking and ride related to rubbish hull design, IMHO.

Sealine = mk3 escort

TS34 = old audi 80

<hr width=100% size=1>My house is for sale, 2 beds, Hamble.

 

[Scaramoosh]

We had a Corniche before our current boat.

If you are going to keep her on the sea IMHO you should make sure that you get one with the 200HP engines. Ours was our first Motor boat with the 165HP engines and we didn't realise how much difference a max speed of 18 Knts v 28 Knts would make (after all our Westerly Maxed out at about 6knts under power and 8 under sail!) if you need to out run the weather.

That aside it was a great sea boat, got caught between Weymouth and the Needles in F6 wind against tide (see above) and she always felt safe and secure.

<hr width=100% size=1>To err is human, to really screw up you need a boat

 

[miket]

If you go for the Corniche (excellent boat):
a. go for 200hp engines and avoid petrol like the plague.
b. note that there are 3 interior layouts;
1. Large fwd stateroom no 2nd sleeping cabin.
2. small fwd cabin + side cabin.
3. small fwd cabin + side dinette
A friend of mine sold a beautiful 1987, 2 x 165 VP, fwd stateroom version at £58k, early this year. It is currently for sale again at Essex Boat sales at over £60k. Top speed 20 knots & cruised 16 kts.

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[alastair]

Look at this Princess 33:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F43059/

Far cheaper than the other options. Good luck in your search


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[NorthernWave]

Hi Daniel
Send me a pm or email: coopersworks@yahoo.co.uk I may have some information that may interest you.

Chris


<hr width=100% size=1>Few it's hot today!!! AGAIN!!!

 

[danielbroad]

Thanks for that information, the Corniche seems very popular! We're now going to look at all 3 including a couple of Corniche's over the next few weeks.

Does anyone have any information as to the relative merits of the sterndrive vs shaftdrive variants of the Corniche, other than the obvious difference in maintenance costs?



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[hlb]

Shafts are always preferable to outdrives by anyone who has had experience of both. Cost, manuverability, Better in rough sea. Boat is more desirable and easier to sell.

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[adarcy]

Re: Corniche

Agree with hlb shafts preferable but slower and use more fuel for the same engine hp. To be set against higher maintenance cost of sterndrives.

<<relative merits of the sterndrive vs shaftdrive variants>>

Yes MBY did a comparative test many years ago ? 1988 ?? quite interesting as it is rare to be able to compare directly with the same hull. PM if you can't get a reprint through the MBY Copyshop

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