Boat Reviews

[Martin_Billings]

Just been reading the "I must be getting old" thread and it's made me wonder how boat reviews actually work. They all seem to be snapshots either of newly launched products or revisits to older boats. I can't recall (but that may be because I'm getting older) seeing any long term testing such as in car magazines where the magazine runs the car for long distances/periods of time and reports regularly on how the vehicle shapes up over time, what has gone wrong with it, what it has cost etc.

 

[kimhollamby]

There's no-one here that wouldn't love to have a long term test fleet on the jetty waiting to go. However...

Capital values are very high and so the opportunity to long term test a fleet of boats (as per What Car, which is I think the type of mag you are thinking about) is not on - the interest payments alone would rack up a huge bill beyond any specialist magazine's budget.

Boatbuilders very rarely, if ever, offer long term boat loans, not least because most stock is sold off the line or earmarked for demonstration. There is risk of perceived bias and potential dangers in taking on freebies, as I believe one or two automotive journalists might have found to their cost.

We could look at selecting a fleet of volunteer owners' boats, if they were willing, for regular report-backs but again these are often not entirely unbiased when the sudden realisation hits that too many adverse comments might lead to rapid depreciation.

The magazine I was on for many years, Motor Boats Monthly ran (and still runs its forerunner) a 36ft motorboat on an rental type of arrangement with its respective boatbuilder. We provided comprehensive reports of its progress, particularly in season two when we took it around Britain. That was pretty successful but it did require a hefty commitment, both financially and in terms of time, on just one boat.

kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[Jacket]

Might it be interesting, given the number of comments that JenBen Bavs are shodily built, won't last etc to have a report looking at the condition of a few 5 year old ones, and comparing them to supposedly quality boats (Halbergs, westerlies and the like) of a similar age?

There must be a few owners brave enough to lend there support.

PS What are you doing posting at half 8 on a Friday night? Don't they let you go home?

 

[Mirelle]

This probably won\'t help

I've had my 65 year old boat for 18 years.

I am in a position to state that:

Keelbolts should be done every 15 years or so.

Baby Blakes last at leat 50 years but it is wise to renew the perishable parts every 5, the pump rods every 20 and the bolts every 30 years.

The engine should be replaced at least every 30-40 years, as should the stern gear.

The anchors and their chain should be re-galvanised every 15 years or so as should galvanised deck fittings.

Wooden blocks last for at least 65 years if you replace the pins and re-galvanise the bindings after 50.

Proper Blakes seacocks are good for 30-40 years; those nasty ball valve jobs are shot after 10.

And so on....

 

[kingfisher]

The French can do it

A notable French sailing magazine (Voiles ét Voiliers) has a monthly issue: "a thousand miles", where they sail a thousand miles (duh) with a certain boat.

Practicaly, they contact an owner who is planning a long trip, and ask him to co-write the article.

I know YM and YW publish reports on trips, but its from the view of the tourist info, with maybe a small insert on the boat (what type etc). V&V does a technical review, with the necessary attention to the scenery.

Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[kgi]

Re: This probably won\'t help

I would love to see one of the modern diesels last 40 years....!!!......keith