dpb
Well-Known Member
That is a nice looking boat and looks a tidy example.
The engine access looks great compared to many others.
The engine access looks great compared to many others.
Bought another boat...
- Thread starter rbcoomer
- Start date
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Thanks - we're very excited now we actually have her hereVery nice! Many congrats
I'm aiming for the Torbay Airshow, but that may prove optimistic!
Yes, engine access is probably the best I've seen for the size of boat - a major plus for serving etc as I get old and decrepit...
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
So, as 2017 comes to a close, I felt an update was perhaps a little overdue...
Things as always, took a lot longer than anticipated and the summer passed me by in a blur - first a delay due to cash-flow as sale of flat took far longer than anticipated, but when I did get funds in place my colleague at work was off ill all summer, so unable to take annual leave and time was constrained instead.
The longer she was out, the more jobs I wanted to cross of the list and as getting her back in our driveway will be a bit of a mission, I opted to re apply the Coppercoat. A bit of a rask whilst on the trailer and working to a weather deadline, but got it done. Other than servicing, Coppercoat and polishing topsides, I also added 40M of rope to the 7M of chain as that's all there was! (I will add 30M of new chain later) I also added a cleat inside the anchor locker and tied off the rope as just a shackle stopped the chain from exiting into the depths via the windlass. I've added shore power and a 12V/240V TV in cuddy for the family, plus a small fridge and HDS 9 Gen 3 plotter, a fixed VHF and a mains battery charger. Replaced seacocks and sanded and & retreated the teak on the swim platform.
Jobs still to do include repair to the main cover and restitching the tonneau cover. The red and blue stripes need sanding off and either respraying with gel (will practice that on another project first!) or vinyl stripes as hand painted ones are squiffy and the blues comes off! Looking at heating too as I have a Webasto that I got for Arrowbolt project, but probably for next winter now.
We renamed her 'Delfino' (Dolphin - from Portus Delphini (Port of the Dolphin) (Now Portofino) MapisM will have already spotted the tenuous link I suspect? PeteM supplied the new stainless lettering (Thanks Pete) - we went for this as we felt it was subtle and more in keeping than vinyl graphics. The 'Space Age' font was selected for it's 80's feel and again in keeping with the era of the boat I think. There's a small alignment tweak to do as in my impatience and limited time, I did on a windy day and the template moved without my realising. It's subtle however and can be fixed with a hairdryer on a warm day - and some more 3M tape!
We had a couple of false starts on launch as I couldn't get the trailer out of the drive! She was craned in on the trailer and the combination of the drive slope and the local highways having raised the drop-kerbs by about 1" in the summer meant that the trailer grounded before the top of the slope - even with the P38 suspension raised up in wading mode. A quick and dirty fix was a day off work in early December and 4 tons of aggregate dumped on the slope...
Finally we had a day when tides were good (inner harbour cill open to get to berth) and both of us off work. Thus on Wednesday 28th operation launchofino went into action. A petrol head boating friend (Jon) came all the way down from Stoke-on-Trent with a keen offer of help and she finally exited the driveway. A £200 fuel stop and some Grotamar and we headed nervously for the slipway. (Yes FARSCO, the P38 took in her stride - although I'd say weight with trailer was closer to 3T than 2.5T - perhaps more?)
The launch itself went smoothly with fears of the boat drugging us down the slip proving totally unfounded - thankfully very planted. After a few minutes sat on trailer in the water checking for leaks etc, she fired up on the button and after a few further checks I edged away from the slip. A few blurred minutes passed and I had lasooed a cleat on the visitor pontoon and pulled her alongside. In my haste to check the boat, I had only put fenders on port side, with boat and handling completely new to me I didn't dare leave the helm long enough to rearrange them!
They were set ready to reverse into our berth - portside to! Parking was spot on however and I quickly added a couple of fenders and retrieved the bowline that Cheryl had been holding on slipway - but had to drop as I hastily reversed away from pointy bits of trailer! (I wasn't too worried as it wasn't long enough to reach the prop!)
Cheryl, Jon and my son Edward joined us on the pontoon and after a few more checks, I contemplated a quick shakedown - after all, it would be rather rude not to wouldn't it?
Within a few minutes we were joined by another good friend, one known to many here as he just happens to write for Motorboat and Yachting - the esteemed Mr Burnham! Nick was armed with a camera bag and long lens in anticipation of launch, so that was it - case closed, shakedown run needed. 
We gave Nick time to move around to Haldon Pier and then nudged cautiously out of the harbour - to shouts of 'fenders' from Mr B! Fenders retracted, I cautiously opened the throttle and watched the speed pick up. Being far more used to a 16' boat with a 2-stroke and blistering hole-shot, the acceleration gave me time to listen for anything untoward and lower the trim tabs to add some stern lift. As she passed 17 knots, the turbo could clearly be heard stretching it's legs and the power started to make itself felt rapidly reaching high 20's at around 3400rpm. After a few circuits and a little stirring of the tranquil waters, we returned to the harbour for our boat tester!
A run around the Bay tracking the coastline to Berry Head followed on almost glass flat waters, touching 31 knots on GPS with 4 adults plus my son; then back across to Torquay where we dropped Nick off on the pier for some more pictures as the few clouds had now dispersed. A few more twisty runs followed before we headed into the inner harbour to her new home... This was the bit that I hadn't been looking forward to and we had discovered a small issue with the new gear cable. The adjustment was off and she was picking up an extra 800 or so rpm before engaging forward gear! Not ideal for close quarters.
So after we crept under the bridge and alongside the pontoons we turned apprehensively into our fairway. The vast expanse of water suddenly didn't seem quite as big. First line up was clearly the wrong angle and too fast, so rather too many revs and a clunk into forward followed to open up a gap! Second attempt however and we reversed into her berth - a somewhat panicked affair, but once a line was on, there was a huge sigh of relief on my part and we set about sorting the lines and adjusting fenders.
The following day I adjusted the gear linkage so hopefully a bit easier next time. Jon hadn't got as far as booking a B&B, so having hooked up shore power and put a small 500W radiator in the cuddy, he kindly babysat the boat for the following couple of nights before heading home! (He camps a lot on his bowrider, so reported the accomodation as quite luxurious - even in December. )
Been down every day so far and despite torrantial rain and high winds, she's still there and floating, so I might get a good night's sleep again by February...
As Andy pointed out back at the end of April, perhaps time for a 'Beer and Natter' on the English Riviera. so will see what I can do in January!
Happy New Year to all - here's to lots of happy boating in 2018!
Things as always, took a lot longer than anticipated and the summer passed me by in a blur - first a delay due to cash-flow as sale of flat took far longer than anticipated, but when I did get funds in place my colleague at work was off ill all summer, so unable to take annual leave and time was constrained instead.
The longer she was out, the more jobs I wanted to cross of the list and as getting her back in our driveway will be a bit of a mission, I opted to re apply the Coppercoat. A bit of a rask whilst on the trailer and working to a weather deadline, but got it done. Other than servicing, Coppercoat and polishing topsides, I also added 40M of rope to the 7M of chain as that's all there was! (I will add 30M of new chain later) I also added a cleat inside the anchor locker and tied off the rope as just a shackle stopped the chain from exiting into the depths via the windlass. I've added shore power and a 12V/240V TV in cuddy for the family, plus a small fridge and HDS 9 Gen 3 plotter, a fixed VHF and a mains battery charger. Replaced seacocks and sanded and & retreated the teak on the swim platform.
Jobs still to do include repair to the main cover and restitching the tonneau cover. The red and blue stripes need sanding off and either respraying with gel (will practice that on another project first!) or vinyl stripes as hand painted ones are squiffy and the blues comes off! Looking at heating too as I have a Webasto that I got for Arrowbolt project, but probably for next winter now.
We renamed her 'Delfino' (Dolphin - from Portus Delphini (Port of the Dolphin) (Now Portofino) MapisM will have already spotted the tenuous link I suspect? PeteM supplied the new stainless lettering (Thanks Pete) - we went for this as we felt it was subtle and more in keeping than vinyl graphics. The 'Space Age' font was selected for it's 80's feel and again in keeping with the era of the boat I think. There's a small alignment tweak to do as in my impatience and limited time, I did on a windy day and the template moved without my realising. It's subtle however and can be fixed with a hairdryer on a warm day - and some more 3M tape!
We had a couple of false starts on launch as I couldn't get the trailer out of the drive! She was craned in on the trailer and the combination of the drive slope and the local highways having raised the drop-kerbs by about 1" in the summer meant that the trailer grounded before the top of the slope - even with the P38 suspension raised up in wading mode. A quick and dirty fix was a day off work in early December and 4 tons of aggregate dumped on the slope...
Finally we had a day when tides were good (inner harbour cill open to get to berth) and both of us off work. Thus on Wednesday 28th operation launchofino went into action. A petrol head boating friend (Jon) came all the way down from Stoke-on-Trent with a keen offer of help and she finally exited the driveway. A £200 fuel stop and some Grotamar and we headed nervously for the slipway. (Yes FARSCO, the P38 took in her stride - although I'd say weight with trailer was closer to 3T than 2.5T - perhaps more?)
The launch itself went smoothly with fears of the boat drugging us down the slip proving totally unfounded - thankfully very planted. After a few minutes sat on trailer in the water checking for leaks etc, she fired up on the button and after a few further checks I edged away from the slip. A few blurred minutes passed and I had lasooed a cleat on the visitor pontoon and pulled her alongside. In my haste to check the boat, I had only put fenders on port side, with boat and handling completely new to me I didn't dare leave the helm long enough to rearrange them!
They were set ready to reverse into our berth - portside to! Parking was spot on however and I quickly added a couple of fenders and retrieved the bowline that Cheryl had been holding on slipway - but had to drop as I hastily reversed away from pointy bits of trailer! (I wasn't too worried as it wasn't long enough to reach the prop!)
Cheryl, Jon and my son Edward joined us on the pontoon and after a few more checks, I contemplated a quick shakedown - after all, it would be rather rude not to wouldn't it?
Within a few minutes we were joined by another good friend, one known to many here as he just happens to write for Motorboat and Yachting - the esteemed Mr Burnham! Nick was armed with a camera bag and long lens in anticipation of launch, so that was it - case closed, shakedown run needed.
We gave Nick time to move around to Haldon Pier and then nudged cautiously out of the harbour - to shouts of 'fenders' from Mr B!
Fenders retracted, I cautiously opened the throttle and watched the speed pick up. Being far more used to a 16' boat with a 2-stroke and blistering hole-shot, the acceleration gave me time to listen for anything untoward and lower the trim tabs to add some stern lift. As she passed 17 knots, the turbo could clearly be heard stretching it's legs and the power started to make itself felt rapidly reaching high 20's at around 3400rpm. After a few circuits and a little stirring of the tranquil waters, we returned to the harbour for our boat tester!A run around the Bay tracking the coastline to Berry Head followed on almost glass flat waters, touching 31 knots on GPS with 4 adults plus my son; then back across to Torquay where we dropped Nick off on the pier for some more pictures as the few clouds had now dispersed. A few more twisty runs followed before we headed into the inner harbour to her new home... This was the bit that I hadn't been looking forward to and we had discovered a small issue with the new gear cable. The adjustment was off and she was picking up an extra 800 or so rpm before engaging forward gear! Not ideal for close quarters.
So after we crept under the bridge and alongside the pontoons we turned apprehensively into our fairway. The vast expanse of water suddenly didn't seem quite as big. First line up was clearly the wrong angle and too fast, so rather too many revs and a clunk into forward followed to open up a gap! Second attempt however and we reversed into her berth - a somewhat panicked affair, but once a line was on, there was a huge sigh of relief on my part and we set about sorting the lines and adjusting fenders.
The following day I adjusted the gear linkage so hopefully a bit easier next time. Jon hadn't got as far as booking a B&B, so having hooked up shore power and put a small 500W radiator in the cuddy, he kindly babysat the boat for the following couple of nights before heading home! (He camps a lot on his bowrider, so reported the accomodation as quite luxurious - even in December.
)Been down every day so far and despite torrantial rain and high winds, she's still there and floating, so I might get a good night's sleep again by February...
As Andy pointed out back at the end of April, perhaps time for a 'Beer and Natter' on the English Riviera. so will see what I can do in January!
Happy New Year to all - here's to lots of happy boating in 2018!
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Many congratulations, she looks fantastic!
Bouba
Well-Known Member
A sea trial without any problems! You’ve done a great job
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Thanks both :encouragement: Hopefully all being well, we'll get a few months of short runs - Torbay, the Exe, the Dart etc to build some confidence in her before venturing further afield as the weather warms up in the spring. I can start on the cosmetic aspects then - looks good from a distance, but close scrutiny shows a bit more work required!
NoviceRod
Well-Known Member
Robin - great job. I look forward to Nick's article in MBY!
Portofino
Well-Known Member
What a lovely start to the new year - waking up and reading ( re reading ) this thread .
That’s quite an inspirational post #43 ^^^
Jaw dropping dead gorgeous looks , you will get a lot of admiration every where you go in her .
Beautiful boat
Thx for sharing :encouragement:
Porto
That’s quite an inspirational post #43 ^^^
Jaw dropping dead gorgeous looks , you will get a lot of admiration every where you go in her .
Beautiful boat
Thx for sharing :encouragement:
Porto
markc
Well-Known Member
Lovely looking Sunseeker - congratulations! The photos are great too, thanks for sharing!
sprocker
Well-Known Member
Many congratulations Rob! She is looking very good indeed, I've been watching for her on her berth for some time now, glad to see you finally had time to get her launched. Looking forward to seeing her out on the water in the bay soon.
MrB
Well-Known Member
Lovely looking boat, great pictures too :encouragement:
:encouragement:
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
There's a possibility I think
Lovely looking boat, great pictures too
Thanks all - absolutely chuffed with her. A bit of a teenage dream, so took a little while...
Will keep a look out for you - please feel free to come and say hello if passing and you see us there. She's quite easy to spot - we're on D pontoon. Did I see you are changing yours again any time now too? I've been doing a bit of catching up on the last couple of days as not had much time over the last 12 months.
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Lovely to read your review. I hope you will come on the SWSBR in May. When you spoke of Jon coming down from Stoke and him often camping out in his bow rider I knew exactly who you meant. He is a great guy and always ready to help people. He loves his boat.
Nice little read as I get up on a dark January morning. Roll on the spring
Dennis
Nice little read as I get up on a dark January morning. Roll on the spring
Dennis
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Hi Dennis,
Yes indeed - all signed up for rally! Jon does indeed love his boat - he accumulates his overtime to blow a few hundred quid on petrol on a weekend away! He was going to bring the boat down, but weather wasn't great and it's a long haul towing a boat. I think we had the one suitable day. I had planned the day before, but it was quite blustery, so I felt waiting another 24 hours was probably wise given the boat and handling was new to me. My son took loads of pictures, so I'll resize and upload a few more later just to show just how flat it was. Will see you at the rally - which one are you bringing?
Cheers,
Robin
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
We will bring the 17 foot Bow Rider. That is the most fun and best for the long drive. We are going to try and stay the week if her indoors can get time off work.
Your boat looks lovely..... a true classic........ Just reading this has helped lift me a little from the inevitable winter blues that seem to get me this time of year. I am about to book my tickets for the London Boat Show which is also always good to cheer yourself up.
Best regards
Dennis
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sprocker
Well-Known Member
Hi Rob, yes we completed yesterday. Similar situation to you (realizing a dream), I had to wait 20 years to realize my dream!
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Must admit that I didn't, though I agree that in hindsight I could have...
Regardless, a nice name indeed, which matches perfectly not only the elegant lines, but also the perfect cruising attitude! :encouragement:
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
benjenbav
Well-Known Member
+1
Some of those pix could’ve been original brochure shots but better.
Having once owned a Portofino of the same generation, I might be biased but I think they look terrific and possibly have now achieved a classic status.
Still, like all classics of whatever type, a great deal of work has to be put in behind the scenes to achieve a result like this.
Fantastic!
