Calling Sealine 218 owners

robmatheson

robmatheson

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9 Apr 2008
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Location
Rhu, Scotland
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Hello, I've got a 218 berthed in the Clyde. After two years, I'm still a novice and wary of going out in anything other than flat calm :) The boat's in great shape and has an AQ205A VP petrol engine which has been overhauled, as has the outleg. She's packed with safety gear - all up to date. And yet I'm still nervous.

Can any 218 owners tell me: what are the worst conditions you've safely negotiated in your boat? What made you feel most insecure?

Also - can any Clyde boaters tell me the best route to take to Rothsay from Rhu marina?

Is it better to hug the coast and cross the mouth of Long Long, cross the Holy Loch and head south down the western edge of the Clyde? If I was heading for Inverkip Marina, would that be the best route too - but then cross the Clyde shipping lanes at right angles to head to Inverkip?

Sorry these are such basic questions, but it would really help to know.
 
"Sorry these are such basic questions, but it would really help to know."

Everybody starts somewhere and this is an excellent place to get real world advice and help.
Somebody somewhere will have your boat and somebody will probably know your area into the bargain and if you are lucky both !

Being careful and a bit wary is a very sensible way to approach the sea and it is only with time that confidence arrives,having said that,most sane boaters however experienced,still have that smidgeon of doubt and thats what keeps you safe.
Have fun !
 
Hi Rob

We used to have a 215 (same boat as far as I can see) and regularly crossed from Bristol to Cardiff - force 3 was our limit though, no need to scare the pants off yourself it is afterall supposed to be fun.
We once got caught out on passage from Cardiff to Watchet, the wind picked up F6, not forecast and we would have been OK but for the engine breaking down!
Got towed in by Minehead Lifeboat!

28 06 06
http://www.mineheadlifeboat.org.uk/shouts.htm

Chose a nice calm day and don't be afraid to postpone the trip if the weather does cut up a bit - let someone know your ETA and route with instructions to call the coastguard if you don't report in on arrival.

Good luck!
 
Hi Rob

Cant help with your questions, but i have just bought a 218 in dec.....named Rothesay Bay!

Any tips, warnings, issues you found with yours would be most helpful, i have the same kit out as you AQ205A Petrol Duo prop etc etc

i would like to ask, is there any way to access the fuel tank? for inspection etc?

and i have an "aux" switch on the panel in the galley that i cannot figure out what it turns on???

I would love to swap info etc, its all new to me

Cheers

John
 
What about tagging along with some more experienced boaters during a cruise? Its a lot more re-assuring with other boats around, and often more fun.

Are there any (active) mobo clubs around the Clyde?


Just a hint that I find handy......
Make up a line that is spliced to the winch eye (stem) and fits over the bow roller, and back to a cleat on the deck with another spliced eye.
Should the boat break down for any reason (heaving seaway!!), it is a simple job to attach (bowline) a tow rope, rather than having to lay flat on your stomach with someone holding your ankles, securing a line to a point strong enough to tow the boat.

Good luck
 
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Thanks!

This is all great advice. Not too many mobo owners where I am, but a few. I'll just have to make more friends.

Good advice about the tow-rope. Will definitely be doing that.
 
Hello Yankeebloke. Congratulations on your new boat!

Fuel tank: under the mid-berth there might be a wooden cover. Beneath that lies the fuel tank. However, it's very hard to get into - as the hole in the GRP is quite tight. Glad to say I haven't had problems with it yet (you KNOW I'm going to have problems, now I've said that!). Let me know how you get on.

Aux switch: If you have the same KDD Electronics distribution panel as I do, then you'll have two - one at the bottom of each vertical row of buttons. Yours may well be wired differently to mine. However the right-hand one on my panel operates the CD/DVD and the TV. The left-hand one? I have no idea. Probably, as I'm idly switching it backwards and forwards, the ride lights are flashing on and off like a Christmas decoration. I have no idea :) If YOU find out, let me know!

Hints and tips: Not too many really, as she's a good boat. A man in the know told me that, around the 1980s/90s Sealine moulded their GRP hulls a bit thicker than necessary because they were still trying out the new technology. The result is 218's, Senators etc were a little bit stronger. Might be nonsense but I hope it's true.

Check the engine manifold. Last spring mine developed a tiny hole, which let air into the casing, dropping the engine pressure and which meant the revs kept dying away at slow speeds. Took ages to work out what the problem was - but easy for engineers to fix eventually.

On the outleg, check the oil. Often the dipstick at the top of the leg is painted over with years of antifoul and gets jammed. The o-ring can perish (cos no-one unscrews the dipstick) and oil seeps in (as has happened to mine last season).

Generally speaking the AQ205 is pretty bomb-proof. All bits are generally easy to get at for servicing.

Only other issue I have is the gas cooker rings keep blowing out because the thermocouples don't warm up enough. Which is a pain.

Oh - in case you don't know (cos I didn't) the seacocks are tucked into a tiny little cupboard at the back of the mid-berth. Mine have snakes of cabling around them as well, which makes them hard to get to. Apparently the system's positively pressurised so - in theory - there's no need to close them. But I would, if you're leaving her for any length of time. Particularly if she's on the hard in the winter.

I'm sure there's lots I don't know. But this is stuff I've come across. If there's anything particular please drop me a line. I've had loads of help from this forum too.

Good luck and have fun!

Rob
 
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yankeebloke said:
and i have an "aux" switch on the panel in the galley that i cannot figure out what it turns on???
Click to expand...

More than likely nothing, "aux" means it's a spare switch for additional items that may be fitted, there is also a "aux" unswitched spare.

Let me know if you want the output terminals for them.


Brian
 
Hi
Had a 215 and a 218 both good boats. Never went out in any sort of breeze in the 215 as it was our first boat. Learnt the hard way that a 218 will handle a F3/F4. (Boat better than the skipper).
Ref the AUX switch, on both boats not used.
 
Hi Rob
I am in exactly the same situation as youself-bought the bought on 31st October, then put it on the hard on1st Novemebr. The only time out in it was on 31st October on the Clyde when testing it at Inverkip. It was probably a Force 3/4 when tested but handled well for the 20 mins we were in it.
Had plenty of time to look inside and like yourself, could never work out what the aux was for, but found out most things by trial and error, like only finding the circuit switch for the calorifier after I had left it on for 3 weeks plugged into mains supply!!! The only problem I have now is finding out how the VHF works as it was working when I saw it at Inverkip-take it home and not a peep-dead. The electricians changed the fuses for the cockpit before I collected it but must have not rewired the radio-but I'm blowed if I can find the wires anywhere!! So. in four weeks time, it will be launched at Oban and then taken up the Falls of Lora to it's mooring in Loch Etive. I'm sure our stories will be very similar in the next 12 months as this is a new adventure for me.
Good Luck

p.s anyone know where I can purchase 50mm boatstripe red and black tape??
 
celtictemple said:
The only problem I have now is finding out how the VHF works as it was working when I saw it at Inverkip-take it home and not a peep-dead.

Have you tried the "aux" switch on the helm panel, the vhf tended to be wired throught this, on later helm panels we altered it to vhf.

If you need the pin-outs for the panels we have them.


Brian
Click to expand...
 
New West Coast mobo group

Not a bad idea! Unfortunately I've had some bad news. Discovered yesterday that some B*****s have broken into at least three boats on the hard at Rhu. Even worse, one of them was mine :( Lost my little tv, a fire extinguisher (go figure), ripped out my CD/DVD player - and broke into a locker and stole four Seago lifejackets (barely used). They knew exactly what they were looking for. Nothing else worth taking. Don't know what the other boats lost. Not a good start to my season - and I'm not even in the water yet.

Well done on getting your new boat CelticTemple. What did you go for?
 
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hi rob, having had a couple of seasons in largs, i would say
that on a good weather window rhu to rothsay would be an
easy jaunt, so long as it is well planned. as for tips,,,,
phone clyde port for traffic info,
the east side has the better bolt holes (inverkip \ largs )
dont forget the camera (peeps on here want to see your picts),
the weather is the key, on the firth even on 'sunny' days the wind
can pick up in short notice i once got caught out when it went from
flat calm to force 4/5 in less time than this post took to type,
and yes there are those who will say you could the trip in a
canoe , even they had to take that first step.
as for the theft of you kit thats a bummer,hope there is not
too much damage,
oh watch out for the ferries as they big old boys can be on you
in a jiffy :eek:
 
Hi Rob

Thanks for the reply, and very sorry to hear about your break in:(

Ok i thought the tank under the mid berth was the water tank!
I do have a wooden panel but all you can see is the top of the tank, i saw the black water pipes running that direction and thought they ran to that.

so let me re-phrase my question, where is the water tank? LOL

Good to hear that its reliable, i just finished repairing / running wiring for me stowe navigator log, old sensor broke, new one is circa £95, but stowe stuck a new one on ebay which i got for £26!!!!:D

Installed it yesterday, lots of cursing all headlining down and its quite a run from the engine compartment to the display unit, but i now have speed and distance info again!

Unfortunately it has also put the idea into my head of recovering all the headlinings, might make that my winter (next) job!

I have discovered the sea cocks, i have a porta poti in mine and sea cocks not connected and in need of a good service, i may swap back to a sea toilet....what is peoples opinin? (i am most of time on river)

My problem is i am not mechanical (engines are a mystery to me!) so i need to find a good (in expensive) engineer to look after my engine, or learn how to do it myself (which i wouldnt know where to start?)

Please keep the good info comming!

Cheers

John
 
Bad luck about the break in Rob....

When I am doing a passage in my own small boat (23'), I'm up before dawn and away just on first light, usually the best and calmest time of the day. Have breakfast when you are anchored at your destination, you'll enjoy it more anyway. :)
 
Thanks for the support

Yeah - rubbish about the break-in. Anyone got a Humminbird 100sx fish-finder for sale? Or a Lowrance 3300c plotter?

Yankee - I'm pretty sure the tank under the midberth is the fuel tank. Seems to be made from marine grade aluminium so that's why I thought it would be the fuel. Also the fact that it's midships and therefore over the boat's gravity centre. Can't say I get that excited about sleeping on top of all that petrol :( which is probably why I've never done it.

My water tank is a big lagged, heated job in the engine compartment - to the port side.

It's the lagging - and the fact that it looks like my parents's old household water tank - which makes me think that's what it is.

Now wait and see some expert come on here and tell me I've got them mixed up!

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful cruising advice so far. Was a bit wary of heading seawards along the east side of the Clyde - in case that was the wrong direction against the upcoming lane traffic. But if it's ok to do that then it seems a much more sensible way to go.
 
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Hi Rob

Really sorry to hear about the break-in. What a horrible start to the season. You asked what boat I bought-it was a Sealine 218 as yours circa 1990/91. At the moment it is on the drive outside the house-SWMBO says I should now buy an alarm for it after me telling her of your experiences at Rhu!! Maybe she should sleep in it at night :).......but don't think I'll tell her that!!!
Some really good tips and info from this thread-hope it continues.
Cheers
 
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