Crossing over to the Mobo side

Sneaky Pete

Sneaky Pete

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Giving up the sail boat and thinking of a mobo. Question is which one.
I would like semi displacement.
32-35 feet.
Single screw.
Cruise at 14-16Knts top speed about 20-22Knts.
Cruising coastal waters with ability to cruise in force 5-6.
Sleep 4 in comfort.
Kept on swinging mooring.
No older than 16 years.
Budget could run into low 6 figures.
Do any forumites have suggestions on what may be a suitable boat? I like Nimbus, Aquador and Broom makes but looking for some ideas.
 
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Sneaky Pete said:
Giving up the sail boat and thinking of a mobo. Question is which one.
I would like semi displacement.
Single screw.
Cruise at 14-16Knts top speed about 20-22Knts.
Cruising coastal waters with ability to cruise in force 5-6.
Sleep 4 in comfort.
Kept on swinging mooring.
No older than 16 years.
Budget could run into low 6 figures.
Do any forumites have suggestions on what may be a suitable boat? I like Nimbus, Aquador and Broom makes but looking for some ideas.
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My Swift Trawler 34 fits all those requirements (it’s not for sale:))
 
These are all great boats - each with their own compromise on your requirements:

Corvette 320
ACM Elite
Nimbus 310/320
Aquador 32C
 
Bouba said:
My Swift Trawler 34 fits all those requirements (it’s not for sale:))
Click to expand...

My Saga 315 also fits those requirements (also not for sale). Not particularly well known in this country (Norwegian) but excellent sea boats/well built and will happily cope with your Force 5-6 requirements. Similar design to Nimbus but more beam than the Nimbus 335 so more storage. Max speed 21 knots (VP D4 260), cruise comfortably at 15kts (32ltrs/hr). None currently for sale in UK though but 3 abroad. I actually bought mine on the Clyde coincidentally looking at your location. Worth adding to your list. I paid £95K 2 years ago for a 2010 model (bit of a bargain).
 
Hardy 32 might be worth a look. Reputedly an excellent seaboat
 
Be aware that big engines and Mobo accessories like plenty of battery charge, so a solar panel to keep the batteries charged up whilst the boat is alone on its mooring is essential. I have one on my first Mobo which was in a Marina with no electricity and this used to keep them topped off just fine, and if we came back on a Sunday with the batteries a bit low from the weekend use, they were completely full again by the following Friday.

When I changed from the windy to the dark side my first boat was semi displacement and would top out at 10 knots and I was quite happy with that after all it was twice what the sailing boat would do, doubling my weekend range / or halving the time to get there, and of course no tacking. Now on my third motorboat although an occasional run at 20 knots + feels great, rarely do I want to go that fast. Indeed the Corvette won't get much past 17 knots once it has its standard load aboard.

Also be aware that for some reason 17 knots hits an insurance price ceiling, with policies notably increasing as soon as you declare you can go above this speed.
 
Some very nice additions to the list. Most of these boats are of a similar layout with some excellent quality joinery. Trying to be careful of engine types KAMD's are a no no, a bit too much engineering in them. I have a possible offer on my current boat so would allow me to make my enquiries a bit more serious now.
 
Sneaky Pete said:
Some very nice additions to the list. Most of these boats are of a similar layout with some excellent quality joinery. Trying to be careful of engine types KAMD's are a no no, a bit too much engineering in them. I have a possible offer on my current boat so would allow me to make my enquiries a bit more serious now.
Click to expand...

Too much engineering?
Trabants and Yugos don’t have much engineering in them, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Personally I prefer an engine that actually starts in cold weather without the 25 nearest boats disappearing into an oily fog.
 
FlowerPower said:
Personally I prefer an engine that actually starts in cold weather without the 25 nearest boats disappearing into an oily fog.
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Some might reply that a bit of smoke is a small price to pay for an engine that will get you there and back and does not rely on a witches nest of plastic pulleys, rubber belts with relays and solenoids thrown in to produce its power in series of clunking surges while filling you engine room with carbon dust and and your boat with a terrible racket. ? :):):)
 
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oldgit said:
Some might reply that a bit of smoke is a small price to pay for an engine that will get you there and back and does not rely on a witches nest of plastic pulleys, rubber belts with relays and solenoids thrown in to produce its power in series of clunking surges while filling you engine room with carbon dust and and your boat with a terrible racket. ? :):):)
Click to expand...

My Perkins Sabre, at just under 2000 hours and 20yrs old starts with a mear wisp of smoke and has none of those things you mention... got to say it would be my engine of choice in if I do ever decide to replacement Tulana...
 
Yanmar 4LH-STE is another excellent engine. Seen some with 10000 hours on them - mechanical fuel injection - nothing complicated really and 230hp. Exhaust elbow was a bit fragile but easily replaced - if not turbo bearings can fail if sea water leaks and that's £1500 for a new one.
 
DiscoVolante said:
Yanmar 4LH-STE is another excellent engine. Seen some with 10000 hours on them - mechanical fuel injection - nothing complicated really and 230hp. Exhaust elbow was a bit fragile but easily replaced - if not turbo bearings can fail if sea water leaks and that's £1500 for a new one.
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agree with that, my last boat had one of those!

My turbo failed, had it reconditioned beautifully for around £350...
 
FlowerPower said:
Too much engineering?
Trabants and Yugos don’t have much engineering in them, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Personally I prefer an engine that actually starts in cold weather without the 25 nearest boats disappearing into an oily fog.
Click to expand...

not particularly keen on Trabants, but Yugos??? what's wrong with them???
:p

Serious, they ARE the equivalent of non common rail non ECU diesels (imho) and I have two of them, work fine (touch wood!) and they are italian :)

cheers

V.
 
vas said:
not particularly keen on Trabants, but Yugos??? what's wrong with them???
:p
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The Americans do not appear to be very keen on them, altho' I can't see why - the Yugo in this Youtube link is very similar in many ways to the Mini we had in the 70's / early 80's.
(Could somebody remind me please how to embed it?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN4UhS8cFTk
 
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oldgit said:
Some might reply that a bit of smoke is a small price to pay for an engine that will get you there and back and does not rely on a witches nest of plastic pulleys, rubber belts with relays and solenoids thrown in to produce its power in series of clunking surges while filling you engine room with carbon dust and and your boat with a terrible racket. ? :):):)
Click to expand...

Ah yes, members of the Flat Earth Society and tugboat owners. I've met a few. Stoic Luddites and absolute misers when it comes to hospitality. Never a second drink offered, ever!
 
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