fairline 41/43 v fairline 38 fantom

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fairline pilot

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hi
Im new
planning to buy 40ft ish motor boat - suitable for south coastal & french canals (so bridge clearance <3.5m), based eastbourne
have found a 1990 Fairline 41/43 (medway) with 2 x 435hp 3108 Cats (1200 hrs) and agreed a price, survey is all OK minors resolved BUT oil samples show one engine with high iron, running further 10hrs and retesting oil , may rise alot or not much -which may be OK - boat has stood for a few yrs which may explain

I like the 2 sofa layout out (will need holding tanks for canals) and ideally bow thruster (has inboard Generator and new plotters etc - big tanks (reported 3000lt is that possible ?), folding radar arch, anti F back to hull and new applied just done, engines all serviced

BUT

There is also a 1990 Fairline 38 Fantom - similar hours - similar condition - 1 sofa and sideboard & 2 x stools, 2 x VP TAMD61a's (@306hp ) look v nice - survey of 4 yrs ago show iron in 15-20ppm range - so nice, rest of accommodation is very similar size and condtion

f38 has holding tank for showers and one loo, has bow thruster, no gen or invertor, will need antiF and anodes , mods to radar arch, engine service and anodes - survey booked but last survey reads well.

1000 ltr tanks (so less range)
f38 lighter (10ton v 12 ton)

what to buy ? - price the same, age the same, condition comparable

which is the boat to have

are VP TAMD61 (2x306) better than Cats (2x435) which are more powerful, so at 20 knts cruise working less hard

I think fuel burn may be slightly lower on F38, I think F38 can cruise at higher RPM at 20kts (1mpg I discovered)

boats is for me and wife, with sometimes guest couple or our grown-up kids and partners - both work equally well

I would very much like to hear from owners of experiencw, both the comparison of the boats and focus on the engine comparison

thanks in advance
 
stelican said:
Before you spend check out the bridge clearance as from memory they are all over 3.5m.
Click to expand...
hi

thanks for advice - I have researched and measured the boats

I have actual measured both - with the radar arch down (the f41/43 folds - the F38 will need to be unbolted and potentially modified with a folding mech made and fitted)- both are 3.4-3.45m water line to top of flybridge screen (which if removed loweers another 50mm)

also when in fresh water boat will float lower (calc suggest 50-55mm) also if full of fuel and water wil float lower still - so I think 3.35 - 3.4 is likely with no radar arch ! (stored on front deck for the transit - or left at home ?)

there is plenty depth at normal water level (1.8m) paris through to dejoin so extra weight may help get through

wosrt case - assuming the goal to reach the med - then a lift out at the low bridge and truck to med is possible (as boath are well ess than 20t limit

what of the engine options VP or Cat ??

thanks

ian
 
the 41/43 will be noticeably bigger. I had the same thought as Selican about the bridge clearance, although both of those boats could have their radar arch removed or rigged to lower. I owned a 43/45 in the late 90s and it was a decent boat, but now condition and how well it's been looked after and updated will be really important. I think oil analysis is only useful if carried out regularly so you can identify trends, on its own, pretty useless. TBH with any engines over a certain age you are throwing the dice regarding a big bill, so I'd say the same with either of the boats you mentioned. If condition and cost were the same I'd go for the bigger one. I think Cat have a good reputation although I can't comment on that particular model
 
I have a 41 /43 and I would not advise that trip, with the arch folded it is still higher than the flybridge screen so would have to come off. height is an issue, so is the draft, a hot summer and you could be on the bottom. much less stressful to transport it there. it was one of my planned trips until I bought the 41/43 now not worth the hassle it will not have 3000lt, just replaced my tanks and they or 750ltrs each there is no room for larger tanks. Also 435's
 
Last edited:
fred247 said:
I have a 41 /43 and I would not advise that trip, with the arch folded it is still higher than the flybridge screen so would have to come off. height is an issue, so is the draft, a hot summer and you could be on the bottom. much less stressful to transport it there. it was one of my planned trips until I bought the 41/43 now not worth the hassle it will not have 3000lt, just replaced my tanks and they or 750ltrs each there is no room for larger tanks. Also 435's
Click to expand...
So sounds like he needs to have tanks checked.
 
tha
fred247 said:
I have a 41 /43 and I would not advise that trip, with the arch folded it is still higher than the flybridge screen so would have to come off. height is an issue, so is the draft, a hot summer and you could be on the bottom. much less stressful to transport it there. it was one of my planned trips until I bought the 41/43 now not worth the hassle it will not have 3000lt, just replaced my tanks and they or 750ltrs each there is no room for larger tanks. Also 435's
Click to expand...
thanks

I doubted the 3000 ltr - 1500 sounds more likley

whats your cruise speed and fuel burn - at sea, say f3 - f4 ?

thanks
 
22knts - 2000 rpm 17gals an hour
24 knts - 2200 rpm 20gals an hour
F4 you'll want to be down to 12 kts dependent on sea state
 
Last edited:
fairline pilot said:
hi

thanks for advice - I have researched and measured the boats

I have actual measured both - with the radar arch down (the f41/43 folds - the F38 will need to be unbolted and potentially modified with a folding mech made and fitted)- both are 3.4-3.45m water line to top of flybridge screen (which if removed loweers another 50mm)

also when in fresh water boat will float lower (calc suggest 50-55mm) also if full of fuel and water wil float lower still - so I think 3.35 - 3.4 is likely with no radar arch ! (stored on front deck for the transit - or left at home ?)

there is plenty depth at normal water level (1.8m) paris through to dejoin so extra weight may help get through

wosrt case - assuming the goal to reach the med - then a lift out at the low bridge and truck to med is possible (as boath are well ess than 20t limit

what of the engine options VP or Cat ??

thanks

ian
[/QUOT
Click to expand...
 
Wow seem like you have done the homework
I was aware of a Turbo 36 3.5m doing the Midi.
Surprised to hear your choices also low enough.
Sorry can't help with engine choice but service history paramount.
 
fairline pilot said:
hi
Im new
planning to buy 40ft ish motor boat - suitable for south coastal & french canals (so bridge clearance <3.5m), based eastbourne
have found a 1990 Fairline 41/43 (medway) with 2 x 435hp 3108 Cats (1200 hrs) and agreed a price, survey is all OK minors resolved BUT oil samples show one engine with high iron, running further 10hrs and retesting oil , may rise alot or not much -which may be OK - boat has stood for a few yrs which may explain

I like the 2 sofa layout out (will need holding tanks for canals) and ideally bow thruster (has inboard Generator and new plotters etc - big tanks (reported 3000lt is that possible ?), folding radar arch, anti F back to hull and new applied just done, engines all serviced

BUT

There is also a 1990 Fairline 38 Fantom - similar hours - similar condition - 1 sofa and sideboard & 2 x stools, 2 x VP TAMD61a's (@306hp ) look v nice - survey of 4 yrs ago show iron in 15-20ppm range - so nice, rest of accommodation is very similar size and condtion

f38 has holding tank for showers and one loo, has bow thruster, no gen or invertor, will need antiF and anodes , mods to radar arch, engine service and anodes - survey booked but last survey reads well.

1000 ltr tanks (so less range)
f38 lighter (10ton v 12 ton)

what to buy ? - price the same, age the same, condition comparable

which is the boat to have

are VP TAMD61 (2x306) better than Cats (2x435) which are more powerful, so at 20 knts cruise working less hard

I think fuel burn may be slightly lower on F38, I think F38 can cruise at higher RPM at 20kts (1mpg I discovered)

boats is for me and wife, with sometimes guest couple or our grown-up kids and partners - both work equally well

I would very much like to hear from owners of experiencw, both the comparison of the boats and focus on the engine comparison

thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Would definitely go for the 41 its a lot bigger accommodation could be a 6 berth if like mine has the fold out sofa bed, 38 i belive is the old corsica 37
 
One of our club Turbo 36s went down to the " Med" via the canals. He did have one or two problems with airdraft due to water levels, unusual summer rainfall.
The boat came back by lowloader.
There is forumite on the Medway who has a similar boat located not far upstream from the boat I suspect you may be looking at.
He might pick this up thread.
Would dare to suggest the Volvos a more sensible option for both spares and repair costs.??
 
Is the eastern route through France suitable for bigger boats? I read a series of reports on MBY about a guy bringing a big Dutch Steel cruiser to the Med via the Marne and Saône route. I think there are still some height restrictions but I think it’s more suited to twin engined boats.
Tempted to do that trip myself in the future.
 
Dino said:
Is the eastern route through France suitable for bigger boats? I read a series of reports on MBY about a guy bringing a big Dutch Steel cruiser to the Med via the Marne and Saône route. I think there are still some height restrictions but I think it’s more suited to twin engined boats.
Tempted to do that trip myself in the future.
Click to expand...
hi

yes I found the first 2 installments up to paris - cant find the rest of the installemtns covering the canals

looks like the route is

le havre - sein to paris
then + 60 miles enter canals and route to Roan, Saone then med

Im not necessarily that focused on reaching the med, but a nice goal - I like the idea of pottering around rural france - villages, vineyards, restaurants etc

I fly, so small plan to boat, move a bit , small plan home again 2-3 weeks at a time - no rush - would be great to do 'eastern' route to med, do med islands (porcorolls near Saint maxime are lovely, then enter canal du midi - to Bordeaux and Royan, up the french cost - Gulf du morbiham is lively along with the belle isle etc - then home via channel isalnds - But canal du midi bridges are max 2.5m - rules out fly bridge and lager sea capable boats of the size one would want for such a long trip

the other attraction is holland, then Germany and the danube to Budapest - looks a great trip !

all future dreams, first step is a suitable sea boat - then discover options

the f41/43 based eastbourne, sometimes port solent, then west country and sillie - channel island and round brest into the gulf to morbiham will be planty to get started with, then parhaps swicth boat to a sing engine steel dutch river cruiser for the canals

we had a 40ft ketch on the 80's eventually based in morbihan france - good mix of low cost mooring, easy to reach by ferry (portsmouth to st marlow) + 2-3 hrs drive, many many great long weekends in good weather with interesting coast line and islands - loved it, then kids and school stepped in.

older now, I think a MB with good accommodation will serve better than sail boat - which if large enough for comfort will be tricky to sail 1.5 hands

I have read lots on the web and books, pilots and guides - eastern (most direct) route looks feasible with 'normal' water levels, if high then bridges a limit (may need crane and truck at some point, perhaps at point we get stuck to the reach the top of the Roan/soane) if water level low, easier for bridges, but if more than 300mm low shallows near downstream of locks is reported to be an issue

With covid this will all be on hold this summer I am sure, so the boat will be coast hopping, solent, west country etc - time to work out what works

just the sein to paris will be a good adventure one day

thanks for your advice - new to MB's and trying to avoid silly decissions
 
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