Fairline Turbo 36 - opinions on the 200hp engines?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Down a steep hill with the wind behind you perhaps !

No way will it achieve those speeds with only 200 HP each side, even in flat calm. The highest I ever got out of mine was 22 knots clean bum and half up on the tanks with 255 HP per side, and the TAMD60C had a lot more grunt than the TAMD41.

Is the broker able to provide a sea trial to demonstrate this claim ? I understand the boat is river based some way from the sea, so very convenient for him to make this statement, but how will you challenge him after you have bought - Caveat Emptor.

Agreed. As I said above my T36 with TAMD60C engines could get to 25-26kts with a clean bum and my boat was only a few years old. The same boat now would certainly have lost a few knots. A TAMD41 engined boat might have just about got to 24kts downhill with a following wind on a calm day when new but there's no way in a month of Sundays that boat will get to 24kts now or anywhere near

 

[Boat2016]

I know nothing else about the boat but it will likely be a ~1985 model (pre TAMD60C) and therefore probably a £45k boat, so be careful. I sold my 1986 in 2015 for not much more than you are paying and that was reasonably sorted out with decent inventory and I felt I got a better price than I had expected (I was expecting ~ £50 - 52 k).
www.turbo36.wordpress.com

It’s all very well you comparing this with your boat you sold but a bit unfair comparing costs when we all know that a seller sees values at a totally different level to a buyer, with the weight difference of the engines I would expect there to be little difference in the performance of the 200hp boat compared to yours.

Also values appear to have got better since you sold yours in 2015 so don’t go putting down another boat without seeing it and from what I see it’s an original boat without the diy messing about that often devalues a boat where an owner has done everything on the cheap without keeping things original.

As to performance I would advise the OP to have a trial to confirm for himself if that’s what he really wants, this will confirm what the broker says. Just bear in mind that the TAMD 60 will run out of part# long before the 41.

 

[superheat6k]

It’s all very well you comparing this with your boat you sold but a bit unfair comparing costs when we all know that a seller sees values at a totally different level to a buyer, with the weight difference of the engines I would expect there to be little difference in the performance of the 200hp boat compared to yours.

Also values appear to have got better since you sold yours in 2015 so don’t go putting down another boat without seeing it and from what I see it’s an original boat without the diy messing about that often devalues a boat where an owner has done everything on the cheap without keeping things original.

As to performance I would advise the OP to have a trial to confirm for himself if that’s what he really wants, this will confirm what the broker says. Just bear in mind that the TAMD 60 will run out of part# long before the 41.

Are you the seller ?

Otherwise do you have direct ownership experience of the Turbo 36 ?

When I made my comment I was not aware this was a 1990 boat, as I was not aware Fairline were still offering the smaller engines, as was later explained by Volvopaul. As I said my boat was sorted for its vintage when it was sold.

However, in regard to performance I am quoting from direct experience of what the boat I owned was capable of. That losing over 100 HP on a boat this size will be compensated by the lighter weight is, IMHO, nonsense. If this was the case then why would Fairline have felt the need to increase the engine power as the marque developed.

A later ~ 1990 T36 with 306 HP TAMD61A's and in the condition stated would be worth ~ £65 - 70k. There have been several priced higher than this for several years that simply never sold. But with the smaller engines the boat will likely only attain that price by someone inadequately briefed, and possibly in this case misled, after all it is the case according to the OP that the broker has told him it will do 22 - 24 knots. However, as has been said here by several owners of the Turbo 36, the boat in this instance simply will not be suitable for reliable sustained causing at planing speed of just 14-16 knots, let alone 22 knots.

In this situation and taking due account of the intended requirements for fast cruising on the plane cross channel, etc, I believe it is perfectly fair the possible situation be explained the the OP before he spends his money and risks disappointment. As I ended my last post Caveat Emptor - it is his call, but he came here asking for honest and open opinion. I stand by the responses I have given are just that.

 

[volvopaul]

It’s all very well you comparing this with your boat you sold but a bit unfair comparing costs when we all know that a seller sees values at a totally different level to a buyer, with the weight difference of the engines I would expect there to be little difference in the performance of the 200hp boat compared to yours.

Also values appear to have got better since you sold yours in 2015 so don’t go putting down another boat without seeing it and from what I see it’s an original boat without the diy messing about that often devalues a boat where an owner has done everything on the cheap without keeping things original.

As to performance I would advise the OP to have a trial to confirm for himself if that’s what he really wants, this will confirm what the broker says. Just bear in mind that the TAMD 60 will run out of part# long before the 41.

There is no one on here better to comment on owning and maintaining a turbo 36 as a long term experienced owner than Trevor aka superheat6k .

As a vp engineer I would like to comment but am connected with the seller so I’m not at liberty to.
All I will say is this boat is a very nice example and condition. For its year, it will be suitable certainly on the rivers and sea as long as it’s used at a pace suitable for its hp given .
I’m sure if the buyer wanted the 306 hp version he would have sourced one.

 

[Mr Googler]

The question was...is it underpowered....the answer for the quoted speeds in the real world is yes.

If the buyer is happy with lower speeds, go for it. If the buyer wants to cruise at 20 knots all day and season long, probably not.

 

[Boat2016]

Are you the seller ?

Otherwise do you have direct ownership experience of the Turbo 36 ?

When I made my comment I was not aware this was a 1990 boat, as I was not aware Fairline were still offering the smaller engines, as was later explained by Volvopaul. As I said my boat was sorted for its vintage when it was sold.

However, in regard to performance I am quoting from direct experience of what the boat I owned was capable of. That losing over 100 HP on a boat this size will be compensated by the lighter weight is, IMHO, nonsense. If this was the case then why would Fairline have felt the need to increase the engine power as the marque developed.

A later ~ 1990 T36 with 306 HP TAMD61A's and in the condition stated would be worth ~ £65 - 70k. There have been several priced higher than this for several years that simply never sold. But with the smaller engines the boat will likely only attain that price by someone inadequately briefed, and possibly in this case misled, after all it is the case according to the OP that the broker has told him it will do 22 - 24 knots. However, as has been said here by several owners of the Turbo 36, the boat in this instance simply will not be suitable for reliable sustained causing at planing speed of just 14-16 knots, let alone 22 knots.

In this situation and taking due account of the intended requirements for fast cruising on the plane cross channel, etc, I believe it is perfectly fair the possible situation be explained the the OP before he spends his money and risks disappointment. As I ended my last post Caveat Emptor - it is his call, but he came here asking for honest and open opinion. I stand by the responses I have given are just that.

No I’m not the seller

 

[Boat2016]

There is no one on here better to comment on owning and maintaining a turbo 36 as a long term experienced owner than Trevor aka superheat6k .

As a vp engineer I would like to comment but am connected with the seller so I’m not at liberty to.
All I will say is this boat is a very nice example and condition. For its year, it will be suitable certainly on the rivers and sea as long as it’s used at a pace suitable for its hp given .
I’m sure if the buyer wanted the 306 hp version he would have sourced one.

I owned one many years ago with tamd60 engines and so did a good friend but it seems Trevor is trying to de value the boat in question unnecessarily, I have read about his upgrades but not all to my liking so would question his ability as a marine engineer over an expert in this field when all he’s trying to do is cut costs

 

[oldgit]

If it is of any interest to the original poster,several of the T36 on our moorings have the 255HP engines, wether by design or accident.They have all cruised extensively throughout Europe along side their 306 HP cruising companions and have never heard any of the skippers of the boats with the smaller 255HP engines actually complaining about lack of performance.
Price on the 200HP does appear bit optimistic considering the sheer number of Turbo 36 on the market at the moment.

28 on the NewsNow webpage.Some of the boats look very familiar , were on the market when we started looking around 2-3 years ago.

 

[Mr Googler]

I owned one many years ago with tamd60 engines and so did a good friend but it seems Trevor is trying to de value the boat in question unnecessarily, I have read about his upgrades but not all to my liking so would question his ability as a marine engineer over an expert in this field when all he’s trying to do is cut costs

Yeah right. talk to him for 10 mins and you won’t doubt his expertise....in many things!!!

 

[petem]

I owned one many years ago with tamd60 engines and so did a good friend but it seems Trevor is trying to de value the boat in question unnecessarily, I have read about his upgrades but not all to my liking so would question his ability as a marine engineer over an expert in this field when all he’s trying to do is cut costs

Trevor is the last person I'd accuse of cutting costs. Who would you describe as an 'expert' in these boats?

 

[superheat6k]

Having re read the OPs opening statement and expected price, taken into account the boat's age and condition, which I learnt later, then perhaps this is a fair price, but for offshore use where a reasonable ability to plane in perhaps a moderate sea is required, then I would not consider this boat further.

I trust this absolutely clarifies any doubt on the valuation of this boat I have suggested that apart from reasonable marque knowledge I know nothing else about, beyond a cursory glance at two photos showing the outside only.

 

[volvopaul]

Having re read the OPs opening statement and expected price, taken into account the boat's age and condition, which I learnt later, then perhaps this is a fair price, but for offshore use where a reasonable ability to plane in perhaps a moderate sea is required, then I would not consider this boat further.

I trust this absolutely clarifies any doubt on the valuation of this boat I have suggested that apart from reasonable marque knowledge I know nothing else about, beyond a cursory glance at two photos showing the outside only.

Have a look on Newark marina sure it's there .

 

[oldgit]

Went to look at a Fairline Sedan 36 up there a while ago it also had been re powered with engines smaller than the Volvo 306 HP originals.
Fitted with pair Perkins M225 complete with and interesting Tartan interior.
Did wonder if this due to replacement costs /no direct equivilent engine, or simply that the owner thought that more powerful engines were wasted where the boat was being used.
The fact it may end up being used elsewhere was of no concern ?

 

[Momac]

I have a feeling the engines were swapped out, one has 800 hours on it the other 1500 hours. The boat was bought by a brokerage for resale, so I have a feeling they maybe replaced the engines? They're in great condition, like the rest of the boat.

Unless you have other evidence to the contrary could it be the hour counter has been replaced on the engine showing lower hours ?

There are plenty of people who keep their boats on the river , don't have any particular desire to go fast, and venture onto salty water only occasionally . You can go to the same places at 10 knots that you can do at 20 . Its just a matter of different passage planning.

 

[volvopaul]

Went to look at a Fairline Sedan 36 up there a while ago it also had been re powered with engines smaller than the Volvo 306 HP originals.
Fitted with pair Perkins M225 complete with and interesting Tartan interior.
Did wonder if this due to replacement costs /no direct equivilent engine, or simply that the owner thought that more powerful engines were wasted where the boat was being used.
The fact it may end up being used elsewhere was of no concern ?

That’s a e sedan is for sale at Swanwick Ancasta

 

[oldgit]

That’s a e sedan is for sale at Swanwick Ancasta

Either somebody has done a series of Sedan 36 repowered with M225 Perkins and refurbd with Tartan upholstery or the same boat is being moved around the country.
Liking the Sedan 36 and being an affectionado of last generation of Perkins,went to look at two such boats, one at Newark and one at Penton Hook.
The Newark boat was a peach at bargain price, the one at Penton a rather bruised potato !
A forumite did notice a further example shipped in for the the Swanwick secondhand boatshow.
Not sure if it was one of the two examples we looked at. or totally different boat ?

 

[Chill]

Friend of ours is selling his, owned from new, excellent condition

1989 Fairline 36' Turbo. Twin Volvo TAMD61A 306hp each.
Furuno Radar - Auto Pilot - Simrad Colour Sat Nav, units upper and lower helm -Shipmate VHF radio, upper and lower helm - Navtex - Eberspacher heating- Purpose made interior sprung mattress, aft cabin - New flybridge seating, remodelled - Full tonneau and pill box - 2 fly screens, summer and winter - Factory fitted extras, interior - new batteries 2017.
A good example of this acclaimed aft cabin motor cruiser.

Lying Thames £64,500

 

[sharpness]

Either somebody has done a series of Sedan 36 repowered with M225 Perkins and refurbd with Tartan upholstery or the same boat is being moved around the country.
Liking the Sedan 36 and being an affectionado of last generation of Perkins,went to look at two such boats, one at Newark and one at Penton Hook.
The Newark boat was a peach at bargain price, the one at Penton a rather bruised potato !
A forumite did notice a further example shipped in for the the Swanwick secondhand boatshow.
Not sure if it was one of the two examples we looked at. or totally different boat ?

I'm fairly certain the one that was at Newark / Farndon, then Penton, and now with Ancasta is the same boat. Shes called Louley.

 

[oldgit]

I'm fairly certain the one that was at Newark / Farndon, then Penton, and now with Ancasta is the same boat. Shes called Louley.

My only doubt was the interior condition of the boats ,the one in the Midlands was on the hard and it would be difficult to describe as other than with the much abused word "immaculate" both inside and out .The interior was spotless and the engine room really was squeaky clean, with exhaust pipe and everything renewed when being re engined.Asking was offers on £54K.

The boat at Penton, had balls of rust at the base of the davits,every interior wood panel was stained and faded and the bilges were not nice.
A tired unloved boat, asking was £58K reduced from low £60 thousands apparently .

 

[mainguy]

Ah okay, so she'd be suitable for channel crossings and so forth? I'm not exactly sure what the scale from moderate to heavy sea is or what that entails.

Thanks again everyone, it's been a very informative thread and incredibly helpful for a first-time buyer.