Fisher 34 - Rapid, relative to its relatives?

E39mad...

...I may PM you (when I've worked out how), with some loony ideas I've had about re-rigging one of Northshore's finest, which may give you a laugh, and your response (if you'd care to express a view) may make me re-think my plans.

I'm not strong enough to put up with the mocking I'd receive if I posted my plans here on the forum.

Cheers.
 
Black Kipper, that's all sound good sense. I like the individualist style of layout that the Colvics construction methods allow.

I often wonder why a boat that could have been made genuinely luxurious for a couple, is laid out to cramp the style of six or seven, in ways that a smaller crew can't take comfortable advantage of. Economics are to blame, I expect. Damn them!
 
dancrane said:
Mike, thanks for that report; it sounds like at least as much speed as one could ask of a substantial displacement hull measuring less than thirty feet waterline!

I have to ask though, what the Colvic is good at, which the Fisher doesn't do equally well? Aren't they of similar 'Miller Fifer' hull shape, both hefty, and neither much inclined to be surprised by waves that set longer, lighter yachts rolling and pitching.

Either way, I like these heavyweights, that shrug off dismal weather when the open-cockpit lightweights are running for cover. :cool:
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Hi Dan

First of all just incase you are interested there is a 1980 Fisher 30 for sale in our marina http://www.networkyachtbrokers.co.uk/boats_for_sale/Fisher_30-1420.html, I have had a look at her for another friend and she is not as good as she looks, I can let you have more info if you PM me 'if' interested.

The design of the Colvic Watson hull is nothing like a Miller Fifer
During my 5 year research when I was writing the History Of the Colvic Watson Motor Sailer I spent some considerable time going through the designs with G L Watson & Co, Brokers say of they are designed on Scottish fishing boats, which is not exactly correct, they were infact mainly designed based on lifeboat hulls designs, where as, most head on bow waves disperses sideways (either side of the sheered bow), G L Watson & Co who also designed lifeboats in the past were and still are one of the finest yacht designers of all times and the Colvic Watson has a pedigree second to none!

Like many other long keel boat designs Colvic Watson's are notorious in coming astern poorly, mainly due to prop wash and the long keel, the trick is to come astern very slowly to port/starboard then give her a good kick on the engine in the direction required.

Most Colvic Watsons do not tack easily and ideally need a good few knots on them before tacking.

Quote by Stemar :A friend sailed a few times on a Watson 33 and he reckoned it needed the engine to give enough flow over the rudder to control the thing. According to him, it was hopeless under sail without.
Unquote:

Sorry Stemar I guess your friend does not have much experiance sailing a Colvic Watson and should get some sailing lessons :), all Colvic Watsons are sailed without the engine running no problem.Note: There never was a Colvic Watson 33

Dan If you are intested in a Colvic Watson PM me, as although retired I carry out 'Pre Inspection Visits' for prospective buyers, as finding a Colvic Watson for sale is no problem, finding a good one is the clever bit, and I currently know where there are some nice ones depending on the size you want and of course your budget.

Hope this helps and good luck !

Mike
 
dancrane said:
I probably know the procedure - if that's what it is - by a different name...South Australian, maybe? Though it's been a while. :D

I was scrupulously, paranoically careful never to run out of diesel aboard my own boat, so 'butting-up' wasn't necessary...at least, I'm assuming it wasn't (I am without a dictionary!). A pal of mine let his diesel Rover run dry in the winter, and it had to be towed. No fun at all.

Given my electric motor plans, maybe I'll never need to know! Just the same, I'd like to know what fellow-skippers are describing, if you'd care to explain? :)
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Rover cars are very easy to prime.

There is a simple (black) priming rubber bulb that is squeezed until hard, located on near side of engine, close to the battery & fuel filter.
 
dancrane said:
Aren't they of similar 'Miller Fifer' hull shape, both hefty, and neither much inclined to be surprised by waves that set longer, lighter yachts rolling and pitching.
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Having owned a Miller Fifer and having switched to a vintage Nicholson, I can say that the Miller Fifer rolls like a pig in comparison both at sea and at anchor. I would not have another 'round bilge' boat.
 
My following responses are 100% serious, except where they're obviously ludicrous. Don't laugh! I hadn't started, yet.

Thank you, Caer Urfa, I take your offer of a Colvic-check most seriously. Your remarks are very seriously considered. The interesting difference between bow and stern sections, may teach future designers a good deal of important stuff they'd been led to disregard.

Shuggy, have you noticed the anti-rolling-at-anchor post I planted hereabouts, earlier today? But, I take your point. That round bilge is troublesome and needs the skipper's foreknowledge.

Alan T... thank you, I know bleeding a diesel needn't be a "stop all the clocks" matter, and your comments were very welcome. If only my broken-down mate with the Rover 75 had known about the bleeding-bulb! (That's what he'd have called it!!) :D

Gentlemen, I'm overcome with VAT69. I'm always upset by economic revelations. I'll hope to attend to your kind attentions on the morrow...
 
I always liked those Scandinavian motorsailers called 'LM'. I prefer the fully-enclosed wheelhouse though - I'm surprised boats built for Baltic use didn't prioritize that too.

Round-bilge, once again.

Wasn't there a little Hallberg Rassy, the 29 I think, that had a similar, half-open wheelhouse? I think I saw one in a magazine in about 1979, never in real life.
 
No personal experience, but I seem to recall a series of articles in I think PBO a few years ago about getting a Fisher to tack; I cannot rember the size.
 
Black Kipper said:
YM A-Z of secondhand boats says the Fisher 37 is the best sailer of the Fishers. !
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Fascinating as I can remember a "sail clinic " article in either PBO or YM trying to solve the problem of a 37 that would not tack under sail. Not completely sure of the outcome but it was clear from what they said that as a sailing machine it made a good motorboat.

And if a 30 will hold a steady 7.5 knots in 15 knots of wind it's a pity they dont race them. They would win quite a few races.:D Though I suppose that begs the question of which direction they sail in - leeway, pointing ability ertc
 
The later 37's were cutter ketches with taller main mast and bowsprits making them 42.5ft overall - a lot of canvas could be put up - not close winded boats but with 15 knots across the decks would truck along nicely especially as they have long waterline lengths. Can't see the 30 reacing 7.5knots under sail or motor but a 37 certainly could.

Never had a problem tacking them myself and sailed 25, 34, 37 and a 46! Light winds yes you will need prop assistance to get her round.
 
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You gents have lately put the damper on my fabulous Fisher-conversion ideas!

They're slugs, they don't point and they need the motor, to tack!

I must really like those little wheelhouses, because I still want one more than anything.
 
dancrane said:
Northshore built plenty of Fisher motorsailers, and they're a common enough sight along the south coast.

Does anyone with experience of several, know if the 34 footer's reputation for superior sailing characteristics (relative to others in the range), is justified/noticeable/considerable, or are all the Fishers frustratingly sluggish, to those of us accustomed to AWBs?

I'm not imagining any of them are X-Yachts with wheelhouses. :D
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Mate has a Freeward 25 & did exceptionally well in Round the Island Race.
 
dancrane said:
I probably know the procedure - if that's what it is - by a different name...South Australian, maybe? Though it's been a while. :D

I was scrupulously, paranoically careful never to run out of diesel aboard my own boat, so 'butting-up' wasn't necessary...at least, I'm assuming it wasn't (I am without a dictionary!). A pal of mine let his diesel Rover run dry in the winter, and it had to be towed. No fun at all.

Given my electric motor plans, maybe I'll never need to know! Just the same, I'd like to know what fellow-skippers are describing, if you'd care to explain? :)
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I've got a Rover diesel & its got a bulb primer just before the fuel filter (see previous post).
You need to loosen a joint at the injectors first.
On some boat diesels, there's a lift pump (lever) for priming, but as with the bulb, it'll only prime as far the the HP pump. After that, you need to turn the engine over, until fuel seen at the injectors. If the tank has been completely drained, maybe all injectors will need bleeding.
(PS don't stick your head too close to check, cos the pressure is high, squirting diesel into your face/eyes/under skin is not healthy).
 
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dancrane said:
My following responses are 100% serious, except where they're obviously ludicrous. Don't laugh! I hadn't started, yet.

Thank you, Caer Urfa, I take your offer of a Colvic-check most seriously. Your remarks are very seriously considered. The interesting difference between bow and stern sections, may teach future designers a good deal of important stuff they'd been led to disregard.

Shuggy, have you noticed the anti-rolling-at-anchor post I planted hereabouts, earlier today? But, I take your point. That round bilge is troublesome and needs the skipper's foreknowledge.

Alan T... thank you, I know bleeding a diesel needn't be a "stop all the clocks" matter, and your comments were very welcome. If only my broken-down mate with the Rover 75 had known about the bleeding-bulb! (That's what he'd have called it!!) :D

Gentlemen, I'm overcome with VAT69. I'm always upset by economic revelations. I'll hope to attend to your kind attentions on the morrow...
Click to expand...

Not sure about BMW Rover 75's, but should be something there to prime with if not self priming. If self priming, may still need to crack at the injectors.
 
Marcon Claymore? But you won't get a new one... Big sister is the Moody Halberdier - open your horizons, there are lots of sleeker hulls out the there. anyone got anything to say about the Seastream 34?
 
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