Ford 250hp Sabre engine servicing/inspection

[harvey38]

Hi all,

I'm trying to get recommendations for an engineer that can do a full service and inspection on a pair of 250hp Sabre engines in Ramsgate, there appear to be quite a few people but many come with mixed/dubious reports
so I'm loathed to move forward without first hand, positive recommendations.

Cheers
Rob

 

[rgsmg53]

I have a pair of Sabre 225s and, in the past, have used Mermaid Marine as their Service Manager at the time was an ex- Sabre employee and knew just about everything about Sabres. I last spoke to him about 3 years+ ago when he had one of his engine fitters working almost full time (I think) on Sabres. The fitter spent a day doing a 'service-plus' at my home marina. At the time Mermaid were based in Bournemouth and he travelled to the Bristol area - the whole job being done for a reasonable price and with great skill (I'm a retired professional engineer).

I believe that Mermaid were taken over by FHP (name my be incorrect) some time ago and I see from their website that the name still exists but they are based in Coventry. I have no idea whether the ex- Sabre service manager and/or the excellent fitter have relocated. I suspect not somehow . But it may be worth contacting Mermaid.

One final snippet: As a Sabre owner, you probably already know of Seahorse Power in Bournemouth. I have dealt with them a number of times (but not since the pandemic) and it is (was?) run by a husband and wife team from a private address in Bournemouth. The husband turned out to be the ex -Sabre service manager referred to above! It seems he worked part time for both businesses. So might be worth contacting Seahorse also.

If you PM me, I'll let you have names of the individuals that I dealt with. Please do post any progress as I will probably need a Sabre engine specialist before long as well.

 

[burgundyben]

As above, Steve Atkins at Seahorse Power will most likely know someone in you area.

Mike Wills in Poole knows his Fords, but not local to you.

 

[rgsmg53]

Ah! Steve Atkins. Couldn't remember his name without going through my paperwork. Is he still with Mermaid?

 

[Scarron]

No, Steven Atkins is now purely Seahorse Power and is your best bet for any Ford Sabre spares. The mechanic you want is Ashley ( can’t recall his second name). I don’t know if if he would travel to Ramsgate from Dorset.

 

[rgsmg53]

It was Ashley who did my engines. I can't remember his surname either.

Do you know how I might get hold of Ashley? Is he still working for Mermaid?