From the land of the Pharaohs, where the camels ride free ...... honest !

Vulkyn

Vulkyn

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Welcome folks just joined this wonderful forum :) keeps popping up in my search so i figured it must be an awesome place to learn and meet folks from around the world.

Yep Egyptian (i think the title gave it away!), 4 years ago i started a small project to buy a boat. 4 years later, 5 books, countless hours of reading and here i am again right where i started having learned that i know almost nothing !!

What started as desire to but a boat has gone terribly wrong .... so having collected my sanity i have decided to do what i was aiming for 4 years ago but a boat !!!

I have built a 7.5 meter boat in a local yard using polyresin and fibreglass (very traditional fishing boat) and now i am looking at reasonable semi displacement boat that would let me enjoy my 2 favourite things in the world ... boats and fishing.

I have came across a birch wood commodore 31 boat which i am researching at the moment. Very little material is available on that boat being old and all (about 100 where built i think). The current owner is a boat lover, much care has gone into his boat. He has a good idea of boat maintenance and such.

I have had some wonderful help from boat design forums regarding what to look for and such, but i guess i need more information from yacht / boat owners .....
I do have to warn you though i do love information and knowledge so what starts like a simple questions usually spirals out of control !
 

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Has any one had any experience with birch wood commodores 31 ?

I have attached more pictures. Aside from a paint job, the owner seems to know his way around the boat. I am meeting him tomorrow.

The boat itself is a good 3 hour drive so i am trying to sort my time out and get a volvo engineer and a fiberglass specialist in my survey.
 

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Vulkyn said:
Has any one had any experience with birch wood commodores 31 ?

I have attached more pictures. Aside from a paint job, the owner seems to know his way around the boat. I am meeting him tomorrow.

The boat itself is a good 3 hour drive so i am trying to sort my time out and get a volvo engineer and a fiberglass specialist in my survey.
Click to expand...

Hi. The Birchwood commodore 31s were a popular boat on the inland River Shannon in Ireland. All the ones I have seen are single engine shaft drive with a good keel and skeg. The single engine ones are capable of displacement speeds of about 6-7kt. The ones I have been on were four berth boats. I remember they were quiet noisy due to the basic exhaust arrangement (ie straight out through the transom rather than through muffler chamber). The photo you posted seems to be a single engine but has trim tabs so I assume its a larger engine capable of planing speeds (ie >15kt).
 
The owner said he has a TAMD40A engine installed so i am guessing 160+ hp or so. He said it can reach 18 konts albeit at high fuel consumption when planning normal running speed about 10-12 knots.
he uses it for fishing in the read sea because of its stability for small size.

He also soundproofed the engine room because of noise.
 
I think you are are right ... just got the manual for the TAMD40A will browse through it the only difference between A & B is injection as far as i can tell.
He removed the trim tabs because of problems with it.

I met with the owner yesterday. Interesting fellow, gave me a run down on how the boat is and the problems / breakdowns he faced.
At least he was not sugar coating the deal !
engine overheated once because of wrong installation of the belt that control the water pump.
The boat also was pushed aground by the waves, no damage to the hull but the rudder and the shaft holder broke. Both repaired now.

Wiring is in good condition new batteries, gauges and dynamo changed recently after positive / negative mix up in battery installation by a technician (welcome to Egypt!).
New water tank installed, i need to buy a generator as everything runs from main engine.

Need hull paint, new anti foil coat, interior will require some work.
He removed the floor and replaced them with fiberglass / sound sealing the engine comportment.

Engine is loud no muffler installed (common problem with this model) he has built a muffler and has not installed it yet.

The propeller installed is apparently a smaller diameter than the original installed with the engine. I can't remember the figures but its a smaller diameter.
He said he had about 3-5 more knots with the bigger propeller (he couldn't find the same size when it broke with the rudder).

I have agreed with him to take a trip to see the boat and take a tour with it so i can get more details.

Would i need to look at a bigger engine for see fishing trips ? I really would love another engine in there like the other variant of the birch wood commodore !
 
Vulkyn said:
The owner said he has a TAMD40A engine installed so i am guessing 160+ hp or so. He said it can reach 18 konts albeit at high fuel consumption when planning normal running speed about 10-12 knots.
he uses it for fishing in the read sea because of its stability for small size.

He also soundproofed the engine room because of noise.
Click to expand...

Unfortunatly there is no chance that hull will reach 18kts with only 160hp. She is a displacement speed boat with max continous cruising speed of 7.5kt. It may be possible to push her up to 10kt but only pushing a wall of water and double the fuel burn for only 2kt extra. 160hp wont get her up on the plane.
 
Well plan is to see the boat next friday ... engine emits black smoke on acceleration so a technician is going as well so it would be a nice opportunity to go through the boat.
Will see how she looks but i am keeping my fingers crossed for the best !
 
Welcome to the forum Vulkyn. Birchwoods are lovely boats, well built and durable. I can't comment on the particular model you are describing, but others on here will do. Good luck with your search and purchase.
 
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