Hello from a new boater!

[FalconSteve]

Hi everyone,

I am currently in the process of purchasing my first ever boat, her name is Merlin and she is a Falcon 27. She is equipped with twin Volvo Penta diesel engines (130hp ???). We are hoping to find a berth around the solent area where we will spend most of our time whizzing over to the Isle of Wight and exploring the coast between Brighton and Weymouth.


We have our survey booked for next Wednesday and the surveyor will be taking us on a sea trial on the same day. Both my wife and I are very excited, but a little nervous as we have never been on a sports cruiser before (hoping for a calm dry experience).

Are there any other Falcon 27 owners active on the forum? I tried following a link to the Falcon owners club that I found elsewhere on the forum and it seems to be defunct, can anyone fill me in on this further?

I plan to make a contribution of some sort to the community spirit and maybe even post some videos in the style of Steve Hill, he of the vessel 'thanks mum'.

best wishes to you all

 

[oGaryo]

sorry, I cannot help you but suffice to say, welcome to the forum and boating

 

[neale]

Falcon 27's are nice boats. Engines are probably AD31's and may be 130's or possibly 150's. I think she'll be perfect for the intended use.

 

[RobWales]

Nice boats quite rare, and a cracker went on ebay today with a single 200hp Diesel....
(not mine btw) but looks a very nice boat and could be worth a look even if only for a price comparison as its on as a classified advert.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Hi falconsteve and welcome to the MADHOUSE !!!!!!....sorry i cant help with the falcon 27, but thanks for the name check !!!!!!! .. . .. dont worry because somebody will pop up with all the info you require......... again welcome to the forum.

 

[mm1]

Welcome

We had the 275 which was an upgrade from the 27, a good well built sea boat.Do make sure it's the offshore version as some were built for river use! ,also check service history for engines & legs these can be expensive to repair.we had a single KAD42 good for 31knts, I don't think twin 130s will set the world on fire but should be cheap to run.we loved our 275 took us xchanel many times!Cherbourg & back ( Poole) for less than £50 !! Happy days.ps why would you want to go to Brighton !! Stay in the Solent much more to do there,regards mm1.

 

[neale]

Cherbourg & back ( Poole) for less than £50 !!

Those were the days eh?

 

[mm1]

Happy day's

They sure were,the cheapest fuel I remember was 18p a ltr @ west Cowes,mm1.sorry for thread drift!.

 

[oGaryo]

They sure were,the cheapest fuel I remember was 18p a ltr @ east Cowes,mm1.sorry for thread drift!.

prior to heading off for the Normandy landings?

 

[mm1]

OMG am I that old!! Thanks mm1.

 

[ARA]

Hi FalconSteve,

a Falcon 27 is a great boat. I have just converted mine from petrol to brand new Diesel Volvo Penta D3-170's. Remember she will be 20 years old so the engine & legs will need to be checked thoroughly but the rest of the boat will be obvious whether she has been looked after or not. They are very well made & very sturdy boats. I had a Falcon 23 on the River Thames & have just sold it, again a very well built boat.

 

[lisilou]

...and maybe even post some videos in the style of Steve Hill, he of the vessel 'thanks mum'.

best wishes to you all

That'll be some standard you're setting there FS (mind you...you have to be better at saving the footage!! )
Welcome to the forum FS. Loads of people on here who will be more than willing to help and advise.
Enjoy your trial and post some pics ok?
Lisa

 

[FalconSteve]

Thanks

 

[FalconSteve]

I just checked the advert on boatshop24.co.uk she is listed as having twin AD31 130hp inboard diesel engines.

 

[FalconSteve]

I just checked that one out, she looks in really good condition, I would possibly say perhaps even better than mine. I am happier having the extra engine though .

 

[matt13]

Hello from another Basingstoke forumite! Can't help with the boat I'm afraid but I got loads of help on this forum when I first got into boating only 3 years ago. Happy boating!

 

[rafiki_]

Welcome FalconSteve. You will find a mine of both useful and challenging information, plus a lot of laughs on here. There are a couple of Falcon owners who regularly contribute, but as much of the boat is made up of regular parts, and it is the mechanicals and electricals that cause most of the problems, you will get a lot of support from elsewhere.

Good luck with the survey and trial.

 

[Montemar]

Welcome to an amazing mixture of fun, paranoia, satisfaction, learning and expenditure!
We have only been doing it for a couple of years - it started as a hobby but is rapidly becoming a way of life.
There was a good review of marinas in PBO recently which is a good guide. Weymouth Old Marina is v. good value for money and, whilst not as busy as the Solent, has lovely scenery and is but a race away from interesting places (Portland and St. Albans get in the way a bit).
Good luck