info on my new baby wanted please

[davecuss]

hi all,ive just brought my first boat which is a invader 197 its 19ft and powered by a 130 mercruiser petrol...does anyone have any opinion on this boat for a begginer..also i wondered what the specs are for this boat..ie.fuel consumption and max speed....also how much work is involved in putting in a diesal inboard?
any help would be great or advice for a newbie as ive been on the inland waterways for a few years and wanted to try coastal cruising....i cant find anything on my model of boat on the net anywhere..if you have had one of these boats please let me know ,maybe you could have some advice...

many thanks
dave

 

[byron]

I hate being beaten, I remember vaguely the Invader 19 but my reference books don't mention it. So I am forced to admit being beaten.Can you tell me, was she also known as the Relcraft 9-teen?

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm>http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm</A>

 

[oldgit]

Hi Dave as no one else has got to you yet.I will make a start.My first proper boat similer to this was a 23Ft regal with twin petrols.I doubt it will make economic sense to fit an oil burner to your boat unless you intend keeping it for a long long time.Most boats get upgraded so would recommend getting diesel with the next one.

Just hold tight dear it will not be so rough when we get round the corner,trust me.

 

[davecuss]

thanks for the comments so far...im not sure if it was called a relcraft...i think ive seen one named as an atlantic....as for keeping the boat maybe for a couple of years..i just though that converting to diesal would make the boat easier to sell when i come to it and also ive been told its a problem trying to buy petrol from marinas etc...also i wondered what sort of trips the boat would safely do...
would crossing the channel be asking to much of this boat.....(not that i would without a bit of experiance first) it would be nice to know the boats limits..

 

[BarryH]

The invader 195 was looked at in MBM a while ago. Trailblazers or something the article was called. Not a bad boat, designed for fat americans on big lakes. A lot of beam for its length, as with most american boats of its ilk, you get quiet a lot for your money. Will be ok around the coast as long as its not too choppy as it will tend to slam if pushed over the chop with a little enthusiasm.

Having the 130 merc it won't be ott on the fuel consumption side, altho in my opinion it could do with a few more horses. In saying that you should get the twenties low thirties in the knots scale. The cuddy will sleep two fairly easily, so overnighting and the odd weekend will be a possibility.

Using it on the broads will be a bit of a challange as the slow speed handling will be as most plannng hulls, something you have to master and get used too. Above all enjoy the boat!



OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[davecuss]

fat americans sounds about right...the beam is 7ft 8" ....would you know what issue that was in as i would like to get hold of that writeup....or if anyone has that issue they would sell me that would be great....this is a great start to my boating(plenty of helpful chatty people)...

 

[oldgit]

Channel crossing.You will need to be very confident about all aspects of your boating experience to try that in this boat on your own.IMHO

Just hold tight dear it will not be so rough when we get round the corner,trust me.

 

[oldgit]

Most mags will source you a photo copy for a tenner or so.

Just hold tight dear it will not be so rough when we get round the corner,trust me.

 

[BarryH]

Umm ahh, yes have the mag somewhere, will have a dig about to see if I can lay my hands on it. Theres a guy in the Pathfinder club that had one. The cross channel thing should be ok as long as you get the weather for it. I've done it a few times and we've only got a 21 foot Tremlett.

OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[davecuss]

channel is out then...(thank god for that)...
i have some pics of her if anyone wants the memorys joggled...
i can email them to you..

 

[davecuss]

that would be great barry..thanks..

whats your boat like on the trip? stable? i want to find out the capacity of my fuel tank so i can work out the sort of distance i can get...the only way to find out is to fill it i suppose...(opens wallet and crys)...

just out of curiosity what is this sort of boat worth as i brought it with a fault (which is being sorted at the moment)....

 

[BarryH]

Stick a piccy on the forum or on the boaters gallery kindly set up by Boatone. The channel is not out of the question. Just plan the trip properly, get a bit of experience,double check everything and pray to the gods to give you the weather and sea state for it. Go in company the first time to give you a bit of reaasurance.

OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[davecuss]

how do i post a pic on the forum?
and i cant find the boaters gallery....

(wheres my specs?)

 

[BarryH]

Umm ahhh well. Two ways of puttin' piccy on the forum. First way is to put it up in your profile. So it shows up like mine there over on the left. To do that go to user options menu and click edit profile. Scroll down and you'll find a place to put the url of the piccy. It'll show up with every post. The other way is to use the markup thing. Clic on that and it'll give all the tags you need. That way it'll show up in the actual post like this

The boaters gallery is at www.arweb.co.uk This site was set up by boatone for forum users to host their user pics. He also added a boaters gallery so we can show off and post our piccys of boats. An allround forum good guy

OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Not a Relcraft.

Definiyely not a Relcraft, have the vague idea that it's an American import.

 

[jon_bailey]

I have recently looked at converting my 21 ft sportsboat to the new(ish) 1.7 Td Mercruiser. Cost was £9,000 (quoted by several) to include fitting and as an exchange for my existing V6. This appears to be profiteering by Mercruiser who know that the diesel is so much cheaper to run and therefore justifies a high market price. After this the idea of converting suddenly became less attractive!

Enjoy

 

[davecuss]

im not surprised at that price...thats double of what my boats worth......

 

[BarryH]

Oh..umm standard answer time. Give lancing marine a call. They can do a kit so you can convert a ford tranny oil burner to fit your drive. Or they can sell you a complete engine already converted for about 5ish grand. Rated at around 140 hp it should up your power a little.

But and its a bug but, how long will it take you to recoupe that sort of money in fuel savings!!

OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[BrendanS]

Dave,

clever buggers here have remembered Trailblazers article about Pathfinders powerboat club, which may have featured your model boat. I'm in Pathfinder club, can ask about it if you're interested.

I did the rivers to coastal thing too last year. Have a look at www.ppc.co.uk for Pathfinder club or PM me. Great way to build exerience with similar types of smaller boats. Do all sorts of coastal trips, long and short, with 'old hands' along to give tips and make sure everyone gets home after inevitable problems.

 

[boatone]

Re: Boaters Gallery etc

Barrys compliments are much appreciated but the Boaters Gallery is now hosted thru my website at BoatsOnTheWeb and Boaters Photo Gallery