No Regrets
Active member
Ah yes, another Birchwood 25 thread.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now the deposit is paid, and we're nearing final negotiations on the purchse of No Regrets, it was time for a 'Sea trial' around the new larger-sized Marina basin, as the River itself looked like it should have some white water rafting going on...
Scott from Thames Boat sales kindly reversed the Birchy out of her moorings as it was my first time helming a shaft driven vessel, and as it was pretty windy, gave me an excellent lesson in manoevring such a boat in said conditions.
(I'm sure most of you know this already, but for you outboard/ drive bods, this boat has directional stability only in a forwards direction, and as such will turn as tightly as you would wish for, but in reverse is at the mercy of the wind and currents, so directional input is gained by short bursts of forward gear, with the rudder in the appropriate direction, followed by a period of rearward movement with no real directional choice. It works just fine, but is very different to Shamby, which had 160bhp and a single leg!)
The B25 is smooth, stable and an utter joy to helm, with precise steering, and not much in the way of vibes or unhealthy noises, and the hardtop is great in the rain (Yes! The wipers not only flap to and fro, but clear the screens!)
After a precautionary hull check next week, we'll pay the balance, and have a full service, polish and anti-foul for the next seasons work. That said, I have already, in my mind, decided to buy her unless there is a serious defect, which is highly unlikely given the owner and care he has lavished upon her.
I can't praise the staff at Thames boat sales enough, having shown be a high level of professionalism, realism and answered every question over my dealings in the last year or so in a fair and accurate manner. I bought the first two boats, and sold one of them during this time, and have never been given a bum steer or treated with anything less than the utmost respect, and everything they told me has proved to be true!
The Birchwood is everything I currently want in a boat, Classic river style, and a good blend of size, space and comfort without tying up enormous amounts of money!
So fingers crossed.....
Now the deposit is paid, and we're nearing final negotiations on the purchse of No Regrets, it was time for a 'Sea trial' around the new larger-sized Marina basin, as the River itself looked like it should have some white water rafting going on...
Scott from Thames Boat sales kindly reversed the Birchy out of her moorings as it was my first time helming a shaft driven vessel, and as it was pretty windy, gave me an excellent lesson in manoevring such a boat in said conditions.
(I'm sure most of you know this already, but for you outboard/ drive bods, this boat has directional stability only in a forwards direction, and as such will turn as tightly as you would wish for, but in reverse is at the mercy of the wind and currents, so directional input is gained by short bursts of forward gear, with the rudder in the appropriate direction, followed by a period of rearward movement with no real directional choice. It works just fine, but is very different to Shamby, which had 160bhp and a single leg!)
The B25 is smooth, stable and an utter joy to helm, with precise steering, and not much in the way of vibes or unhealthy noises, and the hardtop is great in the rain (Yes! The wipers not only flap to and fro, but clear the screens!)
After a precautionary hull check next week, we'll pay the balance, and have a full service, polish and anti-foul for the next seasons work. That said, I have already, in my mind, decided to buy her unless there is a serious defect, which is highly unlikely given the owner and care he has lavished upon her.
I can't praise the staff at Thames boat sales enough, having shown be a high level of professionalism, realism and answered every question over my dealings in the last year or so in a fair and accurate manner. I bought the first two boats, and sold one of them during this time, and have never been given a bum steer or treated with anything less than the utmost respect, and everything they told me has proved to be true!
The Birchwood is everything I currently want in a boat, Classic river style, and a good blend of size, space and comfort without tying up enormous amounts of money!
So fingers crossed.....
