Merry Fisher 855

[Bubblegtt]

Thanks for all the advice on the props and I have taken it all on board (see what I did there)

It was made clear to me that it was my decision on the props and that they had not fitted stainless props to an 855 before and I accepted that. With your advice Dan and with the power of the internet (google), I have done some research and come up with Solas 15.25 x 17 which I have found at a great price and one that I couldn't resist.

My props still shine like new, so I will be putting them up for sale some time in the future. When the new props are on, I will post up the top speed and revs, though that may not be for some time.

Thanks again for your help

 

[dan from bhg]

Good news.

The Solas props are very good, we've used them a few times before. Keep us up to date with progress.

 

[Bubblegtt]

Good news.

The Solas props are very good, we've used them a few times before. Keep us up to date with progress.

The props turned up this week and they are actually genuine Honda, so even better! Just need a nice sunny day to swop them over.........oh hang on, it's December...brrr....

I have added a 230V socket to the mid cabin, somewhere to plug in the tube heater over the cold winter months.

I have also put in a remote control plinth heater into the step down to the master cabin, together with another socket to run the dehumidifier on a timer.

I have also replaced the French 230v socket by the cooker to a UK one.

Excuse all the dust, but now sitting on her berth, she is nice and warm inside in a matter of minutes. I had better find the vacuum cleaner now, before SWMBO sees all the mess!!

 

[dan from bhg]

Great idea with the step heater. I like it.

Looks like you've done a good job. We usually replace the European sockets for UK ones. It's a shame they don't do it at the factory, but it's no bother for us to change them retrospectively. By the way, it's possible to replace the galley socket with a flush one, like this. This is one we fitted into the forward cabin, but there is enough depth to fit a flush one at the galley too...



We have also fitted sockets in the middle cabin. As you say, it's useful for a tube heater and the odd gadget like a small TV or a phone charger for guests.

 

[Chamaerops]

I have also put in a remote control plinth heater into the step down to the master cabin

A brilliant idea... I'll be installing one as a xmas present for my 855.

 

[gordhouse]

Hi
I have a merry fisher 805 and may upgrade this summer.

As we spend a high percentage of our time when onboard in the marina.
Can you tell me if the prop has to be raised with the transom seat forward whilst stationary.

Thanks

 

[Bubblegtt]

Hi
I have a merry fisher 805 and may upgrade this summer.

As we spend a high percentage of our time when onboard in the marina.
Can you tell me if the prop has to be raised with the transom seat forward whilst stationary.

Thanks

No you are fine to leave the prop in the water while you are onboard. If you left it in for a few days, you might attract some some weed, or slime I guess.

 

[webby]

Not absolutely sure what you mean but we spend a lot of time on the pontoon. To push the seat back you need to have the OB down. This gives maximum space. To raise the OB clear of the water then you would need to slide the seat forward. Does that answer your question?

 

[gordhouse]

I wondered if the prop was in the water for a few days whilst onboard, would it become fouled or discoloured ?

Perhaps the next time it is used it would clear away any grime that has attached itself .

Thanks

 

[dan from bhg]

I wondered if the prop was in the water for a few days whilst onboard, would it become fouled or discoloured ?

Perhaps the next time it is used it would clear away any grime that has attached itself .

Thanks

Not particularly. It might get some slime, but nothing major. We leave the boats in the water during Southampton Boat Show with the engines down for 10 days. They get a thin layer of slime, but no barnacles or weed. It's usually clean by the time we've run the boats back to Lymington. The key is to clean off any slime or weed while it's still wet. Don't let it dry, as that's when it become very difficult to remove.

If you're looking to change in the summer, be aware that there is quite a lead time at present, so if you're looking to buy new, it's would be sensible to start looking now. Jeanneau sold nearly 400 boats at the Paris Boat Show, which has led to quite a lead time!! I see you're in Poole, I cover the Poole area and there are genuinely some very good deals available at the London Boat Show, so let me know if you'd like some prices.

 

[Cozzie]

Hi there
I'm considering the Merry Fisher 855 over the Quicksilver and Benneteau equivalents, and so have followed your post with interest. She really looks a great boat!
Well, a few weeks later and we find ourselves holidaying for a week in an apartment at Waterside Marina in Brightlingsea. Yesterday we drove up to Clacton on Sea for a (chilly) day out and then on to Walton on Nare where I wanted to have a look at a marina I spotted on my mobile OS mapping device ...... and what do I spot ? ...... Your lovely boat! Never put two and two together to realise that's where you are berthed! Life can be surprising at times
Any post purchase recommendations you can think of to help me decide on spec if purchased myself?
Kind regards
Alan

 

[Chamaerops]

Having now done 300 miles and almost 30 hrs on our 855 I am now full of opinions!
If you are considering a single 300hp don't do it. You will never regret the 150hp twins. The boat is better balanced, has better low speed manouverability and does over 40 knots.
Get the preference extras package as the trim tabs & bow thruster sure help, together with all the other pretty useful extras.
Don't bother with factory fitted microwave, get one from Argos and save £400. I have also put in a plinth heater and we stayed on a nice toasty boat several times over the past month.

 

[Bubblegtt]

Hi there
I'm considering the Merry Fisher 855 over the Quicksilver and Benneteau equivalents, and so have followed your post with interest. She really looks a great boat!
Well, a few weeks later and we find ourselves holidaying for a week in an apartment at Waterside Marina in Brightlingsea. Yesterday we drove up to Clacton on Sea for a (chilly) day out and then on to Walton on Nare where I wanted to have a look at a marina I spotted on my mobile OS mapping device ...... and what do I spot ? ...... Your lovely boat! Never put two and two together to realise that's where you are berthed! Life can be surprising at times
Any post purchase recommendations you can think of to help me decide on spec if purchased myself?
Kind regards
Alan

What a small world it is and well done on tracking down Keiko!

We used to berth at Brightlingsea at morgans, so we know Waterside Marina too. We moved to Tichmarsh so that we float all the time and can just about get out at any state of the tide, rather than sit on the mud for too many hours.

I don't think that I would have changed anything on the spec of our boat, except getting the right size stainless props!

Oh and welcome to the forum and you have a private message

 

[dan from bhg]

Hi there
I'm considering the Merry Fisher 855 over the Quicksilver and Benneteau equivalents, and so have followed your post with interest. She really looks a great boat!
Well, a few weeks later and we find ourselves holidaying for a week in an apartment at Waterside Marina in Brightlingsea. Yesterday we drove up to Clacton on Sea for a (chilly) day out and then on to Walton on Nare where I wanted to have a look at a marina I spotted on my mobile OS mapping device ...... and what do I spot ? ...... Your lovely boat! Never put two and two together to realise that's where you are berthed! Life can be surprising at times
Any post purchase recommendations you can think of to help me decide on spec if purchased myself?
Kind regards
Alan

There aren't too many options on the 855, so it's not too difficult to determine your spec. Here is the total list of optional extras:

Upgrade to Legende version - Blue hull and wooden inserts on bathing steps and bow locker

2015 Premier Extras Package - includes, Electrical anchor windlass with anchoring kit, fridge, cockpit shower, trim tabs, LED lights in the cockpit floor, aft cockpit bench cushions and double berth conversion in the saloon
2015 Preference Extras Package - includes, Premier package, bow thrusters, 230v shore power and battery charger and water heater
2015 Electronic package - Lowrance Combo HDS-9 Touch, HDI transducer, Sonic FM Hub
Cockpit saloon (seats, table and sundeck cushions)
Cockpit sun awning
Aft closing kit (required the sun awning above)
Bow ladder with wooden platform
Two cockpit storage nets
Anti thief hook
Forward sun mattress
Microwave (requires Preference package)
220v air conditioning, 12000 BTU in the saloon and front cabin
Curtains for wheelhouse
Wood side deck and cockpit floor

I would definitely go for the Preference pack (which includes the Premiere pack), the cockpit saloon and the curtains. Anything else is a nice to have, but not essential. I would probably say to not go for the cockpit sun awning to start with and see how you get on with the boat. This can always be retrofitted if required.

 

[Chamaerops]

Bow ladder with wooden platform

I missed this option which I guess is an addition for 2015. I think this may be quite useful, have you any photos Daniel?

 

[Cozzie]

Thank you all for your comments .... Much appreciated

With the twin engines so close together is it really worth the extra £8,200 over a single? I appreciate the boat balance aspect, but how much more manoeuvrable does the boat become to overcome the initial cost outlay together with fuel and maintenance costs?

Cozzie

 

[Chamaerops]

With one engine in forward and the other in reverse, it pretty much goes around in a circle. However, this isn't the main advantage. The balance and extra performance make it worthwhile, the boat handles beautifully, not to mention the redundancy of having two engines.
We recently did a trip to Poole and back and averaged 31.6 knots on the return journey (& maximum of 43.4 knots) so pretty much WOT much of the way. We did 80 miles and it needed 200 ltrs to refill the tank i.e. A worse case of 2.5 ltrs/mile.

 

[Bubblegtt]

Although I like the 855 and it is very practical and easy to use single handed, we do miss the space of the previous Prestige 34 that we had.

SWMBO really does not like the 855 and with her bad back/hip finds the thinner padding on the seats uncomfortable, amongst other things like the small galley and not so stable out at sea etc.

So I am now pondering selling after just 7 months / 39 hours and getting a Prestige 32, which is the same size as we had before and has the patio doors which are a must for us. I have seen a Prestige 32 that seems to fit the bill, but need to sell our 855 first, as the dealer does not want such a new boat in part exchange. I suppose that the only advantage is that we have a virtually new boat ready to go and a potential new purchaser would not have a four month+ wait for a new 855.

Decisions....decisions.....

 

[rustybarge]

Although I like the 855 and it is very practical and easy to use single handed, we do miss the space of the previous Prestige 34 that we had.

SWMBO really does not like the 855 and with her bad back/hip finds the thinner padding on the seats uncomfortable, amongst other things like the small galley and not so stable out at sea etc.

So I am now pondering selling after just 7 months / 39 hours and getting a Prestige 32, which is the same size as we had before and has the patio doors which are a must for us. I have seen a Prestige 32 that seems to fit the bill, but need to sell our 855 first, as the dealer does not want such a new boat in part exchange. I suppose that the only advantage is that we have a virtually new boat ready to go and a potential new purchaser would not have a four month+ wait for a new 855.

Decisions....decisions.....

Oh dear, that's the second new owner selling their 855 after a few months!

.....what conclusion are we to draw?

 

[Cozzie]

Who is the other one?