Merry Fisher 925..........or

[PaulGooch]

We've decided that when we sell our current boat that we won't be moving to sail after all. We'd like something a little bigger than our Merry Fisher 805. I like the Fairline Corniche and Princess 330, both of which are in our budget of £50k ish, but i don't think we could live with the fuel costs.

I don't really see that a flybridge is essential here in the UK, with our two weekends of Sun per year, if we're lucky, but i couldn't find a hard top that i liked, that was in budget and not really old. Don't fancy a sports boat, too much canvas for me.

Although it's a bit smaller than the Fairline or Princess, the Merry Fisher 925 seems to tick lost of boxes. The Beneteau 9.80 also looks a very nice boat, but is out of budget.

The 925 is available with several engine options. Twin D3's, which i don't fancy much. Single D4 260hp, single Yanmar 260hp, KAMD300 (285hp or 300hp ?) and a Nanni 320hp.

I suspect the twin engine option won't be the most economical and servicing will be a pain in the bum, unless you're a skinny midget. I also suspect that the D4 will be under powered. I feel the KAMD300 or 320hp Nanni would be the best options, anyone confirm that ? Any other real World feedback on the 925 ?

 

[Spi D]

We looked into it a lot and had decided on it until something else came up, fitting the bill better as it has more space in 2nd cabin an is wider allover. The MF 925 hull is designed a bit different than most in it's market, with reverse chines forming 'tunnels', but I liked that.

Check the base engines behind the options. If memory serves, D4 is on Deutz, Yanmar 260 on BMW, KAMD on Volvo of non recent pedigree and Nanni is on Toyota (6-cyl Landcruiser).

As the boat is semi-displacement power is not really an issue for planing/top speed and I'd think that 260 modern, high torque, horsepower would be OK. Especially a single 260 since a twin 130 hp will be heavier.

My actual boat has twin Nanni (also on Landcruiser base, only 4-cyl, non-electronic) and parts (availability & cost) has been a positive surprise. Changed timing belts on both and it was cheaper and easier than on any car I've had the pleasure of doing.

 

[ricky_s]

We've decided that when we sell our current boat that we won't be moving to sail after all. We'd like something a little bigger than our Merry Fisher 805. I like the Fairline Corniche and Princess 330, both of which are in our budget of £50k ish, but i don't think we could live with the fuel costs.

I don't really see that a flybridge is essential here in the UK, with our two weekends of Sun per year, if we're lucky, but i couldn't find a hard top that i liked, that was in budget and not really old. Don't fancy a sports boat, too much canvas for me.

Although it's a bit smaller than the Fairline or Princess, the Merry Fisher 925 seems to tick lost of boxes. The Beneteau 9.80 also looks a very nice boat, but is out of budget.

The 925 is available with several engine options. Twin D3's, which i don't fancy much. Single D4 260hp, single Yanmar 260hp, KAMD300 (285hp or 300hp ?) and a Nanni 320hp.

I suspect the twin engine option won't be the most economical and servicing will be a pain in the bum, unless you're a skinny midget. I also suspect that the D4 will be under powered. I fell the KAMD300 or 320hp Nanni would be the best options, anyone confirm that ? Any other real World feedback on the 925 ?

I'm interested in the answers too!

 

[PaulGooch]

We looked into it a lot and had decided on it until something else came up, fitting the bill better as it has more space in 2nd cabin an is wider allover. The MF 925 hull is designed a bit different than most in it's market, with reverse chines forming 'tunnels', but I liked that.

Check the base engines behind the options. If memory serves, D4 is on Deutz, Yanmar 260 on BMW, KAMD on Volvo of non recent pedigree and Nanni is on Toyota (6-cyl Landcruiser).

As the boat is semi-displacement power is not really an issue for planing/top speed and I'd think that 260 modern, high torque, horsepower would be OK. Especially a single 260 since a twin 130 hp will be heavier.

My actual boat has twin Nanni (also on Landcruiser base, only 4-cyl, non-electronic) and parts (availability & cost) has been a positive surprise. Changed timing belts on both and it was cheaper and easier than on any car I've had the pleasure of doing.

What did you go for instead ?

 

[David of Essex]

I don’t believe that the D4 260hp is underpowered. It does what it says on the sales brochure 23knts at wot and 18 knts at 3200 rpm.
Every thing is a compromise 300hp is likely to go faster but burn more fuel. The D4 260hp will burn 31 litre/hour at 3000 rpm and do approx 16knts
at 1500 rpm will burn 4.3 litres/hour and do approx 7knts
David

 

[David of Essex]

Hope this data sheet comes out OK

 

[Spi D]

What did you go for instead ?

We searched a lot all over Europe and tavelled to view some. Decided that age (esp. regarding engine/gear and electronics) was more important than size so dropped P35 from 1986 ("100% original" appeared to mean "not much done to it over the years"!) and finally bought a 2004 Ocqueteau 975 (from another forum member).

Similar style but planing w/ prop tunnels and a steeper bow, supposedly same quality or maybe a bit better, heavier, different layout and, to us, very much what meet our expectations. Handles semidisplacement speeds very well and has a low sound level even at WOT.

Did a service incl. the timing belts and have put a few upgrade bits in (leak test on gas system, a horn w/fog automatic, another 12v socket, replaced cabin lights + some with LED). Even had the bowrail altered (opened) as we moor front-in.

As with any deal the negotiations and, not the least, a very good broker, helped us decide. SWMBO focussed a lot on the large windows, folding cabin/cockpit doors, pantry and head and is happy. To me the Nanni's were a plus (have some experience with others after 8 boats and 45 years of boating)..

Loved it ever since, also because it is equipped throughout with well dimensioned Vetus equipment and all electrics are made to very high standards (like double main switches, numbered wires, proper neg and pos connection banks etc.)

Never missed one single beat or let us down.

Can't comment on MF in detail, but being from the worlds largest manufacturer (Group Beneteau) I'd suppose it's OK. Made in Poland under French quality control, btw.

Make up your requirements list and look for something that'll meet your needs & expectations.

Same model - swim platform optional:

Engine access is good, space around (need to remove one bench (4 screws) to get complete access to port engine). Servicepoints access very good.

 

[Racingfrank7]

I don’t believe that the D4 260hp is underpowered. It does what it says on the sales brochure 23knts at wot and 18 knts at 3200 rpm.
Every thing is a compromise 300hp is likely to go faster but burn more fuel. The D4 260hp will burn 31 litre/hour at 3000 rpm and do approx 16knts
at 1500 rpm will burn 4.3 litres/hour and do approx 7knts
David

The only thing you have to take in to consideration here is the smaller engine you will have to labour more to assatain the same cruising speed, with a good chance of using more juice & straining the engine reducing life span. I would sooner have a bigger engine ticking over not straining rather than a smaller working its nuts off.
Just like a car imagine a 1.3 diesel doing 85mph compared to a 2.0 diesel on a motorway.
I wouldn't say its all about been faster but more want u want to do, how your going to use it, what speed u want to cruise at & if the difference was cruising at 16 knots with the smaller engine to cruising at 21 knots with the bigger engine & not a massive difference in fuel I know which I would choose, due to how we use our boat & what other boats we cruise with.

 

[TommieDee]

"The Beneteau 9.80 also looks a very nice boat, but is out of budget."


980 is a great boat. I know you say it is outside your budget, but consider this.... There was an owners report on one back in 2007/2008. Boat was called Goochie. Given you name, I reckon that is fate and you need to find that boat and just offer your budget to the owner! It used to be owned by Goochie a forumite here

Alternatively, There are usually plenty for sale including in France so with a willing seller and the strong Pound, you might get one cheaper than you think.

We had a 980 with the Nannis for 18 mths. Only sold to trade up. It is a great sea boat, lots of room for 32 footer and economical. Ok it's a Benny so it's a ford not a BMW, but who cares when you are out at sea, beer in hand taking in some rays?

T

 

[PaulGooch]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Been looking around at everything in this thread and the Merry Fisher layout seems to suit us best.

Only problem, whilst looking, we've seen a few Prestige 32's and like the look of those very much. Would need some budget stretching and not sure if the fuel consumption will be acceptable.