Moonrakers

[Fire99]

Evening gang,

Well i hope everyone got out to enjoy a surprising bout of weather over the weekend.. My cooked bonce is a good indicator i did. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Moonraker boats... Namely the 350... I have been doing a little research and they look fine old boats... Funnily enough over the weekend, the first boat i saw at Tollesbury was a Moonraker so clearly a sign i should find out more!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, does anyone have any experience of these? Both the Flybridge and non-fly models? I know Colin Chapman was involved from about '74 ish onwards and they look pretty sturdy for their age..
Can anyone comment on their accommodation? As a few will know i'm looking for a not too pricey boat to spend some extended time on and this has rung a few bells.

As ever, any info appreciated.

regards,

Nick

 

[peterb26]

I knew a guy with a decent sized Moonraker when we were moored at Newhaven many years ago.

He loved it from all aspects - apart from a following sea. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[tritonofnor]

guy I know spent some time living with his wife on an aft cockpit 350 - nice boat - small flybridge, good aft deck - and without the aft cabin, a massive locker aft! good use of space, shower /toilet to port, galley starboard, fairly good v berth forward. well worth a punt at the 40k mark i reckon...

 

[volvopaul]

Great boat in there time, getting a bit dated now but a lot of boat for the money, tha last ones were very nice by bell at norwich they fitted a few out to order with big perkins 225 in and also the one that ended up on the rocks off Beaucette marine a few years back though that had mercruisers in.

The early ones were mostly 145 or 175 perkins powered spinning tiny props through 1 to 1 borg warner boxes.

Now if your seriously in the market for a flybridge one then pm me, its in a bit of a state but was re engined a few years back with a pair of ford 200 hp engines I think from lancing marine, the interior is shot but rest needs a clean up.

Not the best sea boat in the world but ok for coastal.

Also know where there is an old fairline 40.

 

[Fire99]

yeah i did hear the odd word about following seas... How do Princesses of a similar ilk (33's and 37's) fair under similar conditions?

 

[Fire99]

The one i saw at Tollesbury looked very smart to be honest and alot of boat for the right money.. (as in around the £40k mark) But as i have learnt in the past, ownership experience can be a long way removed from the casual observer so i thought i'd ask you guys..

 

[volvopaul]

Look for post a while back on p33 n 37 or was that you? p37 better in head sea than following, expect 18 to 20 k with 180 fords.

 

[essexboy]

Saw the moulds for sale in Norfolk recently ! Start from scratch !

 

[Fire99]

Yeah probably me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I noticed a couple of tidy 33's and 37's for sale. They seem to fetch a premium compared to other 'brands'.

Was wondering on this following sea issue if its an issue with most boats of that age / hull type or if Moonrakers suffered worse than others of the similar genré.

 

[Fire99]

A nice idea. but i dont have the time (or probably the patience) to do a complete build from mould upwards..

 

[hlb]

This is the one in plymouth.The guy told me, it was not good in a following sea. Mind he later denide it. Comes on here every now and then. web page

Not seen inside it, but I recone a P33 would give it a good run for the money.

I think your right, 70's boats, maybe not the best in following seas. My P33 was not brilliant. But still managed a few thousand miles around the Irish sea.

 

[Fire99]

To be honest the following sea issue for me depends on the context..
As in, is it bad to the extent where the helm can be a bit of a handful and cause the boat to 'sail' uncomfortably or is it genuinely dangerous...

I've been out in some pretty little boats in heavy weather and tho its not been anything near comfortable i've been reliably informed i would give up before the boat did.

 

[hlb]

Hmm. Difficult to tell you. No idea of the Moonraker, only his report and others. Maybe, being new to bigger older boats, I slowed down in following seas. Where as I should have maybe gone faster. Can only tell you, that the newer P35, is unaffected by a F7 behind. 90 miles up the Bristol chanel proved that.

The problem is. The first wave sends you broadside. The second rolls you over. No idea how big they have to be. Below that, it's just unnerving and difficult to steer.

I've never seen the P35 feel uncontrolable in any sea. Probably much worse than the P33 ever saw.

 

[BrendanS]

If you know nothing about the boat in question, then don't respond. You've told me that enough times.

 

[hlb]

Twat.

 

[Captain Coochie]

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BrendanS]

He's very good at dishing out advice he never follows.

 

[hlb]

Much as I keep avoiding your comments. It still makes no difference. Your equally as vile to me as many others.

Not only that. You send vile PM's to my partner. We did concider reporting you. But then let it rest.

Yes. I gave you a few digs, years ago, about pretending you still had a boat. When in reality. You have not had one for years.

But it's history. I'm about to sell my boat soon. When it's gone. I will say so and be an exboater, or a canal boater.

In the mean time. I wont be sniping about folk asking about Moonrakers V P33's or P37's. If you want to join the Happy/Grumpy /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Throng. Go right ahead.

Yep I know all about the folk that love you, for computer stuff.

Maybe if they knew about the vile threats you sent to women. They would think different.

Answer at will. Or crawle away.

Constructively. Please dont comment , where a knowlegable good intended comment has been added.

 

[BrendanS]

That's the whole point. You keep telling people I've sold my boat. I haven't, I still own it, and you are as big a twat as ever, and you keep digging yourself into an ever deeper hole.

I've got fed up with your innuendos, and decided to fight back against one of the biggest bigots here.


I'm going to love when you sell your boat, as then I can quote all your comments about people who don't own boats not being allowed to post here, and force you to eat your own words?

 

[BrendanS]

Soryy, we've hijacked your post.