Nelson Designs: A Noble Heritage.

From the oldest Nelson to the newest.

The brand new Seaward 39 has a mid cabin and sound isolated floors.

. Among the innovations to reduce noise and vibration are special isolation for the engines, extensive noise absorbent materials incorporated in the layup of the hull and deck, and a wheelhouse that ‘floats’ on an isolation membrane separating it from the hull and machinery. “We have also made considerable improvements to the interior furnishings by bringing these craftsmanship skills in-house. All electrical installations are now carried out by the in-house team as well. In reality, our boats are now built like small superyachts.” Burnham adds.

http://seawardboat.com/leisure/seaward-39-motor-cruiser/
BWyYEib.jpg


Wjr4D1Kb.jpg

Tiny looking mid cabin...
 
Last edited:
Did speak to Seward last year about a 42, and their new 39 (which would suit us very nicely), the 42 came to an eye watering amount with what we would have wanted.. didn't get onto a discussion about a 39 as decided I cannot warrant that spend on a boat, so decided to buy a house on the IOW and either stick to my Mitchell, but maybe re-engine, or find a nice Dale Nelson 38, would really like a aft cockpit version but those are rarer than hens teeth so would be aft cabin which I am not so keen on.. but would do.. They have had a nice one on brokerage for a bit, Out of the Blue..

BTW, Seward 39 cockpit nicer than 42, as 39 is full boat width, 42 sits between side decks..
 
Last edited:
Firefly625 said:
Did speak to Seward last year about a 42, and their new 39 (which would suit us very nicely), the 42 came to an eye watering amount with what we would have wanted.. didn't get onto a discussion about a 39 as decided I cannot warrant that spend on a boat, so decided to buy a house on the IOW and either stick to my Mitchell, but maybe re-engine, or find a nice Dale Nelson 38, would really like a aft cockpit version but those are rarer than hens teeth so would be aft cabin which I am not so keen on.. but would do.. They have had a nice one on brokerage for a bit, Out of the Blue..

BTW, Seward 39 cockpit nicer than 42, as 39 is full boat width, 42 sits between side decks..
Click to expand...

I think this is why most boat builders have moved their manufacturing to the far east where wages are a fraction of the UK rates of pay: of course Beneteau and Jeanneau have set up very efficient production lines in France and their prices are very competitive.

When robots come on line boat building will become economic in the west again. Not sure exactly how much labour is as a proportion of the cost of a new boat, but it must be a very large with the necessity of fitting each part into place by hand.
 
rustybarge said:
I think this is why most boat builders have moved their manufacturing to the far east where wages are a fraction of the UK rates of pay: of course Beneteau and Jeanneau have set up very efficient production lines in France and their prices are very competitive.

When robots come on line boat building will become economic in the west again. Not sure exactly how much labour is as a proportion of the cost of a new boat, but it must be a very large with the necessity of fitting each part into place by hand.
Click to expand...

I love a hand built British boat. Don't think I will ever own anything else.

...also love hand built British cars....somehow they remind me of each other.
 
Firefly625 said:
I love a hand built British boat. Don't think I will ever own anything else.

...also love hand built British cars....somehow they remind me of each other.
Click to expand...

I was the proud owner of a Morgan 4/4 1974 with the 1600cc crossflow engine. Unfortunately the woodwork eventually fell to bits and I sold it as a rebuild project for exactly what I paid 15 years earlier; how's that for value.

Wooden boats are not in my view practical to own, I think I'll stick with GRP .
 
rustybarge said:
I was the proud owner of a Morgan 4/4 1974 with the 1600cc crossflow engine. Unfortunately the woodwork eventually fell to bits and I sold it as a rebuild project for exactly what I paid 15 years earlier; how's that for value.

Wooden boats are not in my view practical to own, I think I'll stick with GRP .
Click to expand...

I also would not consider a wooden boat, maintaining a GRP boat takes up enough of my time, if I had a wooden boat I would have to say goodbye to other hobbies and possibly my wife.
 
Firefly625 said:
I also would not consider a wooden boat, maintaining a GRP boat takes up enough of my time, if I had a wooden boat I would have to say goodbye to other hobbies and possibly my wife.
Click to expand...

I have a strong idiot gene, hence the long term wooden boat ownership. I think as a DIY prospect, wooden boat ownership should be limited to 35ft max.

I looked carefully at the 34 and went out on a couple, they are wet, but it doesn't matter as you are inside. The trouble with the 34 is its tiny inside due to the narrowness.

The early 40, that is a proper huge tough boat, I'd have one like a shot. I believe John Askham says it was his best. There's a reason they are still used by Pilots.
 
burgundyben said:
I have a strong idiot gene, hence the long term wooden boat ownership.
I think as a DIY prospect, wooden boat ownership should be limited to 35ft max.
Click to expand...
Makes me wonder what sort of gene I must have, after 17 years with a 53' timber boat.
Either I missed your rule on max size back in 2000, or I mixed up the numbers... :rolleyes: :D
 
burgundyben said:
I have a strong idiot gene, hence the long term wooden boat ownership. I think as a DIY prospect, wooden boat ownership should be limited to 35ft max.

I looked carefully at the 34 and went out on a couple, they are wet, but it doesn't matter as you are inside. The trouble with the 34 is its tiny inside due to the narrowness.

The early 40, that is a proper huge tough boat, I'd have one like a shot. I believe John Askham says it was his best. There's a reason they are still used by Pilots.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at adds for the Nelson 40 and there seems to be some difference in the displacement between models. The Halmatic seems to be 12-13tons, whereas the Weymouth 42 is only 9 tons?
 
Nelson Hull Mouldings
by Peter Thornycroft - 1980
Length (feet) Country Quantity Hull Type Designed
18 UK 220 G.R.P. 1959
34 UK 146 G.R.P. 1965
36 Italy 5 G.R.P. 1980
36 South Africa 4 G.R.P. 1980
40 Italy 51 G.R.P. 1965
40 UK 258 G.R.P. 1963
43 Italy 2 G.R.P. 1978
44 Guernsey 15 G.R.P. 1978
45 UK 22 G.R.P. 1971
45 India 3 G.R.P. 1980
50 UK 12 G.R.P. 1972
60 UK 16 G.R.P. 1965
75 UK 15 G.R.P. 1970
112 Azteca Scotland 21 Steel 1975
112 Azteca Mexico 10 Steel 1976
165 Osprey Denmark 3 Steel 1977
32 (Replaced By34) UK 7 G.R.P. (Discontinued) 1962
18, 23, 3, 32 and 36 35 Wood (Discontinued) 1956/1963

Looks like Lots of Nelson 40's were produced: 258
 
Last edited:
rustybarge said:
I've been looking at adds for the Nelson 40 and there seems to be some difference in the displacement between models. The Halmatic seems to be 12-13tons, whereas the Weymouth 42 is only 9 tons?
Click to expand...

This explains the 40 & 42 hulls:

Other boats in the Halmatic Weymouth range included the Weymouth 42, which used a standard Nelson 40 hull plus a bathing platform and a super new GRP superstructure with inclusive aft cabin. This classic Nelson design has often been referred to as the 'Gentleman’s Motor Yacht'.
 
Regarding the performance of the Nelson 40:
http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/articles.html

Engines are a pair of Perkins TH6.354 turbo-charged horizontal diesels each developing 135bhp and driving through 2:1 reduction boxes. Even at high revolutions these motors were commendably quiet - due partly, no doubt, to good installation. They are designed to give a cruising speed of 15 knots at a total fuel consumption of nine gallons per hour, and a maximum speed of 18 to 19 knots. This maximum, which we achieved on our run, is remarkably high for the type of vessel which is round bilged and of essentially seaworthy and moderate displacement form. The secret of success must lie partly in the run of the buttocks which, we believe, have a slight knuckle aft so that they drop rather than rise toward the stern. This gives a good lift to the back end and allows comparatively high speed without excessive trim.

I'm guessing it should read 9gal/hr per engine to give 1 mpg.
 
Last edited:
The original nelson 40' & Weymouth 42' are 9tons and 11' beam.

The new 42' Nelson mk2 from 1992 is 14tons and has a beam of 13'.

http://seawardboat.com/leisure/seaward-42-motor-yacht/
Length W.L 13.3m
Beam overall 3.96m
Draft 1.22m
Displacement 14 tonnes
Max speed with 2 x Cummins 425hp 25 knots (approx.)
RCD Category Category A

The best choice would be the much lighter mk1 version even though its 2' narrower.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top