Opinions on use of my owd cruiser

[snowbird30ds]

Personally I wouldn't go to sea in your buckingham, but.... I did a good 9 years of sea trips in an old RLM31 at 6-7 knots including a 11 hour run from wells next the sea straight up to hull, it was meant to be rivers and light coastal but it did fairly well in some quite lumpy conditions, it did well but it was not fun at the time, it also had the benefit of 2 diesel inboards but being on enfield outdrives made it very back heavy and would do a tail stand any time it hit a wave of any size and fall into the hole behind it with a huge crash, twin bilge keels didn't help as they trapped water between making the slam even harder.
Keeping in close to shore is often the worst option especially around the east coast where I am as you go over all the banks and pick up all the confused water not to mention the fishing pot markers.
I did get hit beam on by a big'un entering wells harbour once and thought it was going to turn over, the initial lean was bad enough but when it flips back it does the same angle the other way, SWMBO nearly got chucked out the side.
Is the buckingham self draing or will every drop of water go straight into the bilge?

 

[PCUK]

My old Senior 31 was heavily ballasted and that made a huge difference to stability albeit at the expense of maximum speed. Crossed the Channel regularly, up the East coast and down to Dover. Never any problems apart from those b*stard 4107's.
Always made my own running repairs in all my boats and never considered the RNLI but then as a home builder I know my boats inside out (as Wayne does!)
Big difference!

 

[waynes world]

Well lots to think on, a few defiantly putting me off altogether even going in the sea, never mind going out any distance. Bruce, there are no worries on taking it out of Conwy, as you have told and show me in the past a few videos and i have seen more since the states it can get in. I was serious about not to go out even if the swell was above 12 inch, the `mill pond` comment was about right for me to go out. Plan was to just moor up in a sheltered harbour and like Watermounth Cove Down Devon, and if chances are good to get out on a calm day for a hour or two we could. I would have no worries in staying moored up, think of it as a floating caravan
I like to think i am sensible and would not by any chance take any risks with anyone else on board never mind myself. T is more sensible and if she chose things are not right i would agree.
I was just wanting to get a small start just to be on the sea as when the chance arose. And the first chance to even get a grip of the boat is when we launch it, it will be launched on the L&L canal near Salford, done canal work many years so that easy, and boring though, from there cruise up to Carnforth and then drag it upto Lake Windermere, It can choppy up there, yes nothing like on the sea but its a next step, this way i can also sea what it handle like and at top speed, As some know i have modded it a fair bit from original, and i have been told these boat do handle better with a good bit of ballast, i would guess of the top of my head it will weigh in around 400-500kg ( with a 40hp out board engine ) on top of the original dry weight of 1100kg.

And no worries, as said i will take no chances or risk anything, i asked this as folk were saying it will be fine at sea, but then these folk were saying get an min 100hp on it, thats when i thought nah, this does not sound right as its not a power boat/cruiser. A lot of variables to look at if i do go out to sea, i say out that is within throwing distance. No chance would i go out a mile or so.

Thank you all for your replies. really appreciated

 

[waynes world]

Oh and sorry Rach Hello :encouragement: Just reading though the post again and noticed you.

 

[BruceK]

Well when you are down if you want to cruise in company or a guide to show you the local waters just give us a shout on pm or pop over for a coffee / beer. 3rd pontoon out. Amanzi.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.2841364,-3.8271748,168m/data=!3m1!1e3

Likewise should you go for the Menai, much nicer :encouragement: , give us a shout

 

[waynes world]

Hi Bruce, you keep offering me the treat to come out, just need to find time. To busy stuck on the boat getting it done. And yep, it would be the Menai.
I am on the face book thingy now so may see you there, seen your boat, had a nosy...very nice

 

[CX54WEK]

Oh and sorry Rach Hello :encouragement: Just reading though the post again and noticed you.

Hello

I know you are a sensible chap and won't do anything stupid.

 

[bumperdump]

Thanks for the reply, The reason i would never go out in more than a 12inch swell, and stay in cloooose lol.

What is the difference in my boat desgin and this Hardy Pilot, is it that the Hardy will be heavier. Only asking learning about boat design as i go.

Local boat to me that hardy is, for sale at the moment.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hardy-20-Pilot-Boat-/152302272878?hash=item2375ec416e:g:ztMAAOSwHMJYGQIu
Link to her here............