Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
Aquastar 33. Take a look.
There is a Solar 32 for sale at Bray Marina, owned by a very good friend who visited Holland many times in it.I'm thinking of buying an older GRP boat, mainly for inland waterways or short costal trips, but capable of crossing North Sea - I'm based in the Walton Backwaters, NE Essex. Considered Profile 33's, Seamaster 30's but it's a Birchwood 33 that's caught my eye. I can see there's plenty of different styles/layouts, but one constant in the boats for sale is they haven't been re-engined. They still have the original six cylinder Ford Lehmans, Bedfords etc, twin 120 - 200hp. Whilst these engines would be infinitely repairable I would be worried about reliability. I wouldn't be looking for semi-planing qualities but nevertheless ability to cope with strong tides/currents. For the size and weight of one these would their be an issues replacing with twin 43hp Betas or similar?
After all these years Dandy Regent still carries her original nameThere is a Solar 32 for sale at Bray Marina, owned by a very good friend who visited Holland many times in it.
CARR AND WEST SOLAR 32 1975
Wow, that's a time capsule. Great to see it's still around, the green GRP might take some getting used to.There is a Solar 32 for sale at Bray Marina, owned by a very good friend who visited Holland many times in it.
CARR AND WEST SOLAR 32 1975
Love the Ocean Rangers ❤
Reminds me of their lorries, 8 ton 140 hp; hence the 814 as inspired by Mercedes naming convention."Iveco 814's" - 6 cylinder 120hp.
For nearly the same money as the Portishead Birchwood GT... you could have a Broom Crown 37.
Here is one near you Broom Crown 37 For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYB138655
They also have a Broom Continental 37 for £29k
But both boats have the original Perkins HTs, laid on their side, contra rotating engines with spares difficult and in some cases impossible to get. But apparently, the Broom owners association can help out on spares. There is plenty of info in the forum about these.
If you can accept a displacement boat I’d turn it into a single.I'm thinking of buying an older GRP boat, mainly for inland waterways or short costal trips, but capable of crossing North Sea - I'm based in the Walton Backwaters, NE Essex. Considered Profile 33's, Seamaster 30's but it's a Birchwood 33 that's caught my eye. I can see there's plenty of different styles/layouts, but one constant in the boats for sale is they haven't been re-engined. They still have the original six cylinder Ford Lehmans, Bedfords etc, twin 120 - 200hp. Whilst these engines would be infinitely repairable I would be worried about reliability. I wouldn't be looking for semi-planing qualities but nevertheless ability to cope with strong tides/currents. For the size and weight of one these would their be an issues replacing with twin 43hp Betas or similar?