Separate Head in a Merry Fisher, Antares, etc.

[SP2]

SWMBO went onto the new Merry Fisher 755 at LIBS and pronounced that it would be a suitable vessel to meet our future boating plans (West Wales, mainly day or weekend trips and no more hassle with sails and tides ).

The main point of consideration for the was the separate heads compartment.

I believe the predecessor model (the 725?) also had a separate heads.

Of course Beneteau were not at LIBS to ask about their possible contributions nor were other possibles.

Which makes/models (current and past) might also fit the bill which reads:

1. Separate heads;
2. Inside Steering so we can boat through the winter;
3. Outside seating so we can enjoy the rain of West Wales.

Budget flexible but need to keep length to around 7-8 metres max.

 

[Philiz]

SWMBO went onto the new Merry Fisher 755 at LIBS and pronounced that it would be a suitable vessel to meet our future boating plans (West Wales, mainly day or weekend trips and no more hassle with sails and tides ).

The main point of consideration for the was the separate heads compartment.

I believe the predecessor model (the 725?) also had a separate heads.

Of course Beneteau were not at LIBS to ask about their possible contributions nor were other possibles.

Which makes/models (current and past) might also fit the bill which reads:

1. Separate heads;
2. Inside Steering so we can boat through the winter;
3. Outside seating so we can enjoy the rain of West Wales.

Budget flexible but need to keep length to around 7-8 metres max.

Ah, was going to say Beneteau 9 series but just read your last paragraph, pity I know where there's a nice one for sale

Merry fisher 805, Bene 760 then

 

[Red]

Have you looked at the Arvor range, we go out on a 25 ft model that has a separate heads compartment.

 

[DIW]

SWMBO went onto the new Merry Fisher 755 at LIBS and pronounced that it would be a suitable vessel to meet our future boating plans (West Wales, mainly day or weekend trips and no more hassle with sails and tides ).

The main point of consideration for the was the separate heads compartment.

The heads on the Merry Fisher 755 and the Beneteau 750 are very small indeed , if you are under 5' tall and size zero then ok , if not it's a very tight fit. LOL

 

[polyanna]

Antares 760 - seperate heads and ideal for cruising round North Wales. Also ideal for cod fishing out of Grimsby on a cold winters day (god bless Eberspacher)

 

[NoviceRod]

I have a Merry Fisher 705, which has a small separate head and portapotty. Most males use the 'bucket & chuck it' system, but females report as cramped but adequate.

I am not sure that Jeanneau are still producing this model, the 755 may be its successor, but with outboard rather than inboard shaft.

 

[Nautibusiness]

If she replaced the 725 then you are looking at outboard powered?
In which case this is the largest of the Merry Fishers that will suit.

If however the outboard is not part of the factors then the first proper sized heads comes with the Merry Fisher 805 or Antares 760 which are both shaft drive, inboard diesel.

I own a Merry Fisher 695 and I am 5'10 and 15 stone. It is what an estate agent would describe as compact and bijou in the heads on my boat, but it is still totally usable (well it would be if we hadn't removed the loo).

The equivalent Antares is the 710 which is shares the hull with along with many obvious features.
The 695 was replaced with the Merry Fisher 705 essentially the same boat with a bit of a face lift and a slightly "lighter" feel which came from new production methods.

I haven't been aboard a 755 to comment anymore, but the 725 had a basic, but quite pleasant caravanish style layout.

 

[maverickofpoole]

I own a Merry Fisher 695 and I am 5'10 and 15 stone. It is what an estate agent would describe as compact and bijou in the heads on my boat, but it is still totally usable (well it would be if we hadn't removed the loo).

Tom

When I have used the heads on Tony's 695 I have had to open the hatch, that way there is plenty of headroom albeit still no elbow room

Martin

 

[PaulGooch]

As mentioned, Merry Fisher 805 has a heads, in which there is also a sink with hot and cold water and a shower. Although, if all of the showers put as much water out as ours, you'll be in there a long while

I fitted an electric conversion kit to ours, which is a very good earner of SWMBO points.

Pics of said heads and other detail of ours can be seen here : http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/PaulGooch/Lewci/

 

[Philiz]

Antares 760 - seperate heads and ideal for cruising round North Wales. Also ideal for cod fishing out of Grimsby on a cold winters day (god bless Eberspacher)

Hi Bob, long time no see

 

[SP2]

Thanks for all these suggestions. Must say my preference is for the Bene 760 or MF805 because of the inboard diesel, although outboard is not really a problem or major consideration. I know we have a Bene 760 in the marina and I'm sure there is an MF805 there too so will have to have a nose from the pontoon.

Yes I understand the compartment size issue but its not a place to linger, is it

We will be coming back from the dark side after a few years sailing having decided that our best boating was done at 18 knots when we actually got to places rather than finding that the wind was always in the wrong direction.

Just need to sell a house, move into rented whilst searching for new house, get 2nd kid into uni, 3rd onto A levels, relocate the family to new house and relocate the business and then I'll be free to get out on the water

 

[Racingfrank7]

We have a MF805 and can recommend for all the reasons above.

 

[whisper]

We will be coming back from the dark side after a few years sailing having decided that our best boating was done at 18 knots when we actually got to places rather than finding that the wind was always in the wrong direction.

Just need to sell a house, move into rented whilst searching for new house, get 2nd kid into uni, 3rd onto A levels, relocate the family to new house and relocate the business and then I'll be free to get out on the water

This gives you a year or so to save up for Botnia Targa 25.

Heads yes, a 5 second walk from the wheelhouse.
Outside Seating yes
Cruise at 24-25kts
Great all-round access via sliding side doors.
Everything you wanted plus an outside helm station as well as an inside one.


Did I mention the heads involves a trip outside !!

 

[Malabar]

Check out the Trusty T23. Think cost of fuel; ability to dry out; shaft drive etc.

 

[surveysonic]

Hi a freind is buying a Starfisher 790 he is a big chap and the heads was the deciding factor plus the boat was cat B. Went out on sea trial with him very impressed it had a merc 150hp but could also have option of two engines.

Might be worth a look importer based down in Brixham.

 

[PaulGooch]

Thanks for all these suggestions. Must say my preference is for the Bene 760 or MF805 <snip>

Those were the preferences we ended up with, we also liked the Antares S9 a lot, but that was just out of budget. Looked at a 760 first and were more or less convinced it was the model for us. A couple of weeks later we looked at an 805 and still couldn't make our minds up. Drove an hour to view another 760 and were still undecided. I preferred the 805, amongst other things i though it much more modern looking than the 760, SWMBO liked the 760. Whilst looking around inside the 760 we noticed we were constantly struggling to squeeze past each other in the saloon. It was noticeably narrower than the 805 and this was really the final deciding factor.

We bought the 805 and haven't regretted it for a second. Shortly after we moved to our last marina, someone just along the pontoon bought a 760. Every time we went to out boat, we walked past the 760 and every time we commented on how we bought the right boat.

Hope there's not too many 760 owners on the forum

 

[SP2]

This gives you a year or so to save up for Botnia Targa 25.

Heads yes, a 5 second walk from the wheelhouse.
Outside Seating yes
Cruise at 24-25kts
Great all-round access via sliding side doors.
Everything you wanted plus an outside helm station as well as an inside one.


Did I mention the heads involves a trip outside !!

Umm... Not very good at saving up!

Can't see SWMBO liking an outside loo...

But the Targa is great.

 

[SP2]

Check out the Trusty T23. Think cost of fuel; ability to dry out; shaft drive etc.

I will have a look - thanks for the heads up on that one.

 

[SP2]

Hi a freind is buying a Starfisher 790 he is a big chap and the heads was the deciding factor plus the boat was cat B. Went out on sea trial with him very impressed it had a merc 150hp but could also have option of two engines.

Might be worth a look importer based down in Brixham.

I never say no to a trip to Brixham - thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SP2]

Those were the preferences we ended up with, we also liked the Antares S9 a lot, but that was just out of budget. Looked at a 760 first and were more or less convinced it was the model for us. A couple of weeks later we looked at an 805 and still couldn't make our minds up. Drove an hour to view another 760 and were still undecided. I preferred the 805, amongst other things i though it much more modern looking than the 760, SWMBO liked the 760. Whilst looking around inside the 760 we noticed we were constantly struggling to squeeze past each other in the saloon. It was noticeably narrower than the 805 and this was really the final deciding factor.

We bought the 805 and haven't regretted it for a second. Shortly after we moved to our last marina, someone just along the pontoon bought a 760. Every time we went to out boat, we walked past the 760 and every time we commented on how we bought the right boat.

Hope there's not too many 760 owners on the forum

Interesting thought process - I think keeping one's distance from SWMBO is important