Sirius 310ds

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neehow

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The Sirius 310DS looks great and sails so well, we looked at all the others before deciding on a new one after trying out a fantastic 32DS the older model. The 32ds owners are over the moon with their yachts as are 310DS owners. Unfortunately there have been a few problems but I suppose there are with any new boat at least we have a 2 year guarantee, the yard is pretty good and has endeavoured to provide solutions.
It really is a pleasure to sail her all year round as we can pop inside to get warm and steer by autopilot (if we are in open sea). This year we competed in the Round the Island yacht race, not bad result considering we hadn't taken our cruising gear off and had full tanks. Next time we shall do better. See the report in PBO it makes for some interesting reading.

More to follow.
 
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I dont think you will find any boat owner with an iron keel who doesnt have a running battle with rust. Particularly at the point where keel mates up with hull. So unless you have a spectacularly greater level of problem , and I cant imagine why you would, I think you are being unrealistic.

Is this your first boat? Not being rude, but if it is your first and you havent been through the mill so to speak with the usual second hand starter boats, you could have unreal expectations of what boat ownership is about. Have a look round other boats at the yard / club.
 
If the builder is not responding to your concerns then you need to get an independent expert opinion to support your action. While is interesting to post on here it will not he resolve your problem.
 
liching21 said:
After only six months the keel had severe rust small areas but the builder authorised HYS to shot blast and paint. We then had Copper Coat applied because we like winter sailing and would like to leave her in for the whole year except for a jet wash 3 times a year. (Sealift Gosport). Unfortunately the rust has come back where the lead joins the steel section and where the keel joins the hull. Letters went off to HYS and the builder Sirius yesterday 7th Jan. We have to get this sorted as guarantee runs out September 2013.
My gut feeling is that the keel should be replaced as the builder is no longer fitting the same keel to newer boats. We shall see.
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Is the lead cast over the steel or bolted on? Presumably you have to insulate the steel from the lead? Sounds very sporty.
 
Thanks for posting the updates.

The 310 is on my wish list, The impression I had from the various reviews was that it was built to a very high standard, but unfortunately that appears not to be the case with yours!

I hope you get it sorted!
 
New Engine

We have had two surveyors look at the installation as Volvo say their engine is not at fault. No one can say exactly how the water got into the engine via the exhaust. However, if it not the engine then it has to be the boat and this is still under guarantee. The surveyor advised us to be firmer and provided an excellent report. If anyone needs a surveyor in the Hamble area then this chap is ace and so very reasonable cost wise. As a result, the builder in Germany is sending over a new engine and his engineers to install it. We are fortunate indeed that he is giving us such service at last. I feel his chaps will make a super job of the installation and hopefully solve the mystery of how water got into the engine in the first place. We were almost on the verge of giving up but now we are encouraged to have some help. It was hard to go round so many VP agents trying to get the best deal on a new engine. The Hamble area seems to be so expensive compared to Poole. Having an engineer work on an engine for almost 2 days then tell us the bad news plus a large bill was not a pleasant experience, then to be told it is all down to us as there is no fault by builder or Volvo almost convinced us to consider parting company with Angharad, thankfully this should be behind us now. We wait with crossed fingers for the Sirius engineers to carry out the work. I do hope that Sirius sell more boats here in GB as this would help them to consider getting a better support structure in place.. Winter sailing this year for sure.
 
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Presumably someone has checked the anti syphon valve. If it is the standard Volvo one it needs cleaning periodically. There is no tell tail to indicate it is working if it drains into the standard Volvo silencer. Make sure it is inspected or replaced with the new engine.
 
Last week a chap I know had his engine (Yanmar) fail to start after 3 days in South Dock on the Thames, solid, starter would not turn it over. Diagnosis was bores full of water. Source proved to be the end of the pipe from the antisyphon tell tale lying in the engine bilge which had water in it, syphoned back into engine when stopped. Solution is to feed overflow into a larger bore pipe leading to bilge, thus preventing the back syphon. How is your overflow routed.
 
It has a Vetus syphon valve which a couple of engineers looked at but said it looked okay. The builder has offered to replace the Vetus with a Volvo valve but goes on to say that most yachts in the Baltic have gone for the Vetus. So I would appreciate any feedback on these products. When cleaning the valves I just used a light cloth and fresh water and checked it monthly. I have asked for the valve to be replaced, just in case.
 
The Vetus valve is probably better because it is easier to clean. However, there are two types, one has a valve which needs periodic cleaning and the other has no valve but a permanent vent through a hose overboard. The ones with the valve (like the Volvo one) also have a vent pipe which does sometime dribble water so is usually routed down to the bilge, or in my Bavaria (with a Volvo valve) to the exhaust water muffler.

Having used both types my preference is for the Vetus valve type because it is easier to clean and no need for a vent overboard. Others like the security of seeing a constant flow of water from the vented type and no need to clean. Either type should be fitted well above the waterline. Vetus recommendation is 40cm.
 
Great news
Sirius have fitted a new engine today and will finish off and test tomorrow. They are also installing a new hydraulic inside steering system as the cable one was stiff, they asked if there was anything else that I require so I asked them to fit a small shelf and check over the whole boat as the warranty runs out next month. I have to say they have been very good to send over their engineers to carry out the work.
 
We are based in Chichester harbour and like the look of the Sirius 310 as it appears to tick most of our boxes. Having considered the extra's on top of the base price it would amount to a substantial investment not one to get wrong. With all your problems would you warn us off buying one? If not then a help on what extra's you would consider essential would be appreciated. We would go for the twin keel as we wish to dry out. Thank you.
 
I whole heartedly recommend Sirius, they have stuck by their guarantee even when bad luck was the cause. Would I buy again, yes, there is nothing as good on the market that I could see. Sirius have proved to be a reliable builder with an after sales service that has pleased so many owners. The twin keeler sails great too. We had a second furler fitted recently, there are many extras but one we would not go without is the double glazing, keeps the windows clear on the most rainy of days. I could suggest more if you still are interested.
 
Latest trip was from Southampton to Guernsey, down to Jersey then to St Cast. Back to Guernsey, on to Cherbourg and then back home. Great trip in our Sirius and so very comfortable. We are so glad we chose this boat after having got through the teething troubles. Going through the Alderney race was really hairy as the F7 was against the tide but as our boat is so solid we just went inside and steered from there in the dry. We have joined a few races this year and do quite well considering we are a deck saloon. Sirius have just brought out their new 40DS, nothing like it at the Southampton show or anywhere else. Very modern design and it sails wonderfully well.
 
Went a bit further this year. Southampton to Cherbourg on to Guernsey then Lizardrieux. after weather bound for a few days we reached Roscoe. Great 24 hour marina. after a couple of days we returned to Lizardrieux before going to St Cast then back to Guernsey where we are now. As before Angharad is a pleasure to sail and is so well behaved giving us an average of 5.5 knots through the water. My wife and I have been living aboard for over three weeks and enjoying the space which is abundant in our Sirius31DS. So that some friends could join us we shall be looking at the 35DS to give us just a bit more room and go faster. There is no other yacht on the market with similar credentials.
 
After many years of sailing Angharad the time has come to sell and move up to the 35ds. The situation now is uncertain as there is much disruption with the yard in Germany due to Covid19
.
 
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I like your optimism.

A great boat, thought of one myself, but with this global pandemic, the crash of currencies and virtual total lockdown I suspect you and your lovely boat will stay as they are for a while...............................

But, Good Luck.:)
 
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