Triana Tropica Project

BearWolf

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31 May 2012
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Hello Everyone,

Just a quick note to introduce myself to the forum for anyone who's interested.

I'm currently in the process of recommissioning a beautiful Triana Tropica called Triella that had sadly been laid up since 1998, mainly I understand due to engine failure. This is my first motor boat and will very much be a long term project due to a combination of time, money & expertise in this type of project.

I understand from the previous owner that Triella's hull was constructed in 1969 as a sister to the Bovril race boats but never fully commissioned in that guise and was eventually commissioned/launched as a motor cruiser in 1974 (I don't have any paperwork to support this account and it may well prove to be complete fiction but I loved the story so am sticking with it ;) that said, if anyone knows her of old it would be great to get some history)

We (SWMBO & I) started by getting the hull surveyed before investing further (wrong way round I know), structurally Triella appears to be in good order, cosmetically (from 5 meters!!) she is pretty good considering she's been sat largely untouched for 15 years but ideally needs refinishing. The electrics are largely a mystery at this point and the soft furnishings need love but 'will do' for now.

Since purchase last summer, we have commissioned engineers as an end to end project to remove & replace (engine & outdrive removal/engine bay prep/refit and trial) the original Volvo AQ170's which were both seized & stuck fast, along with her Volvo 270 outdrives for reconditioning. She is shortly due to receive the replacements to those original twin AQ170's c/o a pair of Volvo AQ151's paired with her now reconditioned Volvo 270 outdrives along with new related wiring harness, steering, wormgear etc. etc...... the list is endless. I'm expecting a drop in performance due to the reduction in power but with the potential weight savings, I'm hoping for perhaps some redress. We did consider a diesel conversion and I read the story of a project from the early 2000's but I couldn't make the sums work to fit my budget.

The focus right now is on getting her mechanically/electrically sound before really concentrating on the aesthetics but I find myself fiddling around with the topsides both to smarten her up in the short term and ensure she's dry whilst we await the engines. As of last weekend the job in hand was seacocks followed closely by the electric Lavac loo which is unfortunately a work in progress that I'm not looking forward to revisiting.............

Any advice/history along the way would be gratefully received and in return I will update this thread for anyone who is interested as work (slowly) progresses.

Best regards,
John
 

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Triana experts include Le Scarron on this forum and Barry Sales on Isle of Wight. Barry has 2 Levi boats and one of his shares a tent with one of the Miss Bovril.

Fairey Owners Club has several Triana/Levi owners, always welcome.
 
Thanks BurgundyBen, I really appreciate the response & connection - I've hesitated until now to post anything but am pleased I did. I've taken a look at the Triana-Boats website that I think Le Scarron created and had read on Classic Offshore that Barry on the IoW was restoring a Tropica and also possibly A’Speranziella and so I'm in good company with both.

Cheers, J.
 
Cheers Vas, I'm pleased to hear you see what I see!

I hankered after one of these for years but never dreamed I'd have the opportunity to own one so despite the standard project stress/heartbreak I do feel very lucky. I'll post more pictures as things progress.

J
 
Hi and welcome to the forum, good opening thread too.

There are not many boats that look as good on the hard as they do in the water but these older classics still turn heads.
Really lovely and timeless.:cool:

I hope you get her back to how you want her, enjoy.:encouragement:

RR
 
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...... Remember watching one of these cream across the bay at Camp De Mar when I was a young, impressionable boy.

Look forward to hearing more and seeing her on the water :)
 
+1 to all of the positive comments above - she does look very nice indeed, and we shall look forward to seeing more photos of her restoration.

Lots of nice photos here of a comprehensive refit of a Levi Settimo Velo on the Isle of Wight - Mike & Jo are posters on here, but I can't remember what their Forum name is.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/179427293999/photos/
 
Great looking boat, I'm sure I've seen one around on the Dart a few years back, I just love the lines of them, it's a true classic. Hope the restoration goes well and look forward to reading about it and maybe seeing her in the West Country.
 
Hi Bajansailor, thanks so much for your comments I'm so pleased I posted now. I actually spoke to Mike last year enquiring about his Settimo Velo - Volare before I found Triella and poured over his photo's and videos. I think recall Mike's decided to concentrate on his music and give classic boats a rest after a couple (that I know of) magnificent restorations.

I'll post more photo's as things progress.
 
a true classic, and at that size petrol will work just fine. good luck with the restoration, don't be afraid to post on here as there is a true wealth of knowledge on this forum that just sometimes is astounding and when you are restoring such a boat it is a great resource. Well done for including pictures, we all like pictures..

BTW, having just been into my old photobucket account to get some photos for another thread I had seen these pics I took about 6 years ago of a stunning boat... then read your thread and looked at your pictures and it just reminded me of something......

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BearWolf, many thanks for starting this story and welcome on here. Your boat is beautiful! Everyone would love you to post pictures of the restoration as it proceeds. And when you're done, if you want help getting it to the Med give me a shout :D There aren't many there in regular use but I see Fujiyama every couple of years - a Levi designed Speranzella Series II, from early 1960s I'd guess. Photographed off Cap Ferrat; Eze in background

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