What boat is this (18ft GRP inland cruiser built circa 1980)?

[tony_lavelle]

I am buying this nice little 5.5 metre motor boat which described as an inland cruiser, built about 1980, with a cathedral hull.
Can anyone tell me the make and model, or anything else?

 

[macnorton]

Have put a link on the Thames forum, poss get info from a canal forum if that don't help.

 

[byron]

I don't recognise it. Are you certain it is a Cathedral Hull?

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Not sure about a cathedral hull, but it could be a Shetland.

 

[paultallett]

Judging by the front hatch I'd guess at a Microplus but a real stab in the dark!!

 

[byron]

It is neither a Shetland nor a Microplus. It isn't from a British mass builder otherwise I would know it instantly.

 

[tony_lavelle]

Thanks for replies so far. Any information would be useful and appreciated.
I had my doubts about the "cathedral hull" but that's what I was told.

 

[macnorton]

There is a lot of info on this style of boats on the link below, have you thought of Burland?

http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Hardy Seawings 194 ?

 

[tony_lavelle]

Not quite (similar lines) but I think we're getting warmer...

 

[rbmatthews]

Not sure about a cathedral hull, but it could be a Shetland.

It's definitely not a Shetland, but I have no idea what else it might be. If you find out, please let us know.

R.

 

[macnorton]

It looks like a later style Dolfin, but they had a V hull.

 

[tony_lavelle]

Thanks! I think the "cathedral hull" is a red herring, so maybe you are onto something. I can't find out anything on Dolfin boats, apart from a cat builder in South Africa. Can you tell me anything?

 

[macnorton]

They were built by Brooklands aviation and designed by Cox and Haswell.
Its actually Dolphin (my spelling Eh!).

 

[macnorton]

More info here.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...ation-Dolphin-16-any-info-gratefully-accepted

 

[tr7v8]

99% sure it isn't a Dolphin. I had a 20ft & ran a club for Dolphin owners back in the 80's. The stern half could be but the front of the cockpit is wrong for a Dolphin. Is it all timber? later boats were GRP hulls with timber decks & cabins. I beleive there was then a Relcraft which was very very similar which was all GRP.
The pictures are of a V hull not cathedral.

 

[malgre5419]

Definatly not a Dolphin, I used to build them back in the 70s and like tr7v8 says they were bs 1088 marine ply to start, until we moved to GRP hull's, but they sold out and were bought by a Southampton Company long before 1980. Ive still go pics of the Dolphin Range if anyone Interested.

 

[rbmatthews]

Are there any identifying marks anywhere? For example, there might be a Hull Identification Number on the starboard side of the transom. In 1998, this became mandatory with a specified format, but before then there were a variety of formats, some of which identified the make and model, but if you did find one it might give a clue.

There might also be a plate with a maker and serial number somewhere on the helm or in the cabin.

Any way of tracing previous owners beyond the one you are buying it from, or looking at previous paperwork if any?

You could also search through this database to see if you recognise it: http://www.broads.org.uk/wiki/index.php5?title=Main_Page

R.

 

[macnorton]

Definatly not a Dolphin, I used to build them back in the 70s and like tr7v8 says they were bs 1088 marine ply to start, until we moved to GRP hull's, but they sold out and were bought by a Southampton Company long before 1980. Ive still go pics of the Dolphin Range if anyone Interested.

I have seen fiberglass cabins with this forecabin and assumed it was one as the rest looked the same, any idea of the name of the company that bought the moulds ?

 

[malgre5419]

Sorry macnorton, no I cant, its about 40yrs ago so the old grey cells faded somewhat ha ha, maybe they bought it for the hull design and re-designed the cabin and deck format to put their own mark on it!