Where can I find categories for boats?

[Kerouac]

I've upped my budget and decided to go for either a Sealine 218 or a Bayliner 2455 for a bit of family cruising - overnighters etc.

I'm originally a sailor so not sure where a mobo will safely go. Anyone know where I can find the categories A,B,C etc of the above boats to see if I can safely cross cannel - liverpool to IOM etc in em?

ta

Tony

 

[DAKA]

If they are new they will have a plate stamped on them.
Both the boats you mention were in production before the CE categories were introduced so they a rate may not be available.
Please confirm the age of the boat you are looking at

the 2455 was in production around 1986-1989 turned into a 2651 then a 2655, latter the 2455 was introduced as a whole new boat that should be stamped.

I crossed the Chanel in a 1990 2651 from Portsmouth to Le Harve (110 nm)
but I would suggest it is only suitable for smooth, calm or at a push slight sea state.

The 218 I would say is not suitable for a crossing of that distance but on the right day would get you from Dover to Calais.

 

[jhr]

I'm slightly guessing, but pretty confident that both these craft will be Category C. Basic details, cribbed from the CE Proof Website are :


A - Ocean Waves exceeding 4m Wind exceeding F8
B - Offshore Waves up to & including 4m Wind up to & including F8
C - Inshore Waves up to & including 2m Wind up to & including F6
D - Sheltered Waves up to & including 0.5m Wind up to & including F4

Significant wave height means the average height of the highest 1/3rd of the waves over a given period. Waves of double that height may occasionally be experienced.

 

[neale]

As DAKA states, both boats were pre CE category, Assuming you are looking at the older 2455's.

I have taking an older 2455 from Essex to Guernsey, crossing the Channel from Lymington to Cherbourg, and providing you are prepared to slow if the conditions pick, up you will be fine. I have been out in 6's and 7's in mine and I ended up doing displacement speeds. Anything up to a four, especially if it is a following sea you should be able to keep going at a decent rate.

I have known Sealine 215's and 218's undertake Channel crossings. In fact I accompanied a 218 across the Irish sea a few years back. They are a bit smaller than the Bayliner but I would suggest that the hull design is slightly better, so I think it is safe to say they are fairly comparable when it comes to sea worthiness.

FWIW and IMHO I would guess that these boats, if made in the CE era, would probably be Category C.

 

[Kerouac]

Thanks.

The accom is better on the Bayliner too. Budget dictates second hand and it would be nice to get hold of a diesel. I'll be moored up north- probably Glasson dock and there's not much petrol about. Still a bit funny about carrying petrol on board too.

It's the 2455 I'm looking at not the newer renumbered version.

Considering location I'll be more likely to cross to IOM or perhpas Ireland if it's a very calm day.

Have crossed Dover to Calais before but in a Moody 31.

 

[neale]

Diesel was not an option on either of these boats when new. If you find one it will have been re-engined. Re the 2455's, I have only seen, heard of 4 diesel boats. Two had Samurai conversions, (check the forums for discussions on these and make your own mind up), one had an underpowered marinised car engine, and the other is mine /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Of the two boats, the sealine would be cheaper to run as it usually came with a V6, whereas the Bayliner has V8 although as you mention, the Bayliner is, and feels, a bigger boat.

 

[JasonB]

I was looking at both these boats and eventually came up with a Sea Ray 220 as fitting our family better - Have you looked at these?

I was working on the assumption that they were all Cat C at best.

J.