Sorry for the slow reply and my lack of posts lately. I looked at your photos and the boat is really now coming together nicely. You were writing that the trim is done in Iroko. I believe it is a family of teak. The original factory Lochins all had Iroko frames. Very nice looking and durable timber. I know you must be frustrated at times but better slow and good than fast and full of mistakes. Have you got the engines yet?Please keep the photos coming.
All the best,
Harold
PS I had trouble finding your photos, so thought we should start a new topic just for your boat updates.
Hello Harold, Wow, a new thread opened for my updates, cheers. Yes she is coming along but I will be a lot happier when more than one person is working on my boat and that should be anytime now!!! I am pleased with what has been done though and obviously if I started really pushing then it might not be such a well finished boat! The iroko was chosen as it gave a nice contrast from the oak. The engines were supplied and paid for last december and are in store ready to be fitted....soon I hope...I have'nt even seen them yet! Will post some more photo's when I have something to photograph. How are things 'down under'? The weather here has been quite good of late.....shame I don't have a boat!!! Cheers. Dave.
Hi all, My latest completion date for my Harbour pilot has been given as the end of August....I really hope so as I did lose some enthusiasm after so many delays. She is taking shape quite nicely now, with the engines going in very soon after the gearbox mounts are finished. Fuel tanks, water tank, calorifier, battery boxes, rudders, prop shafts etc, are all in as is quite a lot of wheelhouse fitment. No corners have been cut and everything that you will never see again has been finished properly before being sealed in forever.....I can't fault the work! Anyway, I now eagerly await her arrival!! Cheers. Dave.
Hi Martin, apologies for delay getting back to you but I have been away for a couple of days in London. Thanks for the compliments and you are right, I am chomping at the bit, for a bit longer still too it would seem. We have had a few problems along the way but at least its almost ready....just in time for winter!!! I have decided to call her 'Sorcerer'. This came about as its a Stevie Nicks song that I like....plus I thought it was a good name anyway. Regards. Dave.
Hi Kees, I think you came up with a good name there in 'patience'....perhaps I should have called her that, but 'Sorcerer' it is! Have to confess I don't really know much about the joints on the shafts....just left all that up to the builder to sort out as I am sure they know what they are doing but it is'nt quite how I thought it would be. Hope 'Tommie' is going well now with the new engine! Regards. Dave.
Hi Robbie, thanks for that.....I can't wait to get her on the water either!!! Anyway, closer to it than last time. A couple more photo's for comparison showing what a nice job is being done at Blue water boats in Plymouth. Cheers, Dave.
An interesting layout with your V drive configuration,presuming engines are mounted well forward making excellent weight distribution. Be interested to see the completed installation picture.
If there's any spare spaces on your sea trial's, count all of us on the forum in!
Hi Geoff, thanks for the compliments on the boat. The engines are slightly further aft than usual but the fuel tanks are well forward, so I am assured this is going to work well. Guess I will have to make sure they are kept full!!! Good job I have twin engines coz there is gonna be a LOT of people on board for sea trials judging by what all have told me! Regards. Dave.
Sorry again for very little reaction from us. We have been looking at all the posts and I can only say the boat looks fantastic!! Looks like the work has been done by superb tradespeople. You should have a see through floor. The engine room looks too nice to hide!!You must be getting very very excited. I should just go and buy a ticket so I can see it with my own eyes!!Good luck with the superb boat.
Hi Harold, thanks for the compliments on the boat....I am very pleased with the workmanship. You may well see her for yourself soon....hopefully completed...its ok...no charge!!!! Look forward to meeting you with Simon. Regards. Dave.
Hello Geoff, no not in the water yet but I have been given the 21st Oct as launch day....can't wait!! I guess mine will be going in as everyone else is thinking about bringing theirs out! Boot top is going to be painted on when she next comes out as we are not exactly sure how low she will sit in the water with twin engines slightly further aft than normal, but the fuel tanks are further forward than normal so we will see. Regards. Dave.
Hi all, thanks for all the compliments about my new boat, I am pleased to say that my wait is finally over and 'Sorcerer' has today been launched. I am over the moon with her and am really looking forward to handover once sea trials and final fitting are completed, probably late next week if all goes okay. Blue Water Boats in Plymouth have done an excellent job and I was mightily impressed that they were pretty much bang on with where the water line actually is, considering it was a somewhat unknown with the V.drives. She weighed in at nine and a half tons with almost full fuel tanks. Will be interesting to see how she performs with the twin Volvo 370's, but they are holding a competition at B.W.B. and have all chipped in a quid each with their guesses......anyone else wanna free guess??? Cheers for now......I'm going down the boat for another look to make sure I'm not dreaming!! Dave.
Congratulations! I hope you have many hours of enjoyment from her. I bet you are really excited now she is afloat and can't wait to cast off and put her through her paces. Good luck with the sea trials, I have no idea what the top speed will be but I bet it puts a grin on you face.
Thanks guys, I actually got the weight wrong.......it should have read eight and a half tons almost fully fueled not nine and a half....should make an extra knot now!! Cheers. Dave.