Blue Dolphin started off as hull and superstructure with engine and shaft fitted by Lochin, delivered to Guernsey December 2010.
Built by local boatbuilders Island Marine Craft with a huge imput (physical and technical) from a very knowlegable owner has resulted in a very strong and well thought out and finished craft being launched at the beginning of June 2011.
Single Iveco diesel gives 23knots a top speed and a comfortable cruise of 17/18knots.
This in my opinion has turned out into a very safe and usable vessel and i have no doubt that shown at the S/hampton boatshow would bring orders flooding in if marketed at a realistic level. Sadly there seems to be little interest from Lochin in doing so.
Hi Guys Yes i'm pretty sure this will be the last 333 built if the 339 ever materialises... Chas you have noticed the simarlarity between the Targa and new 339 as well? I have no real complaints about the look of the new 339 vessel but if you like the Targa look why would you buy a boat that is substantially slower, less economical, and no more seaworthy (Bonita Targa have an excellent reputation) and probably pay more? Not sure who the target market is for the new vessel unfortunately.
The 333 looks very nice but I also like the idea of a walkaround wheelhouse like the Targa. Incidently we have aTarga 42 that moors up near us in the summer, I have added a pic after the mooring failed in a storm, note the crumpled outdrives..... Ouch!!!!
It will be a great shame if it is the last 333 ever built.
I know thise Bonita Targas have a superb reputation but personally, I don't like the walkaround lantern wheelhouse arrangement.
Now, I wonder if I could graft my nice looking long wheelhouse / deck moulding onto a Bonita hull? Or more sensibly, what about a Saberline 38 Express or an old Bertram 38 convertable!!!
I don't know what the intended market is for the 339 is either but it can't be sportfishing - nowhere to mount rod-holders or down-riggers and the c0ckpit sole is too far above the water - try hanging over the side to release an unamused bill-fish! You couldn't even mount a decent set of out-riggers because you wouldn't be able to get in or out of the side door in the wheelhouse.
I agree with you about the outdrives, if you want the engines at the back then I'd go for the v drives and conventional shafts, much more robust but neither work when you are high and dry. Are you going to the boat show?
I think the 339 is fantastic update on the 33 and 333. The 339 offers a choice of fantastic wheelhouse designs including walkaround and sports fisher and motor cruiser.
Unfortunately Lochin being a smaller but well proven British boatbuilder probably cannot afford to have a demostrator off every version although i would happily look after a demostrator if needed . Now using modern computer graphics everyone can get a good idea of how some will look and customise designs built and adjusted to your own requirements not like the production line crafts of today.
Yes i do also like the Botnia Targa's but what you see is what you get and alterations can only be done after its built to your cost.
So lets hope Lochin's order book fills up and we can see some updated pictures of the new 339.
With the deck / gunwale currently depicted by the modern computer graphics on all models; it could never be a sport-fisher - not in a million years! Now, take a look at the deck and gunwales on that Bertram - that is a sportfisher.
That style just doesn't do it for me and I don't think ever will.
I like my long wheelhouse 33 because, like yours, it has traditional "gentleman's launch" style - similar to some of the Nelson types and that nice Aquilla 27 (Now the Duchy 27).
A very similar style is popular in the US and it's derived from East Coast lobster boats and includes some very good makes like Sabreline, Black Cove and Hinkley.
I'm not saying that Lochin shouldn't build a "walk-around" version but to cease making the traditional versions (like the current 366 styles) could be commercially suicidal.
But hey, what do I know, I'm only a professional engineer with own consultancy business who just happened to mis-spend much of his youth chasing big fish.
Commission definently not but i do understand what your saying about the Sports Fisher deck and gunwales on the Betram.
I suppose we all are traditionalist, I too like the longer wheelhouse on my 33 with Helm to Port not Starboard but its down to choice and compromise with boats.
I think Lochin needed to update the 33/333 because they are getting dated however much we all still love them. Hopefully the 339 will attract new business with a fresh design and perhaps further options to wheelhouse designs etc will be available, I presume 366 versions are unchanged.
Perhaps Lochin should start a new post on the subject/feedback.
I have to agree with Chas. The 339 is not really my taste but I am not keen on walkaround wheelhouses unless its on a cat. It makes the wheelhouse too narrow and I like the additional length too!
While we're debating things, whats wrong with a starboard helm?? Mine is!
Talking of Interceptors, I do like the 42 footer but I also really like some of the wildcats, although they don't seem to have the buoyancy in the bow. Why don't lochin build a cat? If it was as good as the mono hulls built now I would have one!!
After seeing the Targa aground is a previous photo i thought these may be appropriate.
Full lenth GRP keel shoe approximately 5/8 inch thick terminating in a 3/4 inch thick stainless skeg protecting the propeller. This vessel resides on a drying mooring for much of its summer season. Drying legs are also fitted.
Sorry to bust your theory Stu but I'm left handed and prefer the helm to Stbd, must be from driving RH cars??!!??
I agree about the Interceptor 42s Dave nice boats and some great footage on their web site. A chap round here has just bought a Wildcat 38 or 39 (can't remember) and the accomodation is massive (see Highland Tiger) Looks really smart too.
I don't know why Lochin don't build a cat! I agree if they are as good as their mono hulls then they would be superb. An existing brand name with high demand for cats would surely be a winner.
When navigating in narrow channels, harbour entrances etc, you should be on the right hand (starnoard) side of the channel (although round my way, it seems that not a lot of people know that!) You know, the same side as you drive on the roads in the US or Europe.
So, by rights, a boat should be a left hooker and I think they generally used to be. The exception was very often small power boats where prop rotation tended to tilt the boat. This made it desitable to put the drivers weight on the starboard side to counteract the tilt.
My helm is on the port side but it wouldn't have put me off buying the boat if the helm had been on the wrong side (Whoops sorry Dave, Starboard side).
Yeah good one Chas....suppose I should have expected that!
I have had boats with port helm before too and I can't really say it bothered me a great deal, but I thought traditionally boats were starboard helm.
Putting the helm on the starboard side maximizes visibility in right-of-way situations.
Placing the helm on the starboard side allows the controls to be safely out of the way (most people are right-handed).
Also found this quote.
Better line-of-sight etc with a starboard helm is not coincidental. The earliest sailing boats in Britain did not have rudders, they used a large steering oar that was called a board in the old Norsk language. This device was on the right hand side looking forward. The term steering-board side was a bit of a mouthful and became starboard.
When the boat docked the board would be damaged if it was moored starboard side to. On the other side there was a sort of a ramp that was fitted between the boat and the quay. It was used for access to and from the boat and goods were carried on-board before derricks were used. The ramp was, in effect, a loading board so that side of the boat became to be the larboard side.
As boats got bigger it became more difficult to differentiate between the two terms when the weather was bad so the word port was ordered to be used in Britain around 1840(?). It was chosen simply because that side of the boat/ship was the side against the quay or the port.
By this time, of course, the steering-board had been replaced by a rudder and the rules-of-road were under development.
I sense this debate could run a while!!! Change of subject but I hope Robbie has 'Alison Rose' securely moored as this is the Met office shipping forcast for the Hebrides.
Gale warnings - Issued: 0948 UTC Thu 08 Dec
Storm force 10 veering northerly and increasing violent storm force 11 imminent, increasing hurricane force 12 soon.
I can't really debate that one Dave because what you say is totally correct.
So, how come we effectively reverse that (and drive on the French side)when we are navigating in narrow channels? Especially when traditionally we're supposed to berth on the port side.
Doesn't seem logical especially when we always beat the French!
Hi Guys, On the subject of which side to have the helm and particularly with single screw vessels is prop walk and which side you favour as a "working" side of the boat.
Usually or ideally, you would have the prop "walk" the stern in the direction of your chosen side (in astern) and have the helm on that side also to provide best vision.
When laying out Blue Dolphin, the owner was bearing in mind the local conditions and piers/steps he would use most often which dictated a port helm/working side. Easier to achieve these days with all the better gearboxes being able to provide drive equally in either direction.
Twin engine boat owners will have a glazed look by now having not understood a word ;)
The photo's of Blue Dolphin look great, interested to see the extra keel shoe, my Lochin is also beefed up along the keel from new but not to that degree and having the Wheelhouse pulled back should of made fantastic space down below.
Have you invited the owner to join this forum?
I understand the single engine prop walk/kick as had 2 single engined boats one with an outdrive but once you know which way is favoured you can use it to your advantage.
Well its certainly howling down here on the South Coast tonight but not as bad as other areas.Hope all your vessels are safe and secure tonight.
Thunder an typhoons Way all this wind and rain ..... can not sleep to well i have a tent covering my Lochin ....i just had to park my ford dexta in front of the tent as an anchor and hope it won't fly away..
Howling!!! it was screeching here on Mull today! Watched the roof on the house across the road slowly peel off a few slates and lost a 70ft pine tree in the next but one neighbours garden. The road from Salen to Tobermory was deemed too dangerous to drive and closed by the police this aft, all the kids were sent home from school. Glad Lady Jayne is tucked up safe at Balvicar (I hope)
On a sad not Laura Dawn was wrecked on Inch Kenneth the night before last. Ronnie Campbell has skippered her for years, she was a Offshore 105 charter fishing boat and featured on many TV programmes for skate fishing with people like John Wilson etc. Apparently she was found high and dry the next day but already had had the bottom ripped out of her - commiserations to Ronnie. Sincerely hope everyone else and their boats are safe.
. Now using modern computer graphics everyone can get a good idea of how some will look and customise designs built and adjusted to your own requirements not like the production line crafts of today.
Way all this wind and rain ..... can not sleep to well i have a tent covering my Lochin ....i just had to park my ford dexta in front of the tent as an anchor and hope it won't fly away..
