Thinking about this boat

[BarnacleBill]

Toying with the idea of selling my Hurley 20 to get something bigger. Spotted a nice Dufour 1800 where I am berthed at Rhu Marina, but just a bit too much just now at £5200, but not saying no. Anyway, spotted this
http://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-j ... 1096273380
It's in Oban, does anybody know the boat and do you think it's worth a look?

Cheers

Billy

[claymore]

Certainly worth a look Bill. A nice step up from the Hurley, it won't sail as well but the extra room would probably be a compromise worth settling for. Newbridge boats were well made, I had a Corribee when the Voyager was introduced onto the market. I thought it was a nice boat.

[BlowingOldBoots]

No experience of them but I do have experience of old boats. Expect stuff that will have to be repaired and don't be surprised if you have some rot in wood and GRP stress cracking, which is probably only surface. Look for soft spots on the deck. The engine is anyone guess, even though the advert says it has been rebuilt. Lister/Petters are pretty rugged, almost legendary, but like anything, if its abused, it will probably be crap. However, this looks OK.

Cleaned up they are lovely boats, nice lines and the fin keel sails well. Many have voyaged afar with Atlantic circuits and North Sea crossings under their belts. If you have the time, can get a trailer, this could be a great we boat. The Yachting Monthly series on rebuilding that wee yacht they found in a field, shows just what can be done fairly easily with DIY skills and tools, almost a new boat.

If it was me, at that cash, I would seriously consider this yacht.

Cheers,

Alastair

From John Lilly Surveys

Just an additional from a surveying point of view.
It is one of the classes that varies considerably in build quality in my experience. The earlier ones built at Bridport did seem to have the edge on some of the later ones built at Chard in respect of materials used and weight of layup in some areas, and unfortunately, in some of the hidden areas. Came across one where the builders had run out of long leg U bolts for the deck rigging attachments so cut back the plywood stiffening so they could use a short leg U bolt. Obvious consequences. Other than that, a good one will be a good starter boat.

....... twin keel, look for movement in the keel recesses and movement of the plywood supports there, they are a bit lightly built there. Fin keels not so bad.
The rudders on the Voyagers are slightly poor design and often show splitting of the two halves allowing water to corrode the mild steel tangs on the rudder stock, big problem sometimes, Look for sidedeck stressing where the U bolts are fitted, occassionally decayed plywood under sidedeck but linings obscure this, all the usual suspects for any grp boat over fifteen years old.

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/vir ... oyager.htm

http://www.channelpilot.info/azores.php

[BarnacleBill]

Cheers guy's and thanks for the info BoB

[BarnacleBill]

After considering many boats, I eventually bought the Dufour 1800 that was in very good condition. It was a bit over the budget I had set aside, but it ticked all the boxes and came with many accessories like, tender & outboard, cradle and a new head sail to name a few. I am looking forward to warmer weather so that I can crack on with a bit of varnishing and polishing, then get her out sailing.

Cheers for the input guy's

[claymore]

Well done - funny how one's first instincts are the ones we go with from time to time!
You clearly liked it at first sight so perhaps the Newbridge or anything else might have been a disappointment. Anyway - Whitrafeck - its only money!

[Telo]

After considering many boats, I eventually bought the Dufour 1800 that was in very good condition.

Well done! You only live once.