Wouldn't it be nice to see new ones on the market still, as a modern classic, a bit like Slipper launches and so on, but what would YOU like to see on your 'New' one?

Mine would have....

1/ Hidden vents above the Wipers, with a basic ventilation system, to keep the cockpit cooler, or tophinged windscreens

2/ Slidey windows (Shut up Brian! just shut up!...)

3/ A dual helm, and single starboard seat, as there's plenty of space with the offset cabin door.

4/ Bow thruster. Gawd knows, they need it sometimes!

5/ A lazarette hatch that actually opens, rather than get caught on the seat/ bed runners. Oh, and a gas strut. There's a handy amount of space down there!

6/ A slightly wider dinnette bed/

7/ A concertina wardrobe door, not that 'orrid slidey hinge affair.

8/ Modern electrics!

9/ Lots of soundproofing

10/ Stainless fittings to topsides, not that manky alloy.

11/ Solar power on roof!

Windscreen washers!
Posh searchlight.
Agreed on the Bow Thruster.
Bigger heads compartment.
Agreed in the ventilation & slidey windows.
A better quality hardtop with no leaks and better runners for the sliding roof.

I am really happy with the fridge fitted by a former owner and I am really glad we fitted our Eberspacher heater.  

Ahhh now what would I have.

1. More powerful modern diesel engine.

2. Slidey windows in cockpit. (Someone on this forum is getting really smug now. I can tell)  

3. Definitely a Bow Thruster!!
Check this out - http://www.sideshift.com/products/productslinks.htm

If only I could get my hands on one of those over the winter months

4. Agreed - Stainless rails rather than that alloy effort.
Ramage and I have to pass Skymise with all its gleaming stainless rails without feeling inadequate

5. Holding tank rather than Porta potti. Can't believe how much waste women produce. And who has to lug it to the Elsan point!!

6. Agreed with the wardobe door.

7. Shields and torpedoes

Dear Santa,

Please send me a Botnia Targa 31 like the Met Police are driving on "River Police"

Dear Santa, please send Ramage the fuel bill....

Did you see that bugger go?     40 kts I reckon....imagine the fuel consumption  

So Bray Marine sales will be the new home of many Birchwoods at the end of the year, if Santa's sack is full of Botnia's that is!
 

Having got the slidey windows. posh searchlight (never used it!) and the solar panel on the roof I reckon our list includes:
a modern quieter diesel engine with a bit more oomph than ours manages
bow thruster for my co-captain (me? never had any trouble getting the thing in and out of the marina? Oh that time - well...)
a proper sea toilet with holding tank
a better draining roof (if you knew the troubles we have had!)
and that stainless steel you all want - quite agree, I had never thought of it before and now won't sleep happy

3. Definitely a Bow Thruster!!
Check this out - http://www.sideshift.com/products/productslinks.htm

Now that's an interesting concept. I have only seen one Birchwood 25 with a bow thruster when we moored up at Ely and most boats came out on blocks for the winter. It had the internally fitted sort, hole drilled through the bow and I always imagined that was the only way to do it. These are clever hang on the outside jobs. Could be a runner eh Brian (he won't hear he is off in Norfolk with my sister - well she is his wife so that's probably OK)

Its certainly looks an easy fit job.

Quote :

Flashheart wrote : Its certainly looks an easy fit job.

From the SideShift website FAQ...

"Q: Do SIDESHIFT bow thrusters create much drag when my boat is on plane?

A: No. Unlike traditional thru-hull thrusters, there is no drag with SIDESHIFT. Thrusters are located at the furthest point forward and are designed for docking and maneuvering at low speeds. Once your boat is on plane the thruster comes out of the water."

So, for a river cruiser, it's pretty much useless.

The best ones are these http://www.jpcdirect.co.uk/sp_elec.htm -- but they're not cheap!

In the Sideshift brochure it does state that:

"With non-planing craft the minimal drag produced is comparable to the drag caused by the holes of conventional thrusters"

"We'll they would say that, wouldn't they?"

I once motored for a fair few miles with a mop handle sticking down through the bathing platform at the back.  It had slid down between the slats and was only stopped from slipping all the way through by the head of the mop.  

Did I notice the extra drag produced by about 3 feet of 1" thick smooth, round rod?

You bet I did!

Took me ages to find out why we were going so slow!  

Quote :

brianlj wrote : Did I notice the extra drag produced by about 3 feet of 1" thick smooth, round rod? You bet I did! Took me ages to find out why we were going so slow!

I suppose the only other issue with strapping a thruster on the front is (No this isn't the adult channel) that if you hit some flotsam as can happen.  It will be the first thing to get damaged, and very expensively too    

--Last edited by flashheart  on 2008-07-31 19:28:40 --

That's true.  Or even just nosing up against the bank to 'wild moor' somewhere might do a bit of damage.

Yeah, I'll stick to wishing for the 'proper' sort.

I've got a drill with a huge drill bit. Will pop over and do it for you if you like  

Quote :

Flashheart wrote : I've got a drill with a huge drill bit. Will pop over and do it for you if you like

My drill bits only go up to 75mm, so, yes, that would be helpful!

Actually, I'm rather amazed at the power consumption of these bow thrusters.  They draw an enormous current!  

--Last edited by brianlj on 2008-08-01 08:26:29 --

  Hi guys I thought I would pick up on this thread.
The only thing I would really like the man who designed the B25
to have added was a means of going astern/backwards in anything more than a slight wind on the bow!!!!.
Over force one wind strength and the B25 is just like a leaf on the water.
I have got the optional steel keel on Delta so it helps a teeny weeny bit.
A BOW THRUSTER is the answer especially when attempting a stern on manoeuver.
You lucky Guys with a stern drive unit have a lot more control
when going astern!!!
Delta is shaft driven thus the inherant problems.
I however just can't get my hand into my pocket to spend the huge amount of money required to fit a B/T !!!!(Far too tight you see)
So where possible, I don't do BACKWARDS!!!!!!
Ps, I did not want to get into a discussion about other members bits so I left well alone!!!!!!

Seadog
 

I sussed it arounf six weeks ago, and have no fear of manoevring in tight spaces, even if things get most strange in the process...

Basically, you need to reverse on a set throttle, just above idle.

As the boat gets out of shape, turn the helm in the opposite direction, and switch to forward thrust for a moment, without losing rearward momentum, and the boat suddenly shapes up again, as the tunnel-boosted prop thrust steers the stern with much more alacrity...

Engage reverse again, and get more rearwards movement, and repeat the process again and again, until you are at your destination, or you can turn around in your own length, using the similar technique....

You can effectively steer rearwards using the fore-and-aft system!  

something we all missed on our listing of a perfect Birchwood - a reversing camera with screen in the wheelhouse!

This B25 on the Thames is for sale with one

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F190797

Now my co-captain constantly bemoans the lack of a simple rear-view mirror - but now we have something else to add to the list of wants!

"a reversing camera with screen in the wheelhouse!"

Pfff!  Only if it had a detector to warn me when other boats were trying to pass.

Although... now that Nimue's engine is so much quieter, maybe I'll be able to hear them sneaking up on me?  Hmmm...