Typhoon 38 new build

Press Release from Bluewater Boats (Plymouth) Ltd.

PACKING the punch of a super-crabber into a semi-displacement hull of just 38ft in length, is a tall order, yet the latest build from Bluewater Boats (Plymouth) Ltd may achieve that goal. Based on a Typhoon 38 hull, the robust Green Eye (BD 88) built for Ilfracombe skipper Nick Fox, is now in operation. "It was built for the skipper's future in the fishing industry and not as a stepping stone to another boat, there wasn't a penny spared," said Gary Wiltshire, who together with Graham Hannaford own Bluewater Boats. Harsh weather conditions routinely faced by north Devon fishermen meant heavier construction to the Green Eye. However, having a greater displacement weight than a traditional Typhoon 38, has not reduced the boat's performance, where a top speed of 19 knots with a comfortable cruising speed of 12 knots was achieved.

Driven by a Volvo Penta D9 engine, the Green Eye has already gained interest from other UK skippers looking toward a semi displacement potter. Smooth passage and a sharp response to steering are traits of the Green Eye, explained Gary Wiltshire. "Considering the added weight of the boat, fuel consumption figures on sea trials were pretty good. With 2.5:1 reduction in its Twin Disc 5075A gearbox, coupled to a four bladed 30-inch diameter propellor, the Green Eye performs very well." Both ex-fishermen and time-served boat builders, Gary Wiltshire and Graham Hannaford told how the build of the Green Eye was "to a high level throughout".

Gary Wiltshire added. "It was built to the highest specification. Although the boat remains quite a bit heavier than a standard Typhoon 38, you only have to see the poor weather that the north Devon fishermen face to know why he (skipper Nick Fox) chose the build. The Green Eye is truly ahead of what you would expect from a 12m potter, fast or slow, a bit like a 60ft super-crabber packed into a Typhoon hull, it was a pleasure to build." Fitted out as a stage-by-stage contract, the Typhoon hull was supplied by ISF Boats based in Holyhead, it's owner Howard Ingram reporting "quite of lot of Typhoon hulls and kits have been made at ISF Boats and we are still receiving enquiries". During the build at Bluewater Boats, Skipper Fox retained his previous craft, a displacement Cygnus Marine GM38.

An impressive array of electronics has been installed into a spacious wheelhouse; equipment sourced from a variety of suppliers, "some from the Sutton Marine Group, some from Selex Communications, some from Plymouth Marine Electronics and other firms too," Graham Hannaford explained. Interfaced units include a Seiwa Marlin multi-function chart plotter, an Olex 3D seafloor-mapping chart-plotter (displayed on a TFT screen). A PC compute driving the Olex programme is housed inside the wheelhouse console. Interfaced to the Olex, Skipper Fox chose a Furuno back-up GPS set (WAAS). Other gear includes a dual frequency Koden sounder (CVS1410), a Furuno radar (1835), steering comes via an Autopilot NT777 - with a secondary jogging switch on the outer working console. Two Icom VHF sets - IC-M423 and IC-M323 - complete the radio equipment; in addition to a standard Ritchie manual compass the package includes a Kelvin Hughes azimuth digital compass. A display screen is also linked to a camera system in the engine room. Crewmen and Skipper Fox have added-comforts from a full galley and hot water supply in the forepeak (three bunks), and a diesel powered heater located under the skipper's KAB 301 seat to drive windscreen demister vents. Based around a Spencer Carter one-ton slave hauler (with davit arm) is a high-tech deck layout. Gary Wiltshire explained: "It took a lot of stainless steel work, a lot of GRP cladding, installation of a stainless steel cat catcher with stainless steel arrangement on the davit and working gunwale. All the stainless steel work was carried out nearby at AFL South West. Also, there is considerable glass cladding on grounding sections of the hull and a very heavy stainless steel skeg support."

Bluewater Boats has a strong order book, presently building a Buccaneer B33 scalloper for a Shetland skipper, several Cygnus Marine GM19s, one for Carrickfergus Council in Northern Ireland as a workboat. The firm are also building a kit order of a Cygnus Marine GM26, refitting a Typhoon and in addition carrying out refit work on the nearby catamaran netter/ring netter, Hanna Jack.

Blue Water Boats (Plymouth) Ltd Yacht Haven (ex Blagdons Boat Yard) 250 Embankment Road Plymouth PL4 9JH

Gary Wiltshire - 07989330759 [email protected]

Graham Hannaford - 07890428630 [email protected]

PR contact: Phil Lockley - 01326 376169 or 07901 943041