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Post by chariot on Dec 6, 2022 13:09:53 GMT 12
Anyone know anything about Pelham boats. How are they in a seaway and general construction history? Good, bad or other wise.
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Post by GO30 on Dec 6, 2022 19:34:49 GMT 12
I prefer real boats myself  but I have heard many very favourable comments about them over the years. They are like Young/Ross/Elliot's so I'd think the prices will be stable but have a few out lying high and low numbers due to assorted things, some even being more myth than real at times. I'd be thinking they are OK in a seaway based on that era of designers were ahead of the curve, 3 examples already in this post. Pelhams are like Vindex, a wide range with quirks amongst them but as a whole they are good. Just watch for the usual quirks/issues, which due to the design and build years of most, are now very well known. I think to get more focused feedback you may need to fine tune the design a bit i.e 'the XYZ 36fters built in the late STC' sort of thing. I have a mate who would be all over details on these things, we suspect he ran into solid walls a lot when he was young. If you can tune it down I'll force myself to pop around with a chilled dozen and ask him for you. It'll be hard, it will as he can't stop once he gets going  but he get so excited it's funnier than when mum caught her titis in the wringer. |
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Post by chariot on Dec 7, 2022 8:50:20 GMT 12
Thanks for that GO30. The boat in question is a 11m Pelham Scorpio, GOP construction, Built in 1998. Having sold our Lotus, I am doing it a bit tough without a boat. As I am knocking 70 now, figured it's time to go to the dark side.
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Post by ComfortZone on Dec 7, 2022 12:13:53 GMT 12
Thanks for that GO30. The boat in question is a 11m Pelham Scorpio, GOP construction, Built in 1998. Having sold our Lotus, I am doing it a bit tough without a boat. As I am knocking 70 now, figured it's time to go to the dark side. this it? www.marinehub.co.nz/boats-for-sale/pelham/pelham-scorpio-11m/267ced8f-31e0-4f57-befa-d9ab93b35e6a?stock_type_slug=launches&offset=76I note the ad says "designed by Frank Pelham" - wonder if they mean Frank Pelin? Looks alot like his Hallmark design. Hull shape is very conventional Kiwi launch, not quite as fine an entry as a Corsair. Has not had a lot of use, 1200hrs in 24 yrs. You would need to look closely at all the engine coolers - heat exchanger, after cooler and gearbox oil cooler, otherwise the B series Cummins is a sound engine |
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Post by chariot on Dec 7, 2022 15:34:34 GMT 12
That's the one. I assume that it was designed by Graeme Pelham as it was built by Pelham boats. Probably a typo. Will clarify if I take it any further. Engine hours equate to 52hrs per year. Our son has a launch and only does about 60hrs annually as around the inner Gulf his travel time is only about 45 minutes to everywhere from Pine Harbour.
You are right though. will have a full engineering inspection and survey if I decide to go any further.
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Post by ComfortZone on Dec 7, 2022 19:58:27 GMT 12
That's the one. I assume that it was designed by Graeme Pelham as it was built by Pelham boats. Probably a typo. Will clarify if I take it any further. Engine hours equate to 52hrs per year. Our son has a launch and only does about 60hrs annually as around the inner Gulf his travel time is only about 45 minutes to everywhere from Pine Harbour. You are right though. will have a full engineering inspection and survey if I decide to go any further. Boating NZ May 2011 issue has a write up on Graham. Article says he built several Pelin designs prior to building his own designs, so I would say there is a fair amount of Pelin influence. I think some Jim Young influence as well, the bow profile looks just like the earlier Vindexes. Good luck with your boat shopping  |
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Post by Fogg on Dec 7, 2022 20:01:50 GMT 12
Looking at that boat I would suggest if you go for a seatrial to pick a day with at least 15-20kts breeze so you can see how it goes in a beam sea especially.
Having a couple of friends who went from sailing boats to a fly ridge launch, they found the rolling in beam seas a show-stopper. They stopped using the boat in anything other than calm days. And eventually sold. Even anchoring in a small chop because a noisy and rolly affair which really limited their choice of destinations in the end.
I’d suggest looking at single level (sedan?) designs. I know the fly bridge looks appealing but the extra amenity comes at a price in terms of impaired performance (windage, weight and stability). You’ll really notice that a lot coming from a keeler.
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Post by chariot on Dec 8, 2022 9:01:46 GMT 12
You are right Fogg. Several of our friends that have gone to the dark side have all had sleeping issues. One of the negatives of this particular boat is not having a lower helm station. At least with that, you can get closer to sea level for comfort. I believe that sea trials should always be in 20knt, regardless of whether a sail or power boat.
When we had our Cav 32 the best bunk was the one under the chart table. Was just about on the water level. Still just looking at this stage.
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Post by ComfortZone on Dec 8, 2022 9:49:18 GMT 12
You are right Fogg. Several of our friends that have gone to the dark side have all had sleeping issues. One of the negatives of this particular boat is not having a lower helm station. At least with that, you can get closer to sea level for comfort. I believe that sea trials should always be in 20knt, regardless of whether a sail or power boat. When we had our Cav 32 the best bunk was the one under the chart table. Was just about on the water level. Still just looking at this stage. in my launch days (Vindex 32 in Perth) even though it had upper and lower helms, I always drove from the flybridge cos I liked the visibility and fresh air (mixed with sea water at times, coming back from Rottnest in 15-20 kts wind beam on doing 15kts the spray rail seemed to be perfectly positioned to direct the odd splash over us on the open flybridge). Of course we got the chine slap but never bothered me even though the bays could be quite bouncy. I have more trouble sleeping on CZ when there are waves coming up under her big stern and she bangs away. |
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Post by chariot on Dec 8, 2022 19:26:20 GMT 12
I can relate to the stern slap. We used to get that on the Davidson 35 we had. Big flat stern sections. Great boat, that was the only thing I could fault it on.
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Post by dutyfree on Dec 10, 2022 9:59:11 GMT 12
okay 3 time launch owner since selling our 1220. I am pretty sure we looked at this boat quite a few years back. This has the great cummins engine. Make sure you get it checked. Look to see when coolers were done, engine, gearbox etc. They are most produced diesel engine ever apparently. Rhys O'Connor is the best guy for them, but he is very busy!! It is not super beamy, but remember with a planning hull you get stability from the hull being on the plane when underway. Windscreens on the flybridge are great to have. We have two helms on the current launch, cant use the lower helm as dinghy sits on the bow, unless towing it. But driving up top is excellent. Bow thruster is super useful, they dont maneuver like a yacht, especially with a bit of a breeze |
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Post by chariot on Dec 11, 2022 11:52:50 GMT 12
Been up in Auckland for the weekend at our sons place. He says the only time he has ever used the lower helm station is when he is on his own going to fuel up or snuck out for a fish. Easy to berth from the lower station to pick up mooring lines rather than coming down from up top.
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Post by Fogg on Dec 11, 2022 13:56:21 GMT 12
Our friends had a Riv 47 that originally had 2 helm stations but the lower one was taken out and converted into a bigger saloon. Meaning they only had the upstairs position.
That was fine on mild / moderate days but in a lively beam seaway the rolling meant the family relocated downstairs leaving their dad alone on the fly bridge feeling queezy.
They sold.
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Post by chariot on Dec 14, 2022 12:45:05 GMT 12
okay 3 time launch owner since selling our 1220. I am pretty sure we looked at this boat quite a few years back. This has the great cummins engine. Make sure you get it checked. Look to see when coolers were done, engine, gearbox etc. They are most produced diesel engine ever apparently. Rhys O'Connor is the best guy for them, but he is very busy!! It is not super beamy, but remember with a planning hull you get stability from the hull being on the plane when underway. Windscreens on the flybridge are great to have. We have two helms on the current launch, cant use the lower helm as dinghy sits on the bow, unless towing it. But driving up top is excellent. Bow thruster is super useful, they dont maneuver like a yacht, especially with a bit of a breeze Interested in what the negatives were if you looked at this boat. I'm just being super cautious having never owned a launch before. Yachts seem so much simpler to me. |
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Post by dutyfree on Dec 17, 2022 11:19:04 GMT 12
Hi,
dont recall anything negative. We bought a Don Senior designed sedan at the time. Key thing with launches is that the engines really need to be used and maintained. Especially important to have the coolers serviced. I get them done in rotation, usually 3 years a part i.e. one cooler per year.
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but I have heard many very favourable comments about them over the years. They are like Young/Ross/Elliot's so I'd think the prices will be stable but have a few out lying high and low numbers due to assorted things, some even being more myth than real at times. I'd be thinking they are OK in a seaway based on that era of designers were ahead of the curve, 3 examples already in this post. 
but he get so excited it's funnier than when mum caught her titis in the wringer. 
