northcraft

bob · 03 June 2005, 18:57

hi have just bought a northcraft 5.8 seasport with a 125 Mariner any feedback on these boats thanks Bob

nugent · 03 June 2005, 20:01

i used to own a 6.0mtr one never really had any problems with it, but there are better rides out there, i used it for a full season with no problems ,
quite a roomy boat and good console setup on mine but there all built to purchasers spec,,
i personaly thought it wa s good rib for money it cost me ... and i sold her above the purchase price with ease but i did keep her clean..and verry tidy

Rick · 06 June 2005, 16:34

Bob,

I have had a 5.5 widebody for the last two years and have no complaints. Its a good sea boat and gives a very dry ride even in big seas. Upgraded from a 75 four stroke to a 115 optimax last year which gives great performance, 33kn cruise 43kn flat out.

Hightower · 06 June 2005, 17:11

Nugent, that looks like a BWM hull. Is it?

nugent · 06 June 2005, 19:27

well to my knowledge it was all northcraft construction you tell me??
sold it now any roads

nugent · 06 June 2005, 19:33

best pics ive got on my puter now,,got me curious now mate

bob · 06 June 2005, 20:51

my boat is specified as a cat B ce boat are all northcrafts specd like this thanks Bob

nugent · 06 June 2005, 21:15

this was cat c also

bob · 06 June 2005, 21:30

mine is a catB THANKS BOB

Hightower · 06 June 2005, 21:31

Does look like the bow is the same type as mine, take a look:....

The Transom is slightly higher and planing wedge is different, but it is a 6.2m as opposed to my 5.5!

Hightower · 06 June 2005, 21:39

And one of the ass end!

bob · 07 June 2005, 18:10

any one got a sh aframe that would suit my boat?

Downhilldai · 06 September 2005, 22:17

I'm told there was a bit of history between Northcraft and BWM. I think BWM used to sell Northcrafts under their own banner, but things went a bit sour and they ended up going their separate ways. Don't quote me on this - it's only a story I've heard some years back.
Mine's a Northcraft 5.5 and the hull is the same shape and features as yours.
How old is the BWM?

Pete7 · 07 September 2005, 08:30

Gents, yes your right there is a link between Northcraft and BWM. Pull up a sand bag and I will tell you what I have been able to glean from Paul Lemmer over the years.

In the mid 80s a manfacturer in cheshire sold several sets of moulds to Northcraft and a company called Selacraft, which Paul worked for or owned. Since both Northcraft and Selacraft were 250 miles apart they co-existed alongside each other but in a booming rib market there was space for both of them. In the early 90s Paul set up BWM from Selacraft in Emsworth producing the Deapsea 18 and later the 21 with the distrinctive hull shape. A cheaper sub aqua 17 and 19 had a different shallower hull shape.

In 1994/5 A young chap called Graham Jelly set up South Coast Ribs by buying BWM hulls and fitting posh seats and high quality tubes aimed at the sports boat market. Everyone thought he was barking because you could buy the same boat from BWM for several thousand pounds less. Few predicted the demand for posh sports boats and South Coast ribs later Scorpion cornered the top end of the market, oops.

BWM went pear shaped in 97/98 ? and sold a set of moulds to Parker in Poland who have developed the range. Paul and Andre continue to sell the Parker range of ribs in this country.

There was an attempt recently to bring back the BWM mark by a group in Bridport but that seems to have gone a little quiet.

Also Northshore in Havant (of Fisher Yacht fame) produced a few ribs which look very similar to BWM in the mid 90s, not sure were these hulls came from.

Peter

Downhilldai · 25 September 2005, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Bob,

I have had a 5.5 widebody for the last two years and have no complaints. Its a good sea boat and gives a very dry ride even in big seas. Upgraded from a 75 four stroke to a 115 optimax last year which gives great performance, 33kn cruise 43kn flat out.

I've been offered a 115 Optimax at the Boat Show for a decent price. What has yours been like over the last year or so? How does it perform on the 5.5?

Rick · 26 September 2005, 11:24

The boat performs well with the 115 optimax. I use the boat mainly for cruising and a little water skiing with the kids. Covered nearly 2000 miles over the last two seasons with the opti, including trips to Northern Ireland, Islay and round Mull. It has proved nearly as economical to run as the 75hp 4 stroke. This year I was averaging 1.3 miles per litre. I have a 21" pitch prop which gives good cruising figures but you might want to move down to 19" if you want to get to WOT.

Christopher · 26 September 2005, 12:08

Also Northshore in Havant (of Fisher Yacht fame) produced a few ribs which look very similar to BWM in the mid 90s, not sure were these hulls came from.

Peter [/QUOTE]

They were Carson hulls

Downhilldai · 26 September 2005, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

The boat performs well with the 115 optimax. I use the boat mainly for cruising and a little water skiing with the kids. Covered nearly 2000 miles over the last two seasons with the opti, including trips to Northern Ireland, Islay and round Mull. It has proved nearly as economical to run as the 75hp 4 stroke. This year I was averaging 1.3 miles per litre. I have a 21" pitch prop which gives good cruising figures but you might want to move down to 19" if you want to get to WOT.

Thanks Rick - Anyone else got any views on the 115 Optimax? My 100hp 2 stroke Suzuki is going well after many years, but I think it's finally time for a change.