Safehaven Marine LTD have
launched their second Interceptor 38. This vessel has been designed for combined
roles of commercial netting and angling charter work. The vessel has a number of
special features to facilitate its dual roles “Our aim was to maximise the
deck area and working capacity, yet retain the boats sleek attractive lines”.
To achieve this the wheelhouse has a cut-away section on the st/bd side to
facilitate a net hauler and maximise gunwale space, yet retain a large enough
wheelhouse with comfortable accommodation for anglers and crew. The craft
features a flush deck engine installation and dual external helm control. The fore cabin has twin v berths fwd with additional bunk berths
above. A large galley with all cooking facilities run from an inverter, allowing
use of a microwave and electric kettle. The main cabin has comfortable seating
for five, with a separate heads compartment. Fit out has been to a high yet
practical standard, with all surfaces lined and non slip rubber flooring on the
cabin sole.
To facilitate the storage of fish there is a large insulated
fish hold, and to provide the maximum clear deck area the vessel has a flush
deck engine installation. Fitted with a Caterpillar 3126 rated at 350hp and Twin
Disc 2:1 gear box running a 24” propeller, the vessel achieved 21 kts max
speed and 17kts cruise on sea trials on a light ship displacement of 7,500kg.
This level of performance from only 350hp shows how easily driven and economical
the hull form is.
Sea keeping proven on
delivery trip in force 7-8 winds
The vessels seakeeping
especially in large following seas was well and truly tested on her delivery
trip to the UK. One of the vessels owners left Cork Harbour single handed in
what was considered a marginal forecast of west to north west winds force 5-6
occasionally 7. Over the previous two days there had been gales of up to force 8
so obviously there was going to be a pretty big sea running regardless of wind
strength. However as he was under pressure to get back home he decided he would
take a chance. No sooner had he left the forecast was updated to force 7-8. We
were concerned enough to alert the coast guard of his predicament and we
estimated he would only be making 10kts in the prevailing conditions and based
our estimated ETA to his port of destination Penzance on that speed allowing him
16hrs to make the passage. Falmouth coast guard were alerted and from Penzance
we were informed that there was a large sea running with winds of force 7. To
our amazement and well ahead of schedule we were informed that he had been
spotted off Lands End making way in heavy seas. He soon arrived in Penzance
Harbour having made the 160 mile crossing in 9 ½ hrs at an average speed of
17kts! He latter informed me that he had at least a force 7 wind all the way
with a huge following sea and waves up to 15ft, breaking heavily and that he
only had to slow down when he found himself in the over falls off Lands End,
where there were sanding vertical waves. He said the vessel handled
magnificently in the following seas and never put a foot wrong, he was amazed
how he was able to keep up the speed. He said “initially I kept the speed down
to 13-14kts, but as she was handling so well I just kept increasing her speed,
as she still handled well even on the faces of large waves and surfing at over
20kts I just kept going. During a test drive on Tiger Lilly III in Weymouth
before ordering the boat I had been impressed with how she handled in a force 5
with short steep channel waves, especially in a head sea where she was
absolutely brilliant but wondered how she would be in a large following sea. I
had hoped she would be at least as good as my last boat a Mitchel 31, but in the
kind of weather I had on that passage she exceeded all my expectations and was
certainly the finest boat I have ever been on in heavy weather”. He
encountered no mechanical problems on the journey and to top it all used only
100 gallons of fuel on the passage.
Owners Anthony Quinn and Richard Seager are starting up a charter angling business in Guernsey and are now set to begin working the boat safe in the knowledge that the boat will easily handle the weather and seas there likely to be operating in. Anyone interested in angling charters from Guernsey can contact them on 01481 266154.
No
more third parties, UK broker no longer used.
Safehaven
Marine are
no longer employing the services of there U.K. agent ‘Poole bay yacht
brokers’. We have decided that it will be better for all parties to deal
direct with us, the builders of the boat. This
means we have removed a third party from the equation therefore our prices can
be even more competitive. Anyone previously dealing with them or interested in
further information should contact us direct by phone on 00353 21 813726.
Ashgrove, Cobh, Co Cork, Ireland. By e mail – kowalskf@gofree.indigo.ie
New
38 Sports Fisherman under construction.