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We are currently developing a new
range of boats in the style of our highly acclaimed 50ft x 13ft
'Bon Viveur 1500' (above).
The first model of the new range is
the
Bon Viveur 825
a 27ft x 6ft 9ins 'trailable' model
using the same light-weight but super-tough fibre-reinforced
epoxy composite materials as her big sister.
Apart from being immensely
strong, this material won't rust, rot, corrode or suffer from
osmosis and will require virtually no maintenance!
If you happen to be
in the neighbourhood (Devizes, in Wiltshire), you are more than
welcome to come and view work in progress.
For a limited period only, we shall be offering epoxy
composite shells for DIY fit-out with a promotional price of £12,950
+ VAT.
Drive-away versions with outboard motor options will
be around £16,950 + VAT. Drive-away versions with inboard motor
options will around £21,950 + VAT (see below for full specification)
and the Classic can be fully fitted out by us to customers'
individual requirements. Prices for a fully fitted-out version with
inboard diesel engine start at around £35,000 + VAT.
Actually the concept, as such,
is not new in that, five or six years ago, we produced what we
then called the 'Gem 23' as an exercise in seeing if we could
design a 'compact' boat that:
was light enough to be towed,
was strong enough for life on the inland waterways,
did not fall over as soon as someone stepped on the gunwale,
did not look like a cut-down narrowboat and had its own style/personality,
did not look too tall for its length,
would sleep 4 in 2 separate cabins,
could have an inboard or outboard engine, decent galley, shower,
flushing toilet, central heating and all the comforts normally
associated with a well-fitted-out craft if desired,
was competitively priced.
In the event, we succeeded in
all our aspirations - except the last one, mainly because the
materials we were using to keep strength up and weight down were
expensive and the processes of construction labour-intensive.
We then got side-tracked into
building bigger versions (the 'Bon Viveur 1500') for the Continent.
However, recent rises in the
price of steel, stabilisation, and in some cases, reduction of
the prices of our materials, efficiencies created by our use
of computer-aided design and major improvements in our construction
processes have encouraged us to look again at the market for
a towable 'mini barge'. Quite apart from the ability to 'go exploring'
even into Europe with the 825, we also think that the increasing
scarcity of moorings in the UK and the low-maintenance aspect
of our construction materials are now more significant than ever.
We have modified the design
slightly so that the 825 will be more obviously the 'little sister'
of the 'Bon Viveur 1500' thus preserving the Bon Viveur 'look'
which people seem to find attractive.
The layout shown above is pretty
much that of the Gem 23 which worked quite well + a bit more
elbow room since we have increased the overall length by 4ft.
We plan to offer part or full
fit-out and will be happy to quote for a complete package once
we know what a particular client would like in the way of basic
equipment:
inboard or outboard engine,
steering system,
water system,
heating system,
galley equipment, sink, cooker, fridge etc.
toilet system,
décor,
etc.
BV 825 'Classic' - Sailaway Version
- £21,950 + VAT
Specification
Hull painted with 2 coats of pitch-epoxy
Superstructures painted with primer
Windows and portholes, gold anodised aluminiumm toughened glass
Doors and hatch covers
6 stainless steel mooring cleats/bollards
8 stainless steel fender eyes
Rubbing strakes
Beta Marine BZ482 13.5HP 2 cylinder inboard diesel
Technodrive 2:1 gearbox
Dash panel with tach/hour meter and warning lights/buzzers
Engine battery, split charge relay and associated wiring
Raw water cooling system with filter
Wet exhaust with muffler and goose neck.
Control levers and cables
88 litre fuel tank, filter, fuel-water separator, fuel tap
Helm with 500mm diam. stainless steel/wood wheel.
Cable steering system
Rudder, rudder stock, gland.
Prop shaft with flexible coupling
Stern tube with cutlass bearing and stuffing box
3 blade manganese bronze propeller
'Wheelhouse' with fold-down windscreen and interlocking
roof panels,
Canvas side screens
with zip-up doors
We shall be publishing more information
as the project develops.
In the meantime, if
you would like to have a chat about the project, please contact
Peter Sylvester on
07867 943 395 or 07803
986 511
or email epsylvester@btinternet.com
More information about
the 'Bon Viveur
1500'
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