BUILT: 1999 PRICE: £162,500 + VAT
I had a fascinating conversation recently with the skipper of a pilot boat that runs pilots out of Belfast to the big ships heading into port, irrespective of weather. The boats they use are based on Nelson hulls, the same type of hull that underpins this Dale Nelson.
INTERIOR
Normally when I speak to brokers for this feature, I get a quick chat and a few photos sent. For this boat I got a personal email from Dale Nelson director Mike Reynolds, with reams of detailed information about a boat they built over 20 years ago! The second aft cabin 38 constructed, it was built for a Norwegian customer who specified a dark-stained mahogany interior (ensuite owner’s cabin aft, guest cabin forward, dinette opposite the galley on the lower deck and wheelhouse/saloon on the main deck). Mike tells me that oak or American cherry are more usual, with a couple of examples in teak.
EXTERIOR
A classic ‘pilot boat’ profile, this boat has an almost commercial vibe to it.
The mast folds to lower air draught to 3.25m for canals.
PERFORMANCE
Twin Volvo Penta TAMD 63P engines are fitted. Expect about 26 knots flat out.
SEAKEEPING
Mike again: “They perform exceptionally in large seas and I have been out in 49 knots of breeze on our way up to Ardfern in Scotland and then rather than punching large breaking head seas we just turned 60 degrees off and ran at 24 knots acros
