[Birchwood 340 Ac. Sea Capable?]

6 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

Hi Paul, my guess is that the battery box may have been relocated, and the engines must be placed on each side of the boat almost up to the diesel tanks with a space between the engines. I would be interested in a picture of the placement of the two engines.

Regards

Alan

Alan.

That sounds about right from memory. The boat is a fair distance from me but if/when I return for another viewing I'll get some photos.

Regards

Paul

[Birchwood 340 Ac. Sea Capable?]

1 hour ago, ranworthbreeze said:

Hello xmatelot,

Sorry you did not leave your name.

Ranworth Breeze is a 2001 Birchwood 340 AC (single engine) some of our syndicate owners with the necessary qualifications used to take her out to sea. We decided as a group of owners in 2007 that we would no longer take her out to sea after the life raft was due to testing/renewal. The life-raft used to b e strapped to the forward starboard rails. 

I have never seen a 340 AC with dual engines, that configuration was normally just on the fly bridge version. The space in the engine bay would be almost unworkable, there is little space with our single 210 BHP engine. In some of the larger deeper hulled boats where you can stand in the engine bay you can walk around or between the engines.

One of our owners did tell me that on a trip to sea that waves were coming under the bottom edge of the canopy. The boat is very sea worthy but I feel that I would personally have taken it out to sea on a single engine, even with the sea kit (flares and ship to shore radio and life raft). Some of our forum members have had to be towed back into port when both of their engines or filters have been clogged due to rough seas.

Regards

Alan 

Thanks Alan.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the engine bay space. Two 190 Yanmars on shafts with filters and sea cocks accessible and I could stand between the two.

As always its the skippers call on sea and weather conditions so I will remain optimistic !!

Many thanks and best wishes

Paul

[Birchwood 340 Ac. Sea Capable?]

9 hours ago, Smoggy said:

What engine and drive configuration is probably the first question for sea use.

My princess 30ds is on shafts with a pair of 150hp volvos and can do fairly well in most sensible conditions, I have done sea in a far worse handling boat and wouldn't want less power now.

Thanks Smoggy

She has two 190 Yanmars on shafts.

Mixed feelings at the moment but im still optimistic, after all its always the skippers call after weather forecasts, sea states etc Its my knees that will have the biggest say !

Regards

Paul

[Birchwood 340 Ac. Sea Capable?]

Hi everyone.

Im currently looking at a lovely twin engined Birchwood 340 AC (2001) to use as a live aboard for coastal use, coast hopping and beats across the Channel , Channel Islands etc.

Has anyone experienced these boats at sea? I can't find a review anywhere.

With 50 years sailing experience my knees have dictated a change and this boat ticks all my boxes as a live aboard. I assume she is Ocean cat B, but I don't do the very rough stuff anymore.

Regards

Xmatelot