New members.

Colin and Anne Dowling, who owns Blue Marlin nr.352, a rare open wheelhouse / aft cockpit model of Moonraker, have been members. They moor in East Sussex, England with their vessel.

They are calling for info about their vessel: “Would it be possible to ask your members through your newsletter if anybody has any information. Now called "Blue Marlin" she used to be called "Thesaurus II".  We believe that she started her life in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK as a company vessel. She was managed by a chap named Dave Sherriff who we believe was Moonrakers Southern area sales manager. Prior to us Shaun and Denise Beavon who we believe bought her from a chap in York owned her. From 1976 until Shaun and Denise bought her in circa 2002 we have no history. We would like to learn as much as we can about her.”

So do you have any information please contact us, and we will bring it over to Colin and Anne.

Web-site:

 You think you are insured.

- For 27 years has my boat ”Rimfaxe” at wintertime stood on the hard shored up by 6 single steel collapsible supports that had a good grip in the bottom curves, and consequently in no fear of collapsing.

Since 2007 I have moored in Rungsted Harbour. Last year the Harbour demanded that single collapsible supports no longer were allowed, and only the Harbours own stands had to be used, - and at a yearly fee of 1250.-DKK obviously! To this 1100.-DKK for the lifting! In return the boat owner had no troubles with the launching / lifting, as this was a collaboration between a company ShipShape, that owned the lift on the harbour and Rungsted Harbour, that delivered the stands, completely without interference of the boat owner.   

Even if the whole arrangement deeply was me against, I without much conviction accepted the conditions and let the ShipShape / Rungsted Harbour do the lifting, late 2008.

April 2009 we were ready for launching, and the vessel was only few meters from the water level, when somebody discovered a hole in the hull 15 x 10 cm close by the stb. brace, and therefore hidden as long as it was in the stand. What a luck it hadn’t been launched!

So, there would be no launching that day! But the case was clear; bad chocking up by ShipShape, which therefore had to take on the expense repairing the damage. 

I reported the damage same day to my insurance company through the last 9 years, Yacht-Pool where I had a hull insurance. They sent an assessor Anders Balle from Jutland. He wrote a damage report, in which he estimated the repair costs to 25-35000.-DKK, and that the damage had taken place under transporting the vessel on the harbour. After this Yacht-Pool denied accepting the damage, referring to an exception in the conditions of insurance, that pointed out “insufficient propping up under transport”!

The case was complicated of the fact that ShipShape had gone in liquidation late 2008, - and Rungsted Harbour refused to have no deal in the accident.

A legal expenses insurance, was a part of my hull insurance, so I recruited A Law Firm Kromann Reumert to make a civil law action, which at the moment has lead to an answer from ShipShape insurance company Pantaenius Hamburg, who claims that ShpShape didn’t pay the premium, and therefore had no coverage!                                    

If my civil law action does not give a yield, I face a bill from Kromann Reumert at least 2500.-DKK plus the cost of repairs! – And I had no deal in the action!

Latest / You think you are insured.

One accident seldom comes alone! Unknown offenders subsequently stole my 8 Person Viking Life raft in a container M72, which was fastened on the foredeck.

- Silicone for window webbings

Have you experienced, that the windows are difficult to open, and the beading that the windows are mounted in simply bows up, well then it is the time for smearing the beading! At the auto dealer or the paint shop you buy a bottle of silicone, which has a screw cap with brush. Then you smear the beading carefully. When the beadings are soaked with silicone, the windows are easy to push!

Service / Solutions / Window beading.

Cheap Moonraker

Now the bottom has been reached! A Moonraker 1975 is seen for sale in Holland, for only €7850.-. As it appears from the photos on the add, it seems that it has no damages. It hasn’t been possible to get further information.

http://www.botentekoop.nl/motorkruisers/227931/Moonraker_1980.html

Next Newsletter.

Next Newsletter is expected launched January / February 2010. Material for inclusion is received with thanks!