Swift builders

Tony Bell · Post by **Tony Bell** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:29 am

Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

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pm.purcell@FgqCk5A_Z2h... · Post by **pm.purcell@FgqCk5A_Z2h...** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:06 pm

Hello Tony,Our Swift was built in 1984 by Swiftcraft, Shamrock Quay, William Street, Southampton it is sail number 136. She is holding up well for her age. I have noticed a few very tiny pits on the deck non slip patterning caused by minute bubbles in the mould but I think they are basically not important, the hull is in excellent condition.As for the side bars, I think launch & recovery would be harder and I like the security of them when trailing. You are actually supposed to pull them back from full contact with the hull after recovery so I guess you might live without them, I wouldn't. Some trailer companies will surly be able to help. Otherwise, Mike (project boat) on this group is a genius (imo) who will certainly give good advice.Good luck,PaulineRondonay 136

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Terrick Clare · Post by **Terrick Clare** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:50 pm

I understand that between sail No 218 and the 400 series some measures
were taken to reduce costs. My boat is sail no. 208 and was built in
1985 so I think you will be ok, however, I don't think any of the
builders did that bad a job.
Terry
--- In Swift_18@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Bell" <bridbell1@...> wrote:

Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

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Terrick Clare · Post by **Terrick Clare** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:26 pm

Thinking about Tony's thread, with 136 members and 60 odd boats on
the data base would it not be a really useful exercise to pool all
our knowledge and see if we could work out a chronological history
of the Swift, laying out which firm built at what date and which
sail numbers were used by them?
I don't know, for sure, who built my boat (S 208) but the trailer
(original) is dated June 85 and the boat had a SSR no. from the
beginning of 87.
Does anyone have all, or some, of this information to hand? I know
some can be got from the file section under `articles' etc. If not,
would it be helpful if members could supply any information they
have on their own boat and add it, perhaps, to the data base?
Terry

--- In Swift_18@yahoogroups.com, "Terrick Clare" <t.g.clare@...>
wrote:

I understand that between sail No 218 and the 400 series some

measures

were taken to reduce costs. My boat is sail no. 208 and was built

in

1985 so I think you will be ok, however, I don't think any of the
builders did that bad a job.
Terry
--- In Swift_18@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Bell" <bridbell1@> wrote:
Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering

at a

1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these

if

they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

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Alan Murphy · Post by **Alan Murphy** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:31 pm

On 19 Nov 2006 11:50:18 -0000, Swift_18@yahoogroups.com wrote:

Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

JCA/Swiftcraft built up to September 1985, with S218 being the last
boat built in Southampton. Then Honnor Marine (Totnes) took over and
built from No 300 upwards.

Your proposed 1984 model should be a good one.

Any good trailer agent should be able to fabricate any missing parts.
However, if you are going to trail a lot, then do take a close look at
the roadworthness of the trailer and even consider budgeting for a new
trailer - the lifetime of trailers is usually less than the lifetime
of the boat.

Alan Murphy (ex Swift owner).

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Mike Booth · Post by **Mike Booth** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:13 pm

I have (according to trailer info) boat number 25 from some time in
1983, again by Swiftcraft and so a 1984 sounds Ok. Regards Mike

On 19/11/06, Terrick Clare <t.g.clare@rxKAOiyDk1s--Bj3aJYDhuc_mRRbnjSTeRzlWy55DKMKOcQY07sn_yiOghanPBDx6yicUqIvtIebGM8u.yahoo.invalid> wrote:

Thinking about Tony's thread, with 136 members and 60 odd boats on
the data base would it not be a really useful exercise to pool all
our knowledge and see if we could work out a chronological history
of the Swift, laying out which firm built at what date and which
sail numbers were used by them?
I don't know, for sure, who built my boat (S 208) but the trailer
(original) is dated June 85 and the boat had a SSR no. from the
beginning of 87.
Does anyone have all, or some, of this information to hand? I know
some can be got from the file section under `articles' etc. If not,
would it be helpful if members could supply any information they
have on their own boat and add it, perhaps, to the data base?
Terry

--- In Swift_18@yahoogroups.com, "Terrick Clare" <t.g.clare@...>
wrote:
I understand that between sail No 218 and the 400 series some
measures
were taken to reduce costs. My boat is sail no. 208 and was built
in
1985 so I think you will be ok, however, I don't think any of the
builders did that bad a job.
Terry
--- In Swift_18@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Bell" <bridbell1@> wrote:
Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering
at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these
if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

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S.VINCE · Post by **S.VINCE** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:39 pm

Hi Tony, The side bars or 'docking arms' are a great help during recovery, when the boat is going everywhere other than where you want it they are invaluable. Don't know where on earth you'd get them if your trailer hasn't got them already.!. steve

Tony Bell <bridbell1@n445ybb9WoZfPoqeevPR3yds1beBvn0kjBjPKrbb6JRiIQpNi6UsE0rBGHOixhyykgoaXktgqXJ6jfFxQ1g.yahoo.invalid> wrote:

Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

It takes a man to face up to his nightmares and a bigger man yet to face up to his dreams.....

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Tony Bell · Post by **Tony Bell** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:24 pm

Thanks everybody for all your help I will carry on my search for the right boat.I hope to view the one without trailer docking arms next weekend.Another issue with this one is the outboard is too big at 6hp, I understand its a Mariner twin.If I buy it I will sell the motor and get a 4hp as this seens to be the norm.
All the best
Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Swift_18@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Swift_18@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of S.VINCE
Sent: 19 November 2006 13:49
To: Swift_18@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Swift_18] Swift builders

Hi Tony, The side bars or 'docking arms' are a great help during recovery, when the boat is going everywhere other than where you want it they are invaluable. Don't know where on earth you'd get them if your trailer hasn't got them already.!. steve

Tony Bell <bridbell1@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
Hi
I am trying to buy a Swift 18.
Can anyone help me with the builders/years.I am now considering at a
1984 model but I know some builders were better than others.I
understand JCA were the best.So who built in 1984?
Also how essential are the trailer side guides?Can you buy these if
they are missing.
Any help much appreciated.
All the best
Tony

It takes a man to face up to his nightmares and a bigger man yet to face up to his dreams.....

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pm.purcell@2aZA607RNdv... · Post by **pm.purcell@2aZA607RNdv...** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:43 am

Well yes & no. Depends where you intend sailing. We use 4hp on the Broads, but I wouldn't want to be at sea with only 4hp.

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