Bonwitco Boats

[gaffa]

Guys,

 

Has anyone any hands on experience with the Bonwitco range of boats.

 

I was initially smitten by a 600 with cuddy that was exhibited at the 2005 Southampton boat show but after spending an hour crawling all over it in the company of the venerable Mr. Francis Wills, Owner and Designer of Bonwito we decided that it was still in the prototype stage , had too many flaws and was too expensive for my budget at the time.

 

I ended up buying second hand rather than new hence my Ryds 600AC which I am very pleased with (its even got a heater ) but I still keep thinking of what may have been if I had saved more.

 

The unfinished status of the 600 seemed confirmed when at the recent show it was not offered as it was still in developement.

 

However the 511 that was at the show seemed a really nice piece of kit with a fantastically sharp series of edges on the chines which to me indicated excellent speed and handling characteristics plus of course a lot of hard work had gone into the mould.

 

The Stainless work let it down a little from the aesthetics side as finish could be better.

 

I know that the hulls are supposedly very fast and have good sea keeping properties but has anyone actually tried one out and is able to compare with similar competive models.

 

They don't seem to be popular within the club is there any particular reason other than say price?

 

Any Feedback Greatfully received .

 

Pete

 

 

[Shropfisher]

It must be the one make I've never seen on the water, they must sell some, but just never seen one, could be just they don't have good dealership coverage, or !!

[Maverick Martin]

Reg on this site has one

 

Search members and pm him, I'm sure he could help

 

Martin

[reg]

Hi Gaffa. I have the [with 495] two person's are all you want onboard as I had mine fitted out with lockers fore and aft to store most of the gear otherwise it rolls all over. The gunnels i think you will find are pretty close to the deck. so hand rails are a must if you have young people aboard .Im having some made up for mine which will be detachable as i don't want to be lifting skate over the side with the extra height. mine is 16ft 6in long with a 6ft beam a 30hp two stroke and have had 22 mph out of it when the sea has been calm have not had chance to see what it will do with the trim tabs on. as for seaworthyness it more than holds its own is a great little craft very easy to manouver. i once got cought out and broached on a large wave but when down in the dip gave it full revs and she flew out they are a good seaworthy boat can't speak about the other model's but the 495 is spot on

a lot of with's are sold up in scotland he seems to do a good trade up there

I never had mine foamed filled as it puts another 112lbs of weight on it s easy to launch and retrive one man job no problem the only trouble i found it only needs a few revs to get it on the plane and you have to stand to see where you are going no hardship but i have put the tabs on to slow the plane down a bit. if there is anything else you want to know just ask

 

Reg

[gaffa]

Reg,

Thanks very much for info,its good to hear someone has one .

Glad your happy with your 495 its a classic design.

 

I've not actually seen a Bonwitco on the water myself.

 

I think Bonwitco have changed the hull design on the 511 relative to the more original "With" design of the 495 and believe the performance is improved.

 

When they exhibited the 600 it was quoted as having a 50 knot hull capability and would hit 30knots max with a 90 hp suzuki outboard''

 

Looking at the 511 I reckon its good for an easy 30knots on the flat.

 

I think it sits a bit higher in the water than the 495 and the one I saw was double skinned and foam filled.

They do reckon the sea keeping is above average and will get through most conditions without too much trouble at about 5knots more than compettive designs.

 

Interesting point about the safety rails, the 511 had rails fitted but they were very low and would act as a handhold rather than a protective measure to keep the littlies in.

 

Reason for my interest is that I decided to buy virtually the opposite to what I was originally considering and have ended up with a mid to aft cabin deep V hull 19ft 6ins long by 7 ft beam weighing 850 kg without engine and certified for 7 people or 820 kgs total load. the boat has virtually the same performance as I was expecting from the "with" style hull but delivers it with a totally different design and a 115hp ob.

Its quite interesting fishing from the open front cockpit and getting access to the anchor etc is a doddle.VERY high safety rails all round give a lot of confidence.

 

I dont really know how good its ultimate seakeeping ability is I 've never pushed it

 

I just keep musing on what it would have been like compared with the Bonwitco.

 

You know what its like you set your heart on something and then all resolve caves in when a bargin arrives in your lap(well almost a bargin)

 

Pete

[reg]

Pete.

I have just found out that one of the lads that was down in poole with me his cousin has ordered the 511 and I think he is coming down to pick it up in the very near future and wants to have a little bit of a play down there with it with one of the staff from with .so if you want to hold on a bit you will get a report straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

 

Reg

 

to early to ring the lad up so will let you know when he is going down to take delivery

[gaffa]

Reg,

I'll certainly look forward to some feedback .

 

I have a feeling your mates cousin will be really impressed.

 

Those Bonwitco boys are not afraid to throw their boats around and I dont think iffy weather will stop them either.

 

Look forward to hearing the results. It may be something to add to PhilV's shortlist of boats- see earlier thread

 

Pete

[reg]

Pete

 

Been in touch with the lad's cousin and he hopes to hear from them this week

so he can collect it

 

Reg

[gaffa]

Reg,

Any news on the Bonwitco 511.

Has your Contact managed to get the test drive yet?

 

Pete