TomBettle Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 (edited) No I am not jumping ship. I am still Jeanneau through and through, but I am now very excited at being involved, at least in a tincey whincey way, in a brand new project. Can't say much as of today, but "Troms Explorer" is due to be launched in April of this year and, as the name suggests will be plying the fjords, offshore reefs and glaciers of the far North Western reaches of Norway from May onwards. Primarily a first rate stay aboard angling boat she will be hitting the massive Cod, Halibut and Coalfish that frequent the area, but more than that, she will be a base for the more adventurous to use for exciting holidays, Glacier Hiking, Eagle Watching, Whale Watching etc etc etc. Troms Explorer is a 13m x 5m Displacement Catamaran. Her wave piercing hull should provide a maximum of 32 knots from her twin Iveco Neff 280Hp engines and at a more sensible 20 to 25 knot cruising speed she'll return remarkable economy. At full displacement speeds she would be capable of crossing the Atlantic (via the Azores). The green light on the project has happened and this Saturday I had the pleasure in visiting the Cornish yard that will be building her. The photo's are a little dark and dingy, but show the mould for Troms Explorer about to be cleaned prior to having the releasing agent added. For anyone interested I'll try and use this thread as a blog during her build and maiden voyage along with her first true trips in May. Exciting times are ahead.... Troms Explorer - The mould prior to cleaning. To be amongst the first to fish from Troms Explorer please PM me and I will put you in direct contact with one of the managing owners. Tom Edited October 29, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djredrupp Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 wow she looks HUGE! anything behind the name? 'troms'? Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 wow she looks HUGE! anything behind the name? 'troms'? Dan Troms is the strecth of Norway right up in the North West, stretching round towards the Russian border. It's way up in the Arctic Circle. Type in "Troms Norway" in a google search for more information on the actual area. I am still to go and will be visiting (and fishing! ) on Troms Explorer's maiden voyage, but the area is alledgedly stunning and full of the most incredible scenery and wildlife (An Eagle's head is featured as art of the boats planned logo and name). I have no financial interest in the boat at all. I am simply a consultant helping: 1) to source the boat (that bit's done!) 2) to source the best equipment for the fit out and work with the builder to insure everything is done the way the owners hope The boat is owned by: 1) Anglers World Holidays. Based here in the UK they can be contacted on 01246 221717 to be amongst the very first to fish or adventure tour from her. ( and mention you saw this on Poole Bay Small Boat Angling website ) Or visit http://www.anglers-world.co.uk 2) The existing adventure and fishing tour company that Anglers World already work with. 3) Some funding from the Norwegian Government to promote tourism to the area. I got involved sort of by accident. Because of my job I do a lot of boat reviews with Sea Angler magazine and have got to know their boat test journalist, Dave Lewis, quite well. Dave works as a fishing guide in Norway for Anglers World Holidays. When the plan for Troms Exporer was born, this time last year, the guys had a modest budget and no idea as to what boat they needed. They asked Dave his opinion and for want of better words he shrugged his shoulders and asked me mine. I started hunting for the style of boat (Trawler Yacht) that they wanted, but their budget would get an absoute bath tub so I extended the search to custom build commercial boats with a liveabord tweak. The builders of Troms Explorer are Powerglide, http://www.powerglide30.com and their Cats are excellent value for money. Very fast for low Hp (essential due to Hp tax in Norway) and extremely economical. After much going forwards and backwards a basic design has been struck with the builders with a price and lead time agreed. She is no going to be the prettiest boat in the world as she needs to have a very large offset side deck, relatively small rear cockpit, access for a mid sized Rib and large accommodation, but she will perform a function excellently and in the cold Arctic weather she'll be a relatively comfortable apartment for guests onboard. Undoubtedbly, you will hear much more about Troms Explorer and not just from me. Chris Tarrant and his own production company, Chris Tarrant TV are being commissioned to film a series of programmes onboard her. These will mainly be for DVD for use in any Tour Centre advertising Norwegian holidays, but inevitably at least one, maybe several programmes will be made for UK television. So keep an eye out for her as you'll know where you heard about her first. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) The sketch below is taken straight out of the Powerglide website. This is the closest I can show you of what she will end up looking like, but you still need some imagination! On the Powerglide website you can see a video of Grahman Knotts dive boat "Wave Chieftan" underway. The styling is more "Big Game Fisher" of this boat, but the hull is the same and you can see how she will run IN the water rather than actually over it. 1) Move the wheelhouse over to the starboard side and also provide direct access for two small crew cabins (via the wheelhouse) within the forepeak. Moving the wheelhouse will provide a full 1.1m of port side deck, but still leave nearly four metres of interior beam. Pure luxury for anglers fishing on the drift or Eco Tourists watching a pod of Whales. 2) For increased accommodation, extend the wheelhouse aft to the drop of the sheerline. This gives masses of toasty, warm, centrally heated interior space and still leaves a further 3 x 5 metres of rear cockpit should the boat ever fish at anchor (unlikely). 3) A small bathing platform will be fitted bringing the overall length to 13m (an odd requirememt for the particular coding that is being attained). Edited October 30, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Tom, If you need any help with your bags, fishing etc on the maiden voyage - I would be more than happy to volunteer my services. Neal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Tom, If you need any help with your bags, fishing etc on the maiden voyage - I would be more than happy to volunteer my services. Neal Odd, but I have been offered help a few times now. It never normally happens when I ask for a lift to the train station or to get picked up from the pub.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hell of a boat Tom I hope the build goes well and you can get her nearer the time and budget than I did When is you projected completion date? Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I hope the build goes well and you can get her nearer the time and budget than I did When is you projected completion date? Charlie Charlie The budget isn't mine to worry about, although they have agreed prices with the builder and contracts are signed. I am, however, trying to sway some sponsorship out of one or two major companies asa result of the media attention she is going to get. Completion should be April (don't laugh). The builder assures us this can be done and despite many of his other projects running late this one "has to be done on time" as we will have film crews on the boat and she needs to be in Norway by May. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 brave man !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy fred Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 The only good thing about having a new boat built, is that for the first few month's after the promissed delivery date they dont clock up many hours because there never ready!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Yes Fred, Peter I understand exactly what you are saying and have made recommendations to have a certain local shipwright (who I chatted to about this some time ago) to take the hull and superstructure and do the fit out, but the owners have decided to go this route with the fall back that if things are falling behind schedule I have Dorset based options to turn to (one of several, depending on peoples availability). I've met the builder and found him very genial. His yard was, shall we say, interesting, but I know he can deliver when required. He also understands that his name will be very much in the spotlight so he has to do a good job. At this stage I have every faith in him to produce exactly what is needed, when it is needed. Watch this space... Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Tom No intention to P on the fire. That seems a very tight deadline to me as the pictures are only showing the mould and its November tomorrow. 6 months from moulding to Norway, makes my own build seem even slower . I am sure all this has been discussed at great length so I hope that the build goes to plan. It sound like a lot of cornish boatbulders will be very busy this winter. Peter and Fred have much more experiance than me on these things and certainly more so with Cats. Its amazing how boat building just sems to go on and on. I have delayed survey twice due to the time and effort required to clear the list of finishing off jobs Good luck Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 (edited) Hi Tom No intention to P on the fire. That seems a very tight deadline to me as the pictures are only showing the mould and its November tomorrow. 6 months from moulding to Norway, makes my own build seem even slower . I am sure all this has been discussed at great length so I hope that the build goes to plan. It sound like a lot of cornish boatbulders will be very busy this winter. Peter and Fred have much more experiance than me on these things and certainly more so with Cats. Its amazing how boat building just sems to go on and on. I have delayed survey twice due to the time and effort required to clear the list of finishing off jobs Good luck Charlie 2000 man hours required from the point that the hull and superstructure are bonded together! As mentioned to Fred and Peter, I am very aware of the timescales and have raised this with the owners, but they are assured by the builder that the stops are going to be pulled out. I have to believe him until it is proved otherwise, but I do know he has to go like greased lightening to do it and he will have a bit of egg on his face if it isn't done in time as quite a few people are counting on it from the owners to the TV company to me as I want to go fishing in Norway! Like I said, watch this space and I hope we will all see her finished in time and, I hope, finished to the sort of standard that Peter would be proud of. Tom Edited October 31, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 2000 man hours is 2 people for 6 months. Pretty impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 2000 man hours is 2 people for 6 months. Pretty impressive. But then you have a team of 4 laminators, 3 chippies, 2 electricians, a plumber, a mechanic etc etc all working full time as required. If they all worked at the same time tehn we'd be looking at sea trials by mid December! Obviously the logistics of that are impossible, but the point is that it can be done (whether it is remains to be seen!). It is a real stretch, but not all boats are built by one person. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Tom I suppose 2000 man hours is two men full time in that time frame, so it is achievable. But you can only do so much when waiting for things to cure and the tasks have to be done in a certain order If it is finished like the New Tiger Lily was [when I saw it just prior to launching] I am sure the owners will be very well pleased. I know Chris is. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Tom I suppose 2000 man hours is two men full time in that time frame, so it is achievable. But you can only do so much when waiting for things to cure and the tasks have to be done in a certain order If it is finished like the New Tiger Lily was [when I saw it just prior to launching] I am sure the owners will be very well pleased. I know Chris is. Charlie She'll be nicely done, but to a fairly tight budget (I've got a copy of the final invoice and it's about half the price of one of my 42's!). Finish should be comfortable, but functional and she'll be trimmed off nicely. The 2000 man hours is, of course, an approximation and is a figure that our own esteemed shipwright Mr Russell mentioned and has since been mentioned a couple of other times by other builders so I am using it as a pretty good approximation. Like I said though. Manpower is not a particular issue, good contractors will be recruited as required. The issue will be more down to the supply of equipment being on time, not too many snags and successful trials. Inevitably we will have stumbling blocks, blimey if it went as smoothly as I wish, I'll start building the damn things myself! It is the first project of this kind that I have been involved with and I am acutely aware of a number of trip ups that could appear. A lot rests in the hands of others so we shall just ahve to keep our finegrs crossed that everyone involved is as keen as me... Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hi Tom It may be keeping the professionals focused on your build and as keen as you, with the suppliers delivering on time that are the main potential stumbling blocks. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 engines in yet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted November 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 (edited) engines in yet ? Coming out of the mould in a fortnight so stil a little way to go , but things are coming on nicely and the first day of filming for a rather interesting TV series about and aboard her involving me and better looking and better known faces than mine at the same time. I am a bit like an excited kid at Christmas and can't wait to see her starting to take shape. In the meantime, attached are a couple of pics tha one of the Norwegian owners, Holger, has just sent through. They are taken at the final home of Troms Explorer. You have to agree, the location is absolutely breath taking. The first is aboard his rib, this Summer. The second was the result of the bend in his rod. This baby weighed in at 23.5Kg, my retarded non mathmatical brain puts that at almost 52lb!!!! The third was taken at lunchtime yesterday - the only time of day with any light. It's taken from Holger's office window! The last one, I think was taken early yesterday morning although I am not sure. It shows his home / office in the background. By way of a credit and thanks for the pics, they are all taken by a guy who I think I will be sharing a few beers with in due course. Holger Buricke of Kvenorskaly Adventures AS Edited November 30, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 What a lovely place to fish and some lovely fish to target too. Have I seen some TV already with this guy in his RIB fishing for Coalfish and Cod with ether Dave Lewis or John Wilson? Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted November 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 What a lovely place to fish and some lovely fish to target too. Have I seen some TV already with this guy in his RIB fishing for Coalfish and Cod with ether Dave Lewis or John Wilson? Charlie Quite probably Charlie. I haven't got Sky so haven't seen any of the fishing telly for years. It was a revelation to me to see that Henry had cut his hair off!. Dave Lewis works with the owners already as a UK based guide and John is good friends. Both are involved with the programme we are making so with luck we'll see some more monster Cod and some more of the stunning scenery. No gurantee's, but we are hoping that this programme and fingers crossed, full series, is going to make it to terrestrial TV too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Best of luck Tom it would be good to get some more on It was great to see how much is on cable, but after a while you have seen it all and even the boys are losing interest now. We hope to be able to be fishing now rather than watching it on the telly Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 Have I seen some TV already with this guy in his RIB fishing for Coalfish and Cod with ether Dave Lewis or John Wilson? Ive also seen it Charlie and its John Wilson aboard the RIB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted December 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 I think that the owners are also beginning to ge a bit excited as Holger is sending me little email updates and photo's of the area regularly now. I don't mind, I think they are fascinating. I didn't even know they had these pussy cats there. Did you? Anyway, the email from Holger udnerneath the photo kind of sums up the whole ethos of what Troms Explorer will be about. It sums up the people who will be looking after me and anyone else who decides to charter her in the future. Personally I think the whole thing is bleeding awesome. Tom PS: The email came after Holger visited our site and WSF to see the threads that I am using as a kind of blog for the boats build. Hi Tom, Fishing is like to be together with a Norwegian woman. You ever know what you can expect and what you get. Also here the fish is not jumping in the boat. Here comes also more and more light tackle fishing. I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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