Power Boats

TROJAN, one of the largest yacht manufacturers in the world have decided to break into the U.K. market via the importing company Elliott & Garrood Marine Ltd., a Yarmouth based marine engineering firm. To launch this project we were invited to enjoy the pleasures of the four luxury power boats which they intend to market in this country.

The boats were first made available for inspection outside the Nelson Hotel, which is situated by the canal in Norwich. The smallest of these cruisers was 25 ft. ranging through to the largest at 36 ft. The boat that appealed to us was the 30 ft. Trojan Sea Raider. The interior was very spacious and luxuriously laid out. Thick fitted carpets, nicely cushioned seats, and sleeping for six make it something of a floating home, which with the handsome general look of the boat would make this a proud possession in any marina.

This particular boat can be purchased in either a single screw or twin screw form, the power coming from a Chrysler V8 petrol engine producing 280 h.p. with 383 cu. in. displacement. At cruising speed some 20 m.p.h. petrol consumption is fairly high probably as much as 25 gallons per hour, making a 100-gallon tank necessary, which, with fuel costing as it does, makes a fill-up in the region of £40 a somewhat daunting thought.

For sea trials the heats were taken down to Gt. Yarmouth. The sea was calm, not a ripple, visibility good. We were handed the controls and Spent some exhilerating moments putting the Sea Raider through its paces. The controls were easy to manage and the boat responded immediately to their touch. Planing over the water at 35+ mph, was about the maximum speed. Turning sharply she would lean well over, leaping high over her own wash. On the whole we would have preferred the sea to be a little rougher so we could tell how she would handle in adverse conditions, although we were assured by the crew that they had been out in a Force 6 with good results.

We felt that of the four boats the Sea Raider, priced at £10,257, was the best buy and most practical for the home waters. The two larger boats were £15,000 and £19,000 and we never really got a fair crack of the whip with them on the sea. Needless to say, the interior opulence was splendid but better suited, we thought, to warm climates and inland waters.

They are all boats for a marina and have many aspects which show that they would probably stand up to our hardest winter without deterioration. The engines on the 30 ft. Sea Raider are readily accessible and such things as WC, shower, and kitchen, are cleverly laid nut. Although sleeping for six would not be cramped, the one room would make changing a fascinating exercise.

Trojan are appearing at the Boat Show and any enquiries should he made to: Captain George Beatty, Elliott & Garrood Marine Ltd., Suffolk Road, Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk.

-I.R.T.