Motor Boat & Yachting - January 2016 UK

THE COSTS

Servicing (inc labour & VAT)

Twin 100hp Volvo Penta

shaftdrive engines £768.00

Replacement parts (inc VAT)

Raw water pump £452.00

Injectors £78.00 each

Oil cooler £1,117.00

Starter motor £344.00

Alternator £270.00

The toilet is over on the port side, with

double-door access so that it can also

be used as a day heads. The only thing

to criticise here is the slightly stingy

lighting, with just a solitary spotlight to

illuminate the heads.

However, the designers have done a

great job of making the main cabin area

as bright and welcoming as possible,

with twin glass escape hatches aft, two

long thin portholes on either side and

two large mirrors to add to the overall

feeling of space. Headroom is ample at

6ft 3in throughout the cabin, but don’t

let that lull you into a false sense of

security, as anyone taller than 6ft will

still need to duck to negotiate the stairs

up into the saloon and again for the

companionway steps leading out into

the cockpit.

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

Skippers are well catered for at the

upper helm, which was available with

either a bench helm seat or two

swivelling bucket seats. Despite the

additional storage provided by the

former, the latter proved more popular

as the twin seats allow the navigator to

step in and out without disturbing the

skipper. All the essential controls fall

easily to hand, but you will need to

stand to programme the chartplotter,

which is angled forward and mounted

in a carbon fibre frame to reduce glare.

For those who like to use paper charts

as well, there’s a large flat surface to

starboard where you can lay them out.

This driving position benefits from

excellent all-round visibility, even with

the canopy up. The S in the name refers

to this model’s integrated spray hood

which covers the helm, but most of the

examples imported to the UK went one

step further, with a full cockpit cover

enabling this outside space to be used

regardless of the weather.

Storage space for deck gear is

provided underneath the aft bench in

lieu of a lazarette, and there is a handy

transom gate to prevent children from

venturing too close to the business

end of the boat. Speaking of crew

safety, the wide, non-slip side decks,

8in toerails, and high 29in guardrails

make moving around the deck

effortless and reassuringly secure.

ENGINE OPTIONS APLENTY

Smelne’s flexible approach to engine

installations meant a wide range of

power options were available, ranging

from single 135hp diesels to twin 228hp

lumps. Most British import models

came with the single 135hp Perkins

Sabre unit, which was sufficient for

inland waterways use, but a handful of

1180s were fitted with

Not all surveyors have steel

accreditation, so buyers should

take care appointing a qualified

surveyor. The condition of the

paintwork should be a major

consideration and the whole of the

external hull should be checked

for paint failure and corrosion.

Permanently wet or damp inner

bilges should be dried out and

carefully assessed. Careful

attention should also be paid to

battery storage areas, which can

harbour rust.

Any damage repairs should

have been cut and seam welded

rather than over plated, and while

the overall quality of the welds

need consideration, they should

give little concern on a high-quality

build such as this Stevens.

Tony McGrail, Yacht Surveyor

Web http://www.superyachtsurveys.com

SURVEYOR SAYS

DATA FILE

Model Stevens 1180

Type Aft-cabin cruiser

In build 2001 to Present

Designer Bes Yacht Design

Hull type Displacement

RCD category B for 6 people

Current value From £139,000

Length overall 39ft 5in (12.05m)

Beam 12ft 6in (3.81m)

Draught 3ft 6in (1.07m)

Displacement 13.1 tonnes light

Fuel capacity

99 imp gal (450 litres)

Water capacity

99 imp gal (450 litres)

Performance 9 knots with single

135hp Perkins Sabre engine

Cruising range 224 miles at 7

knots with 20% reserve.

MY TAKE The low depreciation levels of this

sturdy steel craft speaks volumes about its

ongoing durability and desirability. As an

alternative to a weekend cottage but with the option to

explore further afield, it makes a lot of sense. Hugo

To protect this boat with

Coppercoat multi-

season antifoul would

cost £980 (ex VAT)

Sparse helm station

leaves plenty of room

for paper charts

The cockpit cover was

an optional extra for

the UK market

JANUARY 2016 95

BOAT MASTER USEDBOAT