Motor Boat & Yachting — February 2018

The Sheerline 1020 actually started

life as the Capriole 1020 – it’s

essentially the same boat with a few

subtle tweaks and changes. But one

thing that was definitely retained in

the transition was the folding screen.

The ability to drop the windscreen

is far from unique, but what’s special

is that in this instance, it’s powered.

Prod the button and the whole lot

drops into self-draining slots within

the cockpit coaming. In tandem with

the folding bimini, it lowers the air

draught to just 7ft 3in (2.21m), low

enough to limbo under the Osney

Bridge, the upstream limit for many

Thames-based boats (and explains

this boat’s name – Limbo Lady).

INTERIOR

Although the propeller swings from

a shaft, the engine is tucked way back

in the boat, sending its power forward

before reversing it via a vee-drive

to the prop shaft. As a result, there’s

room for a double-berth mid cabin

beneath the cockpit floor, giving two

separate cabins within the 10m length

(the forward of which gets a central-

island double bed).

EXTERIOR

A bathing platform that stretches out

to the edges and steps built into the

buttresses on either side make this an

easy boat to board and move around.

There’s plenty of cockpit space and

a wet bar like a Med sportscruiser.

PERFORMANCE

Lift the back seat on its powered ram

and you’ll find terrific access to the

single Nanni 4.340(Tdi) 130hp diesel.

It’s plenty powerful enough for river

use, with waterline length capping

displacement speed to about 8 knots

rather than a lack of power. Smaller

Nanni diesels were also offered, or

buyers could choose other makes

to their liking.

SEAKEEPING

Like the Broom, a bow thruster is on

the essentials list for close-quarters

handling, but underway, the Sheerline

1020 will spin in a boat length.

2006 £124,950

DATA FILE

Length 33ft 5in (10.2m)

Beam 11ft 6in (3.5m)

Draught 2ft 11in (0.9m)

Displacement 5.3 tonnes

Fuel capacity

103 gallons (469 litres)

Engines Nanni 4.340

130hp diesel

FOR SALE Bray Marine Sales.

Web: http://www.tbsboats.com

Sheerline 1020

Lots of canopy

That retracting

screen – a

godsend for low bridges

★★★★

RATING

KEY CRITERIA

● Comfort

● Space

● Easy to handle

FIND ME A USED...

River

boat

Words Nick Burnham

109

Twin helm seat

is a boon for

cruising couples

Drop-down windscreen

and bimini allows it to

limbo under low bridges

Cockpit dinette and

wet bar is a joy in

sunny weather