Nelson 42

Built for the 1979 Southampton Boat Show, we purchased the EchoPilot new to use as a test , demonstration and training boat for our sonar manufacturing company.Having now sold the company the boat is surplus to requirements.Good points:-Engines start and run well top speed about 20 knots.Radar,chart plotter,AIS transmitter,VHF,EchoPilot forward sounder,all excellent.Interior woodwork is to a very high standard,all hardwood framing and teak faced ply.All handrails etc are teak and have been professionally varnished with Epithanes (5 coats) in 2017. The deck boxes(see picture) are also solid teak,Fred Booker's trade mark,he would only make them for you if you bought one of his boats! Layout is better than most Nelsons as she has doors to side deck (good for single handed ops) AND aft deck (safer than walking round in poor weather).Steering is heavy duty Whitlock Mechanical,so has more"feel " than hydraulic systems , and she does handle beautifully. Currently coded for commercial use,cat 2,(up to 60 miles from a safe haven) until Dec 2018,but note this is not transferable to a new owner.This boat has been used regularly every one or two weeks since we purchased her,lifted and anti-fouled annually,and is well known in the Marine industry .She also had a successful charter record acting as support boat for yacht racing teams ,event spectating etc.As a one owner boat the EchoPilot could immediately be a useful workboat or indeed a strong and safe motor yacht with all weather capability. Not so good points:-Osmosis.

There is a fair ammount of blistering below the waterline.It was spotted in the 1980's and the surveyor suggested keeping a watching brief, which we have done and it does not seem to be getting worse. Never having heard of a boat sinking from osmosis it has not bothered us.The dark blue hull painted some years ago,but could now do with a hard polish or repaint.The superstructure gelcoat has never been painted and comes up very well.Engines. When the port Sabre 212 engine needed attention we replaced it (2002) with a Mermaid 212 built on the same block as by then Sabre were building Perkins based engines. So we have one engine light blue marked "Sabre" and one darker "Mermaid". The original (Sabre) port engine is available for spares or rebuild if required.Shafts etc.There is some wear at the "P" brackets , as this is not causing vibration or problems at the moment we are monitoring it but eventually this will need attention.likewise the props have some corrosion.Note the original props have been kept as spares and are included.Windows.There has been some leakage round some of the windows, this has been fixed with silicone ,but ideally the offending windows should be re bedded.Interior upholstery is original, beautiful quality velvet ,but now showing its age and would benefit from some care.

Summary:-The Nelson's seakeeping ability is legendary, just ask any pilot who has been in one.Booker's woodwork and standard of fit out was probably the best in the UK.and Halmatic who did the moulding,tankage,engine mounts,steering were an excellent defence standard company.We have the |Lloyds hull release certificate.In smart "yacht" condition EchoPilot would probably sell for £75,000 or more(see Nelson Brokerage site),so the low asking price of £38,000 reflects a boat that can go to work tomorrow (or enjoyed for pleasure) but given some work could be a good investment.