Shetland 4 Plus2 use for Coastal Cruising

[Locallad]

New member to the forum. Thinking of Ordering new build 4Plus 2 factory build, My questions is how does the boat handle sea cruising, my intention is potter along North Sea coast to weekend in Whitby and Scarborough and visit the Farne islands. Occasionally do a spot of Sea fishing, Is it a capable boat or look else ware (any suggestions) My first boat was a Hardy 20 pilot impeccable sea handling would the 4 plus 2 handle the north sea the same

[dellquay13]

You don't see very many 4+2 at all in harbours. The specs at 1100kg and only 90hp max engine won't give the kind of sporty performance that comes in handy at sea, it's not fast enough to get far in good conditions, and a bit too flimsy for the conditions that Hardy take in their stride.
Shetland only rate it to RCD cat C, the same as my 5.3m Family 4, and I need to choose my days at sea carefully. They emphasise that it is easy to steer at slow speed, maybe thinking their target audience will be river folk?
There aren't a lot of bolt holes in your chosen region for a boat that might prove a bit tender for less than perfect days.

[Locallad]

dellquay13 thanks for the reply. The Hardy pilot 20 that I had was also RCD cat C with a 50HP four stroke Honda it had a top speed of 14 knots cruise 10 Knots 1400kg displacement max engine power 75HP

[Clive]

I tend to agree with dellquay in that as much as I really like my 4+2 I don't see it as a coastal boat first. I bought it mainly for inland use with possibilities for places like Poole Harbour. Previous owner used it coastal (radio etc) and i've just clean sand and shell out the engine! Any reason for your choice? Most seagoing Shatlands are 535s and the like for fishing. Good luck!

[dellquay13]

The Shetlands that are popular at sea are the 17'and 19' boats, heavily built but with a turn of speed like the 535, F4, and the 570 and it's derivatives like the Black Hawk and Kestrel. They can take the poundings you often have to put up with when it turns unpleasant, or outrun the bad weather and get back in safe.
Your old Hardy could take the poundings that it couldn't outrun better than most Shetlands
I would be confident in a Force6 or 2 metre swell(RCD cat C) in a Hardy, have been out in a lot worse waves in my F4 at times, but I really wouldn't be in a hurry to try it in a 4+2 personally.
Broom have much better pedigrees at sea than the later Shetlands.

[dellquay13]

Clive, do you have any photos of the underwater hull shape of your boat? Does it have a true keel, or is it just a shallow V, especially in the aft half? The Shetland website doesn't offer much detail about the hull shape.

[Locallad]

Thanks again for the replies. dellquary13 I've no pictures the hull if I decide to go with 4 plus 2 it would be a new factory build. Shetland boats say that it's a semi displacement hull threes a pic of the hull at distance on there site https://www.shetlandboats.co.uk/new-boa ... d-245-3-2/ and a couple promo pics of it tied up in a coastal marina.
Shetland boats say there RCD category C definition is:
Category C - This rating is for boats in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds up to force 6. Up to 27 knots and significant seas up to 7 feet high.
Category D - Inland or sheltered coastal water ways
This rating is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant waves heights to 18 inches.

So going on the replies I've had then the 4 plus 2 is a Cat D and not Cat C that Shetland boats saying?
Or my take on this Cat D your bath tub Cat C neighbours pond

[Clive]

Hi - here are some pictures of the hull - requested by De Graaf trailers as this was the first 4+2 they had set up. It's a bit high here when I just collected the boat, but it enables some good views. Dellquay, it sort of has both a keel and a shallow V at the stern! The boat is a lovely comfy cruiser. Someone here commented you wouldn't want your curtains ruffled or glasses rattling as you motor through swell offshore!! Good point, it's more saloon car than a sports hatchback. I've hardly used it due to covid and renovations, but will be this summer. I like the wider beam (8'2") which transforms the space inside and out but limits use on some canals (6'10"). What do you think

[Locallad]

Hi Clive
Threes a box saying I don't have the required permissions to view pictures. Where do I get permission to view the post?

[dellquay13]

It looks like there is a keel for the forward 2/3 of the hull, so it might be better than I expected in heavy seas, and less prone to windage, my keel-less F4 blows around like a crisp packet on a puddle at slow speeds.
How sturdily modern Shetlands are built has been questioned on this forum, some members have commented that they needed to tighten every screw and fastener to stop creaks and squeaks.