MIRROR OFFSHORE SAILING BOAT

DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MIRROR SHOWED US HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO EXPLORE THE RIVERS AROUND ESSEX WE GOT HOOKED. THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE ON TO A LARGER BOAT CAME ALONG SO SADLY WE ARE SELLING "FRANCES". ( Dylan Winter used a Mirror Offshore to do some of his trip around England: http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/  )

We bought Frances as a "fix me up", The engine was only fit for scrap and she was in need of restoration. So as our second boat for exploring the wonderful rivers around Essex we bought her and spared no expense to bring her up to tip-top condition. I spent 6 months stripping her out, removing the thick paint from the hull, repainting (with International marine paint) both top and bottom; rewiring and fitting dual batteries with Solar charging; improvement and updating of the interior to include LED lighting; new rubbing strip around the hull; all new cushions; electric auto bilge pump and much more besides. 

The Mirror Offshore is ideal for exploring all the rivers around Essex or any other coastline , in fact two have been sailed across the Atlantic! Dylan Winter shows just what a super boat it is for inshore sailing in "Keep Turning Left!" ( http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/tag/mirror-offshore/ ) Please don't confuse this one with his which was in need of a restoration before he left!

They are a very robust and safe boat, this one benefiting from both the Volvo Penta MD1b (10hp) inboard, plus the good old trusty Seagull (also restored) in the very unlikely event the Volvo gives any trouble. The original engine was an MD1a, which is 7hp, but when I rebuilt the boat I came across an MD1b 10hp which I completely overhauled. It has a Dynostart starter/generator which is almost new. The "swan neck" exhaust is also in very good condition. To reduce exhaust noise I built a Stainless Steel exhaust silencer which works very well.

FOR SALE £3500:

MIRROR OFFSHORE SAILING BOAT including TRAILER

Clean and Antifouled ready to sail

Complete refit/rebuild 2012

New cushions throughout
New fuel tank

Single ring gas hob

Volvo Penta MD1b (10hp) reconditioned

Automatic & manual bilge pumps
Depth sounder

Rewired throughout

LED interior lighting

VHF comm's radio

Dual batteries with Solar charging

Seagull aux' outboard
Boom tent
Fire extinguisher
Anchor

Fenders

Chemical toilet

Horseshoe floatation

It would benefit from new sails.

£3500 Yes, that is a lot for a Mirror Offshore, but you will not find a better example anywhere.

To guide you for running costs:
Brightlingsea F&A mooring (spaces available as at 09/05/2014) is from £248 for summer, or £334 all year.
Insurance £60 year.

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Frances afloat at Brightlingsea

This was on our original fore & aft mooring.

We later got a mooring further down which was less tidal.

This is a evening BBQ on board, just beautiful day out finished with a lovely sunset. Brightlingsea is such a wonderful place to have a boat. There is a water taxi service, good pubs, lots of restaurants and take-aways just by the slipway.

The Boat:

The interior was completely stripped and repainted. The single ring hob is magnetically mounted on the top surface and hides away when not needed just underneath. You can see one of the Solar panels in the window that charges one of the batteries, there is another panel on the other side for the second battery.

The table has a cantilever leg that holds it up and is locked into the door for the anchor chain access. The table easily unlatches and fits into the gap between the seats, the tapered cushions then go on top of the table to make a very comfortable V berth for two. (I am 6ft, Veda is 5ft 7in')

The ships radio has an aerial located in the top of the "heads" with the speaker just above, the flap lifts up in order to access the Chemical Toilet, the blue box shown is the coolbox. You can also see the gauges for the engine, coolant temperature and Amps, the oil pressure gauge is on the engine itself.

The portaloo is more versatile than the original plumbed heads. There is plenty of storage for food and anything else behind it.

The tables (one each side) give extra surface area to prepare food or eat from (we prefer the main table though)  & fold down when not needed to make extra space. There is a 2 gallon water container with a hand pump for water. 

Lots of storage in the drawers makes it easy to keep orgainised.

There is plenty of space along the shelves for putting all your bits and pieces. The sleeping bags are under the front end of the table. There is plenty of space in the lockers under the seat cushions for storage.

Dependable reliable Volvo Penta MD1b starts very easily even in the depths of winter. There is LED strip lighting above the engine front and rear to make it easy to see what you are doing. There is also access to the top of the engine from the cockpit via a hatch.

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Tollesbury Visit:

Our second sail-away to Tollesbury was a real hoot. We didn't quite make the tide and found the hump in the entrance and run aground, not that it was an issue as France sits upright due to its bilge keels, so we chilled out for a while and had dinner!

Veda is still laughing at me for running aground!!

Chef at work!! Hmm, not Chorizo & Chicken with all the trimmings?

Good grief! How did you do all of that on one ring?

Easy my Dear, here's to a life afloat!

Full up and a bottle of Vino Collapso, sleep well......

 

 Bradwell visit:

Bradwell was great fun, it may look calm and tranquil here, but the crossing from Brightlingsea was very choppy and a head wind all the way, so we motored and I got wet!

All you need for a weekend away in comfort.

The morning after a good night with dinner in the Green Man pub just up the road, Vedas just knocking up breakfast......Eggs/bacon/beans/mushrooms/tomatoes......and toast!!

.......don't believe me! Here it is!

 The Restoration:

Ready to go sail.

Trial fit of the mast and rigging, also a check on the seagull.......

Repainting the mast after rubbing down and priming with an etch primer.

Like the rest of the boat, in need of lots of TLC.

 

Finished engine after trial runs in the workshop

Cleaned engine room ready for the overhauled engine.

The cylinder and head had suffered some corrosion around the water-ways. I used a tapered reamer and made tapered brass inserts to reclaim both the head and block.

With great care and attention you can get an amazing finish with a roller.

Third and final top coat being applied.

Removal of all the paint was a real chore.

Boulette, just as we found her.....very sad.

Veda is saying: "Are you sure you know what you are taking on?!"