What’s new for 2022? It’s the start of January. Ice is on the ground and most people have no thoughts about getting out on Bluetooth RIB. Although there is a hardy breed of boater who likes to be out on the water when the Solent is quiet. We tend to find bookings for pleasure trips don’t get going until Easter time or a little earlier if the weather is nice!
This year we have a couple of exciting changes in store for all Bluetooth renters and we thought it was time to share these with you.
1) New year, new engine
Considering the engine hours and usage Bluetooth gets each year. It was decided that Bluetooth would benefit from having a brand new engine.
Whilst an easy decision to make, when you get down to the nitty-gritty it’s eyewatering. What we hope is that with our investment, we will be able to continue to offer RIB renters a top-spec, sturdy, safe, economical and reliable charter RIB for years to come.
Out with the old engine
Jason, Chris and Jay from JMP Marine Services help us to look after Bluetooth. They undertook the job of removing the old Volvo Penta 165hp Diesel Inboard Engine at the end of October. She was lifted out on the Hamble Point Marina forklift.
Below are photos of the engine after she was taken out of Bluetooth and one of the empty engine bay. After a long day of scrubbing, the engine bay is now clean, the bilge pump and hoses replaced and all ready for the new engine.
In with the new engine
Ordering a new engine from Volvo is not a quick fix. The order was placed in September 2021 and in January 2022 we are waiting for it to arrive.
We have ordered a Volvo D3 Inboard Engine, 200hp. A little larger than Bluetooth’s previous 165hp engine.
Without getting too nerdy, the main benefits of the new Volvo engine will be;
- More environmentally friendly
- Better fuel consumption
- Increased reliability
May 2022 – Great news, the new engine has arrived and been fitted.
The process of getting a new engine into the UK was rather drawn out and arduous. Marie spent quite a bit of time chatting with Volvo representatives on social media chat. Due to parts not being ready, we agreed for them to ship the engine in one shipment and the throttle in a second shipment.
It took two weeks for the engine to arrive and when it did, the leg was also missing. Cue a flurry of messages where Volvo was reluctant to tell us too much and all we wanted were answers.
To cut a long story short, everything arrived. Jason and his team fitted the engine, whilst Nic worked with the team at PJ Drew who cut a new dashboard (see below) due to a change of instruments.
Bluetooth is now back in the water (or on the dry stack!) and she is running really well. We hope that the change in the engine will ensure that we can offer a reliable charter RIB for years to come with minimal maintenance. But for those of you reading who have owned boats yourself, our wish of minimal maintenance may just be wishful thinking!
2) Reduce your bareboat insurance excess
New for 2022 we are giving you the option of reducing your Bareboat insurance excess from £2500 to £1250.
As a bareboat renter, when you charter Bluetooth RIB you sign to agree to be liable for an insurance excess of £2500.
This covers damage on Bluetooth herself or any of her sundry items. If you beached Bluetooth, dropped a line overboard or went for a swim in your lifejacket. We’d have to charge you for the repair/replacements.
We were regularly being asked if this excess could be reduced. After speaking with our insurance company we are delighted to be able to say YES this season.
Tick to make the optional payment when you complete your booking form. This non-refundable payment will reduce your excess from £2500 to £1250.