Talisman 49, TALISMAN OF WIGHT

Broker’s Comments

Using an exceptionally capable semi-displacement, sea-going hull form designed by Scotland’s legendary Murray Cormack Associates, the Talisman 49, TALISMAN OF WIGHT, is a fully prepared, all-weather sea boat. She has cruised very successfully around the stunning Western Isles, where a bit of weather is par for the course, and is currently laid up in Dunstaffnage.

These vessels have also operated commercially as pilot boats (when neither weather nor sea state can prevent the pilot from getting on board), and feature a sharp forefoot with plenty of topside to deflect spray, all leading down to a pronounced deep keel. This offers protection to her stern gear and encourages straight tracking and precise steering through broken water in a way that lesser hulls cannot. The lay-up of her hull is mighty – and she proudly shows off her ribcage of structural frames, which brace her skin as she slices up-weather. As a proper cruising boat, this is what you need and want, rather than having your options clipped by a little adverse weather.

Her interior was fitted out by Moodys of Swanwick, with typically stout teak cabinetry and beautifully radiused mouldings much in evidence. Forward, she sports a roomy vee-berth cabin; moving aft, there is a heads and shower (all built from easy-maintenance white panelling), which then leads further aft to a lower-level galley to starboard and a separate double-bunk cabin to port. The quality and condition of her timber would put many a far younger pretender to shame; and whilst her layout does not afford a twee full beam midships cabin, her utility and seaworthiness far outweigh that. Climb five steps and you reach the wheelhouse – with the helm console to port, navigator’s seats to starboard, and a four-seater sofa abaft to port, with access to her aft cabin over to starboard. And what a great aft cabin it is – with a huge centreline double berth, masses of useful stowage, and those generous aft-opening port-lights in her transom flooding the cabin with light and providing plenty of air.

On deck, she is every inch the working sea boat – with high side-rails, plenty of robust handrails, and a practical command bridge area above the wheelhouse and aft cabin, offering excellent guest seating as well as stations for both helm and navigator. Her decks are sensibly laid in zero-maintenance simulated teak, and are broad, flat, and allow unimpeded movement around her ring deck, assuring a safe working environment for her crew.

Her owners have cared for her since 2002, appreciating her rugged abilities, and have continually improved, optimised, and built upon her capabilities – as they very adeptly write below.

Note

Name to be retained by vendor.

Owner’s Comments

It is a sad time for me, parting with TALISMAN OF WIGHT. I have owned her since 23rd April 2002, but must now part company and put the proceeds into my business.

I have used TALISMAN OF WIGHT extensively for many years and she has never once let me down. For a period, she was even coded to MCA Category 2, undertaking survey work in the Irish Sea.

From 2017 to 2019 we carried out a full refit to bring her up to top specification. The brief was to achieve a reliable, robust sea boat for 6 to 8 persons to enjoy all that the Western Isles of Scotland has to offer. She had to be comfortable and safe on night passages, and easy to operate and navigate.

I took the best of commercial and leisure equipment, married these with cruising demands, and created a unique and fabulous vessel. With limited time available for cosmetic maintenance, I decided to re-deck her – including the sub-deck – and apply Tek-Dek, so that all that is now required is an annual pressure wash. This has resulted in a very dry boat with no concerns about deck maintenance.

Since the refit we have covered around 2,500 nautical miles and visited wonderful, far-flung places such as the fabulous beach at Kiloran Bay on Colonsay. We have truly had our eyes opened to the beauty of Scotland. Breakfast on the aft deck in morning sunshine, watching deer grazing while anchored in the basin at Loch Scavaig, is just one of many memorable experiences.

What makes TALISMAN OF WIGHT so special in my opinion is the combination of the following:

• Sure-footed sea-going pilot vessel hull with leisure fit-out.
• Hot water central heating and towel rails, engine pre-heats, etc.
• Simple-to-use, extensive Furuno navigation suite.
• Commercial-style Wills Ridley steering system with optional joystick control.
• Commercial-grade Duro wiper systems as used by the RNLI.
• Excellent helm and navigation seating and screens, allowing guests to be involved in supreme comfort.
• Analogue engine and gearbox controls providing excellent reliability.
• Incredible lighting throughout (red/white, dimmable, illuminated cupboards, etc.).
• Legendary Detroit 8V71 engines – renowned in the marine industry for rugged durability and powerful performance.
• Economic cruising: averaging 35 litres per hour at 8 knots (including generator use).
• Robust and reliable generator.
• Thoughtful ergonomic details – cup holders, USB points, reading lamps, etc.

All of these contribute to a superb combination for unrivalled, comfortable cruising. One of my favourite features is the small seat to port of the helm, where the back hinges down to create a table – ideal for drinks and snacks under way, but also invaluable for keeping a pilot book open when entering an unfamiliar port. As you would expect, this is served by a blue/white reading lamp, perfect for night passages or for use by those seated in the saloon behind. Safety has always been high on my agenda, so she is very well fitted out in this regard – with much learned from her previous coding.

As many of us cruise with family members keen to see where we are heading, the two screens in front of the starboard seating/chart table display the chart plotter, radar, fish finder, etc. I have found this creates great interest and involvement from cruising partners. From this position you can even create routes while under way, or simply monitor progress and location in real time.

Why two radars, you may ask? The large open-array unit, usually displayed at the chart table, is best for long ranges, while the smaller radome unit is more effective in close quarters around the vessel – particularly valuable at the helm during night passages.

My hope is that someone will acquire TALISMAN OF WIGHT who truly understands her capabilities and who can involve their families in the wonderful experiences she makes possible, just as I have. The kayak, paddleboard and tender will all go with her, as I would like new families to enjoy just as much fun on this superb cruising boat as we have had.