Boat Report Signature 1900s/2100s - 1990

[Gav]

BOAT REPORT...................FAST TRIO

Dated January 1990.........

In a major new launch, Shetland Cruisers are introducing UK-Built examples of the Australian Signature range. Emrhys Berrell went to preveiw three of the models during a wet and windy day in November!

In a major move forward Shetland have moved into the performance market.

Signature themselves have become something of a legend in boating circles down under, with thier total commitment to performance and rough water handling, backed by quality of build and looks.
Rough in Australian terms means straight out into the Indian or Pacific oceans, with few sheltered areas and usually breaking seas inbetween. John Haines, the outfits designer,builder and guiding light, has raced these waters for 30 years and when he set up his own company in 1983 to build runabouts and sportsboats he had clear ideas of what was needed.
The resulting developments have been fast and furious, with the company not afraid to experiment with designs in their quest for the ultimate. Good hulls have lasted the course, others have been discarded. Some formulas have worked better than others, with certain models becoming landmarks in sportsboat history.

DESIGN.....
The obvious place to start looking at Signatures is below the water line, and it is here that you get your first inkling as to what makes the boats different.
The classic design compromise is between a medium/v hull to give easy planing and low power requirements, and deep v to cut through waves and give a smooth ride. In Signature hulls, John Haines has combined the two, with sections that are concave in form, giving a deeper v at the keel but flaring out to shallower angles at the chine. Thus, when you are getting on the plane you have the assistance of the medium v, but when you are up and running, the deeper sections cut through the waves. The moral with a signature is for a smooth ride you keep going fast!!
Other distinctive under water features are the spray rails. In the Signature these are acheived by what is best described as a "clinker" form, with 4 clear strakes running the length of the boat. These provide progresive steps in planing surfaces, smooth out the ride, reduce spray, give tenacious cornering and also add considerable strength to the hull just where is is needed to take the pounding of the waves.
Walking round to the back of the boats gives you a potted history of Signature hull development. The noticeable feature on earlier models is the flat pad at the keel. Upto 5" wide, this improves the planing surface, and increases stability, preventing the boat from rocking(chine walking!) at speed. By the time the 1700s was produced, the aft end had become destinctly complex. The pictures show what we mean, but the sections started to show a gull-wing form, with two narrow tunnels either side of the keel. The last two ft of this hull is notched, giving a planing step, while the final tweak is a tube at the forward end of the notch. This is connected to the transom, ventilating the area aft of the step.
What all these later modifications do is arguable. The tunnells give more grip when cornering. The trapped air provides high speed lift and softens the ride in waves. The step reduces wetted surface area and so cuts down drag, while the vcentilating tube lets air in at lower speeds, increasing prop slip, and allowing the engine to build up revs quicker. Whenyou are cornering at high speeds the same tube reduces pressure under the step, pulling the hull down and increasing grip. That is our theory. You may have your own. Signature arent telling, but they have patented the designs!
And the net affect of all this? well, the results are quite remarkable. The hulls do get up and plane very fast. They do run level and smooth in choppy conditions, and as for cornering, the boats really ought to be fitted with seat belts! Because the uninitiated can turn them so fast that passengers end up in a heap at the side of the boat. The 1900s in particular was quite fearsome, running around like a catamaran, but not uncontrolably so, and providing you kept the power on, refusing to spin out.

2100s.....
The top of the range model on display was the 2100s. a big, capable sea boat, based on a race winning hull, this is now in its second succesfull year. Two bucket seats keep driver and navigator in place, though the port one was suffering from a hard weeks testing. The driving possition is good, allowing you to look through or just over the screen, with the throttle lying well to hand, and the seat adjustable on sliders, the navigator has a well placed grab handle/the four passengers behind are not so well catered for, 2 traps forward give access to small lockers while a larer hatch leads in to the big underdeck stowage area.
Looking in here reveals an excellent standard of glasswork, with a deep spine running under and stiffening the foredeck, and fully encapsulated built in foam bouyancy.
An integral fuel tank is located under the cockpit sole and, aft of this, a hatch gives access to the fuel shut-off.
Underway the 2100 is a dream to drive, straight line performance is excellent, with the boat quickly onto the plane, top speed on our radar gun showed 47 knotts, wut this was on a rough and windy day, loaded with the full crew of four of Shetlands chunky boatbuilders. In better condition you should see 5-6 knotts more. The Orwell was producing a nasty steep chop but, trimmed level, the 2100 took this well in its stride. Downwind, the nose up, you could really pile on the power and still keep control, even in turns, and we came away with agreat feeling of confidence in the hull.

1900s.....

The 1900s was brand new for 1989. First impression is of sleek stylish lines that will turn heads both on the water and on its trailer. The hull continues aft of the transom, flanking the 200 merc that was fitted to this particular boat, with 2 sponsons or wings, which are both eye catching and practical. Not only do they look good, they provide extra lift at the stern, and give you two boarding platforms. The engine well is snug and compact, assisted by mercury's neat hydraulic steering system. The smooth styling is continued with the recessed stern cleats.
Moving forward, the cockpit is deep and secure. The curved rear bench seat will take 3 passengers, while ahead are 2 deep bucket seats with headrests, for driver and navigator. Cave lockers port and starboard take small items, while the rear seat backrest hinges up to give access to the stern compartment. Padded armrests alongside the front seats keep elbows from being banged, while grab handles keep you in place. The screen is infact solid, a black wrap around section that deflects the slipstrem upwards, an arrangement that gives you a narrow band of clear air to look through.
Performance as we have said is startling. Four-up, the boat recorded 46knotts top speed, but again you should see at least another 5-6knotts in better conditions. Straight line handling was very good, the boat coping capably withe the short chop. And the cornering was nothing less than out of this world.


END

[roofer]

Good write up gav, what kind of performance you had with your tweaked motor?

[Gav]

Originally posted by roofer
Good write up gav, what kind of performance you had with your tweaked motor?

the only true reading i had was 61mph on gps running a 23 tempest, 3 fooked ht leads, and 1 busted spark plug!!

ran the motor up today with new leads(thanks hutchy ) and a new plug, sounds sweeter, will be back using 24 ballistic, so hopefully see a quicker speed!

[roofer]

Can you post a pic of pad?

[Gav]

Originally posted by roofer
Can you post a pic of pad?

[michaelcaine]

hi gav,whats the best product for filling in cracks in gel coat?

[Gav]

Originally posted by michaelcaine
hi gav,whats the best product for filling in cracks in gel coat?

gelcoat!

[JamesM]

stickers

[michaelcaine]

alright funny man,i dont know do i ,but put like that its obvious!!

[mike k]

When you testing again ?

[Gav]

Originally posted by mike k
When you testing again ?

very soon! mid december ish!

[scottyboy]

Where abouts ya testing gav??

[Gav]

Originally posted by scottyboy
Where abouts ya testing gav??

Torbay area......

[roofer]

Originally posted by Gav
Torbay area......

You like to travel dont you, why dont you bring it up to the wyre ?

[Gav]

Originally posted by roofer
You like to travel dont you, why dont you bring it up to the wyre ?

its just as far up there aint it?? is it sheltered?

[MrRob]

Originally posted by roofer
You like to travel dont you, why dont you bring it up to the wyre ?

I was up there yesterday, whats the speed limit on the river?

[roofer]

Originally posted by MrRob
I was up there yesterday, whats the speed limit on the river?

There isn't one, how fast you wanna go?

[MrRob]

Originally posted by roofer
There isn't one, how fast you wanna go?

Ask Gav, hes the one with a single piece 600XS

[mike k]

Scuse my ignorance,where's the Wyre ?

[roofer]

Originally posted by Gav
its just as far up there aint it?? is it sheltered?

just across from hutchy's yard, why sheltered i thought your boat was good in the rough

Rivers usually calm and you can always launch, when tides in of course