First sea trials  completed

https://www.shippax.com/en/news/manxman-sea-trials.aspx

Not quite as pretty as the Ben in my view, quite stubby.

Sailings should be a big improvement.

Pretty exciting, in a way! 
I'll be ready when she comes into Heysham for the first time, like I was when the Ben arrived, and those fast craft things.
It's going to be the mother of all sea trials when she sets off to sail back from Korea!!

nice place for sunbeds at the front

That's a worrying thing! there doesn't seem to be much space outside, no seating/safety rails or anything!
Maybe a small terrace at the back? like Mannannannannannan has?
I do like to go on deck quite a lot on the voyage to The Island!

According to the blurb, the Manxman will have 3 outside decks (with disability access) as opposed to the Ben's 2

Maybe there will be access to the "top bit"!
I can only see 2 small terraces at the back, guess we'll have to wait a bit longer.

overall the new Manxman looks a bit like the seacat's

Timetable shows it starting on the run on Tuesday 23rd May and the Ben finishing.

Busy time to start the new vessel.

Now that surprises me!
 I honestly thought the Ben would work over the TT period!
What's going to happen to the Old Girl? I wonder.

I thought the cunning plan was to use the Ben as cover vessel. but now Steam Racket have bought the stand-by freighter MV Arrow.

They must have a basic run crew and pilotage for the freight only Arrow so i suspected Ben and Manxman might run at the TT and allow a few more punters and passenger traffic.

Cannot see how they need both the Ben and MV Arrow sitting on the wall and the Ben is almost 25 years old which I seem to recall requires more in depth

 Lloyds surveys.

Just been looking at sailings for the TT as our Manx GP accommodation is unexpectedly available for the TT, but sailings are as difficult to find as ever.

Getting further away now!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-...n-64483089

I have a theory that Steam Packet didn't take any more bookings, hoping to release more later,
& with not using the Ben, this means that things just go back to "as they were" last year.

Oh Poo I was hoping some extra sailings might be released with the extra space as I was still hoping to get the van over.

Strange thing is, on the Steam Packet website, from 23rd May (my birthday, when I was going for my daytrip on its first sailing ) it still shows Manxman from then on!
Guess they'll change it, sooner or later!

If as serious as seems, they'll have to cut a damn great hole somewhere on their nice new ship to get the box out.

Marine gearboxes tend to be one-offs, not off the shelf, so no two gearboxes are exactly the same, parts will likely need to be made.

Likely to be several months delay and probably running on reduced power for a while when she does appear.

Hope Steam Racket are well covered in the build policy! Wonder if they now wish it had been  built this side of the world?

What's the big deal?
My mate Smiffy could change the gearbox in a Sierra in a morning!
& that was 30 years ago
& just using an pair of molegrips
& with 1 arm broken, after falling off his LC the day before!

Hello hello hello - https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-m...n-gearbox/

I was sadly thinking the same as Chris above - even on say small trawlers anything big has to be cut out because the boat and decking is built around the big lumpy mechanical fittings........and seriously hoping the odd Manx Faceache rumour i've seen about the concerns with ease of turning in the harbour aren't true either..

(02-02-2023, 05:43 PM)Alfie Noakes Wrote: Hello hello hello - https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-m...n-gearbox/

I was sadly thinking the same as Chris above - even on say small trawlers anything big has to be cut out because the boat and decking is built around the big lumpy mechanical fittings........and seriously hoping the odd Manx Faceache rumour i've seen about the concerns with ease of turning in the harbour aren't true either..

we will find out sooner or later 

(02-02-2023, 05:43 PM)Alfie Noakes Wrote: Hello hello hello - https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-m...n-gearbox/

I was sadly thinking the same as Chris above - even on say small trawlers anything big has to be cut out because the boat and decking is built around the big lumpy mechanical fittings........and seriously hoping the odd Manx Faceache rumour i've seen about the concerns with ease of turning in the harbour aren't true either..

Have not seen those rumours but she is much lumpier than the Ben so will catch the wind more, however she appears well provisioned on bow thrusters so I'd be surprised if there was a problem.

Due to the Manxman being delayed my booking has automatically been transferred to the Ben, if anyone is thinking of upgrading to the Premium Lounge give SP a ring. I’ve just done it.

ive just paid still says Manxman cannot see that happening