Thread: Hartley Boats

Originally Posted by Randylandy

I am looking at buying a 16ft hatley. I know there are heaps of them about but cant find any info on them. Anyone here had any experience with them ie Sea worthyness, performance etc?

Hi, My experience with them goes back 30 odd years, but they were a very capable seaworthy boat, reasonably light and strong and did not require a huge motor to drive them. Built of ply and fibreglass. I would think that any of them around today would be old and necessitate a rigorous inspection for dry rot. ..................Brian

I've one in the family - my dad built it back in the 70's. There are younger boats about, and recent ones can have the fibreglass hulls, rather than ply.

However, my experience is rather limited - the only time I sailed it was a few years ago now. It was pretty easy for me to get the hang of it, with just a rough idea and next-to-no experience, in sailing. Wouldn't be the fastest or nippiest craft out there, but not bad for something that you can go for a reasonably comfortable day cruise in.

But it is a small boat, so really is suited to lakes / harbours / etc. and calmer conditions. I guess they're the sort of boat that you'd take out for a good day.


Geoff

The TS16 is a great little tub I planing on buying/building one next year.

Hi
This was my Hartly, 20 footer though. I once broke it in half basicly. Had cracks running from the chine to the gunnel, stringers broken, every structual section foward of the cab under the floor delamanated. $10000 dollars to rebuild doing all the work my self. At the time the cab was also moved foward about 300mm. Loved my boat. Was built in Queensland by turning a old timber one upside down and making mould off it. She was All glass


cheers
blaze

I had 19ft one similar to picture which I repaired. Went well if not thirsty with a 70 hp Evinrude driving it. If its solid wood ensure it has been looked after as mine was in the tropics and wood rot was a constant struggle. Saying that there are plenty of sites dedicated to wooden boats and ideas how to repair them at home. Its a labour of love.

Thanks for the replies. It is actually a 17ft center console power boat. Bought it yesterday for $400. It has recently been professionally re-glassed but needs a few bits and pieces finished on it ie deck installed and console rebuilt, and a new motor as the old one used to push the ark about. Looks similar to the one in the photo less the cab. Will post some pics later in the week when I pick it up. The design looks strong and very sea worthy and would be happy taking it off shore (with a new motor).

Not sure if I will leave it as a center console or build a cuddy cabin on it so SWMBO can have a dunny (can't seem to convince her hanging her arse over the side is OK for some reason)

I mention in my earlier post that I broke mine, I got caught 50km offshore on the northwest tip of tassie and the average wave height was 3.5 metres, the first bigen I copped was 5 to 6m with no back, no appent damage after that but 15 minutes later copped a 6+m with no back. Seemed like it took 10 minutes to land. The cabin bulkhead shatter (where the helm is) and all the rest of the damage occured, at the time some unseen. Although there was no internal leaks I could feel the structure of the boat all busted, We steamed for an hour through those condition to find calmer water.
Good sea boat, dam right, mine save my arse and 2 of my mates
cheers
blaze

Crikey hopefully I wont see seas that big must have been the longest hour. I'm glad to hear you made it back