I had a trip to Eastwood Marine today in Brundall to Survey this Moonraker 36 Fast Cruiser. The Moonraker 36 was one of the most popular medium sized fast cruisers of the 1970s. The boat was launched in 1970 by Moonraker Marine of Brundall, Norfolk, where later became JCL Marine, and nearly 400 boats were built before JCL went into liquidation in 1980.
The reason for the boats popularity were its competitive price ( the early examples cost under £10,000 with the smallest engine option of twin 100hp GM diesels) and good accommodation, with a total of six berths. Most were fitted with Perkins 145HP like this example giving a top speed of 18 to 20 knots.
In 1987 the manufacturing was taken up again by Aqua Bell / East Anglian Marine in Brundall, Norwich. The boats were then called Moonraker Super 36, and traded through Monitor Marine / D.C.Developments. The last boat is built in 1991 to the manager of Aqua Bell, Vic Bell. In the period as a hole, just under 400 Moonrakers were built, the first 300 of which were built before end of 1974. Moonrakers were sold to more than 30 countries including Bahrain and the USA.
The reason for the boats popularity were its competitive price ( the early examples cost under £10,000 with the smallest engine option of twin 100hp GM diesels) and good accommodation, with a total of six berths. Most were fitted with Perkins 145HP like this example giving a top speed of 18 to 20 knots.
Moonraker 36 History:
When the Moonraker 36 was introduced in January 70, orders in hand were completed, but no further orders were taken. All in all 52 Moonrakers on the Ocean 30 hull were produced.
The Moonraker 36 Softrider was introduced as the market demanded it, requiring a bigger boat and Royal Navy Architect Robert Tucker was the original designer of the hull. Bell Buxton Boat Builders was then formed to produce the Moonraker 36 under the name Moonraker Marine. Bell Buxton produced all in all 122 vessels.
On July 12th.1971 the yard was taken over by Anthony Colin Bruce (known for his Lotus Sports cars), under the name Moonraker International. Chapmans arrival in boat manufacturing was no accident. For months he had been considering designs of a new boat in the 30-45-ft. range.
He redesigned the superstructure and thereby gave the boat the elegant look, which today more than 40 years later, still makes the boat impressive.From 1973 Moonraker was produced under the name JCL marine/Moonraker Motor Yachts, and with minor adjustments the manufacturing continued until October 1980, where the builders folded, a victim of the recession that gripped the industry at the time.
When the Moonraker 36 was introduced in January 70, orders in hand were completed, but no further orders were taken. All in all 52 Moonrakers on the Ocean 30 hull were produced.
The Moonraker 36 Softrider was introduced as the market demanded it, requiring a bigger boat and Royal Navy Architect Robert Tucker was the original designer of the hull. Bell Buxton Boat Builders was then formed to produce the Moonraker 36 under the name Moonraker Marine. Bell Buxton produced all in all 122 vessels.
On July 12th.1971 the yard was taken over by Anthony Colin Bruce (known for his Lotus Sports cars), under the name Moonraker International. Chapmans arrival in boat manufacturing was no accident. For months he had been considering designs of a new boat in the 30-45-ft. range.
He redesigned the superstructure and thereby gave the boat the elegant look, which today more than 40 years later, still makes the boat impressive.From 1973 Moonraker was produced under the name JCL marine/Moonraker Motor Yachts, and with minor adjustments the manufacturing continued until October 1980, where the builders folded, a victim of the recession that gripped the industry at the time.
In 1987 the manufacturing was taken up again by Aqua Bell / East Anglian Marine in Brundall, Norwich. The boats were then called Moonraker Super 36, and traded through Monitor Marine / D.C.Developments. The last boat is built in 1991 to the manager of Aqua Bell, Vic Bell. In the period as a hole, just under 400 Moonrakers were built, the first 300 of which were built before end of 1974. Moonrakers were sold to more than 30 countries including Bahrain and the USA.
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| The Sedan and the Cruiser were powered by twin Perkins 6.354 115hp six-cylinder diesels, the Sports Yacht by turbocharged T6.354s developing 175hp. The 175s were also available on the Sedan and the Cruiser in a higher-spec version called the Express most buyers opted for the extra power. |
Surveyors comments
Some of the hulls are renowned to have some osmosis blistering, although many have now been peeled and treated with epoxy. Fuel and water tanks are constructed from fibreglass and are then bonded deep into the hull. Fuel filler and vent pipes are an unusual design ( more like seen in the automotive industry!) and many had to be changed to pass the current Boat Safety Scheme Regualtions of the type laid down in accordance with the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) and have become a requirement for licensing purposes on waters managed by the Broads Authority.
Some of the hulls are renowned to have some osmosis blistering, although many have now been peeled and treated with epoxy. Fuel and water tanks are constructed from fibreglass and are then bonded deep into the hull. Fuel filler and vent pipes are an unusual design ( more like seen in the automotive industry!) and many had to be changed to pass the current Boat Safety Scheme Regualtions of the type laid down in accordance with the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) and have become a requirement for licensing purposes on waters managed by the Broads Authority.
