I had the morning at Summercraft Boatyard in Wroxham Surveying this Bounty 37 for Insurance. Bounty Boats was formed by Mike Brister, and in 1968 was sold to Peter Brown. At the time the company was a small hirefleet of assorted craft, based at Brundall on the Norfolk Broads.
In 1972 Bounty Boats went into production with their first model - the Bounty Buccaneer 37.
MK I: This was the first model Bounty produced. It came about through the success of F.B Wilds “Caribbean” model - a similar craft all on one level considered modern and luxurious and a break from tradition at the time. F.B Wilds refusal to sell the moulds for others to make their own was the reason for Bounty Boats going into production with their own interpretation, with improved hull & more angular superstructure. So in 1972 the first four Buccaneers entered service in the Bounty Boats hirefleet. Over the next several years incredibly high numbers were built for other operators. Those manufactured by Bounty Boats were built with a “B” on the rear side vent cover, and those produced by Solar Marine an “S”.
The MK I had single level accommodation, and was usually built to the layout shown. The fold up bed was as on the Caribbean model the design was inspired by, and optimised daytime space but still meant there was no need to continually re-make the bed - just fold it down!
A sliding sunroof over the main saloon increased their appeal, and the ability to enjoy good weather, whilst still be sheltered, comfortable and with the rest of the crew in less favourable weathers.
Another similarity to the Caribbean was the deep sunken forward well. This allowed people to sit out and enjoy the weather, easy access for mooring, and also meant that children and pets could be outside whilst still safely in sight.
MK II: Built with similar layouts to the MK I, the MK II had a full sliding canopy over the saloon, and a fixed forward screen with no access door. The window edges were also squared rather than rounded. Some short, ladder type steps in the saloon make access onto the gunwhales easy when the canopy is open.
MK III:
The combining of the MK I & II meant that MK III had both the full sliding canopy of the MK II and forward access and the front well of the MK I. Many more of these were produced than the MK II, but the MK I is the most popular of the three.
The standard layout plan was different, offered eight berths and had fixed seating forward which converted to a sleeping area at night.
Surveyors comments: Im my experience these boats always go through Survey very well. I have inspected dozens of them over the years. The underbody is double gelcoated so osmosis is never a problem. The floors throughout are 18mm plywood so access through to the bilges and inner keel is good… not like their sister ships the Caribbean’s and Bermudas which have the glassed in cored floors. Decks and superstructures are wood cored and are usually strong with no flexing of the structures noted.
Find one with a good engine for 25K to 30K and you will have done well. Excellent examples with new engines can fetch 40K.
In 1972 Bounty Boats went into production with their first model - the Bounty Buccaneer 37.
MK I: This was the first model Bounty produced. It came about through the success of F.B Wilds “Caribbean” model - a similar craft all on one level considered modern and luxurious and a break from tradition at the time. F.B Wilds refusal to sell the moulds for others to make their own was the reason for Bounty Boats going into production with their own interpretation, with improved hull & more angular superstructure. So in 1972 the first four Buccaneers entered service in the Bounty Boats hirefleet. Over the next several years incredibly high numbers were built for other operators. Those manufactured by Bounty Boats were built with a “B” on the rear side vent cover, and those produced by Solar Marine an “S”.
The MK I had single level accommodation, and was usually built to the layout shown. The fold up bed was as on the Caribbean model the design was inspired by, and optimised daytime space but still meant there was no need to continually re-make the bed - just fold it down!
A sliding sunroof over the main saloon increased their appeal, and the ability to enjoy good weather, whilst still be sheltered, comfortable and with the rest of the crew in less favourable weathers.
Another similarity to the Caribbean was the deep sunken forward well. This allowed people to sit out and enjoy the weather, easy access for mooring, and also meant that children and pets could be outside whilst still safely in sight.
MK II: Built with similar layouts to the MK I, the MK II had a full sliding canopy over the saloon, and a fixed forward screen with no access door. The window edges were also squared rather than rounded. Some short, ladder type steps in the saloon make access onto the gunwhales easy when the canopy is open.
The combining of the MK I & II meant that MK III had both the full sliding canopy of the MK II and forward access and the front well of the MK I. Many more of these were produced than the MK II, but the MK I is the most popular of the three.
The standard layout plan was different, offered eight berths and had fixed seating forward which converted to a sleeping area at night.
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| Very similar to the other Buccaneer 37s in internal layout, however, this one lacks the forewell and has a sliding canopy. Usually outfitted as a 4-6 berth with a forward saloon. This one being repainted in white by Summercraft Boatyard. |
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| She also has a new Nanni 50HP diesel engine |
Surveyors comments: Im my experience these boats always go through Survey very well. I have inspected dozens of them over the years. The underbody is double gelcoated so osmosis is never a problem. The floors throughout are 18mm plywood so access through to the bilges and inner keel is good… not like their sister ships the Caribbean’s and Bermudas which have the glassed in cored floors. Decks and superstructures are wood cored and are usually strong with no flexing of the structures noted.
Find one with a good engine for 25K to 30K and you will have done well. Excellent examples with new engines can fetch 40K.
