Omega 828 Classic Sports Twin Screw Cruiser with Cummins B series engines
Year: Built approx. 1973 No: 16
LOA: 27 3” 8.28m
Beam: 9’5” 2.89m
Draft: 2’10” 0.89m
Fuel: Approx. 140 galls Diesel (twin tanks)
Description/Pedigree
The Omega 828 range of powerboats were built in the mid 1970’s by Trident Marine, Porchester, believed to a design by Soni Levi following his successes in the Cowes Torquay Offshore Powerboat Races.
These English Gentlemans Races bred a number of ‘deep V’ designs, a hull form pioneered by the famous American Designer Ray Hunt. Soni Levi achieved winning success in the early races and Trident Marine started a production run of 828 Omega’s around this success, which competed in the market place with The Fairey Marine range.
Soni Levi has written a few books on his work which are freely available, his classic Italian profiles and lines are clearly seen in the Omega 828, which not only give practical application to the interior, but also an ageless Mediterranean ‘sleek’ look.
The Omega enjoys a popular following for those wishing an offshore cruiser also with lots of ‘street cred dad’ as the children would say.
This boat underwent a major refit over two winters in 2000 & 2001, which makes her a very special Omega 828 and an extremely attractive purchase.
Construction
The GRP hull is bonded to a one piece GRP deck around the gunwale. The Gunwale is finished with a varnished teak rubbing strake. Engine bearers three in number, run from transom to engine bay bulkhead and forward into the accommodation, complemented by other stiffening and sub bulkheads. A strong and sturdy light design, common to this class of offshore cruiser.
The layout is traditional for the period, helm to port, raised engine box for the twin powerful diesels and curved seating in a well aft. The fore cabin has twin berths, separate loo compartment, dinette table seating with galley.
Sleeps three in comfort, four with two on the dinette berth.
HelmWheel and engine dials, Morse single lever throttle/ gear controls, seat and Navigation instruments
MachineryTwin Cummins 210HP 6BT turbo diesel engines fitted new in the major refit on rubber silent mounts giving a quiet installation and new exhaust system. Engine hours currently about Port 402 & Stb. 404 in May 2022
Borg Warner Velvet drive 1:1 gearboxes, driving stainless steel shafts in ‘P’brackets.
Together with new propellers. Again new with the engines.
Fuel system replaced in A1 classification hose, twin Racor fuel separators and tank manifold to enable both engines to run off one tank etc. etc.
Fuel tanks are plastic, by Tek-tanks, fitted new in refit.
Electrics12 Volt system.
Four batteries under helm sole with key switches and cross over switch, otherwise both engines are operating independently. New batteries 2020 season.
Auxiliary Switch panel is located just inside the door , but accessible from the helm position. Navigation & cabin lights
Dashboard wiring may be accessed by removing the loo compartment panel.
Hull anode system
Pumps-Bilgemanual pump 1.1/4” fitted to stb. engine cockpit hatch
Manual & auto electric aft & engine bay.
DeckFore hatch, new with refit, qualifies for cabin escape
Usual fenders and lines
Electric ‘Quick’ anchor winch, may be used manually with handle
Ensign staff aft with transom swimming ladder
Fore CabinNew loo fitted during refit 2022, also new cushions for cabin berths.
New cushions through out in 2022
Two burner cooker, bottle stb cockpit. Galley sink
CockpitTeak flooring fitted for 2020 season
New 2021 Toneau cover as well as spray hood with aft camper cover
Curved aft seating, with new 2022 cushions, ideal for picnics. .
Helm & passenger seats unfitted
Anchor with length of ground chain and line
Boathook
NavigationNasa Depth
Raymarine Plotter
Garmin GPS
Lowrance VHF
Compass
Clock & Barometer
Navigation Lights
Remarks & summaryThis Omega 828 machinery was extensively refitted to a very high standard just over a decade ago.
New 210HP Cummins Marine diesels, with gearboxes, supplied by Cummins UK, Hamble. Brings the whole boat up to a modern day specification whilst retaining the Classic Style. This included running gear, propellers & shafts together with fuel tanks & systems. This makes her extremely good value.
The current owner has further undertaken extensive refitting to the cockpit floor, cushions, hull & deck paintwork. But a home move, has made it difficult to travel south for boating in the Solent & French coast.
A little end of Season TLC & cosmetic attention required, as with all classic craft, but you could press the button and go to France in a reliable well found boat today. The current owner uses her to this level, The Cummins diesels are very economical.
The engines give her around 30 knots or slightly more and a very comfortable cruising range between 22 to 26 knots.
The fuel consumption for these classic cruisers is extremely low owing to the easily driven ‘deep V’ hull form, the resulting propulsive efficiency enables direct drive to be used and all this adds up to great fuel economy for these classic cruisers, especially if low cruising speeds are used, unlike the more modern heavier fast launches.
She is well worth considering if you wish an economical diesel GRP cruiser with current updated Cummins machinery, fitted out to a very high standard only a few years ago. The Omega 828 has the Italian slick look and pretty silhouette
A survey dated May 2022 is available
Lying on a swinging mooring Chichester harbour.
