Allan
regular
Reged: 17/03/2004
Posts: 1258
Loc: Bristol
|
|
I will be buying a boat in the near futere. I have been looking at Westerlys and Moodys, although I am open to suggestion of other makes. After sailing other peoples boats in recent weeks, (Moody 32 bilge, Sadler 32 fin and Gibsea 31 shoal fin) I have decided I would like to hear opions of which are the best sailers. I'm looking at 28-33 feet boats.
Allan
--------------------
I now have my dream yacht.
|
DJE
regular
Reged: 21/06/2004
Posts: 2082
Loc: Fareham
|
|
Sadler 29. But then I would say that wouldn't I!
About 60% of them were built with twin keels, not so many of the Sadlers 32s got twin keels for some reason. The twin keels are reasonably deep (1.2m draft) they are also angled so that the leeward keel becomes nearly vertical when heeled, and the ballast ratio is high at about 40% so she has pretty good performance to windward.
The Sadler is no light wind flyer but given 15 knots of wind and decent sails you'll be doing 5 to 5.5 knots close hauled and 6 to (occasionally) 7 knots on the reaches. You'll also get excellent seakeeping and a sensible, practical accomodation layout. Downsides are that the windward keel breaks the surface every now and then when pressed so you get the occaisional slam; and the galley is a bit small and basic. They are also expensive but so far seem to hold their value well.
--------------------
۞
|
whipper_snapper
regular
Reged: 09/08/2006
Posts: 1547
Loc: Kenya
|
|
Arguable British Hunters are the best bilge keelers around. I believe that they are among the quickest - anyone got the numbers to hand ?
|
Rosbif
regular
Reged: 04/06/2007
Posts: 177
Loc: Guernsey CI
|
|
RMs, but again I would say that wouldn't I! They are seriously fast. I am only just getting to grips with the performance charachteristics of my 1050 (and learning how to sail her properly!), but on a reach in 12-15 knots true we have regularly touched 9 knots. And the cutter rig offers all sorts of options for when short handed/stiff breeze etc. And she turns on a sixpence under power. And SWMBO is seriously pleased with domestic arrangements and general comfort (and that is saying something!) But not cheap though, particularly with the demise of the pound against the euro
--------------------
Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill
|
DJE
regular
Reged: 21/06/2004
Posts: 2082
Loc: Fareham
|
|
Very different concept from the Sadler but I have to admit that if were in the market for a new boat I'd be looking hard at the RMs. Have you tried drying her out yet?
--------------------
۞
|
whipper_snapper
regular
Reged: 09/08/2006
Posts: 1547
Loc: Kenya
|
|
Nice looking boat! But all those twiddly bits look vulnerable for drying out. Seems to have no skeg at all? And what happens when you wrap an anchor warp or mooring line between the keels and over those go-faster bulbs?! For me, there is little point in a bilge keeler that can't take a bit of hammering as it settles or lifts off. I may be wrong, but it all looks a bit too 'thoroughbred' for my tastes.
|
Flipper_K6354
regular
Reged: 20/09/2001
Posts: 1646
Loc: Boat in Brightlingsea, Essex. ...
|
|
Does it have to be a bilge keeler?
My boat has a long shallower fin with legs for use when I want to dry out. With a draft of 4' 6" she can point and make better speed to windward than an equivalent bilge keeler.
|
Jonny_H
regular
Reged: 15/08/2006
Posts: 1512
Loc: Liveaboard - following the sun...
|
|
I was always very fond of our Westerly Tempest bilge keeler - sailed very well indeed, a touch heavy on the helm when pressed hard, but thats the way it is with bilge keelers.
The Tempest in general was, in my opinion, a super boat! Also, I think they did the Storm in a bilge keel, they are very very nice boats to sail although I've only had first hand experience of a fin keeler, but have heard good reports.
Jonny
--------------------
www.freewebs.com/jksailing
|
pessimist
regular
Reged: 07/05/2003
Posts: 1763
Loc: ked out
|
|
Another vote for the Sadler 29. Had one for several years. Not the fastest but not slow either. They dry out with no problems. Only downside is the slightly reduced accommodation due to the double skin. You'll love the double skin in winter though - much less condensation than a single skin.
--------------------
No matter who you vote for, the government always gets in. - BDDDB
|
Rosbif
regular
Reged: 04/06/2007
Posts: 177
Loc: Guernsey CI
|
|
drying out is on the timetable for this weekend coming. need to adjust the kiwiprop. The rudder has a plate at the bottom for drying out and is reinforced etc etc. There is a very active (French) owners association, most of the RM owners seem to delight in drying out wherever they can and no specific problems have been reported. Note comments about tangling warps etc around the bulbs. But cannot that happen to any boat? I have certainly witnessed many similar episodes on a variety of fin keelers
--------------------
Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill
|
wotayottie
regular
Reged: 01/07/2007
Posts: 1892
|
|
got a Moody 336 bilge keeler. We beat the Sadler 29 on handicap in anything but very heavy winds, and rate about the same as a Hunter 30. The latter is a fast boat but pretty light - wouldnt want to be in one in a blow. There are no Westerlies in our club races but I wouldnt expect any problems except for the Fulmar or Storm.
FWIW a surveyor once told me that Sadlers were not the best built of Brit boats but any probs would be apparent by now. Good sea boat.
|
Allan
regular
Reged: 17/03/2004
Posts: 1258
Loc: Bristol
|
|
Many thanks for all of your replies, very helpful. I like the idea of the RM but my bank manager objects! I would like an aft cabin, which, I think precludes the Sadler 29 or 32. I have decided against Hunters as they are, in my opinion, a little light for my sailing areas of the Bristol channel and Irish sea. I think legs are fine for a overnight but I plan to leave the boat at times where it will dry out.
Any further comments would be welcome.
Allan
--------------------
I now have my dream yacht.
|
asj1
regular
Reged: 02/06/2004
Posts: 483
Loc: Home: North Bucks, Boat: Suffo...
|
|
I have a Westerly Fulmar, and a share in a Westerly Konsort, the Fulmar is much the better for sailing.
--------------------
Andrew
|
tross
regular
Reged: 19/08/2003
Posts: 217
Loc: Lymington
|
|
Not wishing to start an argument but "touch heavy on the helm when pressed hard, but thats the way it is with bilge keelers" I beg to differ sir!
I was out there in the Solent on Sunday beating all the way back from Cowes in F5+ in a Hunter23 with 2 reefs and a couple of turns around the jib and it was perfectly balanced even when we dipped the leeward rail in.
|
Tranona
regular
Reged: 10/11/2007
Posts: 1549
|
|
Not sure what HJunter you are thinking of, but the 32/323 is a substantial boat - sometimes referred to as a modern "Contessa 32"
|
rb_stretch
regular
Reged: 01/04/2003
Posts: 1095
Loc: al to the Solent
|
|
I have dried out my RM880 twice. The first time on Bembridge beach which was perfect and the second time I accidently dried out in Newtown Creek at the edge of the channel and got woken up in the early morning with the boat in this state....
Ended up at just over 20 degrees of lean, when it completely dried out. No problem just not able to sleep anymore.
|
Marsupial
regular
Reged: 05/07/2004
Posts: 615
Loc: South and East UK
|
|
Without a doubt the Mirage 29 later called the 30.5 is a bilge keeler that would out sail anything westerly produced, it could also take the ground for years without damage. They're getting a bit old now - 1986 was the last - but they were very sturdy boats and worth a look. Strictly speaking they were not bilge keelers like the small snapdragons, but twin keelers.
|
SirSnoozalot
regular
Reged: 25/05/2008
Posts: 862
Loc: East Coast UK
|
|
Have you thought about a drop keel boat: eg. Southerly, Feeling etc.
|
Allan
regular
Reged: 17/03/2004
Posts: 1258
Loc: Bristol
|
|
My last boat was an Etap 22i so I am a fan of lift keels. I just don't like the idea of leaving a boat which puts fibreglass onto the ground.
Allan
--------------------
I now have my dream yacht.
|
Cspirit
regular
Reged: 06/02/2004
Posts: 58
|
|
Allan, sent you a pm
|
Master_and_Commander
regular
Reged: 25/10/2007
Posts: 109
Loc: Southampton, UK
|
|
Kingfisher 30. I sail a 26 but have friends with the 30. Kingfisher Yacht Owners Association on the net has some good pics and details.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
