Advice - Foxcub yacht

[symondo]

A Foxcub yacht has appeard on a local facebook for sale site listed as... FREE

its currently on a swinging mooring but the family just want shot as they cant be bothered doealing with it.

I know nothing about sailing boats but for free... I'm happy to learn lol

First question is id assume it would have a keel - how would i get this onto a trailer? I currently have a 16ft Assult craft on a trailer, would such a yacht fit said trailer? or is that hull dependant?

Does VAT need to be paid on sailing boats or just motor boats? the impression i get is its just a lcoal boat, minimal paperwork rfom 1 local to another over the years so could be a complete moneypit

But at free - theres nothing ventured in the first instance so surely worth a look?

 

[BruceDanforth]

Some details about Foxcubs here:

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=4800

It may be a fin or bilge keel I think. Not sailed one myself but sailed a Foxhound for a few years and it was a nice boat.

 

[symondo]

Some details about Foxcubs here:

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=4800

It may be a fin or bilge keel I think. Not sailed one myself but sailed a Foxhound for a few years and it was a nice boat.

Could it be made to fit on a flat trailer or would i need a more purpose specific trailer to shift it if i can get to it before anyone else?

 

[BruceDanforth]

If it has bilge (twin) keels it can stand on its keels. If it has a single fin then it is going to need supporting.

Could it be made to fit on a flat trailer or would i need a more purpose specific trailer to shift it if i can get to it before anyone else?

 

[symondo]

If it has bilge (twin) keels it can stand on its keels. If it has a single fin then it is going to need supporting.

I'm hoping its a bilge keel as they look easier to sit on the hard to work on at the house

I believe im 2nd in the queue as to wether i can get my hands on it, so i think im out of luck but i guess it depends on how handy this guy is at getting access to a trailer etc...

 

[BruceDanforth]

Maybe you could move it to another mooring and worry about trailers later in the game?

 

[Tranona]

No VAT. That only applies if it is a "trade" sale - that is when a new or imported boat is first sold. It applies to all boats irrespective of whether they are sail or motor.

Transactions between 2 private people are not subject to VAT. Just make sure the owner really does have the right to sell it or even give it away, although appreciate you may just have to take his word for it.

BTW good boat and good choice for first sailing boat in sheltered waters.

 

[Seajet]

symondo,

Lakesailor had a Foxcub, and knows a fair bit about trailing too; he's your man to speak to.

 

[Lakesailor]

Yes. I was that man. Great boat and has to be worth the effort.
A bit of advice about "free" boats. Get back in touch with the owner and badger him. If the other bloke is a dreamer make your seriousness apparent.
Many were bilge keel and easy to transport. The fin keelers are a little more tricky, best with a specific trailer but get to a yacht club and offer to hire a suitable trailer if that's what it takes.

If it's a Mk1 they can suffer a bit of coachroof depression from overtightening the rigging. The Mk 2 had a mast compression post in the cabin to support the mast step. I made one to fix my Mk1.

That prop under the bow is essential

 

[symondo]

Many thanks! It's there a way of checking for bilge keel or fin from above the water line? I'm just sat waiting to find out if the person who beat me to getting in touch has transport organized

 

[BruceDanforth]

Could you ask the owner?

Many thanks! It's there a way of checking for bilge keel or fin from above the water line? I'm just sat waiting to find out if the person who beat me to getting in touch has transport organized

 

[symondo]

Tried that. They seem rather clueless as to what they own and its general state

 

[ProDave]

I would just collect it and sail it or motor it somewhere else and worry about trailers etc later. You might need to go and buy yourself on outboard motor.

Where in the Highlands are you? (I'm not looking to pip you to the post and beat you to the boat)

 

[Lakesailor]

BTW there was also a version with a very awkward swing keel attached to a stub keel. I don't think many were built.

 

[Tam Lin]

A Foxcub was my first cruiser and was fine for sailing on the sheltered estuaries down here. I am a bit worried by your post. As you are asking some very basic questions I am assuming that you are new to sailing. Are you interested in having a sailboat or is it just because the boat is free? A free sailboat could end up costing you lots of time and money!
If the boat is neglected it could cost you more to put it right than buying a decent example. It might be worth taking a knowledgeable friend or forumite with you to look at it, after all there may be a reason why it is being given away!

 

[symondo]

A Foxcub was my first cruiser and was fine for sailing on the sheltered estuaries down here. I am a bit worried by your post. As you are asking some very basic questions I am assuming that you are new to sailing. Are you interested in having a sailboat or is it just because the boat is free? A free sailboat could end up costing you lots of time and money!
If the boat is neglected it could cost you more to put it right than buying a decent example. It might be worth taking a knowledgeable friend or forumite with you to look at it, after all there may be a reason why it is being given away!

I've never sailed in my life!
However I do love a good project which is what I was aiming at.

There's loads of interest locally so I think my chances are slim but I think I'm near the top of the queue.

Yes essentially as it's free I'm game to have a look. If it is just not going to be fixable then I can always pass it on with nothing lost.

However on the odds I can short it for a reasonable budget id be prepared to try sailing although I'm more an engine kinda guy.

 

[Tam Lin]

Well if you want a project there will always be advice for you on the forum. Of course, some of if will be contradictory and it will be up to you to sort it out. Good luck!

 

[ProDave]

Where is the boat now, and where do you intend to keep it?

 

[Searush]

Can you get to see it?

If it is on a mooring in clean water, you may well be able to see the bilge keels if it has them. However, if you can't see them it doesn't necessarily mean it is a fin, it just may be dirty water or weed covered keels. Moving it to a temporary mooring nearby should not be difficult, but the mooring rental may be quite high as it could be at short-term cruising rates of around a tenner a day.

On a calm day with no tide or current, you & a pal could paddle it a mile or so in half an hour, or tow it with a small dinghy rowed. But a small cheap outboard for a hundred quid or so would be your best bet.

Incidentally, it isn't hard to build a cradle with gash lengths of timber, the weight will be carried on the keel, as long as the sides are supported and it cannot tip for & aft, the forces when it is balanced are nowhere near the total weight of the boat.

 

[William_H]

A proper trailer for a fin keel boat consists of a U channel as back bone for the trailer. The U channel is wide enough for the keel to sit in. To the sides of the keel you fit the wheels on hopefully a spring arrangement that does not require a cross axle. So keel bottom can be lower than the centre of the wheels. At the axles you also need side supports to stop the boat tilting sideways. I can believe Phil when he says bow support is essential. Some fin keel boats are bow heave some stern heavy. it is easiest to support or attach the bow. This kind of trailer can be lowered into the water on a rope so that the boat can be floated on. Check brakes and wheel bearings often. There is another trap in that with any slope on the ramp the front of the trailer will be high back low while the boat remains level (floating) The bow will rise a lot compared to the bow support as the trailer is hauled out and the boat takes on the attitude of the trailer. This is the ideal arangement for occasional taking the boat home. A bit tedious and fraught for frequent launch and recovery.
Mean time for your first trip home a flat bed trailer (car carrier) can be used. You need to sit the keel on the trailer bed (high loading at this point) then make up wooden or steel adjustable supports for the stern and bow that will stop the boat falling sideways (vee shaped) as well as keeping it level. You will need to get a crane to lift it onto the trailer and make adjustments of height of supports at the time.
Clearly if you don't know if it is a fin keel or bilge keel then you won't know the dimensions of the keel. As said you might need to move it to your own mooring so you can assess and measure before taking it out of the water.
I did see a Foxcub but that was about 35 years ago in far away Port Moresby (Papua New Gunea) It was in a sorry state as it had been dropped a little hard onto the fin keel so the hull joint failed and the keel became inadvertently retractable. it seemed like a sweet little boat. good luck with getting it first olewill