Any ideas for a day sailor?

[herdman]

I have three children aged 5, 3 and 1 (and two whippets...) and am keen on getting a day sailor. The key issues for me are low draft (eg about 9" so I can drop everyone off at a beach easily) stability and safety (eg dont want them falling overboard.) I would also like a more traditional looking boat - but happy for a GRP hull. I am thinking about a Drascombe lugger - but have never actually sailed one - I used to have a Corish Shrimper but am looking for something more "beachable". Does anyone have any other ideas? Performance is not such an issue for me - are Luggers stable? I know they do not weigh much so am unsure if they will be a bit tippy - any help much appreciated,
many thanks,
Giles Herdman

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[Chris_Robb]

Drascombe Lugger or Longboat are ideal for families and beaches. I have had 2 when the kids (and dog) were growing up.

Don't expect wonderfull sailing ability out of them - nothing like the Shrimper - which is a great day sailer/weekender. Get a decent outboard 6hp or more and you will have a wonderful time.

There are others to look at - there is a twin masted (equal heigt unstayed) which has always seemed well suited - sorry I cannot remember the name. But you cannot go wrong with a drascombe.


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[tcm]

Um, is this a great idea with so many young people? I guess you recognise the prob as you start the post with this evidently uppermost inyour mind, praps?

I wd get a large secondhand V6 Espace or any Merc estate, open the windows for that windblown feeling, possibly rent a nanny to look after the kids on the beach and put the whippets in kennels and praps rent a boat from time to time. Now, a larger boat praps swingkeel in which they could "live" a bit would be a different matter. Still not easy tho.

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[LeonF]

Giles you don't say what your budget is but there are a number of choices. The Drascombe is an excellent choice and they come in several different sizes. I assume you will be sailing inshore and estuaries and she would be ideal for this purpose. I sailed one extensively in the Thames Estuary when working at a young peoples centre and I never felt we were challenged. She does need a breeze to get her going though and sails like a long keel boat, sailing through the tacks etc unlike a dinghy or fin keeler. When working at another where they had one on a former dock we often took special needs children out and if there was no wind the only way to get any excitement was to play games like getting 10 of them along one side leaning over and getting wet but the boat was never in any danger of going overeven well heeled. I don't know what she would be like in a big sea but I know a Drascombe has been sailed across the Atlantic. Lots of floor space for camping overnight and no boom for safety. If you want more speed then I would look at the Hawk 20, beautifully built, self draining etc. and more money. Yachting Monthly did a comprehensive suvey of dayboats a few years ago which still holds true. Contact the reprint service.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[MatthewNewland]

Hello,
One day-sailer you might like to consider is the new Storm 17, from Swallowboats.
She will be available this summer and will be on display at the Beale Park Boat Show (11th-13th June, Near Reading - J12 off the M4), where you can sail her on the lake. Other boats like drascombes will be there too I'd imagine.

She is a 17 foot family boat, lighter than a drascombe, for ease of launch and beaching, yet with comfortable seating, lots of bouyancy and dry stowage. There's a few rig options for her too, and she will be available as a kit or as a complete boat. You can see all this at

www.swallowboats.com/storm17.htm

Best Wishes
Matt


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[MatthewNewland]

Sorry - here's the clickable link...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.swallowboats.com/storm17.htm>http://www.swallowboats.com/storm17.htm</A>


Matt

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[steve28]

You may as well just post your brouchure !

nice web site by the way


steve

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[mirabriani]

Given the ages of your children and (although you not mention) a partner I think you should give some thought to the weight of boat. You might consider a Wayfarer as it is about half the weight of a lugger

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[longjohnsilver]

How about a Devon or Salcombe yawl, good day boats with a healthy racing circuit if that's of interest.

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[aran01]

I would opt for the Virus Plus or if you want to go bigger the Magnum 21. Trimaran safety for the kids!
http://www.ahoy-boats.co.uk/fast-safe-trimaran-sailing-dinghy.htm

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[LeonF]

Wayfarers are great boats- I once sailed across the estuary from Bradwell to Sheppey in 30 knots of wind but I really wouldn't recommend it to Giles with his crew. What if she capsized ? Have you ever tried bailing out a full Wayfarer while trying to keep it from going over again? Without a rescue boat in attendance ? I've capsized intentionally-going under Kingsferry bridge during the round the Isle of Sheppey race- and unintentionally and wouldn't like to have had 3 kids and a whippet on board. No Giles, go for the dayboat, I think your instincts are right.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[William_H]

I reckon you should look for a small cruiser or trailer sailer with berths. With small children a cabin means they can have a sleep, you need lee cloths, and a warm dry place if it turns bad. Go very gently with the lady and children as a bad experience can put them off completely. Get them on the helm as soon as possible and don't yell. regards ole will

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[LeonF]

There is a Drascombe with a cuddy. Or look at the Hunter Liberty/Minstrel. They have lifting keels and are either sloop or twin masted cat rigged. Very good boats, there is an owners association and they can be found for around 6 to 10 K.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[graham]

I once had a Seafarer 18.It had a vry small cuddy cabin with seats and stowage in and a 10 foot long cockpit with plenty of room for day sailing.

It had a small ballast keel and a centerplate.drawing about 18 inches with plate up.Very stable and quite quick.

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[Johnboy2004]

heres another one for the mix..

what about a beneteau first 211, lifting keel, lowest draft is 0.7m also great sailer and fast too,, 4 berths, with cooker, sink, plenty of storage, double berth in the bow, it got great reviews in sailing today magazine,

theres good pictures of a 211 with a family sailing on www.gilliam.de

then click on the picture of the first 211 on the left.

if you need more info give me a shout.

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[ginwoodf]

Hi,
If you are in any way practical, may I suggest you get in touch with the marine designer Selway Fisher and grab their excellent catalogue of ply/epoxy self builds. That will give you a load of pictured designs with descriptions to choose from. I have built several myself, both for me and as commission. They are all very practical designs for the man in the street rather than a shipwright. Go on , givem a call.................

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[FinesseChris]

Idea One, drawn from experience with 6-yr-old and friends: get a sprayhood. We had a Cornish Bass Boat ketch, great fun, but the £550 we spent on the hood (from CJ at Chichester) was the best money we spent. Tthe kids could crawl in under the hood and keep dry, or just play houses if bored. Ours at 8 could use willpower or something to go to sleep at will if it got rough.

Idea Two get a reliable outboard as they will always went to get somewhere (beach, loo, lunch...) just when you want a gentle sail.

Idea three consider the Bass Boat: built in bouancy, very stable, steel plate, looks the part, spars stow inside boat. We once carried 9 people (on the Thames...) and passages included yarmouth IOW and Chi to Portsmouth for the Festival of the Sea.

Have fun

chris

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[Neal]

Wharram Tiki 21 or 26?

Very capable boats (have several oceans crossings behind them), they're very stable, light and fast off the wind. Loads of deck space, handy galley and berths for overnight camping. Shallow draft.

Scott brown, the broker in Torpoint, always has a selection on his books.

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[Jacket]

<There are others to look at - there is a twin masted (equal heigt unstayed) which has always seemed well suited - sorry I cannot remember the name.>

Swift Explorer? Good boats by all accounts.

And topper did something similar- looked like an Iso with twin unstayed masts- but I've never heard anything positive said about it, and its probably a bit small as well.

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[herdman]

Thanks very much everyone for your advice - very helpful!
Gile HErdman


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