Any SAMPHIRE 23 owners/knowledge out there?

[LittleSister]

I've just recently purchased a Samphire 23. Can't wait to get it into the water, but in the meantime I would be pleased to hear from any other owners (or others with an interest) to share information, mods, etc. and perhaps set up an informal network of owners.

As there are reputedly only 13 (or is it 12?) of these boats out there it should be a rather select group (of people with excellent taste, I like to think!). I've managed to identify about half of the boats out there from old articles and adverts, and spoken to a couple of owners who have their boats on the market now.

If you own one yourself, know the whereabouts or owners of any of these boats, or can share any history, ripping yarns or technical solutions (e.g. the infamous SHE decks) then do get in touch.

Happy sailing,

John

 

[Heigaro]

Welcome to the madhouse, John. I have a Samphire 26 which is similar in a lot of ways to the 23 - including SHE decking!

If there is anything I may be able to help on, just PM me - I can't promise a solution, though!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[castaway]

Back in 1976 when I was beavering away on my boat in a yard on the Thames at Staines, a friend of mine was building a Samphire 26.

I remember there was a fault in the lay up and as soon as it very very hot (remember 1976 ?) it can up in blisters all ovet the blue gel coat...very alarming for my mate !! He did a deal with the designer/builder David Canell (??) and ended up painting the boat.

We sailed the boat all over the Chanell//South Coast and France and eventually to North Spain where I got off and he continued to the Caribbean St Lucia where I think the boat fell apart. Nothing to do with the moudings... more to do with my mates building skills !!

I think the 23 and the 29 were just stretched and shrunk versions of the 26 were they not ??

Regards Nick

 

[Judders]

Now you must have purchased one of the two that were recently for sale. I looked at both and was smitten but they're really not suitable for the sailing I want to do.

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks to all for your replies.

Yes, we did buy one of the ones recently for sale - 'Phirebrand', ashore near Chichester. Funny you say you were smitten by this and the other S23, Judders. All the boat surveys I've commissioned or read in the past have been very cool and dispassionate, if not downright scathing, about whatever boat was in question, whereas in both this Samphire 23's previous owner's survey and the one we got done the two surveyors drooled over the boat and said how lovely it was, and rather downplayed any faults, saying they had to be seen in the context of a really fine boat you couldn't buy new today.

There do seem to be close similarities between the Samphire 23s and 26s, at least. I have a couple of the design drawings (yes, David Cannell designer, original builders North Sea Craft, some later boats by others), and one mentions certain dimensions and arrangements as being the same as on the 26 (which preceded it). I understand the 23s were introduced in 1978, with most boats built over the next few years, but some perhaps as late as 1992 (or was that launching after a long fit-out, or just wrong?). I'm not clear about the time-spans during which the 26s and 29s were built.

Interestingly, for such a traditional styled craft the construction is quite modern, with (then) new fangled stuff like woven rovings in the lay-ups, and balsa-cored decks.

The latter are a little of a worry, as one of the jobs to be done on the boat is sort out a number of small holes in the deck which have been made over the years (e.g. following changed stanchion bases and hatch hinges) which are not watertight and need resealing. The original openings in the deck (e.g. hatch, ventilator openings) all had the 'exposed' deck core carefully sealed with epoxy. I hope the later, leaking, small holes haven't resulted in water getting into the balsa core and rotting it (there should be, according to the drawings, timber inserts in the way of the stanchions and hatch). I can't imagine how you could ever dry it out if it has got wet. Any ideas?

There are two other Samphire 23s currently for sale, one in Brighton, another on the Hamble. We've found old references (and photos in most cases) to others in (a) Tollesbury, Essex; (b) North Yorkshire (or thereabouts); (c) Wareham, Dorset; and (d) Falmouth. That accounts for 7, but are they still there? And where are the other 6 (or is it 5)?

All this musing is a pale substitute for actually sailing the thing! Hopefully all the cold, rain and gales we're having lately will mean there will be none left by spring, when we'll have only warm, dry weather with F3 to 4 until October.

Cheers, John

 

[Judders]

Yes, she was the one that really got me. An absolutely gorgeous boat. No good for someone like me who wants to go racing but the perfect cruising boat for one person or a couple and as big a double berth as you'll find in a boat of twice the volume. Looked to have the lines of a good seaboat too?

 

[Paul Brand]

Samphire 23, Phirebrand

Hello,

I've just received information via my daughter regarding the above vessel. As the original builder, I have often wondered where she ended up, and how things are going.
I noticed from the register that the engine has been changed, and would be interested to know any other information regarding the boat and how you are getting on with it.

REgards
Paul Brand

 

[LittleSister]

Hello,

I've just received information via my daughter regarding the above vessel. As the original builder, I have often wondered where she ended up, and how things are going.
I noticed from the register that the engine has been changed, and would be interested to know any other information regarding the boat and how you are getting on with it.

REgards
Paul Brand

Great to hear from you. Private Message sent.