Barbary Ketch comfort

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youngwrinkley

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Can anyone comment on long term comfort and sailing comfort on these craft? Can crew see out of the wheel sheleter when sailing? Is there enough support and handholds when heeled? Is there enough lounging space when in harbour? All comments appreciated.

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We love our Barbary and we know another couple who have one as well and they feel much the same way.
They are, however, a compromise, from the comfort point of view. I am 6' 3" and I have no problems in the main saloon as regards height. The boat, as you may know, has a separate aft cabin which is really very roomy with its own wardrobe/locker and adequate storage - great if you snore. Two single berths there with adequate leg room. Our other Barbary friends have converted their's to a double bedroom.
Forecabin is also self contained with two berths and, again, adequate storage. Quite comfortable with equally good legroom.
The compromise is really in the saloon and cockpit areas. There is only so much you can get into a 32 ft boat. The cockpit seats four and, with the canvas cover in place is a totally windproof wheelhouse. the front and roof is a solid structure with panes of toughened glass. You can see through the glass in most circumstances with the windscreen wipers on but in the conditions when it gets difficult, you'd need to have goggles on a conventional open cockpit!! Rainex can help. Worst situation we have been in is on moonless night with no rain where eyes started playing tricks looking through glass but then imagine driving a car without lights. You can stick your head out the side whilst seated at the wheel!

Saloon is small and you cannot lounge easily in the seating around the table. We think that it might be possible to remove the drying locker to increase the length here and allowing the backs of the seats to be more reclined. Kitchen adequate and the head is one of the smallest to be found on a boat.

In our opinion the plusses outway the minuses but she is a motorsailer after all and this is where she scores. Comfort on longish trips is good from a number of points of view. Because of her long keel, she tends to cut through waves rather than slam and her weight (8 or 9 tons) contributes to this. We were in Holyhead harbour recentlywith a force 6 wind coming through the entrance overnight. All the other boats were bobbing around like corks against the pontoons and they looked most uncomfortable. We were bobbing once to their two or three and had a reasonable night. Hope this helps. If you buy one then let us know.

Alan Ellicott


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I always admire the Barbary Ketch that is moored not far from my boat in Portsmouth Harbour. I read the reply from the Barbary owner with interest, however if you were looking for all these merits but just a bit more space, take a look at the Moody Halberdier which is pretty similar, but 36ft. The extra 4ft makes quite a difference.

Regards Nick

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Hi Alan

Just found my post again!

Just to let you know we bought our Barbary Ketch, thanks to your and other input. She was called Mere Idea; after being called Gay Constance; so we have now renamed her Barbary Rose - Previous boat was Tudor Rose - often shortened to 'Rosie' - so the same applies!

She had been laid up in a mud berth for the last 10 years.

We only used her a few times before bringing her ashore for a major refit. All flexi pipes are perished and all instruments NBG. So we had a good time at the Boat show and are working on her most weekends to get her ready for the season.
We have stripped out all of the windows as the sliding channels have disintegrated and are hoping to be able to repair them cheaper than the quote for £1,300 from a Marine window company!

The masts are off, being re-rigged, and to fit new VHF aerial, lights and radar scanner.

I am puzzled by the fixing mechanism for the headlining as I will need to get behind to fit the new mast electrics. I have no idea how it is held in place!

I am also puzzled by the fuel leak off feed only being fed to the starboard tank as I would expect this to gradually fill up the starboard tank and empty the port one? Any advice as to how to use the twin tanks would be appreciated. - Unlikely to be a problem unless running very low on fuel, I suppose.

Any way thanks again for your input. If you see us out there please give us a call.
 
Glad that you are busy, Tony!
Yes I'll soon be sailing in 'congealed snot'! But at least it wont rust. - Oh, I suppose yours won't if it doesn't get wet!
Saw Ed today - says you are making great progress!
Stay Lucky
Cheers, A.
 
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