Beginner: first boat colvic 28 bilge keeler

[jwilson]

Yeah I agree thanks for that. I would like to keep it in the harbour but obviously the tide goes out twice per day and this would mean I neeed a twin/bilge keel which I believe aren't the best and create a lot of slapping and sloshing at sea? Therefore to get a fin keel I'll need to keep in the marina which is safer anyway. The costs for this is £190 per meter for a year, which is alongside the pontoons.

How far should a beginner look into when buying a boat, I can get someone to sail back with me but how far is too far for a days sailing? (Roughly).

There is nothing wrong with most bilge-keel boats. I've owned one happily in the past, when I sailed in the Bristol Channel, for which a bilge-keeler is pretty much ideal, letting you go into the interesting places that dry out. None sail QUITE as well as similar fin-keeled versions, but most * are perfectly adequate.

* There are a few (mostly 1960s/70s designs) that were really poor under sail - very shallow keels indeed. Most common bilge-keelers such as the Westerlys, Sadlers, and Hunters though are fairly good sailing boats.

 

[alahol2]

Yeah I agree thanks for that. I would like to keep it in the harbour but obviously the tide goes out twice per day and this would mean I neeed a twin/bilge keel which I believe aren't the best and create a lot of slapping and sloshing at sea? Therefore to get a fin keel I'll need to keep in the marina which is safer anyway. The costs for this is £190 per meter for a year, which is alongside the pontoons.

How far should a beginner look into when buying a boat, I can get someone to sail back with me but how far is too far for a days sailing? (Roughly).

Don't be put off by other people's prejudices about bilge keels, there are thousands out there and they can't all be being sailed by disgruntled owners. There can be definite advantages to a bilge keeler, cheaper moorings, sail in thinner waters, dry out on a beach, easy mid-season scrub off on a beach etc. etc.

A long day's sail/motor will get you maybe 50 miles in a smallish boat (plan at 4 knots anything more is a bonus).
As others have said, engine then sails are likely to be the two most costly items of the inventory to put right.
Don't get fixated on one 'cheap' boat, look at lots.
Good luck in your search

 

[Venomgrass]

I'm going to buy the vessel,

It is getting an overhaul and the injectors sorted. There is a spare sail onboard which just needs changed. It just needs anti fouled, and a good scrub up. Does anyone else think it could be a colvic sea rover? Here Is a photo of the vessel I intend to buy:

http://postimg.org/image/x47h6l6u7/

Thanks

 

[Seajet]

Venomgrass,

top tip; go to a club - you don't have to join - and ask if anyone needs a crew.

That way you'd learn a lot of priceless knowledge about different boat designs and how they're set up, as well as sailing.

There are usually plenty of people who would like the company of someone else along ( sailing doesn't appeal to a lot of wives ) - a crew doesn't have to be a great sailor, just someone to chat with, " great this, isn't she going well now ?! "

Another way would be to ask at a club if anyone is experienced and wouldn't mind coming out on your boat, literally to ' show you the ropes '.

That can be a bit of a minefield though as you might get the club bar bore, I can only suggest trying some careful quiet asking around !

Remember above all else sailing is meant to be fun, don't put yourself ( or even worse, wife / girlfriend ) through endurance trials just to say ' been there '.

Have fun,

Andy

 

[Venomgrass]

Thanks Andy and I appreciate the thoughtful suggestions.

I'm a member of our local lifeboat rescue service so am familiar with the situations some people get in, especially u experienced yachties. I have a friend who has his yacht master and he I'd going yo show me the ropes on the boat. I won't be going anywhere until I've had lessons and the conditions are ideal with beginners.

Thanks, any comments on an ID for the boats model?

 

[Simonpk]

I'm still not convinced it's a Sea Rover. This is the shape they seem to be:
View attachment 53382

 

[VicS]

I'm going to buy the vessel,

It is getting an overhaul and the injectors sorted. There is a spare sail onboard which just needs changed. It just needs anti fouled, and a good scrub up. Does anyone else think it could be a colvic sea rover? Here Is a photo of the vessel I intend to buy:

http://postimg.org/image/x47h6l6u7/

Thanks

I'm still not convinced it's a Sea Rover. This is the shape they seem to be:
View attachment 53382

Sea rover was my first thought

see my post in answer to an earlier question about the same boat http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...at-model-Colvic-this-is&p=5413451#post5413451

but there has always been one in the yard where I keep my boat and have known most of the owners over the years and I am quite sure its not a Sea Rover. I fact I question whether it is a Colvic at all.

More pictures of Sea Rovers The first, Louise, is the boat I know. Note triple keel and the step in the level of gunwale forward of cockpit.

 

[Venomgrass]

Unfortunately... The sale has fell through and the boat is no longer for sale

Are sabre 27 good yachts? How much would be. Reasonable price for this one?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281791040799&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[Tranona]

Unfortunately... The sale has fell through and the boat is no longer for sale

Are sabre 27 good yachts? How much would be. Reasonable price for this one?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281791040799&globalID=EBAY-GB

Much better boat than the other one. Check out the engine. If it is the old single cylinder YS Yanmar make sure your fillings in your teeth are secure! Hopefully it is the more modern GM 2 cylinder which is OK. Expect it to be nearer £5k if it is sound and has good sails.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

The Colvic bilge keeler is a good proven boat. A well tuned rig and a well sailed bilge keeler will sail better and faster than a baldy set rig and poorly adjusted sails. However, a fin keeler is faster by design because it has smaller area below the water line and therefore less drag.

 

[lpdsn]

Venomgrass,

top tip; go to a club - you don't have to join - and ask if anyone needs a crew.

That way you'd learn a lot of priceless knowledge about different boat designs and how they're set up, as well as sailing.

There are usually plenty of people who would like the company of someone else along ( sailing doesn't appeal to a lot of wives ) - a crew doesn't have to be a great sailor, just someone to chat with, " great this, isn't she going well now ?! "

Hi Venomgrass,

I agree with Seajet.

Just get sailing with a few people. They'll all have their prejudices, which you'll learn to agree with or diasagree with. Their boats will also have features that you learn to like or dislike.

After a bit of sailing, you'll not only have gained some experience, but you will have developed your own opinions of what you're looking for in a boat. Then you'll be in a much better position to see whether a boat is likely to suit you or not.

Boats are easier to buy than they are to sell. Beware that there's a saying that some peope only have two good days on their boat, the day they buy it and the day they sell it.

 

[Tam Lin]

Erbas of this parish has one. I believe he likes it. There is a nice one for sale at my club but I don't know how much it is up for.