Being offered a free Mystere 26

[Capella79]

I have been offered a free Mystere 26 by a friend of a friend who can no longer use it. I am well aware there is no such thing as a free boat (as a former folkboat owner with a Vire petrol engine) and will do due diligence on what needs money spending on. I’m really interested in finding any Mystere owners current or past (having scoured past threads I think there are a few on here) and in particular a chap who talks very fondly of his Mystere owned from new in the 70s. It would not be my choice of boat (I’d probably go 28-32ft - something classic like Sadler, Nicholson, Contessa). But it has very pretty lines, a beta engine and enough space for us and our two small kids. The sentiment is “the best boat is the boat you have now”. Discuss.

 

[johnalison]

I may be one of those you refer to. I bought a Mystere new in ‘73 and sold it in ‘87. It is clearly dated in today’s terms but it suited us at the time and was a delightful boat in many ways. It was designed round wheel steering and this suits it best. Although I never had any worries about it, it was hard to get rid of a little play in the steering, but I’m sure than an engineer could deal with this. My engine was a Dolphin that may have been less effective than a Beta but probably more exciting. The hull is pretty strong, with a balsa-cored deck/coachroof. On one occasion a fishing boat managed to pull a cap shroud fitting up from the deck but the ss loop distorted and the GRP was undamaged.

One feature was the roomy saloon for its size, at the expense of a smaller forecabin and limited headroom. On the other hand, the companionway gives a safe entry and exit and the boat generally feels safe. Although built as a quarter-ton racer, the Ecume de Mer outclassed boats of that generation, but it sails well generally. We used to race ours locally with reasonable success under handicap. We would do reasonably well to windward but the short waterline limited us off the wind, the boat sailed as if on rails with a spinnaker. Where we succeeded was on a close fetch in a light popple, when we would beat almost everyone.

Our Mystere was the largest boat we had owned at the time, and we cruised as a small family down the Normandy coast, with out longest trip from the Blackwater to Ijmuiden with no GPS or radio, but I was a lot younger then.

 

[dunedin]

…. It would not be my choice of boat (I’d probably go 28-32ft - something classic like Sadler, Nicholson, Contessa). …

Have you seen this thread on a Sadler 32 with recent engine etc - may be near free for a quick purchase https://forums.ybw.com/threads/sadler-32.624507/

 

[Capella79]

I may be one of those you refer to. I bought a Mystere new in ‘73 and sold it in ‘87. It is clearly dated in today’s terms but it suited us at the time and was a delightful boat in many ways. It was designed round wheel steering and this suits it best. Although I never had any worries about it, it was hard to get rid of a little play in the steering, but I’m sure than an engineer could deal with this. My engine was a Dolphin that may have been less effective than a Beta but probably more exciting. The hull is pretty strong, with a balsa-cored deck/coachroof. On one occasion a fishing boat managed to pull a cap shroud fitting up from the deck but the ss loop distorted and the GRP was undamaged.

One feature was the roomy saloon for its size, at the expense of a smaller forecabin and limited headroom. On the other hand, the companionway gives a safe entry and exit and the boat generally feels safe. Although built as a quarter-ton racer, the Ecume de Mer outclassed boats of that generation, but it sails well generally. We used to race ours locally with reasonable success under handicap. We would do reasonably well to windward but the short waterline limited us off the wind, the boat sailed as if on rails with a spinnaker. Where we succeeded was on a close fetch in a light popple, when we would beat almost everyone.

Our Mystere was the largest boat we had owned at the time, and we cruised as a small family down the Normandy coast, with out longest trip from the Blackwater to Ijmuiden with no GPS or radio, but I was a lot younger then.

Thank you, yes!

 

[Capella79]

Have you seen this thread on a Sadler 32 with recent engine etc - may be near free for a quick purchase https://forums.ybw.com/threads/sadler-32.624507/

Thank you will take a look.

 

[yotter]

I remember my early sailing days on a Mystere with my parents, I was about 8ish, and as far as I can recall we never had a bad trip to Millport. Sorry not particularly helpful but could not resist, I would look at the Sadlar 32,

 

[Capella79]

Thank you, yes!

I enjoyed reading your posts and they have given me a lot of encouragement re the art of the possible in terms of sailing with small kids (including your experience of seeing a large family and dog on one!)

Those I have seen advertised seem to have slightly different layouts and some have converted the port berth into galley, removing or shortening the small settee.

I’d love to see any photos you have of yours.

 

[stav]

Not sailed one but started out with a little scampi which was very similar and it was a fun inexpensive boat. Key for me is a good ballast ratio on a small boat, just looked up the mystere and was 40 or 45% so pretty good. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Stemar]

it was hard to get rid of a little play in the steering, but I’m sure than an engineer could deal with this.

I recently watched a YT video about a fitter in the US air force who transformed the handling of P38s from cannon fodder into a lethal fighter with a spring made of piano wire bent into a Z to take up slack in the aileron controls.

 

[Capella79]

Thank you will take a look.

It is being sent to the boat breaker today. Surveys are always quite alarming in my experience but it does sound quite serious - although I am not risk averse it is not enough time to be able to make a decision.

 

[ohthatpatch]

I'm a current owner of a Mystere 26, which I've had for 3 years now and just starting to feel like I need something bigger. She was a bit of a project when I bought her but I have learned so much through overhauling the electrics, instruments, servicing the Beta 10 engine and making changes to the interior. I find her really fun to sail and often spend weekends exploring the south coast. I've invested more than the purchase price over the 3 years, but for the experience and adventures I've had its been worth it.

 

[Capella79]

I'm a current owner of a Mystere 26, which I've had for 3 years now and just starting to feel like I need something bigger. She was a bit of a project when I bought her but I have learned so much through overhauling the electrics, instruments, servicing the Beta 10 engine and making changes to the interior. I find her really fun to sail and often spend weekends exploring the south coast. I've invested more than the purchase price over the 3 years, but for the experience and adventures I've had its been worth it.

Thanks so much for sharing - have you a wheel or tiller and if a wheel have you experienced the play in the steering issue? How have you found the Mystere under engine / in reverse (I’m assuming good and far better than my old long keel) - and has the Beta generally been well behaved?

 

[mrming]

Just a quick note to the OP that if the boat is free and you could take it sailing with no more than minor concerns, by all means go for it if it suits you.

If it needs any money spending above 2 or 3k I would say have a careful look at what you can buy elsewhere first. Reason being the market for sub 30 foot, older boats is very soft right now and occasionally boats in very good condition exist at reasonable prices.

 

[ohthatpatch]

Thanks so much for sharing - have you a wheel or tiller and if a wheel have you experienced the play in the steering issue? How have you found the Mystere under engine / in reverse (I’m assuming good and far better than my old long keel) - and has the Beta generally been well behaved?

I have the wheel and have not found an issue with any play in the steering so far, the rudder is responsive. I get good steerage when reversing, depending on the conditions it does need a really good burst. Being a smaller boat in the marina, they put me in quite a tight little spot and I never had any real troubles getting in and out. The Beta has been really solid for me, I keep her well maintained, regular servicing and have only had to do some light maintenance. I'm not sure what her total mileage is, but I have done around 300nm in the last 3 years and she has never skipped a beat.

The advice above is good, if you can take her out sailing now and there are only minor issues, I would highly recommend her as a solid boat. If she requires more work to get her out, it really depends on what you want to get out of it. For me personally I was aware she was a bit of a project, but I wanted to get both hands on experience with the maintenance side as well as sailing, this approach has served me really well. I know the electrical systems inside out after discovering a rats nest of wires and completely rewiring her one summer from scratch. I added solar, new battery banks, a battery isolator, inverter and monitors. I added a few more instruments and then tackled servicing the engine. This all really helped me build a lot of confidence and hopefully will serve me well when I upgrade to something a little bigger, money well spent in my eyes. If you just want to go sailing though it might be more hassle than it is worth. Hope this helpful!

 

[johnalison]

It was a seaworthy boat for its size. This was us leaving Ostend in '80 at the end of a gale, because we were young and trusted the advice of our then commodore. We had a roller-coaster ride down to Flushing, reaching an indicated 10 knots. We stayed bone dry while our companions in a Moody 33 centre-cockpit got repeatedly wet.

Downwind, the trick was to ease off the backstay with the adjuster, when handling would greatly improve.

 

[Capella79]

Thi

I have the wheel and have not found an issue with any play in the steering so far, the rudder is responsive. I get good steerage when reversing, depending on the conditions it does need a really good burst. Being a smaller boat in the marina, they put me in quite a tight little spot and I never had any real troubles getting in and out. The Beta has been really solid for me, I keep her well maintained, regular servicing and have only had to do some light maintenance. I'm not sure what her total mileage is, but I have done around 300nm in the last 3 years and she has never skipped a beat.

The advice above is good, if you can take her out sailing now and there are only minor issues, I would highly recommend her as a solid boat. If she requires more work to get her out, it really depends on what you want to get out of it. For me personally I was aware she was a bit of a project, but I wanted to get both hands on experience with the maintenance side as well as sailing, this approach has served me really well. I know the electrical systems inside out after discovering a rats nest of wires and completely rewiring her one summer from scratch. I added solar, new battery banks, a battery isolator, inverter and monitors. I added a few more instruments and then tackled servicing the engine. This all really helped me build a lot of confidence and hopefully will serve me well when I upgrade to something a little bigger, money well spent in my eyes. If you just want to go sailing though it might be more hassle than it is worth. Hope this helpful!

This is so helpful thank you. I am looking at this as a more accessible alternative to chartering over the next few years where although I’ll be spending money on mooring and making changes to the boat (overall likely more than the boat is worth over time) I’ll be able to continue learning about all the things you mention (engine, electrics, possibly reconfiguring some stuff) on a relatively simple boat that is relatively cheap (by size and simplicity) to moor and run, and crucially get out on the water with my family. So it doesn’t have to be totally low cost and low effort but there is a balance around the amount of time I can reasonably hole up and work on stuff versus time with the family and out sailing! It seems a good option as if the kids vote with their feet and decide they hate sailing I can pass it on for free to someone else having spent the equivalent of a few weeks of chartering and hopefully had more enjoyment, satisfaction and learned more (though in less comfort). And financially while I could stump up for a bigger / better yacht that doesn’t feel like the right choice right now unless / until I get the whole family hooked.

 

[Capella79]

It was a seaworthy boat for its size. This was us leaving Ostend in '80 at the end of a gale, because we were young and trusted the advice of our then commodore. We had a roller-coaster ride down to Flushing, reaching an indicated 10 knots. We stayed bone dry while our companions in a Moody 33 centre-cockpit got repeatedly wet.

Downwind, the trick was to ease off the backstay with the adjuster, when handling would greatly improve.
View attachment 203419

They are such smart little yachts! I had never heard of them before.

 

[Concerto]

I remember them being built and were to a higher standard than many. Very pretty and safe to sail.

About 5 years ago one was sold off in Chatham Marina as the owner owed marina fees. It sold for about £2500. You could accept the Mystere and sail it for a year or so. Then sell it, either by classified advert or eBay. You may even come out in profit.