pij27
Well-Known Member
I am looking for recommendations for bilge keel yachts from 26ft to 30ft. Will be kept on a trot mooring in a drying harbour. Sailing area is Solent, Isle of Wight, Dorset areas.
Bilge keel less than 30ft.
- Thread starter pij27
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johnalison
Well-Known Member
It’s not my field, but I’ve been on board a Sadler 290 and was impressed, and they are known to sail well, but almost certainly hard to find. Only downside for me was the cabin-top mainsheet.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
You could keep a Westerly centaur in Ryde harbour I’m sure or indeed Bembridge but the Medina might mean you have greater Solent access.
Egret
Well-Known Member
Any of the Hunter Horizons - or a Hunter Ranger for a bit more space inside and realistically if there are more than 3 of you.
All have nice cabin arrangement with neat toilet compartment - standing headroom if not too tall - squeeze a lot in to the space and sail well.
Outboard in well option worth considering. Have a survey - check the keels - particularly if it has taken the ground every tide for the last 50 years
There's a good article by Peter Poland on bilge keelers on this PBO website which gives a lot of information and options.
Key question for you is whether you are looking for one that will sail reasonably well, like a Hunter, or if you are more looking for a floating caravan type, with more space inside, to chill out on - or something in between.
All have nice cabin arrangement with neat toilet compartment - standing headroom if not too tall - squeeze a lot in to the space and sail well.
Outboard in well option worth considering. Have a survey - check the keels - particularly if it has taken the ground every tide for the last 50 years
There's a good article by Peter Poland on bilge keelers on this PBO website which gives a lot of information and options.
Key question for you is whether you are looking for one that will sail reasonably well, like a Hunter, or if you are more looking for a floating caravan type, with more space inside, to chill out on - or something in between.
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ducked
Well-Known Member
Trident 24 if triple keel counts?
Not sailed mine, but owners seem to like them and they look ok, though not roomy and in particular only SHR under the hatch.
Vulnerable looking spade rudder and I'd suspect relatively low directional stability.
Not sailed mine, but owners seem to like them and they look ok, though not roomy and in particular only SHR under the hatch.
Vulnerable looking spade rudder and I'd suspect relatively low directional stability.
Gixer
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Hunter Horizon.
But let’s be clear, they are not bilge keel but twin fin!
But let’s be clear, they are not bilge keel but twin fin!
Chiara’s slave
Well-Known Member
A bit grim on the sailing front though. Sadler or Hunter will be considerably more fulfilling to own.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
For a more modern approach they did produce for a while bilge keel Hunter Legends which are fairly roomy for length. You could of course look at lifting keels which perhaps widens the field.
FairweatherDave
Well-Known Member
The size difference between a Centaur and a Konsort is massive despite only about 2ft 6 differencein length., and both fit your requirements. Plenty to choose from and well worth looking at several as condition and price will vary a lot. We sail our Konsort all along the South Coast and happily take the ground, we grew out of the Centaur as family got bigger.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Colvic .... they have various ... but check carefully as many were home completed interiors.
Westerly
Mirage
just 3 examples of the many ..
As long as you accept 1970 to 1990 .... there are many out there ... and prices can be very kind on the pocket !! I have a 1973 Sunrider 25 .... built like a battle tank ...
Westerly
Mirage
just 3 examples of the many ..
As long as you accept 1970 to 1990 .... there are many out there ... and prices can be very kind on the pocket !! I have a 1973 Sunrider 25 .... built like a battle tank ...
ducked
Well-Known Member
Fortunately I have only dinghy experience with which to compare, but I'll bear this in mind when buck-passing re my own limited sailing ability.
I got it on the rebound from a cheap and scruffy Westerly Pageant that I dithered about until someone else bought it. This would have been a lot roomier but I'd guess slightly grimmer on the sailing front, and not so pretty. Its now back on the market, and even cheaper.
mrming
Well-Known Member
You don’t mention a budget but I would caution to take your time and wait for a well maintained boat. The cost of fixing up a tired example will far exceed the purchase price. It’s a buyer’s market for this size yacht, and you have months before the season starts, so tread carefully. Good boats do come up. 
Refueler
Well-Known Member
The Pageant at 23ft is actually a very good boat for its size.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
True ..You don’t mention a budget but I would caution to take your time and wait for a well maintained boat. The cost of fixing up a tired example will far exceed the purchase price. It’s a buyer’s market for this size yacht, and you have months before the season starts, so tread carefully. Good boats do come up.
BUT note that the price does not always indicate good or bad in this part of the market ... price is often dictated by brand names ... but not always by actual performance or cabin space ...
There are some good boats of lesser known brand - with prices that reflect the fact of lesser known.
Worth time scouring Boats and Outboards ... Boatshed .... Apollo Duck .... there are many 'bread and butter' online sites foir boats like this ... and TBH - staying away from the more upmarket Broker sites ...
The matter of 'tired example' is IMHO a worn out phrase ... as most of the 26 - 30ft BK boats of the 1970 to 1990 vintage are over-engineered and well worth looking at.
mrming
Well-Known Member
I don’t dispute they can be well engineered at a basic level, but, if say a £3-6k boat needs sails, standing rigging, sprayhood, sail cover, and an engine overhaul that will likely far exceed the purchase price.
ducked
Well-Known Member
I think of it as a Compact Centaur, which has a very good rep, but its relative roominess on 23 ft must compromise its sailing ability to some extent.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Therein lies what exactly I am on about ... Sorry - but there are some very good boats out there that basically get passed by - because of such advice given to seekers.
Many of the boats .. Westerly .. Colvic ... Macwester .. my own Sunrider etc are overengineered - standing rigging is often still good and last another xx years ...
Sails - ok can be a bit baggy - but again - many of such boats - the sails were heavier form and made to last ...
As regard sprayhood / sail cover ... I regard them as extras that even a 10yr old boat can be needing depending on where boat was ...
Refueler
Well-Known Member
It will never win round the cans ... but it does not mean it cannot sail reasonably well ..
Kwik Decision
Well-Known Member
The Sadler 290 is an excellent boat, but only 50 were built, so rare, and as they are relatively modern, they are expensive. I'm biased as we've got one!
If the budget is more modest, the original Sadler 29 is a very good boat; sails well, and double skinned so well insulated and possibly unsinkable. About half those built were bilge keel, and there are a few on the market currently from £10k.
