Chris_Robb
Well-known member
Having owned and sailed extensively over the years the following yachts: In order - oldest first
1. Outlaw - class 1 from 60's - disaster down wind! plus other class 1's
2. Sadler 25 (my first - well mannered, easy off wind - lovely little boat
3. Bene 477 - sailed like a dinghy - easily raced in 2 handed series at Royal Southampton. Shivered like a tart without cloths to windward in any seas! discovered all interior delaminated from hull....... oh dear - but was lovely to sail - down below in a seaway is was a real problem to cross the saloon, and the chef when through the heads door on the round the Island race when preparing sandwiches! very funny!
4. Bavaria 38 "Holiday". Worst boat I ever sailed - hideous off the wind - sold it 1 month later. Flimsy.
5. MG 40 - well mannered and fast. Bumped rock of Helford - not hard - yes you all know it - 2 years later bottom had to be rebuilt - construction similar to Bene 477 (and most modern boats)
6.. Victory 40: I regret ever selling her in terms of heavy heather performance -200 mile in a day many times down wind (won the RSYC double to Cherbourg in atrocious weather!. Steered herself - never broached even under Spinnaker in far too much wind - 80 hp diesel and covered cockpit - but I perceived her not to be right for the Med.
7. Westerly Ocean Lord: Great off the wind in a blow and seaway (but nowhere near as good as Victory). Ideal for Med - good large deep centre cockpit - can sit 6 for dinner. Well ventilated - strong as hell. comfortable in bad weather - and utterly devoid of noise down below even in rough weather - no creeks or groans. Very very happy with it, and I have no aspirations to change to a more modern job.
1. Outlaw - class 1 from 60's - disaster down wind! plus other class 1's
2. Sadler 25 (my first - well mannered, easy off wind - lovely little boat
3. Bene 477 - sailed like a dinghy - easily raced in 2 handed series at Royal Southampton. Shivered like a tart without cloths to windward in any seas! discovered all interior delaminated from hull....... oh dear - but was lovely to sail - down below in a seaway is was a real problem to cross the saloon, and the chef when through the heads door on the round the Island race when preparing sandwiches! very funny!
4. Bavaria 38 "Holiday". Worst boat I ever sailed - hideous off the wind - sold it 1 month later. Flimsy.
5. MG 40 - well mannered and fast. Bumped rock of Helford - not hard - yes you all know it - 2 years later bottom had to be rebuilt - construction similar to Bene 477 (and most modern boats)
6.. Victory 40: I regret ever selling her in terms of heavy heather performance -200 mile in a day many times down wind (won the RSYC double to Cherbourg in atrocious weather!. Steered herself - never broached even under Spinnaker in far too much wind - 80 hp diesel and covered cockpit - but I perceived her not to be right for the Med.
7. Westerly Ocean Lord: Great off the wind in a blow and seaway (but nowhere near as good as Victory). Ideal for Med - good large deep centre cockpit - can sit 6 for dinner. Well ventilated - strong as hell. comfortable in bad weather - and utterly devoid of noise down below even in rough weather - no creeks or groans. Very very happy with it, and I have no aspirations to change to a more modern job.
