Bolero 26

LittleSister said:
That sounds an excellent plan.

Whatever boat you start with, you will almost certainly refine/amend your imagined preferences in a year or two (and even if you don't, it only means you already have your perfect boat).

Happy sailing.
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I fear you don't really appreciate the boats and situations involved - novice singlehander, boat requiring gorillas on the side, running backstays...
 
PeteCooper said:
Spot on with the above!



In all fairness that must have been an awful long time ago? Any idea when? Do you happen to know what she was/is called?
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She was and is still called ' Agro ' - built around 1977 as we were shown the photo's of her on delivery when buying our boat.

There were two A22's with special fixed fin keels, both for racing in Scotland, as far as I can make out both on the Clyde - Agro was quite famous at the time, I have tried but can't find a trace of the other one.

Agro would still make a fantastic cruiser / racer in deep waters like Scotland, Ireland or Wales with TLC - and any normal budget should cover that given the tiny price - but you can't give away a fin keeler even 30' around here on the southern English coast, as it would be missing the benefit of the lift keel and sheltered inshore cheaper moorings so cost as much as a much larger boat to moor / berth.
 
There is an excellent Anderson 22 for sale in Fobbing in Essex owned by a very experienced sailor. Selling due to old age., Very well equipped.plus road & launching trailer. Apply via Stone sailing club. Seajet probably knows of Gavin Watkins
 
Daydream believer said:
There is an excellent Anderson 22 for sale in Fobbing in Essex owned by a very experienced sailor. Selling due to old age., Road & launching trailer. Apply via Stone sailing club. Seajet probably knows of Gavin Watkins
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I do indeed, we have exchanged correspondence long ago, and Gavin had an article published - which I have - about singlehanding in a gale approaching the French shore ISTR called ' Time to turn back ' !

In a Bolero it would be ' Time to put your head between your knees and kiss your arse goodbye. '

Gavins' boat though I haven't seen her myself ( ' Arpegio ' I think DB ? ) sounds a very good example, - I would need to see the inventory again to comment further, for instance some people fit stupidly huge engines one cannot lift in and out of the well - a properly maintained Mariner 5hp 2-stroke with remote tank and charging coil - solar panel doing 99 % of the work - is optimum but she is in an awkward place on the East English Coast - so a cheapo flight over to see her would be the ideal; dunno about those routes but presumably Stansted would be an idea.

As long as the trolley can go on the trailer combi style, and the trailer is a braked 4 wheel job in good non - dunked condition with bearings, brakes and lights working, go and see her, come back with a decent size 4x4 then away you go.

I have been asked to look at, photograph to near death ( used to be a BAe photographer ) and give impartial reports on A22's quite a few times - as long as my petrol is covered I'm impartial, and think it fair to say I know what to look for on an A22 - I give honest feedback, could tell you the faults on my boat which I've had for 40 years, had many thousands you wouldn't believe spent on but in need of a good refit this winter...

Wanzap1 - So keep ' Agro ' in mind, she'd respond well to a good new owner and for the price you could fit her out with a lot of new sails / kit - but requires a fair bit of DIY work, Arpegio doesn't - and there's the well fitted out if barely equipped ' Chancer ' already in Ireland...

I have details of all these boats, it's rather a shame my website was knobbled by someone I trusted when everyone else shunned them, rescued their valuable boats impounded due to behaviour and fees, paid for web help and gave pressies, only to find the rest were right after all and get locked out of and libelled on my own site I'd paid for...:rolleyes:

Still I have the site and details back now, not able to publish just yet but can answer questions and probably send pics and articles by e-mail.

Andy
 
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Thanks again guys. I'm on my phone so when I have time I'll take a proper read.

But I should clarify - the Bolero is already in the family and will cost me nothing. It has been raced and cruised by my dad for the last five years so has a full and extensive sail wardrobe, well maintained and has decent navigation gear. So whilst I fully appreciate the advice, and Ill take it on board, the choice isn't : purchase a Bolero or purchase something else. It is use the bolero (no expense) or if the boat is much too inappropriate - buy my own boat ( I cannot sell the Bolero as it is my dad's and not mine)

Andy - ill be giving the A22 careful consideration though :-) thanks so much for your advice
 
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wanzap1,

you may be in for a steep learning curve and I suggest no singlehanding for a while with running backstays - a good autopilot like an autohelm 2000 - if you haven't got one, anyway treat as if it's GOING to fail like a pilot on exams re engine failure - would be really handy - and when looking at other boats don't forget the laying down on the bunks test !

Andy
 
Seajet said:
wanzap1,

you may be in for a steep learning curve and I suggest no singlehanding for a while with running backstays - a good autopilot like an autohelm 2000 - if you haven't got one, anyway treat as if it's GOING to fail like a pilot on exams re engine failure - would be really handy - and when looking at other boats don't forget the laying down on the bunks test !

Andy
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Thanks again.

I'll chat to my dad about the backstays - I cant remember off the top of my head.

I should also add that sailing "single handed" will also include my wife onboard, so more 1.25 crew members.. She is enthusiastic but self-limits herself to tiller and acting as ballast. ropework / sheeting is "not her thing". She may suffice as a temperamental autopilot.
 
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wanzap1 said:
Thanks again.

I'll chat to my dad about the backstays - I cant remember off the top of my head.

I should also add that sailing single handed will also include my wife. She is enthusiastic but sell-limits herself to tiller and acting as ballast. ropework / sheeting is "not her thing". She may suffice as a temperamental autopilot.
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wanzap1, I have crossed the Channel - the longish way - with a fiance like that and no autopilot; she never learned to sail properly let alone navigate, but when the chips were down and we were in potentially VERY deep **** she was the one who went on deck to fix the kicking strap ( on a harness ) while I steered among the overfalls of Portland Race in a F7-8 - cherish your lady, and treat her to an autohelm 2000 - then immediatedly make a transparent waterproof coat for it !
 
PeteCooper,

sorry I don't have a name for original owner but it seems a fair bet it's the same person.

Meanwhile Agro #1 languishges waiting for a keen sailor, she is still very capable of making a serious dent in racing results, especially in stiff winds - I wish I could put a pic up here but anyone interested in her ( I must stress I make zero money out of deals ) can contact me then I can e-mail details.
 
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