cole 23

[christmas]

Hi,
Can anyone give me a view on a cole 23 grp with fixed fin keel designed by peter cole built by northshore boats. I am new to this game and would like anyones view on the performance handling comfort etc... pros and cons. Can anyone tell me were to get info on this boat specs etc...

 

[William_H]

Hello Christmas (as usual) I can't answer your question however....
We have 3 Cole 26 and one Cole 32 at our club. They are fine cruising boats but quite slow in racing.
I am slightly familiar with the Cole 23 retractable keel (briefly sailed on one many years ago) which is a fine trailer sailer but quite heavy. It has a big cabin and if I remember corectly a flush deck ie the cabin top extends to the gunwhales. A fixed keel version should be good(for its size) for rough water open ocean. good luck and look out for those maxis doing 16knots up the Derwent. olewill

 

[fishermantwo]

[ QUOTE ]
3 Cole 26 and one Cole 32 at our club. They are fine cruising boats but quite slow in racing.
olewill

[/ QUOTE ]
William,
I'm hoping they are badly sailed. Ive lusted after Cole 31's, Nantucket31 etc for years. Grasshopper is a timber 31 and has won the Sydney Hobart and other major races. As for the Cole 23 trailer sailer, I have never raced on one but they seem a bit tender, that large genoa might have been fashionable in the 70's but where I sail they get a hiding from Castle 21's. The fixed keel versions seem plentiful on Sydney Harbour. Would be a roomy smaller cruiser and a better bet than say an Endeavour 24 for not much more money.

 

[William_H]

Yes very likely the Coles are not sailed very well. I sail a 25year old (#1) Castle and while I don't race against the 31 only one of the 26s has kept up in fairly heavy weather once or twice out of perhaps 50 encounters. I have several times passed the 31 when he does race even though he starts 5 mins earlier.
But of course the Castle is not so comfortable and is more of a lightweight sports boat. However this also goes well when you tow it. good saing in 07 olewill

 

[christmas]

All good information thankyou, now does any one know if there is a Cole club or Cole website etc...
Thanks...