Colvic 20 Motor Sailer - advice needed

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I am seeking advice from owners of Colvic 20 Motor Sailers on how well they perform at sea under sail, and motor.
I have recently viewed a boat and it is surprisingly spacious considering the overall hull length with good headroom in the cabin and the wheelhouse. I am not looking for a fast boat, either motor or sail but it would need to be a safe sea boat for coastal passages along the south coast. Any advice would be welcome, or suggestions of other M/S in the region of 20 to 22 foot in length.
Many thanks...Paul
 
I have a Swin Ranger 22ft motor sailer which is still in "project " stage. I bought it because I moored next to a bloke who lived on one and often sailed it on the Irish Sea. He took it up the west coast of Scotland and on numerous occasions to the Isle of Man and Ireland.

A forumite (Lady in Bed) had one and here is his account of one voyage, which is a great tale and worth reading. I would like to repeat his voyage.

http://www.kahawi.co.uk/Baker/
 
Hi Paul

I have sailed all the Colvic Watson Motor Sailer range and the CW 19'-6" sails remarkably well and is an excellant sea boat as all other Colvic Watsons.

However for the budget you are looking at you may find a nice CW 23'-6", finding one is no problem, finding a good one is the cleaver bit.

There are a number of CW 23'-6" for sale at present ranging from £8.500 to over £19.000, but be carefull you gets what you pay for !!

As Jerry says above you would be welcome to join us at the Colvic Watson Owners Group and if I can be of any further help send me a PM.

Mike
 
Many thanks for the positive comments. I am limited to 22 foot or maybe a little more, my current boat a Drascombe Drifter has a 2 foot depth of keel and I could go to 3 foot with a new boat. One of my main issues is I have had two knee replacements in the last year and I cannot kneel down as I used to. I find the cabin of my Drifter quite difficult to negotiate, although I love sailing the boat which has around 210 square ft of sail and is a delight to sail. I am now looking for a more sedate form of boating and fancy the idea of a covered wheelhouse and standing headroom. I probably sound like an old crock with my knees, but they will improve and I had a great time sailing singlehandedly last season. I just fancy a change but still want some sailing performance.
I have seen a local Colvic for sale and have been out this week for a sea trial, imagine blue skies, flat calm and not enough wind to hoist the sails...what a difference a few days make...gales and flooding in the South West.
 
Just be aware that they are "Motor sailors" for a reason. They are a compromise between a motor boat & a sailing boat & as such will not do either as well as a purpose designed boat. They are also generally heavier, lower sail area & higher freeboard/ upperworks all of which affects sailing performance.

Have you considered a Westerly Pageant? At 23' it is an excellent sailor for its size, has full standing headroom & reasonable draft (around 3' but I haven't checked). Good 2 berth foc'sle, loo & hanging locker plus a decent 2 berth saloon, all with 6' plus headroom & berths. Nice roomy cockpit to move around in & decent side & foredecks for safe mooring, anchoring & sail handling.

There is also a 21' version (the Warwick or W21) that has a bit less room inside, but is still fine for a family of 4 with 6' headroom & safe deck & cockpit space. They are simply shorter versions of the amazingly popular & ubiquitous Centaur Laurent Giles design. Popular designs are popular because they meet most peoples' needs.
 
Seafairer 21

Here are some pics of my Seafairer 21 which is basically a motor boat with sails. It has a 40HP Ford Diesel (I know its overpowered but I had one in my garage) It has bilge keels and carries about 1000 lbs of ballast. It carries about 180 square feet of sail but needs a bit of a blow to get going but I can get it to come about into the wind and I can sail it on the mainsheet. AND it has a big loo area. Was bought as a project boat years ago and just fitted the mast and sails last year.

As searush has said, " They are a compromise between a motor boat & a sailing boat" my point being that make sure you go for one with a big engine to get you home in a blow. I have looked at some motor sailors and some of their engine were very much on the small side one example was a Fisher 25 with a tired 18HP.

I have to say, I would also like a Colvic 23 or IP24 but cant justify the cost. Good luck with your search for the ideal boat.

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Last edited:
Thanks for the advice Searush, as always you give sound advice based on experience and a knowledge of boats.
I have also viewed a Hardy 20 M/S which was very spacious, although quite different from the Colvic Watson 19' 6".
I met up with chap earlier this week who was working on his Hardy prior to launching this weekend, he had problems with a hip replacement surgery and after three new hips was back on the water..! He said the Hardy is an excellent motor sailer, but not a good sail boat or a good motorboat.
I would just like to get back on the water in comfort..without spending a fortune. I am fortunate in living 5 minutes walk from the harbour in Fowey. I use a handheld VHF to call up the water taxi which drops me off on my boat and after a day's sail or even an afternoon jolly..I call the taxi and return to shore.
I would be quite happy with the compromise of a wheelhouse and seated helm position under cover and out of the wind at the expense of sailing performance. However I am looking for a safe sea boat within the limits of my mooring size of 22 foot.
Many thanks.
Paul
 
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