Colvic sailer 26

Some pals of mine had a Bilge keel Colvic 26 for about 10 years - they moved up from a Kingfisher 20, and the Colvic seemed to be huge (and fast!) in comparison.
They have reasonable accommodation - but forget the aft double quarter cabin that you might find on a broader stern newer boat - and sailing performance is not a patch on the modern twin keelers.
If you were not happy with a Snappie 747, then you might not be too impressed with a Colvic 26.
My pals however were very happy with theirs. And I have another pal who has a Snappie 747, who is equally happy with the sailing performance (re pottering around the Solent, visiting drying harbours - they are ideal for that).
 
I never got as far as a trial sail as the owner was not open to offers.I am looking at boats on the iberian peninsular for sale and the colvic is amongst them.From the info on the net it would seem a classic early bilger keeler.The snappie was for sale in La Coruña just down the road but at a price of 10000euros!
 
I had a Colvic Sailer 26 for about 6 years, and in that time went across from Falmouth to the Channel Islands (via Salcombe and Dartmouth) twice.

Came back from one visit in such bad weather that the boat was more like a submarine at times with the forward area completely under water. The boat could take more than we could and we ended up in Dartmouth for two days recovering.

I only sold it to go up to a 29ft'er. She served us well.

Alas, she is a sailing boat no more, having been sunk and written off in the gales a few years ago at Falmouth. Now a houseboat.

Prices range from below £8000 to over £11000, depending on finish - home or professional.

Not fast, but sturdy.
 
Well, FWIW I bought one this year, changing from mobo to sail and while it's not the fastest boat on the water, I am generally pleased with it. Make sure that if you do buy one the engine is a good'un 'cos you will be using it frequently! Mine was home finished by the first owner who was head of woodworking at Brighton Tech, so the quality is very good, but the layout leaves something to be desired and will be changed when I can afford to. On the whole, as a first sailing boat, I am happy with it and certainly at this time it is more capable than I am!
 
Colvic Sailor 26

You could try Robert Kincaid, he's moved on to larger vessel now, but used to run the Oban Sea School on one of these, indeed I did my Day Skipper with him many years ago. Based out of Oban he'll know what the boat is cabable of.

http://www.obanseaschool.co.uk/contact.html
info@obanseaschool.co.uk

I also know there is one for sail in Beaumaris, North Wales, nothing to do with me, but I could note down the details next time I'm in the yard - let me know if you want me to do this.
 
Thanks for you info.The boat I am looking at is in Spain,there seem to be quite a few in the uk but one of the interesting points about thge boat is that itis already here.I just hope the engine is ok as adding on the price of a new one would make the deal a no no .
 
I have also bought one in Spain this year. The build quality for a 1987 boat seems very substantial. She appears quite dry, although the washboards are louvered, I guess 'cos its so hot? I have no experience at sailing so cannot give you any help in that dept, except to say that it has lots of rope to pull etc.!! There seems to be plenty of stowage space. I am very happy with mine.
 
Colvic Sailor

I bought one in 2005 and very pleased. Very solid and sails well. A safe boat. I saw a few in very poor condition on the initial search. As an aside I have no evidence of date of construction although I understand mine was 1978 and launched 1982. As I want to go foreign the vat may be a problem. I believe they ceased to build before the 1985 deadline but cannot find any proof. Can anyone help
 
I have just bought one which is said to have been built in 1988. I have also seen a 1987 for sale on the RYA website. The later ones had a less acute angle to the coachroof over the forepeak. Mine was modified at manufacture for use on inland waterways and thus has a shower, fridge, A frame and cooker as standard together with hot water. I'm delighted with it so far. It has also been modded to have a masthead rather than fractional rig with additional backstays thus the genoa is bigger ans she sails very well. Mine was modified by Barnes Brinkcraft in conjunction with Colvic.
 
Found this little snippet too:
Founded by Colin Burns and Vic Pascoe and located on the Blackwater Estuary, (English east coast), Colvic Craft was one of the earliest and most prolific builders of fiberglass power and sailing yachts in Britain. The long list of models includes those sold under the Colvic name as well as those, under contract for other firms.

In 2000, the Colvic assetts were purchased by Lancer Laminating Ltd. The new owners stated that they planned to continue building boats at the same location with most of the original employees.

They appear to have been dissolved on the 6th January 2004.

LANCER LAMINATING LIMITED
EARLS COLNE BUSINESS PARK
EARLS COLNE
COLCHESTER
ESSEX CO6 2NS
UK
 
Tobenn said:
Found this little snippet too:
Founded by Colin Burns and Vic Pascoe and located on the Blackwater Estuary, (English east coast), Colvic Craft was one of the earliest and most prolific builders of fiberglass power and sailing yachts in Britain. The long list of models includes those sold under the Colvic name as well as those, under contract for other firms.

In 2000, the Colvic assetts were purchased by Lancer Laminating Ltd. The new owners stated that they planned to continue building boats at the same location with most of the original employees.

They appear to have been dissolved on the 6th January 2004.

LANCER LAMINATING LIMITED
EARLS COLNE BUSINESS PARK
EARLS COLNE
COLCHESTER
ESSEX CO6 2NS
UK
Click to expand...

It won't surprise anyone to know that that is the Colvic site.........
 
My father has owned one for 27 years and its still as good as new. Relatively spacious for a 26 footer of that era; not a rocket ship but incredibly sturdy and dependable. Build quality obviously varies - his is an Atlanta 26, which is the colvic hull fitted out by atlanta marine. These seem to be a very good finish, with good quality mahogany and mahogany ply throughout. Original engine was a 12hp petter mini twin, but was replaced recently with a 21hp 3 cyl nanni which is perfect and the extra horsepower is very useful. Difficult to handle astern but provided you accept that and act accordingly its fine. Sailed in some extreme weather in her when we were growing up, f9 etc and the boat was superb. Unlike alot of twin keelers the keels are part of the hull moulding so they are more vertical, not splayed and you will never have a keel-hull join problem as there isnt one! Ballast was lead shot mixed with resin. Overall a great solid boat.
 
I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know of a colvic sailor 26 named caroline? She belonged to my father who has many fond memories of sailing her on the Irish sea. Now I'm looking at buying my own boat I thought I'd have a go at tracking her down.
She had a dark blue hull when we had her. After being sold she was moved to liverpool for some time I believe, though I could be wrong there.
 
Steebeard said:
I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know of a colvic sailor 26 named caroline? She belonged to my father who has many fond memories of sailing her on the Irish sea. Now I'm looking at buying my own boat I thought I'd have a go at tracking her down.
She had a dark blue hull when we had her. After being sold she was moved to liverpool for some time I believe, though I could be wrong there.
Click to expand...
There is a Facebook site for Colvic Sailors you could try there.
 
Wansworth said:
I never got as far as a trial sail as the owner was not open to offers.I am looking at boats on the iberian peninsular for sale and the colvic is amongst them.From the info on the net it would seem a classic early bilger keeler.The snappie was for sale in La Coruña just down the road but at a price of 10000euros!
Click to expand...
You should realise by now that sailing in Spain is a bit elitist. So, boats tend to be valued a bit higher than back in Blighty. Big(huge!) gap between blokes who fish for a living and people who chose to enjoy sailing. It was the same in Portugal. Most Spanish Clubs were/are rather smart social places and def didn't want blokes in oilies coming into the bar for a well earned beer after thrashing against an F8 to get in to the harbour.

Though, doesn't make them bad people. A brit yachty had a bad back issue. No real money or insurance. The local yacht club knew and sorted the medical lot at the hospital and chipped in to pay all the costs for the surgery and rehab. It was in Vilamoura and I would not dare to walk into their club unless I was properly dressed.
 
DownWest said:
You should realise by now that sailing in Spain is a bit elitist. So, boats tend to be valued a bit higher than back in Blighty. Big(huge!) gap between blokes who fish for a living and people who chose to enjoy sailing. It was the same in Portugal. Most Spanish Clubs were/are rather smart social places and def didn't want blokes in oilies coming into the bar for a well earned beer after thrashing against an F8 to get in to the harbour.

Though, doesn't make them bad people. A brit yachty had a bad back issue. No real money or insurance. The local yacht club knew and sorted the medical lot at the hospital and chipped in to pay all the costs for the surgery and rehab. It was in Vilamoura and I would not dare to walk into their club unless I was properly dressed.
Click to expand...
Things have changed at least in the smaller clubs and marinas since I came in 1981.There many more boats and now in comparison to 2009 the prices are lower and there is much more choice especially on the Med coast.
 
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