Downsizing suggestions please???

[Gargleblaster]

I had a sudden thought about this thread over the weekend when I saw a Kingfisher 20, it may have been a 20+. Big boat inside for its size. They handle relatively well for a bilge keeler and are generally well under your budget. Pete Hill [Annie's ex husband] sailed one to Newport in the 2006 Jester Challenge, when most of the competitors were knocked out by bad weather so they must be able to handle a bit of a blow. Blondie Hasler favoured one after he sold Jester, but had his with a junk rig as did Pete Hill in 2006.

 

[FullCircle]

I had a sudden thought about this thread over the weekend when I saw a Kingfisher 20, it may have been a 20+. Big boat inside for its size. They handle relatively well for a bilge keeler and are generally well under your budget. Pete Hill [Annie's ex husband] sailed one to Newport in the 2006 Jester Challenge, when most of the competitors were knocked out by bad weather so they must be able to handle a bit of a blow. Blondie Hasler favoured one after he sold Jester, but had his with a junk rig as did Pete Hill in 2006.

A certain author of a well known East Coast Pilot type of book also has a longing for a junk rig Kingfisher 20.

There is one at Bridgemarsh.....but its not for sale, apparently.

 

[Toutvabien]

An interesting notion,

however I am not sure such a small boat would work for me, (as I am 6ft tall and weigh 19 stone, ex prop forward)

I am not so concerned about vertical head room, but I probably need a boat with decent lateral "head" room, as I would not want to get stuck in the heads when single handing. I can imagine the MCA report into such an incident.

I am often to be found trying the heads for size at boat shows, having been on boats with tiny toilets I must aknowledge that it is a significant issue for those of us with bigger bottoms.

Having been on the case for a week or so now I am beggining to suspect that finding a suitable boat is going to be significantly harder than I initially anticipated. The suggestions received from forum members have been cracking, several have found their way on to my long list, but finding one in decent nick may prove difficult. I do not want a "project", there seem to be a lot of them knocking about, old boats that have been left to rot for years or sailed into the ground with little routine work done on them. Rather I am looking for one that is in reasonable condition with a reliable engine and decent rig, I don't mind replacing sails, cooker, upholstery etc but nothing that involves tearing the boat apart such as headlining.

Thinking about it I guess that few people will be selling well sorted smallish boats, (with a good sized heads compartment) in good condition. Still I do like a challenge.

 

[Gargleblaster]

Here's an Itchen Ferry at Bradwell. Looks in good nick and the heads [see picture] seem a reasonable size. I notice the seller has declined one offer, but at close to £4000 his price [to me] seems at the top of the scale.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220683788147

I know quite a large fellow both vertically [over 6'] and horizontally [possibly 19 stone +] that owns a junk rigged Kingfisher 20+. I haven't enquired whether or not he fits into the heads. He used to have Val 31 trimaran but decided to leave it in the middle of the Atlantic when a passing ship offered him a lift.

 

[Koeketiene]

Tongue firmly in cheek

 

[Toutvabien]

Tongue firmly in cheek

I will be buying a REALLY BIG boat in a few years time!!

 

[Koeketiene]

I will be buying a REALLY BIG boat in a few years time!!

A new - hardly used - aircraft carrier (aircraft not included) should hit the market in a couple of years.

Good luck finding a berth though

 

[Toutvabien]

A new - hardly used - aircraft carrier (aircraft not included) should hit the market in a couple of years.

Good luck finding a berth though

Guapa, that sounds ideal, I assume that it will be flogged off through one of those old style Admiralty Auctions. I think I had some old kapok life jackets through a simlar route so I am familiar with the purchasing process.

I have a berth at Brightlingsea, I am told that they are very accomodating to existing berth holders that buy larger boats. Would need to be on the outside of the pontoon though to facilitate winding the boat into the tide.