Eyqthene for a first boat

[Guest]

Hello Sailors,
I have found a Eygthene for sale and simply ask opinions on it's suitability as a first learning yacht.

best regards
Howard

 

[rex_seadog]

A couple of threads appeared on this (or Scuttlebutt) forum in Oct/Nov 2001. If you run a search also try spelling it 'egythene'.
Had a trial sail in a twin keel version once and impressed by the performance but depending on where you're coming from (i.e. have you done any dinghy sailing?) you may find it a little lively. Seem to remember that you sit on the side decks (like a glorified Laser) rather than 'in' the cockpit so could be a bit exposed in any sort of sea. However, if you check the other threads there are others with more experience of the boat.

 

[claymore]

I think that sums it up well - they go well and are lively so good if you are coming from dinghies. Wide decks - quite radical shape for their day, some had outboards and some inboards, petrol and diesel. i don't think you'd have to pay too much to own one. They must have stopped building them a few years ago now but the fin version did well in the Windermere winter series I seem to think.
I think you should be able pick one up for less than £4k and it will probably be a good buy. Plenty of headroom below and as Rex said you sit on them rather than in so it might feel a bit exposed offshore.

regards
Claymore

 

[paulstevens]

Be very careful

Most have balsa sandwich hull which by now might be very soggy indeed.

 

[Guest]

Thanks fellas, I guess I got carried away at the sight of such a pretty and VERY cheap boat. The old addage, you get what you pay for springs to mind. This thing could be a real hole in the wallet job being so old.

 

[claymore]

Go on then
What were they asking?
You could always get a 2nd opinion about the balsa core

regards
Claymore

 

[Guest]

It's in Autotrader Boats section, £5,500
It was only an idea to practice up the coast with a small boat before getting
a Sadler 34 or similar but I would have spent a fortune making it pristine.
I would be better to just go ahead and jump in with a real cruiser later this year.

later

 

[MADFISH]

A good friend of mine has owned one for the last 10 years. (Fin). He cruises his and also collects a large amount of silverware in the clubs races.

It is a very good boat and I would reccomend them.

He is just in the process of installing a new Yanmar 1GM with saildrive in it which is proving to be quite straightforward.

I would reccomend that you get roller furling for the genoa as they have a large foretriangle and the #1 genoa is huge. As a result of this the main is tiny so it needs a good size headsail in order to "go".

The hull should not cause you much concern but do have the chainplates checked as they may be inclined to start pulling themselves through the main bulkhead.

Check out the next edition of Yachting Monthly as I believe they are doing a writeup on them.

If you want me to ask my friend any specific questions then let me know.

 

[Jacket]

At that price the boat should be in reasonable condition. Maybe a bit taty, but thats just cosmetic, and fairly cheap to put right- just a bit of elbow grease.