Finesse 21

[deckard]

Hello everyone!

I am new of this forum (actually this the first sailing forum I have joined!)

I am not a very experienced sailor (started about four years ago), but I think it's time to start sailing my (first) boat on the River Orwell (Suffolk).

I am a classic / wooden boat enthusias, but again my experience in maintenance / repair is limited, although I know some skilled wooden boat builder who will help me

Tomorrow I will be looking at a Finesse 21, which I'm sure is well knowwn by many of you (built in the '60-'60 By A.F. Platt in essex) and I would appreciate if anybody could give me an opinion on her.

My sailing idea for the next years: keep within the estuaries until I build up some more experience, then some coastal sailing in the area

Thanks a lot!

 

[Poignard]

One of the magazines [PBO?] once did comparitive tests of the Finesse with some other traditional types. You might be able to track down a reprint if you contact the various sailing magazines. I think they found the sailing performance poor because of small sail area but if you want a boat for some Maurice Griffiths style pottering around the East Coast creeks it might be ideal. Beware of taking on an old wooden boat that has been "let go", unless you have time and skill, or a lot of money.

I'd suggest you find a good surveyor, used to wooden boats.

 

[deckard]

Thanks, Twister

That is my feeling about that boat so far. She is quite heavy and many of the owners have added a bowsprit to increase sail areas (not the case for the one I'm looking at tomorrow)

I'll have a look by myself, then, incase I'll decide to go any further, I'll involve the boat builder builder that I know

 

[DownWest]

Something in the back of my mind says the bowsprite mods where to cure excessive weather helm, but I could be wrong.
A

 

[absit_omen]

I am sure your boatbuilder friend would agree that it is very difficult to restore a boat from what should be firewood - no matter how much of a bargain she may appear to be.

My advice would be to buy the best you can possibly afford. That way you stand some chance of keeping up with maintenance and getting some decent time on the water. Buy a pup and you will spend years, yes, years of chasing your tail trying to make the boat seaworthy - even if you have the dosh and the skills. It all takes so much time.

Let us know how you get on and good luck.

 

[alb4408]

I see no-one who actually owns and sails a Finesse has replied.

I can't comment on a 21 but my 24 sails very well, admittedly with a bowsprit and two headsails - i.e. a cutter.

You might find it useful to check out the Finesse Owners' Assocation Group on Google Groups - see http://bit.ly/gdMmr

P.S. Don't buy this one - even at £500 on eBay.

http://bit.ly/91vkO

Bidding is now closed, anyway.

Whatever wooden boat you do buy, you obviously ought to get a survey done.

 

[Kilter]

We own a 24 cutter and she sails well. No personal experience of the 21 but the group mentioned above is a good place to start. The finesses are well built, robust boats and if looked after will give years of happiness and service. [note to self; must get some maintenance done!] Good luck!

 

[deckard]

Thanks everyone for your help!

Allegedly, the boat I am looking at tomorrow is in very good conditions and I agree: I should go for a boat with the lowest possible initial hassle, so that keeping on top of the works to be done would be easier.

However, this evening I got a call from the Caribbean from a very close (and experienced) friend who's just made it into there: he gave me a complete different perspective on my current boat, which needs serious repairs. I may have a go at that, I don't know yet. I need to sleep on it and see what boats I will find in the next weeks as an aternative.

My current boat boat is a small 18 foot plywood cruiser; lovely, but with a few problems with soft hull... enough said

I may well ask for advice on this second options as well

This forum sounds very good!

Thanks

 

[alb4408]

There's a Finesse 24 for sale in Robertson's yard in Woodbridge (Kaiulani) - it was 'around £10,000' last year, but that was before the credit crunch hit home. It was still for sale a month ago, as far as I know. It is moored on the 'yacht' (tide mill) side of Robertson's barge jetty.

There's also 4 other Finesse's - 3 24's and one 27 (28?), including mine (Kiboko) - in the yard (although some may have been moved by now.)

There is also a nice Finesse 21 (Bluebell of Deben) in Everson's yard at Woodbridge - last time I looked it was around £5000. (21's are a LOT smaller than 24's.) It looked in good nick, but of course it would need checking for soft spots (i.e. surveyed).

It looked like it needed a bit of TLC; my personal opinion, if it is sound, is get it varnished and painted by a professional; then after that you just need to 'top up' the finish each year.

Of course, you could join the Nancy Blackett Trust and sail in a traditional wooden boat much, much more cheaply. (Sorry for the Ad. - I'm the Sailing Secretary.)

 

[deckard]

Thanks, Albj

Yesterday I've been to Woodbridge: I have never seen a place with such a high availability of wooden boats on sale in the Ipswich area!

I have missed Robertson's boatyard, due to lack of time. I have the feeling that Finesse 24 is above my budget, plus, my non excessive sailing sxperience suggests to look for something slightly smaller.

Bluebelle of Deben is the boat I have looked at yesterday. Although I cannot do a professional survey, my impression is that she's quite sound and in fairly good condition: she needs some work before launching her, the most urgent being the antifouling.
She's a very spacious boat for that size
However, I am not sure that this is the best boat for me: I'd like something slightly faster and which responds quicker that a F21.

Yet I have not made a decision, but definately I will have a go at doing up my current boat: she needs two patches on the hull below the waterline (about 8 inches each). After that I'll treat the hull below the waterline with epoxy and will apply fiberglass cloth all over. I've been told that this will sort out all problems. Daunting job for me, but if I won't take these challenges I'll never learn. In addition I haven't got a lot to loose and the cost should be cheaper than buying a new boat.

In any case, I'm still looking for other boats: see what I'll get.

Does Anybody know the Kestrel 22? There were quite a few on sale in Woodbridge, all of them projects, with diferent degrees of work done already

I didn't know about the Nancy Blackett Trust: I'll have a look, it sounds interesting

Cheers

 

[Cloona]

there was a really tidy Robert Tucker designed Debutante for sale

arounbd your way

http://www.classicsales.co.uk/boats.htm

can't reccommend them too highly ..... great boat for the east coast -

 

[deckard]

Thanks, Y_C

Not sure she's exactly what I'm looking for and probably the final price would be too high for my budget

Lovely boat though

 

[Chrusty1]

I enquired about that one some time ago and was advised that she was sold, that website is not always very up to date.

 

[Sixpence]

As another Debutante owner I have to agree with YC, they are lovely boats and perfect for learning and the East Coast. Keep your eye open for one in need of work/repair, and be prepared to put some effort into it and you could end up with a very nice boat for not a lot of money.
Don't think I've done too bad a job on her

and she handles like a dream
(short video)

 

[Chrusty1]

Who has been crapping in the water??.........Or is east coast always [--word removed--] brown? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS what a weird swear filter, when you say bugger, but not S-h-i-t

 

[Sixpence]

Listen up oh Chrusty One, you carry on in your deluded little world of fantasy, and keep away from the East Coast, there be dragons there /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Oh, and no, I haven't figured out why the swear filter allows some of the worse language yet kicks out school boy swearing either /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
P.S. If you speak nicely to Guapa San, I am sure he will enjoy furnishing you with a link to the video taken crossing the North Sea to Oostende, with clear blue water and a pod of dolphins playing around the boat. But it's not nice around here at all really /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Chrusty1]

"Listen up oh Chrusty One, you carry on in your deluded little world of fantasy, "

Now that isn't very nice Eeeeeee-Aaaaaaaw! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I thought that you might have mellowed into a moderately nice person on becoming a raggie, but it seems that I was at least deluded on that one! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

One has always been a mellow chap, oh Chrusty One, it's all them other buggers you have to watch out for /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sheesh, haven't poked my nose into mobo for ages /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Probably still moaning about the cost of diseasel anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chrusty1]

"Sheesh, haven't poked my nose into mobo for ages"

I am sure that now you have found enlightenment, that you would not be very welcome there, they don't like real sailors, only posers are welcome! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[deckard]

Sixp/YC
I have been too quick and I have looked at the wrong boat! I was thinking to have a look at that Debutante, I've been on that website before (also that would suit my budget): she looked interesting, even more now after having looked at your photo/video: Sixp, you've done a great job!

See how I will be doing in a couple of months with repairing my boat, then I'll make a decision