Finesse 24

[soreknees]

I`m considering buying a Finesse 24 and would welcome comments/advise.

While the most descriptions I`ve seen so far highlight its suitability for East Coast/estuary/shoal draught waters, I sail on the West Coast of Scotland, particularly around Arisaig, Mallaig, Skye and small Isles area. Has anyone any experience of Finesse sea keeping and performance in those waters?

I`d also appreciate any pointers to specific areas to check out when viewing/surveying. Eg - I have read some reports about minor leaking around the centre plate casing region.

Any comments/guidance greatfully received

 

[sighmoon]

I once owned one, but it was more of a project than an actual boat, and I never really got ahead of it enough to go sailing. The next owner spent £20k and much time restoring her.

THe centreplate pivots on a relatively small bolt, which wears through. I know this because the one I had sunk on its mooring in previous ownership, by dropping its plate in the mud, and then landing on it when the tide went out. Someone I met in the boat yard lost their bolt (and plate) while sailing.

The cockpit wasn't self draining - not unusual for a clinker boat, but I'd be a little concerned in a chop.

Very spacious for a 24 footer.

 

[jwilson]

I`m considering buying a Finesse 24 and would welcome comments/advise.

While the most descriptions I`ve seen so far highlight its suitability for East Coast/estuary/shoal draught waters, I sail on the West Coast of Scotland, particularly around Arisaig, Mallaig, Skye and small Isles area. Has anyone any experience of Finesse sea keeping and performance in those waters?

I`d also appreciate any pointers to specific areas to check out when viewing/surveying. Eg - I have read some reports about minor leaking around the centre plate casing region.

Any comments/guidance greatfully received

Pretty little boats, and as they were built much later than most other clinker boats you have a better chance of finding one that is not too much of a project.

However why have a centreboard on the west coast of Scotland? For similar money you could probably have a late-built Folkboat that will sail far better, and have no centreboard issues - all centreboards on wooden boats are maintenance problems waiting to happen.

 

[Poignard]

Some information here:

http://www.classicboat.co.uk/class-notes/finesse-24/

Some years ago one of the yachting magazines did a test comparing a few boats, one of which was a Finesse. As far as I remember, its sailing performance was poor as a result of its small sail area.

 

[Seajet]

We met a couple on one in Weymouth and sailed in company to Dartmouth with them; or rather we would have if we could slow the Anderson down enough !

VERY slow, I agree with the suggestion of a Folkboat or something else for Scottish waters.

 

[Redwing228]

Thoughts from a Finesse 24 owner.

We have done a couple of seasons so far with our Finesse 24 on the west coast of Wales. I agree that she is not the fastest sailer but makes up for it with good seakeeping and she is relatively dry in a chop. We bought ours as we already had a drying mooring and needed a stout boat to take the ground on the haven.

They are soundly constructed - all later (1970s onwards) are almost entirely of iroko that stands the test of time. As has been stated, the class is fairly young and most boats offered for sale have not reached the tired, soggy old yacht stage yet. However, although the plywood decks were well sheathed when the boats were built, unfortunately, and presumably for reasons of economy, the decks are normally fastened with galvanised steel nails that are now rusting merrily and blowing the sheathing up in little blisters..

Other than that you have a traditional yacht with a nice internal layout and an alloy well-stayed rig, either cutter or sloop. Also there are one or two gaff-rigged F24s about.

Hope this helps.
Bill

 

[forelle541]

I used to sail one with a group of lads when we had nothing else, good foe pottering around the East coast rivers and Bars (both sorts) but sail as fast sideways as forwards.

 

[twitch]

Truth from a Finesse 24 owner

Many of the comments below border on the rude. They are from the unknowning, unfeeling, or perhaps even, from the dissapointed, frustratd past owner of one of these classics.
They do need maintanance, but all boats do. I paint the hull of ours every four seasons. The topside varnish work every two. Damage areas are always done immediately to prevent coating breakdown. The centre plate bolt is done annually on club's slip as are all hull fittings inspected etc. The centre plate wire is done every five years in the club's hoist. What more is there to do other than go sailing.
Oh yes, sailing. Most plastic boats I know of spend most of their lives inert, against a pontoon or whatever. I've just clocked up my 101st day out on the water this last Tuesday... And she still looks good ... this year, again, I was asked if she were a plastic boat, nearly keel hauled the chap - but a compliment, perhaps!
I've sailed my Finesse 24 since her launch in 1984. The Mate and I love her... She's a beauty. Solid, dependable, sails well and is comfortable for extended time away. I had six weeks this last summer and did 550 miles around the Thames Estuary - the mate was with me for nearly four of those (has to work!)
'A Finesse 24 doesn't sail...' someone said. You don't know the boat, or, probably how to sail either it seems (tounge in cheek perhaps, but I too can trade insults!) Hard on the wind with a good depth of plate the Finesse 24 can scare the pants of a fantastic plastic trying to come up past your stern - I know I've seen 'em give up. In light winds, yes, she's slow. What the hell the bilge cooled beer will still be their waiting for you when the salt marsh fringed creek is reached... I sail up marginal stretches of water, barely enough room to turn and spin the girl on a sixpence and sail away. The engine is only used WHEN needed: like marinas and windless days (I've even left marinas under sail ... she runs where you want under her natural power, the diesel isn't the same.
In the Wallet a seson a two ago we got 'walloped' with many other boats when the conditions changed and were not forecasted either. Our game little clinker boat sailed onwards, long tacks in and shorter ones out as we came southwards. Many, most, of the far bigger and more sea kindly(?) boats downed sail and bashed through under power. We finally swept over the Colne Bar in 5m metres of water with our 'buddies far out by the 'deep' water south of the Knoll and fetched the Mersea Quarters as they too came in on converging courses ... its as my mate said, '...she's never let us down ... its only our weakness at times...' After nearly thirty years, I'm happy with her (and the Mate). This event was written about in my latest book, The Jottings of a Thames Estuary Ditch-crawler, pub by Amberley Publishing. See my web site www.nickardley.com
What the boat would be like in Scotland's west coast waters, I don't know. But, I'd hazard a guess that she would be okay, if treated properly. The longer seas wouldn't knock her, when tacking, as the short Thames estuary seas can, especially in the Wallet or Swin on a nasty day - best avoided, but good to know the boat would look after you.
Well done Bill, I think we've conversed before on the Finesse google site.
I think I've said enough.
Nick

 

[peter bush]

finesse 24

Met a fellow F 24 owner in South Devon a couple of years ago ,he spent a lot of time cruising the Scottish West Coast. OK they are are not racers but they are comfortable,they do go to windward very well,and you can sneak in to shallow sheltered areas denied to deep draught craft.