First boat for the Clyde - Hunter 245

[Southside]

I’m relatively new to sailing and currently dinghy sailing. I’m thinking ahead to the next couple of years and wondering about a small boat that would be capable enough to day sail around the Clyde area. I’m ideally looking to keep the costs down as I don’t even know if my wife and kids would actually like it enough to use. I was thinking for an introduction the Hunter 245 kept on a swinging mooring (Gourock) might be a relatively cheap way to find out if we would actually use a boat. I think the Hunter might be towable and I could keep winter costs down too as I have plenty of space to store. Does anyone have a small boat around the Clyde that can offer advice? The downside seems to be the hull speed and a bigger boat might be more secure and comfortable.

Thanks.

 

[John_Silver]

Can't speak to the specifics of the Clyde; BUT did own Missee Lee, a Hunter 245, for a number of years. Based on the Orwell initially, with crossings to Belgium and the Netherlands, and then in Poole, with trips the the Channel Islands, France and the West Country. Same as you. she was my stepping stone on from dinghies.

I found her both capable and commodious, for her size. Mine was a bilge keeler, I think all bar 1 (Nimrod) were. This gave access to shoal waters, but did take a toll on windward performance - due to reduced ability to carry sufficient sail to overcome sea state, once into force 5's and 6's. So one's weather window wanted watching. With the self tacking jib, she really need a 4 to get powered up....... Passage making speed was, realistically, around 3.5 knots. As you say, a factor of waterline length.

All in all though, a good place to start, from my experience: a simple and forgiving boat, with as much accommodation as is possible, whilst retaining sailing ability, at the size.

PS Wouldn’t have regarded her as readily towable. Missee Lee was delivered by Hunter on a flatbed artic….

 

[scottie]

I’m relatively new to sailing and currently dinghy sailing. I’m thinking ahead to the next couple of years and wondering about a small boat that would be capable enough to day sail around the Clyde area. I’m ideally looking to keep the costs down as I don’t even know if my wife and kids would actually like it enough to use. I was thinking for an introduction the Hunter 245 kept on a swinging mooring (Gourock) might be a relatively cheap way to find out if we would actually use a boat. I think the Hunter might be towable and I could keep winter costs down too as I have plenty of space to store. Does anyone have a small boat around the Clyde that can offer advice? The downside seems to be the hull speed and a bigger boat might be more secure and comfortable.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum

Don’t see much of a problem in what you are suggesting other than specifically choice of mooring site and that’s based on 2 issues gourock is subject to tidal flow and passing traffic neither of which contribute to a quiet afternoon on the river and use of a swinging mooring in general which requires a reasonably sized tender although RGYC used to have and probably still do a boatman with launch
For an established family getting out to the boat is part of the whole but for someone starting and you do not state the age of the children being able to step on and off the boat at will is possibly a deal breaker
Perhaps a weeks charter could be a way to put a toe in the water
I started at under 5 on a family boat and marinas were not even about although mooring in the Crinan canal was wonderful and have sailed since but a bad start especially for wife/mother can ruin it
Size always help except with costs

 

[dunedin]

Nice wee boats.
But tend to agree with Scottie that Gourock, which is a good place for experienced yachties, might be a bit off putting for a family starting out. A pontoon berth would be more family friendly, but expensive. Rhu used to have moorings just off the marina, which enabled skipper to go out and bring boat on pontoon temporarily to load and unload, which could be a compromise option.
And again per Scottie, a charter in warm waters might be an ideal starter, budget willing.

 

[claymore]

Just do it!
Our first cruiser was a Hunter Delta (25) - up from a GP14.
Easily towable with our old Land-Rover
the 245 is a great boat and never heed those who suggest chartering in warmer climes - it completely buggers you for Clyde and Northern Waters!
Don't worry about Hull speed and all that nonsense - the Clyde is nice and sheltered - plan to go everywhere at 5knts - there are plenty of Marinas and anchorages to go to.

 

[awol]

Gourock is 2-sided - the Ashton anchorage, which is the fiefdom of the RGYC and wonderfully serviced by Phil the boatman with his launch, and Cardwell Bay, more sheltered from the west and with CBSC as the mooring association and a more DIY approach to boat access. As far as costs, the RGYC mooring will cost the thick end of a grand to lay (or buy) + the annual subscription. The CBSC subs are considerably less and they have a trot of moorings for small boats (no idea if any are available) or again you could lay your own, and of course there is a dinghy compound.
Good luck!

 

[Southside]

Welcome to the forum

Don’t see much of a problem in what you are suggesting other than specifically choice of mooring site and that’s based on 2 issues gourock is subject to tidal flow and passing traffic neither of which contribute to a quiet afternoon on the river and use of a swinging mooring in general which requires a reasonably sized tender although RGYC used to have and probably still do a boatman with launch
For an established family getting out to the boat is part of the whole but for someone starting and you do not state the age of the children being able to step on and off the boat at will is possibly a deal breaker
Perhaps a weeks charter could be a way to put a toe in the water
I started at under 5 on a family boat and marinas were not even about although mooring in the Crinan canal was wonderful and have sailed since but a bad start especially for wife/mother can ruin it
Size always help except with costs

Thanks. We are going to charter before I buy anything. This is just to get more time on the water and as I live in Glasgow and 40mins from some of the most stunning sailing it seems a bit of a waste not to have access here. My kids are getting older (12+)now so the boat might be a bit small to overnight but they will be fine getting on from a tender. I looked at Rhu for a mooring and Ardrossan for a berth. Rhu is just a bit further driving for me and a bit further to get out to Bute.

Convincing my wife will require starting with the smallest possible outlay as long as she feels safe enough on the boat and the Hunter seems like a good compromise plus I grew up on my Dad’s small Hunter boats in the 70s and 80s.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Day-sailing from Rhu or either of the Gourock anchorages can be a lot of fun with lots of places to visit and return to the mooring at the end of the day. I never found that from Ardrossan. And there is the traffic light system to negotiate to avoid the ferry. I used to live in Scotstoun and could be afloat at Cardwell Bay within an hour of leaving home.

 

[Quandary]

Somewhere with a Club might suit a family new to the sport, my son lives in Glasgow and sails from Helensburgh, his daughter got involved with the club through courses when she was small and is now a teenage junior instructor, the process has been great for her water confidence and she has made a lot of friends to share the experience with.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I would say join a club and book a charter. A flotilla charter is great fun and the weather is good but most people can easily translate the fun of a week or two in the Med in lovely weather to the reality of the UK. A small boat can make or break a family that's never sailed! Sometimes they love overcoming the challenges and you come even closer together and sometimes they just wish there was a full size loo, a proper shower, a heater, etc. I'd get the family involved in the decision process and see what they think of the boat and location you're looking at - they're the ones you have to convince after all. If they don't like the idea they can tell you why not and you can see if you can solve the issue before splashing out. You are wise to worry about the location as much as the boat though as dinghy trips out to a mooring are usually no fun at the best of times. Also think about where you will be able to sail to within a few hours or so as they won't be wanting 10 hour passages from day one. Whether you will be one of those families that just like to get down to the boat even if you have no intention of going anywhere as it makes it a break will also influence your decision - you may find that your family want a caravan while you want a sailing boat which makes the right compromise important.

 

[matt1]

There was a recent thread on here about Hunter Ranger 245's that was very positive. This was the first boat I bought after having children and was pretty much ideal for sailing with my (then) 3 & 5 year old. I don't recognise the 3.5 knots suggested passage planning speed though. I found the boat pretty quick and would probably plan on around 4.5kn but frequently exceed that. Mostly she would have 5.xkn on the log. The kids loved drying out in all the different places / sandy beaches. Stable, seaworthy and a delight to handle - couldn't recommend one enough and as with all Hunter's massively under valued.

 

[Wing Mark]

There are some Hunter Horizons 26 and 272, which we would have looked at were they not in Scotland.
These seem like a lot of boat for under £15k.
Hunter Boats Horizon 272/273 Sailing Yachts for sale UK, used Hunter Boats Sailing Yachts, new Hunter Boats yacht sales, free photo ads - Apollo Duck

Of course these are boats from last century and as such can be a disappointment when seen (or smelled) at close quarters.....

 

[scottie]

Where do you dinghy sail ?