Fisher 30 advice

[Little Dorrit]

Having never sailed one I would be grateful for some advice on the following for a potential trip from Pembroke to Solent in October. The vessel is a 1977 Fisher 30.

We aim to do the passage in the shortest time so sailing at reduced speed is not really going to be ideal.

Firstly what reasonable sailing/motoring performance can we expect assuming SW winds? So initially 210 degrees course into potentially a wind of 225 degrees down to Lands End and after that down wind. Yes I know things are never that simple but I'm just looking for some basic idea on what's realistic. I have read that sailing with the motor on is the usual approach to assist with stability and speed. Is this always necessary and what speed could we expect given a clean bottom and 36 hp beta a) under sail alone and b) with sail and engine? In essence I am asking what a reasonable 24 hour passage distance would be?

Secondly are there any conditions we should aim to avoid other than my usual instinct which is to avoid sailing if forecasts are f7 or above (I'm a whimp!)

Finally how comfortable are they under f6/f7 or in a swell (is performance seriously affected by a SW swell and is visibility acceptable in inclement weather from the wheelhouse?

I have read previous posts on these boats which seem to all point to motor sailing unless on a beam or broad reach.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[pvb]

Is this a recently purchased boat? If so, and if it's been laid up for a while prior to selling, you should take a handful of spare fuel filters with you, in case muck in the tank gets stirred up and blocks the filter.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Hi Dorrit,
We own a Colvic Watson 32 and, though a bit larger, much the same, in many ways, a s a Fisher 30.

You should realistically expect to cruise, in flattish water, at 5kts.

The first part of your trip will be essentially to weather. You will be motoring under steadying sail at best. Check up on to what angle of heel you can safely run the engine!

In a F6, on this leg, progress will be slow and unpleasant in the open sea, in a F7 there will be virtually none.

Once you turn the corner, going downwind, all that changes; the boat should be safe enough in a F6/F7, but with one caveat: they love to roll. Keeping up speed as much as possible helps reduce this tendency.

Visibility from the wheelhouse is excellent, but a bit cramped on a Fisher 30 for more than two bodies at a time.

Time the weather, especially on the first leg and enjoy the trip.

 

[johnalison]

I think that you will struggle to do much more than 3-4 kn VMG motor-sailing against an F5 or even top of 4 in the open sea unless you have a slant on the wind. I have not sailed a Fisher 30 but a friend had one before his current 37. With a free wind she will be fine, but maybe a bit rolly. There are plenty of places to break the journey if you need to wait for tide or wind to change. I wouldn't fancy rounding the Lizard dead against the wind even in the larger 37 in F6 or more.

 

[Little Dorrit]

Thanks for the advice so far which had been taken on-board.

 

[Little Dorrit]

Hi Dorrit,
We own a Colvic Watson 32 and, though a bit larger, much the same, in many ways, a s a Fisher 30.

You should realistically expect to cruise, in flattish water, at 5kts.

The first part of your trip will be essentially to weather. You will be motoring under steadying sail at best. Check up on to what angle of heel you can safely run the engine!

In a F6, on this leg, progress will be slow and unpleasant in the open sea, in a F7 there will be virtually none.

Once you turn the corner, going downwind, all that changes; the boat should be safe enough in a F6/F7, but with one caveat: they love to roll. Keeping up speed as much as possible helps reduce this tendency.

Visibility from the wheelhouse is excellent, but a bit cramped on a Fisher 30 for more than two bodies at a time.

Time the weather, especially on the first leg and enjoy the trip.

That's very helpful. Thanks

 

[boatmike]

Have been sailing a Fisher Northeaster for a year or so. Would say for a 30 ft boat she is very safe in any reasonable conditions. The standard 30 is less beam than the Northeaster but probably very similar. Not sparkling under sail of course but will plug into a nasty sea under engine very well. Under good conditions 6 knots is average. With a perkins 36HP she will manage 8 knots flat out in reasonable conditions with a clean bottom. Don't see why yours should be very different. Make sure your windscreen wipers work though. You will need them!

 

[Little Dorrit]

Have been sailing a Fisher Northeaster for a year or so. Would say for a 30 ft boat she is very safe in any reasonable conditions. The standard 30 is less beam than the Northeaster but probably very similar. Not sparkling under sail of course but will plug into a nasty sea under engine very well. Under good conditions 6 knots is average. With a perkins 36HP she will manage 8 knots flat out in reasonable conditions with a clean bottom. Don't see why yours should be very different. Make sure your windscreen wipers work though. You will need them!

You views are very much appreciated, thanks and yes will certainly ensure wipers are working properly with new blades.