Hi anyone with experience of a SEAL a 22ft drop keel sailing boat ? please

C

Capt Popeye

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Me am looking to get afloat on a Sailing Boat with a Drop Keel caus I can handle that

I have seen a SEAL a 22ft drop keeler locally to me; looking at the layout plans the accomodation looks quite good. with 4 berths stated plus room for a toilet either installed or portable /removeable ; the draught looks ok at about 2ft keel ; can I pl ask has anyone any comments about this craft at all; experience etc ?

Very many thanks CP
 
The Seal 22 is an excellent first proper boat, - one step up from a dinghy. Accomodation is tight, the double berth in the bows is quite small and over a smelly porta-potty. The main Cabin has seatings/ berth either side with storage underneath. The drop Keel is under the 5' long table. .The keel is raised and lowered by 99 turns of a worm gear at the end of the table. There is also a small galley with cooker and sink and storage cupboards. Headroom is about 5' but as there is no aft bulkhead, is open to the elements. The Cockpit is a good size with ample storage each side. When grounded with the keel and rudder raised, it sits level and easy to get on and off
It is a lovely little boat to sail - Quite fast, Easily managed sails, and no vices

Buy it (y)
 
As a suggestion, why not consider a 24ft drop keel American Hunter Ranger 240. I bought one last year and I am very impressed with the quality of build, accommodation and how easy they are to sail.
And because they are so cheap. I have seen one go on eBay for £5000. There are four near where I am (Northern Lake) I believe there are 9 Hunter Legends at Derwent Water. Many appear to have an American Trailer, wot they came over on. And dont be put off by the American Trailer, I have had 5 boat trailers in 40 years, A Snipe which bent when 20 gallons of petrol was put in the boat, a French Sattelite Trailer which had a design fault, An Indespension Roller Coaster, And many Farm Trailers, Ivor Williams etc. The American trailer with my boat is (in my opinion as a Retired Vehicle Examiner, better construction as the metal is thicker. Mine has brakes. OK its only a 2 wheel trailer but the Hunter Legend 240 is a light boat.
 
A great little boat. Had an innovative washboard / coachroof which effectively converted it to a dayboat when open.
Fun to sail and trailable.
Early examples had an air-cooled petrol/paraffin engine hopefully replaced.
 
My first channel crossing was in a Seal 22. Luckily I was completely ignorant about the possible hazards involved. From the point of view of a "passenger" the trip went extremely smoothly, despite taking a very long time. We had a 24 hour stopover in Cherbourg and another long trip back to the Solent. I guess the boat had been modified as there was a sort of bulkhead between the cockpit and the "saloon". No washboards but there was a tarpaulin closure over the "door". It wasn't a wet boat either. The engine was a dolphin 2-stroke petrol. I don't recall any issues beyond running out of electricity for the Nav lights which involved a couple of hours of motor sailing.
 
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