Hurley 20 help

[PBrook]

Hi, I'm looking for a spot of help... I'm after a new boat and the bilge keel Hurley 20 is high on my list. Is there any one in the Dorset or West Hampshire area who has one that they would be willing to take me out on to see how they sail?
A bit cheeky but worth a try :~)

 

[sarabande]

have you tried contacting the Hurley Owners Association ?

http://www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk/

They might know of someone local to you.

 

[ProDave]

I don't own one and I'm too far away if I did.

But I did spend 3 hours on one last Saturday and I was very impressed. It was the fin keel version I sailed on, not the bilge keel one.

The one overiding thing that struck me was how light and nicely ballanced the tiller was, compared to the rather heavy transom hung rudder on my own little boat.

 

[PBrook]

Thanks for the replies.. Nick Vass at the HOA was a great help, offering advice on what to look for and putting me in contact with some one close to Poole.
REF: 3 hour last saturday, as I remember it was quite blowey last weekend, Not sure about in Scotland but us southerners believe it is gale force up there all the time.. That's a fair recommendation
All I need now is a selection of boats to look at... Any one got one for sale?

 

[ghostlymoron]

There was a Hurley 20 moored next to me for several years - nice looking boat but it always nose-dived when the tide went out making it a bit uncomfortable for sleeping aboard. I don't know if this is inevitable with H20's but it would put me off.

 

[Scillypete]

There was a Hurley 20 moored next to me for several years - nice looking boat but it always nose-dived when the tide went out making it a bit uncomfortable for sleeping aboard. I don't know if this is inevitable with H20's but it would put me off.

Used to have one twenty years ago now, and yes when sleeping two up in the forepeak it would want to tip forward when dried out. I once weighted the stern with our fibreglass tender by hauling it very close to the stern before turning in. when the tide came in and lifted the dinghy (hence taking away the weight) the nose slowly dipped down to the sand. A bit disconcerting when you are fast asleep at 4 in the morning, anyway I jumped out of bed and sat on the pushpit which brought the boat upright, but there I had to stay for about three quarters of an hour until the tide held her level, not much fun naked but we still laugh about it now. My wife stayed in the pit throughout, typical.

On another note, as a small sailing boat it was very capable and a strong little boat. I do believe there is one for sale in Scilly £1900 http://www.bennettboatyard.com/bennett_boatyard_brokerage.aspx

 

[PBrook]

Thanks for that image Scillypete... The balance is definately something to think about, looks like I'll have to pack PJ's. I did see the one in your link, however I was hoping to find one nearer to Dorset.

 

[LittleSister]

The Hurley 20 is known to sail well, and like it's big sister the Hurley 22, be very capable, seaworthy and reassuring in challenging conditions. (I've owned a 22, but had previously looked at 20's with a view to purchase).

There were a number of articles in PBO some years ago by Alistair Buchan, who owned one and wrote about trips in his Hurley 20 (including across North Sea and Atlantic). It would be informative to you to get hold of some of these articles (purchaseable on line from YBW). He did a review of the Hurley 20 in a PBO booklet 'Which Boat', too. He was very enthusiastic about the Hurley 20's capabilities, but not blind to their weaknesses - mainly below decks - poorly accessible storage, and toilet betwen the v berth 'that only a desperate contortionist could reach it at sea'!.

But my advice would be not to limit yourself to one marque or model, even one as good as the Hurley 20. With boats of this age, many will be in poor condition, a few in great condition. With hindsight there have been times when I was convinced there was just one model I was looking for and travelled the country, when there are many different designs which would have done a similar job. Widening your choice will give you more chance of finding a well looked after boat, close to hand and at a reasonable price. Decide what are the factors or featuress you are looking for, then look at boats in your price range and location that meet those criteria.

You will almost certainly change your boat sooner than you think, so don't spend too much time or money searching for your 'perfect boat'. Buy something you will be able to sell again if it doesn't meet your expectations, or, more likely, your expectations change. Happy hunting!

 

[PBrook]

Thanks Littlesister, that's good advice; and I haven't limited myself to one type. I am also considering the later Caprice models but most others don't seem to 'float my boat'
It's a good point, if anyone has suggestions for me then I am more than willing to be objective.
My criterea is fairly simple:
1) 20' or less and trailerable (Must fit on my front garden).
2) Bilge keel (I like to sneak up the hard to get to places and I'd rather be capable of taking the ground).
3) Tough and seaworthy (I don't want to rule out crossing the channel).
4) Budget is fairly low so limited to the various GRP small yachts from the 60's/70's

Cheers Phil

 

[LittleSister]

My criterea is fairly simple:
1) 20' or less and trailerable (Must fit on my front garden).
2) Bilge keel (I like to sneak up the hard to get to places and I'd rather be capable of taking the ground).
3) Tough and seaworthy (I don't want to rule out crossing the channel).
4) Budget is fairly low so limited to the various GRP small yachts from the 60's/70's

Prelude, Express Pirate, Signet, Silhouette, Seawych, Leisure 17, Leisure 20, Fantasie, Foxcub, Alacrity, Hurley 18, Invader 20, Snapdragon 600, Sunstar 18, Valiant, Vivacity 20 & 21 . . . .

If you can squeeze 20' 9" onto your drive add Corribee, Coromandel and Kingfisher 20/20+.

 

[carl170]

One thing is to take each boat on its own merit. Most of the boats mentioned were also offered as kits where the owner would buy either a bare hull or bhull and deck. As a result, a lot of interiors were home built and fitted. Some to higher standards than others!

My own Caprice (see www.capriceowners.net) has the standard hull, but an overbuilt wooden cabin and cockpit which seems to be bomproof. Other smaller boats I have been on seem to have decks that flex underfoot.

Try to rule with your head not your heart (easier said than done!) and you should be OK.

Also, take along someone with you, or buy a book such as "inspecting the aging sailboat" by DCasey or "Surveying Fibreglass boats" by HMustin. Other books may also be available.

Regards

Carl

 

[lustyd]

Thanks Littlesister, that's good advice; and I haven't limited myself to one type. I am also considering the later Caprice models but most others don't seem to 'float my boat'
It's a good point, if anyone has suggestions for me then I am more than willing to be objective.
My criterea is fairly simple:
1) 20' or less and trailerable (Must fit on my front garden).
2) Bilge keel (I like to sneak up the hard to get to places and I'd rather be capable of taking the ground).
3) Tough and seaworthy (I don't want to rule out crossing the channel).
4) Budget is fairly low so limited to the various GRP small yachts from the 60's/70's

Cheers Phil

Look at the Vivacity 20 - sails well enough and mine has managed a F6 with only slight terror on my part They are pretty roomy and you can pick them up for just over £1000 if you're willing to work on them. If you're not willing to put the effort in then you can have mine for £3k

I'm in Emsworth if you want to have a sail.
Cheers
Dave

 

[PBrook]

Hi Carl, thanks for recommending some books, I'll look into them. Dave. I may just take you up on your kind offer of a sail on your Vivacity. I'll send you a PM.

 

[PBrook]

Ciao Bella

Thanks again for all the comments. I did genuinely concider other types of boat but in the end I found a Hurley 20 bilge keeler in need of some work. Dave, thanks for the offer of a sail on your Vivacity, I would love to take you up on that some time, just because I like to go out on different boats
If anyone wants to laugh at my slow progress, click on the link ;~)
http://h20-ciaobella.blogspot.com/

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've had a look at your blog - very good. Wish you luck with the re-furb - shouldn't take too long but hope we get some good weather ovr the winter. It may pay you to put a tent over her so you can make progress whatever. My previous response was about 'nose diving' and, looking at the long section , it seems that the keels are further aft than I would expect so the CoG is well forward.

 

[Kelpie]

Interesting blog, good luck with the project.
Re the outboard, it wouldn't be something as simple as a duff kill switch would it?