In the market for Centaur or Griffon. What are the benefits over a Bilge v Fin Keel

[PaulRainbow]

Simple answer to both of those is to lay out the kedge well astern as you approach the beach. Then carry the main anchor well up it. You're then secured between the two anchors and can go up and down as many times as you want. When it's time to leave, a bit of tension on the kedge warp will pull you off as soon as the boat floats.

Our previous boat anchored as described:

(If you like, you can slack off the warp at low water to avoid decapitating passing children )

Pete

Keep forgetting about the kedge anchor, never had such things on my mobo's. I've got a fishermans strapped to the pulpit on this one. Will be swapping that for the Brittany that's sitting in the workshop though.

 

[thesaintlyone]

So made a call to a guy advertising a Centaur Mk1 A layout wooden hatch cover tonight described as a project (engine Oil leak - starts tough but runs okay apparently got addicted to easystart) boat is afloat on a swing mooring near portsmouth) catch is he is looking to downsize and im looking to upsize so potentially we could be looking at a swapsie for my jouster

Thoughts????

 

[Tranona]

So made a call to a guy advertising a Centaur Mk1 A layout wooden hatch cover tonight described as a project (engine Oil leak - starts tough but runs okay apparently got addicted to easystart) boat is afloat on a swing mooring near portsmouth) catch is he is looking to downsize and im looking to upsize so potentially we could be looking at a swapsie for my jouster

Thoughts????

Run! No need to take on project boats if you have £5k to spend. You will find more than enough to keep you busy even with a "together" Centaur. Remember these boats are 30-40 years old so need constant work to keep them running - even if works are relatively minor they are time consuming.

 

[thesaintlyone]

Good point but to clarify I only have £5k if i sell both boat and car for the right price.

 

[aquaplane]

So made a call to a guy advertising a Centaur Mk1 A layout wooden hatch cover tonight described as a project (engine Oil leak - starts tough but runs okay apparently got addicted to easystart) boat is afloat on a swing mooring near portsmouth) catch is he is looking to downsize and im looking to upsize so potentially we could be looking at a swapsie for my jouster

Thoughts????

If my interested party pulls out you can have my late model 1979 B layout Centaur with lots of features including an engine which starts easily, for £5000 OVNO.

If he wants to down size I have a Copland Harrier 20' trail sailer he may be interested in too

 

[PaulRainbow]

So made a call to a guy advertising a Centaur Mk1 A layout wooden hatch cover tonight described as a project (engine Oil leak - starts tough but runs okay apparently got addicted to easystart) boat is afloat on a swing mooring near portsmouth) catch is he is looking to downsize and im looking to upsize so potentially we could be looking at a swapsie for my jouster

Thoughts????

Run fast.

No, faster.

If the engine won't start without easy start assume that it's shot, because chances are.....it is.

 

[William_H]

I guess OP has now been convinced that he needs a bilge keel or twin keel boat. It is not an accident that they are so popular in UK due to large tides. Yet a fine keel will sail just so much better than twin keels. Around here I have not seen a bilge keel, twin keel or triple keel for more than 40 years even then saw one being home built. So it is horses for courses.
olewill

 

[charles_reed]

The real financial problem, in the UK, is the cost of parking the boat.
Even a swinging mooring in the Dyfi, by the time I'd paid the rent to council, the cost of craning out, storage of the boat and the annual lifting and re-laying of the mooring, came, 17 years ago, to rather more than the €1000, my current lift-out, clean down, secure storage and re-launch here in Greece costs me.
And UK prices haven't stood still.
Most, in their enthusiasm to own a boat, don't reflect that it costs as much to park a £5000 boat as it does a £30,000 one. And considerably more in maintenance.
Apologies for thread-drift.
As for beaching - once I did it was on New Grimsby beach after a night of other boats dragging in St Helen's Pool and several near misses. there have been several other benefits from shoal draft, mainly no need for an expensive and potentially dangerous cradle when ashore.

 

[PaulRainbow]

It is not an accident that they are so popular in UK due to large tides.
olewill

Their popularity isn't due to big tides, it's due to things like shallow water and small harbours. I'm on the East Coast, same as the OP, and there are many small harbours and anchorages that i can't get into with my fin keel.

 

[Tranona]

Good point but to clarify I only have £5k if i sell both boat and car for the right price.

Message is - wait until you have the money in your pocket - and then only spend 80% of what you have on the boat. If that is not enough to buy a functioning boat, then wait until you do have the money.

Moving from a simple basic boat like a Jouster to a Centaur with ambitions to cruise widely is a huge jump. Remember a boat like that would cost £70k+ if built new and all the kit, both replacement and enhancements are priced in relation to that sort of money. Add to that you have far more gear - inboard engine, electrical systems, navigation gear, domestic gear etc that are necessary to cruise independently.

Nothing worse than owning a boat but not being able to use it because you don't have the money to get it seaworthy but spending large sums every year for storage or mooring.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Lot of boat for the money but antique Volvo engine. Even factoring a new engine at 5k still comparative bargain.

If Your looking for a centaur Pete just seen this in your neck of the woods, Sadly too far for me

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/westerly-centaur-sensibly-priced-for-quick-sale/1166523512

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

If you fancy a trip out in a twin keel Griffon in Poole PM me....
Great boat, but I doubt you will get onw for £5K...
Saw one on the Media, opposite the Folly Last week that looked like it could do with a new owner... Might be worth a bit of chasing around.

Andrew

 

[Tam Lin]

I have mentioned this a number of times. My Centaur cost £5k a few years ago. I have spent about three times that on it. My choice but I was fortunate enough to have the money.
You can learn from your mistakes but it is much easier to learn from other people's!

 

[thesaintlyone]

If you fancy a trip out in a twin keel Griffon in Poole PM me....
Great boat, but I doubt you will get onw for £5K...
Saw one on the Media, opposite the Folly Last week that looked like it could do with a new owner... Might be worth a bit of chasing around.

Andrew

Hi thanks for the offer will if I can get down. there is one on Apolloduck at 5800 or at least its still advertised.

 

[ghostlymoron]

This one looks quite good although the dreaded 'original Volvo engine'. They have quite a splay on the keels don't they. Not ideal for a drying mooring like mine. https://m.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=479035