info on coaster 33

[Little Five]

Have any of you fantastic forumites either own, have owned or knowledge of the Coaster 33. In my advancing years am searching for more room, comfort and a good solid motor-sailor. According to the owners association the coaster displaces a whacking 17000 odd pounds (a moody 345 displaces around 11500)
Would like to know about build quality and sailing performance(last word used advisedly)
Thanks all.

 

[ffiill]

Coaster 33

Thanks to Simon for pointing out your posting.
I have a Coaster 33-havnt done too much with her but a great boat-far more a sailing boat than a motor sailer. A good ketch rig which allows you to motor sail with engine on just missen and genoa or in strong winds likewise without engine.
Easy to set up to sail a straight course without autopilot-most like mine have hydraulic steering and with non return vlaves means that you can steer with your index finger and once set just let go!
Only problem is with a bit of a high freeboard motoring into wind or persuading her to tack without stalling.
I have had her bowling along at 10 knots.
Masses of space on board-mine has got hot and cold water in both cabins plus shower run from engine calorifier. Plus about 80 gals of water and similar amount of fuel.
What you will find is that each one is slightly different below decks due to slight variations in build and mods. over the years.
Far more of a sailing boat than the Fishers and similar.

 

[MoodySabre]

These were designed by Alan Hill (designer of Sabre 27, Claymore Motor Sailer, Trident 24 and more list here). He had his, Callisto Coaster, on the same pontoon as me until a couple of years ago. Not sure if he sold it or moved it. Anyway he told me that he designed it for himself.

Info on Coaster here

 

[Trop Cher]

Hi Phil,

Were you going through Kylerhea when you got 10 knots?!

 

[ffiill]

Simon believe it or not 10 knots on the GPS just off Urquhart Castle! a few years back-my record under the Skye Bridge is best-less than one knot after the turning tide caught me-hugged the shore like the ferry used to do and made it to Kyle of Lochalsh!

 

[FrancisRutter]

Damn good boat. My sailing partner and I bought one a few years ago when we were getting to old and decrepit to go on sitting exposed in a cockpit all night. Extended our sailing days by a good few years. You can have the cockpit open or enclosed by its cover as conditions dictate. Sails well, motors well but helped by a bow thruster.

We even left the main mast in Lowestoft and sailed her up the French canals from Calais and eventually to Paris and the Arsenal marina [surprising how many friends and relations want to come and crew when you are parked in Paris!]

I only sold her when my sailing partner felt he was too old to continue sailing. I found the jump up from the cockpit floor onto the deck level too much [with arthritic hips] for me to manage her single handed.

My boat, 'Solitaire of Bute', was bought and the inside extensively renewed by the new owner, who then had to sell her himself and she is now owned by a live-aboard. This shows you how easy she is to live on.

One problem was trying to make a gas locker that complied with regulations. My solution was to go to a Taylors parafin stove and to use the old gas locker for other things [very useful].

The secretary of the Coaster Owners' Ass was <johnbarker@tesco.net>. If he no longer is, no doubt he could put you in touch with whoever now runs it.

 

[Burnham Bob]

Just a pointer, depends where you are, but Priors of Burnham on Crouch built most of these boats.

They are still going strong here, so you've got the added security of knowing that the experts are still around. As I say, depends where you are but must surely be reassuring if at a later date you need any advice that the owners' association can't give.

Designer Alan Hill also has a good local reputation.

 

[Bajansailor]

Here is a scanned copy of an old catalogue I have from 1976 - back then, a complete boat in sailaway condition cost GBP 21,000.........