Invader 20

[shaunfoster]

I have just bought an Invader 20 bilge keel, can anyone tell me more about these yachts, like where they were built and by who
Cheers peeps
Shaun

 

[dickh]

I sailed a friends Invader 20 many years ago, on a holiday with 3 small children, in Chichester Harbour. Nice boats but a bit cramped with 5 on board. Can't remember who the builder was though...

 

[charisma]

I have a snapdragon 600 which I believe is the same boat but with a different layout inside. I find it ideal for singlehanded sailing. For a small boat there's plenty of room inside and I find it great for pottering around the thames and medway and the occasional night away. They were built by thames marine( I think). Why not e-mail the snapdragon and mirage association which incorporates the invader class, It's only £10 per year. They are at snapdragon@mcmail.com
Cheers Graham

 

[Guest]

I've had an Invader 22 for the last coupleof years, its a safe little boat that likes to be sailed upright as its twin keels are vertical and as a result moving to windward against tide is a motoring occassion. If it's little sister is the same , then it is solid but may have been home finished , mine has a diesel but there are some with outboards. I've had no real problems but any more than a F5-6 and you don't want to be out , I sail in the Solent and its fine for that.

 

[schilde]

I have an Invader 22, which is a great little ship, 5 berth with saloon, galley and separate heads although all are very small! Fits 2+2 + bags.

They were originally built as snapdragons, 600 and 670, then something happened and the moulds got transferred somewhere else, maybe several places in turn. The PBO report in Nov 1981 gives the builder as Walsham Marine, South Ockendon, Essex. They don't look much like other snapdragon models.

My boat is well built but has no identifying mark so i have no hull number and no way to be sure of her age. I have a number on one sail but I don't think it is original.

She sails well and is easy to handle, but goes sideways nicely when overpressed, best to keep upright as the other chap said. Reef early in a blow so that you get a decent small sail shape, better than sheeting out. Actually mine is hard to reef with only one reef in the mainsail and no bull horns. I have the genoa on a furler. genoa is the main driving sail usually, main keeps you straight. Furl the genoa to the mast to make for easy tacking in a river. We tend to do a lot of motorsailing but we get to places you can't take a caravan! We antifoul on the beach because she stands up, saves a few pounds. You must keep the keels clean if you want to go forwards.

Willing to exchange experiences if you like

Steve