It won't exist- but what is nearest?

I fully understand the bilge keel wish in Scottish waters or anywhere, it allows you to anchor inside everybody else and close to the shore, you can then walk ashore too if anchoring near HW and going ahsore near LW.

As does a shoal draft long-keeler with legs!

Speaking of which, a Samphire 23 is obviously the answer. (Albeit to a slightly different question! ;-))
 
Bilge & lifting keels for taking the ground

Also be aware that if your interest in bilge and lifting keels is so that you can take the ground:

1) Most lifting keelers are designed for the purposes of trailer sailing, and will probably lack the bilge runners you would want for taking the ground to protect the hull from rocks and other projecting nasties, though there are some exceptions. Also consider that some have a 'bulb' which remains outside the hull, and even if it is safe to stand the boat on this (check this if considering one), it will leave the boat somewhat heeled when dried out.

2) Bilge keels are usully either bolt on iron castings, or encapsulated ballast (i.e. the keel is part of the hull moulding, and then filled inside with ballast). Cast iron keels will be fine taking the ground (the worst likely to happen is you'll lose some paint). Encapsulated keels are usually fine, too, taking the ground, but do be aware that if the GRP case is damaged, it must be repaired very promptly, as water ingress from cracks or chips will swell the (almost certainly iron or steel) ballast, leading to major repairs being required.

Good luck in your hunt.
 
I would argue with 'Most lift keelers are designed for trailer sailing' - Anderson 22's certainly aren't !

Please feel free to contact me for a sail next season, andylaw119@hotmail.com

- And there is no profit in it for me, just letting people know about a great design. I'm a qualified engineer and sailor.
 
Hunter 23

I was at Oban marina and one came alongside me.

They had just sailed round from Ardfern in a SW F5-6 through the Dorus Mhor and Sound of Luing without difficulties.

It is also nice inside vs. it size. Nice Sprayhood gave a reasonable covered varandha.

It sounds ideal as a sea boat for your needs up west
 
At 70, I am looking for a cruiser, 23 ft. max, for single handing, with the following features:
All lines back to cockpit
self tacking roller reefing jib
Mainsail reefing from cockpit
outboard in well- easier to free fouled prop
bilge or lifting keel
strong sea boat, capable of surviving the odd knockdowns
built-in buoyancy
anchor release and haul from cockpit
low maintenance
£12 000 max.
Suggestions, please, chaps!

There's a few of your requirements missing but this Spaekhugger 24 is a lovely looking boat from the outsides (haven't seen on board).

Boo2
 
At 70, I am looking for a cruiser, 23 ft. max, for single handing, with the following features:
All lines back to cockpit
self tacking roller reefing jib
Mainsail reefing from cockpit
outboard in well- easier to free fouled prop
bilge or lifting keel
strong sea boat, capable of surviving the odd knockdowns
built-in buoyancy
anchor release and haul from cockpit
low maintenance
£12 000 max.
Suggestions, please, chaps!

For £5,000 more you could buy a GRP Twister for goodness sake. Then you could sail her around the world with the pick of the local totty.

Forget you are British for a moment and raise your sights.
 
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