I think so, personally, i did have a lot of confidence in the 23 and would have done so except covid got in the way. Going over to watch the races in the IOM was big on my bucket list, and Firefly would have done that no problem. I finally sold her after a couple of years only because i didn't have time to take sailing more seriously. It was that or paragliding (and Scouting) which stood in the way. The latter won!
And now I own Firefly! Only been out on Windermere since buying her last year so far as North West England isn't the best location for launching etc. She also supports write high on the trailer making self launching trickier
*sits quite high on the trailer
When i bought her, she had not long had the keel fully refurbished, although i don't think i had any paperwork to prove this, but the keel bolt had been encapsulated with some new fiberglass and paint.
Would be nice to see a photo of her again out on the water. Funnily enough, my first time out on her was on Windermere aswel. I just wanted to get familiar with her and learn how to step the mast and deal with the rigging etc.
Easily, just watch your forecasts. I've previously sailed a bradwell 18 to all of those places from Maryport in Cumbria where firefly is now, also with a swing keel and 5hp outboard, but much smaller at 18ft. She often did 2 and 3 week trips.
