Lift Keel/Trailer Sailers

[rr_123]

Morning All.

I am trying to decide whether a certain type of boat is right for me.

I have done a lot of cruising in motor boats including an old wooden single engine clinker, and my current Scandi oil-burner (very versatile semi-disp cruiser), and a fair amount of crewing on yachts (often short handed) including 3 RTIs, Manches Cup (ok, that's a corporate jolly), a channel crossing, and loads of weekends in the Solent on Bavaria 34 and Nicholson 35. I have a walker bay dinghy which I have sailed in Chichester Harbour and on the Thames to try and get more of a "feel" for sailing.

I think it is high time that I got my first "proper" sailing boat.

I like the idea of lifting Keels for drying out and ability to go inland (and contemplated jumping onto JimC's "Drying out" thread), and admire the commodious accomodation of the Southerlies (115), but I think that a 36' boat is too much to "cut my teeth". The Southerly 28 maybe a good start, but scouring Scuttlebutt I saw mention of the Sportina 760 and the Odin 820 which would appear to have similar accomodation to the 28, but are Trailable - another concept which I really like.

Now I don't suppose that either of these will sail as well as the Southerly 28(?) and I realise that the Odin is a slighlty different concept altogether, but saving five grand a year in marina fees and the ability to try different sailing grounds for a few years really appeals, and both are designed with trailering in mind so have a custom trailer.

I have seen the August YBW with the lift keel article, and it seems to me that the "trailable" alternatives seem to lack a bit of accomodation, and I confess to liking my "home comforts" to some extent.

I guess the questions are, does anyone here have experience of either of these boats, are they likely to be comfortable for 1-4 adults (and/or the occasional 13yo son) for a week or so, would they be good "learner" boats, would they sail well enough for me to enjoy for 3 or 4 years, would they be good for the occasional trip up river, and are there any alternatives that I should be considering?

 

[SK700]

Just a thought that may not be obvious. Not all lift keels fully retract. This helps when taking to the bottom as you are not rubbing the hull but also means they do not rest upright. Mine leans over 30 degrees and my friends (hunter 701) even more.

 

[BlueChip]

The Odin 820 uses water ballast. When launching, retrieving or after being under power and before being re-ballasted it can be very unstable.
One capsized and turned turtle on Loch Lomond just after launching and the crew were lucky not to drown, the boat was almost totally wrecked and the rig lost. I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
I have heard that some marine insurance companies wont insure them, might be worth checking.
Later models I belive were redesigned with much greater native ballast,but that must spoil their motoring performance.
Get a motor boat or a decent trailer sail boat but these hybrid motor/sail boats dont do either very well and I suspect will quickly lead to dissapointment.

 

[Tranona]

Think you will find that easy trailability/launching and comforts are conflicting requirements! A number of attempts have been made to achieve this with varying success. Water ballast helps to resolve the towing weight/stability issues but compromises space. Once you get over 22 foot or so, weight and complexity seriously limit regular trailing/launching, leaving aside the need to have suitable towing vehicle.

So, in general if you want the flexibility of keeping a boat at home and launching when you want to use it, you are limited to light and usually sporty boats, of which there are many. If you are after comfortable cruising accommodation, then you are into keeping a boat afloat. This is where a lift keel like the Southerly 28 can reduce costs by being on a drying mooring - although this introduces new constraints of access!

The two boats you mention are designed for use on inland lakes rather than coastal/estuary type sailing.

Good luck with your search

 

[martindinham]

I must confess to not knowing either of these particular boats, but one thing I would say is that 28 foot or thereabouts is a heck of a lot of boat to be trailering if you intend to keep it on a trailer "permanently". Have you thought about something like one of the smaller Beneteau Firsts which are reasonably roomy inside and quick for their size, but a bit more manageable if you're taking on and off a trailer every weekend ?

 

[graham]

The Tide 28 could suit you. They are trailerable but would need a 4x4 I think as a towing vehicle.

Personally I think a boat that big would be better kept afloat with thje option of trailing to distant cruising grounds occasionally then brought home for the winter. web page

 

[castaway]

Why not look for a decent E-Boat ? I would guess that £4-5 would get one ( and a not so good 'en for a lot less ).

I had one for a year or so and still recon it was the best years sailing I ever had.

First off they look really good and even with a flush deck there is plenty of space below, secondly they will float on a wet lawn ( 10inch plate up ).

Excellent performance and you can keep it on your drive and trail it with any decent car (I assume legally but don't take my word)

Sailing is like using a big Wayfarer, but they have been across the Atlantic.

Early ones are plywood but later are GRP ..I personally wouldn't look at a ply one unless it was exceptional!

They also have a decent Owners club and there is an owner who posts on this forum I think called Ecosse... All E-Boat have names starting with E....Mine was 'Enfilade'.

So there you are..excellent boat and save a load of dosh !

Regards Nick

 

[rr_123]

Thanks for everyone's input, some food for thought. The Tide 28 looks like a contender, and am busy googling the e-boat.

I suppose it does come to a compromise, as Tranoma says the features I like all compromise, I guess what I need to do is find the "best" compromise, OR decide to go in a slightly different direction.

Trailing/launching/recovering a 28' boat is not to be taken lightly, but is certainly doable, my cruiser is probably approaching the 3.5 tonne limit on its trailer, but a decent Landy show's it who's boss:-

 

[Shearwater]

There's a nice trailer sailer here......although it's in Spain the trailer is UK road legal.

http://www.topbarcos.com/barcos-ocasion/...%20legend%20235

Hoping no forum rules are broken....

 

[billcole]

Have a look at the Parker / Seal dynasty of lifting keel boats. I'm happy with my Parker 21 that I've owned for many years, although it sounds as if the bigger ones (27 or 32) might be more what you're looking for. The owners club has descriptions of all, so would be a good starting point.

http://www.sealasc.org.uk/