MacWester Rowan 22

wetandwindy

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After many years of sailing other peoples' boats I have finally bitten the bullet an decided to buy my own. I've seen what I think is a very nice seaworthy, well found MacWester Rowan. I'd welcome members' views on this boat. I haven't been able to find much on-line.
Cheers
Paul
 

wetandwindy

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Thanks for that. What I'm particulary interested in is any specific problems that I might need to look for. To be perfectly honest it looks pretty bomb proof and at the price I'm not going to be overly worried!
 

fireball

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We had a Rowan 22 for a few years, and as you said, they are pretty bomb-proof.
I always said that I'd give up on a passage before the boat did!

We did need to re-engine and put in a Volvo MD5A - it wasn't too difficult.

We didn't have furling headsail or slab reef main - these would've made the boat much easier to handle. All the halyards were tied at the mast, this didn't make much difference for us without the slab reefing we had to get up on the deck anyway.

We didn't have a spray hood or dodgers either - the lack of sprayhood made it very easy for someone nimble to get to the foredeck quickly...

There are two interior layouts available - one with the galley on the starboard side and the other with the galley opposite the heads. We had the first one - this is where your headroom is and closest to the hatch for venting...

As for speed - 2-3knots is what we bargained for ... but we did have 7 knots out of her (over the ground) with a cruising chute and full main up going dead downwind as a F5 gust came through...
Upwind really is motor time (3/4 keel) and you'd be lucky to get closer than 60 degrees to the wind (this was with tired sails though!)

Overall the rowan 22 is a great little yacht that we used to get into yachting, a superb sea boat that will probably outlast most AWBs. The downside is that she is quite small and accomodation was too small for 4 adults! (2 was ok!)

DSCF0032.JPG

Sorry about the dirty bum!
 

wetandwindy

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You've pretty much summed up my views as well! This is basically going to be a nice little boat for my 11 year old to learn to sail on and to allow us to have some adventures around the Bristol Channel. (LOck up your daughters and grand-daughters /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

For the 2 of us the size is ideal, as I'll basically be single handing with him picking up as we go. A lot of safe fun for not a lot of money, in the great scheme of things. I have got enough money in the pot to put a new main on her and the genoa is only 2 years old on a roller and in good condition.The layout is with the heads to stbd and galley to port.

Can you think of any major, or niggly, points to look out for (apart from the engine)? (This one is a Dolphin apparently factory rebuilt about 3 years ago).
 

Spuddy

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you might want to look at a thread on Dolphin engines which was on the classic boat forum a little while ago. assorted experiences and opinions were exppressed - I spent a weekend with one which was serviced on the principle ...fix it when it goes wrong; it was awkward to operate around marina manouvres because of the lack of gearbox.
regards spuddy
 

BlueSkyNick

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My father had a Rowan 22 in the Bristol Channel during the late 70's, early 80's. I ooriginally recall her being in Saundersoot from about 1972 onwards, so I would be surprised but pleased to know if she is still around. Her name was Coriallan.

A good solid boat, easy to sail single-handed, but the donkey (a Stuart Turner) was always the problem. Otherwise, she was great and we had a lot of fun in her.

SHe had bilge plates so sat on the sand on her mooring at Instow - not sure if these were standard or an add-on.
 

wetandwindy

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I've had many a long summer in and around Saundersfoot and further around up into the Haven! Hopefully I will be sailing down there later this year. The plan is Watchet, Lundy, Ilfracombe, Padstow, Dale, Saundersfoot, Swansea and back home.

My boat is being launched in Cardiff on 28th Feb. She is currently in Southampton having, I believe, been at Ipswich. She is currently called "Coconut", but she will be reverting to her original name of "Carise".

Regards
Paul
 

wetandwindy

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Carise has now logged up over 50 miles sailing.... she is a fantastic yacht and sails like a dream. I would now highly recommend a Macwester Rowan 22. What a boat for the money!!!!
 
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