modern centre-plate yachts

[richardstevenson]

I am interested in buying a Friendship 22, built in 1983, in Holland, by Friendship Jachtbouw This is a flat bottomed fast yacht, with a shallow draft stub keel and a pivoted plate, housed in the keel. I would like to know how this boat would behave at sea, in say a force 4/5, with waves of about 1m height. Also, any general information would be much appreciated.

 

[quaelgeist2]

My Feeling 720 (24.5ft) from Kirie has the very same construction and has sailed very well across the Channel on several occasions. She sails well because the stubkeel provides already a good leverage, the centerplate just gives you less leeway.

Note of caution, however, a 22ft is quite a tiny thing to cross the Channel and its TSS given your max speed. You will require good planning in terms of course, weather, etc, as well as strong sealegs, I guess.

BTW - Friendship are considered excellent boats of good quality in NL.

cheers
chris

 

[Joe_Cole]

Great boats the Feelings. We are more than delighted with ours: all 7.2metres of her.

Joe Cole

 

[quaelgeist2]

Why "all 7.2meters" - I was told the 720 stands dor the waterline in meters, what makes sense as the actual LOA is more like 7.5m. Oops, hope I haven't given away your 1ft mooring discount from the conspicuous 720 on the topsides...

We have enjoyed our Feeling alot, too, and I will always recommend Feelings against the occasionally questionable reputation they have presumably got from badly maintained charter version. SHow me a cruiser of that size with more room to live inside.

When was yours built and what colour is the gelcoat ?

chris

 

[Joe_Cole]

I've removed the "720" logo which was on the coachroof as it was very tatty. I have to confess that it has meant that she has shrunk a little at some marinas!

Built in 1984, commissioned in '85. She's the old model with a quarter berth. I have an outboard but could easily be tempted to fit an inboard.

Gel coat is white.

I agree with you about the living space. It's the only boat of this size which we looked at which would pass "the harbour test" (i.e. what's it like to stay on board all day in poor weather and still remain sane)

Joe

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Joe_Cole on Wed May 1 23:03:09 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[alant]

Southerly yachts recommend reefing early with their centre plates. As with centre plate dinghies, you should also be aware of the forces acting on a keel that is only pivoted & could therefore have weak points. Plus side is that you should also be able to fully retract plate for down wind.