Mystere Flier 26

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Naughtyjoe

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Hi all

Does anyone have any useful info on the Mystere Flyer 26.
There’s a thread on here that was posted years ago that mentions an article in PBO back in 2003 but I haven’t been able to source a copy and would like some info before I go and view one on Saturday.
Anything would be appreciated as there’s very little online

Many thanks
 
We had a Mystere Flyer from 1973 to 1986.

It was a lovely boat in may ways and we cruised it from Normandy to the north of Holland with our two children. We also raced it on the Blackwater with moderate success. Our mstake was to be consistent - we were always 1/3 down the fleet and so never got a handicap advantage. Ours came with the original wheel steering, which is much better than the tiller adaptations I have seen occasionally.

It was in many ways a lovely boat to sail. It went well to windward but didn't point as high as some, though it made up for this by making less leeway. Downwind and on a reach, its shorter waterline meant that longer boats would match us, but handling under spinnaker was very good, providing you eased the backstay, and then it was like being on rails. Its best course was a close fetch, when it would match or beat newer designs such as the Sadler 25.

Construction was generally sound if built by Langstone Marine, who were also building Fishers. Early boats could suffer from a weak attachment of the forestay but by ours, No 303, it was strong. On one occasion a fishing-boat tie alongside to our cap shroud and proceeded to dry out. The only damage was that the substantial loop for the shroud was stretched a quarter of an inch and had to be replaced. Support for the mast was only just adequate and our mast base produces a small depression soon after new, possibly due to being rigged before the resin was fully cured. From that time it never moved.

Inside, it was practical for us, though the berths in the forecabin are not adult length. An SL400 toilet worked well. We had a Dolphin petrol engine, which suited the boat, and because of this, an Origo spirit cooker. The mahogany interior was smart, and even boasted a pull-out chart table. One disadvantage was the sectioned sole which allowed small items to slide into the bilge. I think that today I would carpet it.
 
Had one from 1980 to 1987. Excellent, seemed huge after our Vivacity 20. Dolphin 12 hp petrol 2 stroke auxiliary. No reverse gear but complicated electronics to restart it backwards.
 
tjbrace said:
Had one from 1980 to 1987. Excellent, seemed huge after our Vivacity 20. Dolphin 12 hp petrol 2 stroke auxiliary. No reverse gear but complicated electronics to restart it backwards.
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Yes. Reversing was great fun. No gearbox, so you stopped the engine and restarted after flicking a fore/aft switch. In practice, this was very reliable, as the engine had already warmed up and would start instantly. One would be approaching a mooring and the scheme was to stop the engine, restart and idle it, only giving the throttle a blip when you wanted the centrifugal clutch to engage. It never worried me but sometimes onlookers or receiving boats would be tearing their hair out.
 
Thank you all for your input, it’s been interesting and useful.
The one I’m looking at has a Yanmar engine so not sure if it’ll have the quirky reverse gear thing.
We’re downsizing so I’m really hoping that what I’ve heard about them being a lot of boat for the money is true. Also a little unsure about a wheel on such a small boat. I do favour a wheel over a tiller so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
If successful I’ll post some proud photos and an update of the voyage home. If an absolute disaster I’ll pale into obscurity, never to b heard of again!!!
 
The original ones were offered with a choice of the Dolphin, a Vire 2-stroke petrol, or a small diesel, so the Yanmar will be a replacement. It will be a little heavier than the Dolphin but should be fine.

The cockpit was designed around the wheel and works better that way. I fitted an early Autohelm wheel autopilot and that worked OK, but you had to disconnect every few hours, maybe six, to twiddle the wheel otherwise the pressure from the belt squeezed the lubrication out of one side and it got stiff. Mine developed a bit of play because the key wasn't a tight enough fit. I managed to improve this, but it might need attention. I look forward to the photos.
 
Ours had wheel steering too. The mechanism was massive, I’m told it was designed as a tipping mechanism for a concrete mixer. Like its big sister, the Javelin, the cockpit is shaped for wheel steering. We have a Yanmar currently, very nice engines.
 
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