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muzzaman

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If anyone can offer their learned opinions/ views here I would be most grateful.....

I am looking for a bilge keeled, 26 - 30ft sailing yacht for the family. Requirements include the ability to sail single-handed, inboard engine and 4/5 berths.

She will be sailed in general around the East coast of Scotland and needs to be capable of fairly comfortably accommodating 2 adults and up to 3 youngish children in the cockpit.

Budget is around £25k max.

All info much appreciated.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Big question. You have a big choice. If bilge keels is an essential that narrows it and excludes many recent boats. as few have been made in the last 10-15 years. Anyway, you have a good choice of Moodys, Westerlys, Sadlers, Mirages, Hunters etc. You will find people to support many of these designs. However, you would do better by doing some research yourself first, through back copies of the mags for boat tests, Owners Associations, Brokerage sites such as YBW and Yachtworld to get an idea what is on offer. Use of Google will get you access to most sites.

Then a more focused and informed request for advice on here is more likely to get helpful information and opinion.

Good luck
 
Try looking at a Hunter 27. Bilge keels, inboard diesel, can sleep six if friendly and as a bonus sails well. A good strong boat for the Scottish coast with a draft of about one metre
 
I had a Hunter Ranger 265 for a few years from 1998 - built it from a kit. Bilge keels, Yanmar 9hp inboard engine and self tacking jib ideal for shorthanded sailing. Room for the family you describe. Sold it 4 years ago for £25k - would have been worth more if factory finished as I am a bodger when it comes to woodwork. Recommended.
PS British Hunter not to be confused with American Hunter - the latter I believe to be lighter construction.
 
Thanks for reponses so far.

I have researched a fair bit already and am beginning to focus in on Hunter (26, 272 and 273), Sadler 29 and maybe Westerly Konsort.

I had heard from someone that they felt the Hunters were "lightly built" however other comments seem to disagree. I know that some newer Hunters had issues with the Gelcoat (mid 1990s onwards) but as you can tell I am still trying to obtain wider opinions.

Any other comments very welcome.

Cheers.
 
Give a thought to sleeping arrangements - do you want to have to make up the saloon berths every time and creep around sleeping kids?

Our answer was "No", which pushed us up to 32', more money, and a Hunter Channel 323.

Having 'shown my hand' so to speak, I would suggest that if someone is talking about lightly built Hunters, they're talking about the American company (which the description does fit IMHO). The British Hunters seem to be built like the proverbial convenience.

Andy
 
[ QUOTE ]


I am looking for a bilge keeled, 26 - 30ft sailing yacht for the family. Requirements include the ability to sail single-handed, inboard engine and 4/5 berths.

She will be sailed in general around the East coast of Scotland and needs to be capable of fairly comfortably accommodating 2 adults and up to 3 youngish children in the cockpit.

Budget is around £25k max.

All info much appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]


Sadler 29 would definitely fit the bill. Like all boats get a good well cared for model that won't have you working rather than sailing. my advice would be to buy a well cared for boat perhaps slightly more expensive rather than one which will require work and more work and will really never be right good luck and enjoy!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I have a share in a Westerly Konsort and they would fit the bill nicely. There are a lot around (450 were built of which I would guess 350 bilge keels. Many are of course quite old and tired, but there are are also plenty around which have by now been completely refurbished.
They are alos very large inside - I now have a 32 foot Westerly Fulmar and it's only marginally bigger inside, indeed the forecabin is a lot smaller.
One thing others haven'tr mentioned is that generally prices of boats are coming down fast, for the first time in 10 years. Hold on until the early winter and you will be able to get a bargain. Indeed spend (borrow ?) another £10k and you will be able to pick up a nice (if you like that sort of thing!) 34 foot bavaria by next January, but you might spend that much in petrol driving round teh country looking at boats and putting in ridiculous offers to folk who are just coming off fixed rate mortgages and have jsut received the marina bill for next year ! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Why bilge keels???? The sailing ability is much reduced. The only reason to have them, IMHO, is if you have a drying mooring.

Then I agree Sadler 29 also "unsinkable"; Konsort - tho it's a Westerly (ducks) & light air performance is reduced (ducks again!!); Hunters - but look out for DIY (poorer) fininsh.

Buy a known name as it has better resale value.
 
She will be regularly sailed between a deepwater and a drying mooring so bilge keel is going to be the best option. I appreciate however that we are sacrificing performance to a large extent.

Any views from experienced forumites regarding the best performing bilge keeler in light winds??
 
I recall a test in one of the mags comparing a Sadler (either a 29 or a 32) with fin and bilge keels which showed very little difference in normal performance. Similar comparisons with Hunters. I reckon the "poor performance" bit is overstated, particularly on the later designs such as the Sadlers, Hunters and later Westerlys and Moodys. These are different beasts from early twin keelers with shallow draft, vertical, non hydrodynamic keels and heavy construction. You will recognise such boats when you see them. Performance in light airs, off the wind anyway, is largely a matter of sail area. Most of these boats have good motors - and remember family sailing is not always about extracting maximum performance!
 
I too " recall a test in one of the mags comparing a Sadler (either a 29 or a 32) with fin and bilge keels which showed"

It was the 32 & owning a Sadler 32 deep fin at the time I found it quite interesting!!

Its basically a question of pointing ability & stability which went (best to worst) deep fin, shallow fin; twin keels; leeway (least to most) in the same order.
So going to windward the fins win in all areas - but they wont take the ground as well.
BUT I bought my S32 deep fin from Rye where she sat on her hull with her own keel hole. admittedly she was against a pontoon. CHeck with the mooring manager about the bottom type - you never know it might just work.

Quote" sailing is not always about extracting maximum performance! " Quote

I agree sailing is usually about having fun but sometimes having a boat which sails more efficiently (and more upright) in the direction you have to go- possibly to get in to avoid bad weather - is helpful & more likely to keep the family happy.
 
Bought my Sadler 29 a couple of years ago and tend to be single handed for over 50% of my time on the water so have set the boat up with this in mind. Easy in-mast reefing system and with a decent autopilot I can enjoy this boat whether on my own or with family and friends. Several good examples appear on the market from time to time and with a decent survey you have peace of mind. Also I,ve sailed a lot on the Clyde and the inner Hebrides and know you'd be OK with one of these but maybe I,m biased. Plus they can handle the weather that occurs on the west side from time to time!!
Hope this helps.
 
At that budget you have plenty of choice. Also try looking at the shipman 28 the accommodation in them is fantastic and there a great boat to sail. I bought mine for £15000 in inverkip on the clyde last oct and am delighted with her stability and performance. I also sail her single handed no problem. Alternatively with that budget have a look at the contessa 26 or even 32 if your willing to go uo a few feet! The 32 is a well regarded sailing boat.Good luck with your search
 
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