Bobobolinsky
New member
There's a centaur and a 25 on Ebay
OK I admit it I made a mistake !
- Thread starter wytco0
- Start date
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
POINT OF INFORMATION. There are other brands of old boat available, as well as Westerly!
Tranona
Well-known member
Yes, and many of them potentially "better" - but the Centaur outsold most of its competitors by as much as 10:1 which means there is a much bigger choice often as many as 30 or 40 on the market at any one time.
Seajet
...
Wytco0,
if you plan creek crawling & drying out on the twin keels, don't be so quick to specify a sea toilet; they don't work if the boat is dried out, and can require unpleasant & expensive maintenance including their seacocks, they also mean holes in the hull which can never be a particularly good thing.
Contrary to what some believe, modern chemical loos do not smell, can be used with the boat dried out - and in a crowded marina - and are completely self contained...just a thought.
if you plan creek crawling & drying out on the twin keels, don't be so quick to specify a sea toilet; they don't work if the boat is dried out, and can require unpleasant & expensive maintenance including their seacocks, they also mean holes in the hull which can never be a particularly good thing.
Contrary to what some believe, modern chemical loos do not smell, can be used with the boat dried out - and in a crowded marina - and are completely self contained...just a thought.
TQA
New member
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If buying a Centaur I beleive that most came with a Volvo which will be getting on.
I would look for one that had been re -engined with something like a Beta where spares are cheaper and available.
BTW I have seen a least 2 Centaurs that have completed the trip out to the Caribbean.
I would look for one that had been re -engined with something like a Beta where spares are cheaper and available.
BTW I have seen a least 2 Centaurs that have completed the trip out to the Caribbean.
Clyde_Wanderer
New member
Snap Dragon 747, well powered with a yanmar 1gm10.
Probably pick up a good one for well under 10k.
Bilge keeler sleeps 4-5 in 2 cabins.
My mate single handed his from Clyde to NI last summer.
Think they have all the atributes you are after, though not extreemly pretty.
C_W
Probably pick up a good one for well under 10k.
Bilge keeler sleeps 4-5 in 2 cabins.
My mate single handed his from Clyde to NI last summer.
Think they have all the atributes you are after, though not extreemly pretty.
C_W
Searush
New member
But there are several good reasons why they outsold everything else at the time & why they still hold their value despite large numbers on the market at any one time.
Sneaky Pete
Member
Forgive me but would learning to sail from an expert through an RYA training school not but be the correct way to learn. If you teach yourself anything you are trying to learn something that you have no knowledge or expertise of and you will be at it forever. I would have thought that learning to sail would involve learning the basic theory first and putting it into practice through some practical certificated course. You have spent a year looking for a boat you could be day skipper qualified in that time theory and practical.
LadyInBed
Well-known member
To throw another small but roomy cruising boat into the mix, how about a Newbridge Virgo Voyager?
Quite a few around in the price range, good 6ft headroom.
Quite a few around in the price range, good 6ft headroom.
Searush
New member
But the courses could cost as much as a small cruiser. Plenty of cheap or even free books around. Some people like to be told "the correct way" - others prefer to experiment & experience it all for themselves. I've been sailing for 50 years & never had a formal lesson. Not that it makes me a good sailor, but I seem to get by without calling on the services of the RNLI. Pity that some of the "Qualified" people seem to take risks that lead to them needing rescue.
But each to their own I guess.
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Haven't-a-Clue
New member
'S funny, I almost typed the same as Searush. You CAN teach yourself to sail, I'm living proof...........having said that, I'm the first to say that I have much to learn yet (1/20 of Searush's experience) and I'm absolutely SURE that folks see me sailing past and say "WTF is he doing?" and that my sail trimming skills are bang along side, if not actually rafted up to, non existant, but what the hell, the boat moves (quite fast sometimes when over canvassed!!) and I enjoy myself. Get lessons if you feel the need/have the cash, but don't let a lack of formal training put you off, I didn't.
Sneaky Pete
Member
£800 would get you the basic theory and practical quals, for that money you could get a small rowing boat down our local park.
You dont need any quals you are entitled to grandfather rights.
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ianat182
Well-known member
Yes, also recommend the Centaur and the Virgo Voyager, both roomy boats and can sail well singlehanded or crewed by H & W.
The Centaur is likely to be the more powerful engined,up to 23hp in Volvo form ,and usually at least 18hp,; the Voyager about 10hp for similar motoring 'get you home' speed of 5knots. Load of stowage space on the Centaurs, most in watertight compartments, and the sea toilet you required. Centaur is the larger at 26ft, the Voyager smaller in length, but still roomy.
ianat182
The Centaur is likely to be the more powerful engined,up to 23hp in Volvo form ,and usually at least 18hp,; the Voyager about 10hp for similar motoring 'get you home' speed of 5knots. Load of stowage space on the Centaurs, most in watertight compartments, and the sea toilet you required. Centaur is the larger at 26ft, the Voyager smaller in length, but still roomy.
ianat182
Seajet
...
I've ended up in discussions with Voyager owners before, but it has to be said the Centaur is a vastly better boat, both in design & construction; Newbridge boats are not exactly renown for either ( apart from the Corribee which is good if tiny, but not one of their designs ).
Sneaky Pete
Member
Anyone can take a boat out onto the water without any kind of training or knowledge this makes them a danger to themselves but more importantly a danger to others on the water.
Maybe you taught yourself MOB drills, emergency procedures, rescue by lifeboat or helicopter, fire safety, IRPCS, using a VHF, shipping forecasts, principles of weather, maritime bouyage systems, passage planning, vessel lights and shapes. You are definitely the type of person I say “WTF is he doing?” and it worries me. Anyway let me know what waters you are sailing in so that I can stay well away.
Qualifications should be mandatory just like a car. It may help to bring insurance premiums down.
wytco0
New member
Hi Pete, yes that does make sense but I have done some RYA training in a pegasus 700 and a Hawk 20 and a few smaller things. I will certainly be looking to more proper training but I think my basic knowledge is enough to spend some time in relatively safe environments on my own. Maybe I am wrong on this as well but time for me to find out. I have done the basic stuff, RYA L2 Keelboats (Pegasus), Powerboats Avon Searider 5.4) and dingys (Laser 2000). I am very safety orientated and I wont take silly risks.
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wytco0
New member
;-) I like to do some basic training, read some books and then try it myself, I feel I am ready for my own boat now but I am sure I will be making a lot of mistakes.
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dhippey
Member
Searush
New member
You are talking like a pillock, abusing people like that.
What courses did Ransome take, or Shane Acton, were the Hiscocks RYA trained, or Tilman? What is this stupid obsession with abrogating all responsibility for one's own safety by "taking courses?"
Watch some of Dylan's videos & see how he handles that small boat almost entirely under sail & often with a camera in hand - Dylan is self taught too. In my experience the biggest, most self-opinionated twots are often the know-it-alls "trained by the RYA". A piece of paper doesn't make you right, or even safe - vigilance, observation & understanding make you safe, not a silly bit of paper from the RYA.
On the other hand I happen to know quite a few good sailors that happen to hold RYA quals, but they are not good sailors just because they have the certificate.
Incidentally, it isn't hard to learn about all the stuff you talk about, there are plenty of books available & trying stuff out on your own boat is 10x better than classroom work. Please take your head out of your bum & have a good look around at the people who have bits of paper & those who have been sailing safely for years without.
Haven't-a-Clue
New member
Don't think I've put anyone else in peril, mostly as I tend to stay out of other people's way!!
I do think about what I'm doing and where (risk assessment, you might say) and rely on eyeball Mk1 and what little common sense I have to keep out of trouble. I tend to sail singlehanded, so my MOB situation is DON'T go MOB, wear a L/J and have the handheld clipped to it in case I do. I don't have singlehanded at night insurance, so don't worry too much about lights/shapes.
I look VERY CAREFULLY at the weather forecast and don't go out when I think I might get seasick (apart from once, of course, ho, ho!!!). I happen to know a reasonable amount about the weather, me dad was a meteorologist, runs in the blood you might say.
The WTF bit was about my sail trimmng skills.
In and around the Solent is where you need to stay away from in that case
And finally, I think your last sentence MAY possibly raise a few hackles 'round these parts........Not mine, I hasten to add, I couldn't care less one way or t'other.
I do think about what I'm doing and where (risk assessment, you might say) and rely on eyeball Mk1 and what little common sense I have to keep out of trouble. I tend to sail singlehanded, so my MOB situation is DON'T go MOB, wear a L/J and have the handheld clipped to it in case I do. I don't have singlehanded at night insurance, so don't worry too much about lights/shapes.
I look VERY CAREFULLY at the weather forecast and don't go out when I think I might get seasick (apart from once, of course, ho, ho!!!). I happen to know a reasonable amount about the weather, me dad was a meteorologist, runs in the blood you might say.
The WTF bit was about my sail trimmng skills.
In and around the Solent is where you need to stay away from in that case
And finally, I think your last sentence MAY possibly raise a few hackles 'round these parts........Not mine, I hasten to add, I couldn't care less one way or t'other.
