Pegasus 800 any good?

[steppygas]

I am recently looking at getting back into being a yacht owner. I have not sailed for 10 years and my other half has never sailed. I am currently looking at a very competitively priced pegasus 800 fin keel but I don't know too much about them. Anyone have any experience of them?

 

[OceanSprint]

See http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?164562-Opinions-please-on-a-Pegasus-800-yacht

 

[Daydream believer]

deleted

 

[Seajet]

Quite good performers, not the most overbuilt boat in the world.

One of the range of boats by Ridgeway Marine, along with the Prelude, Pandora & Prospect.

If a fin keel and the price suits you, great; but remember relatively small fin keelers can be dfficult to sell on, nigh on impossible around the south coast.

 

[steppygas]

Thanks for the info,

Any known issues i should be looking out for?

Would you say it would be an ideal boat to try a teach someone else one?

Would be sailing it on the Medway/east coast so hoping there is more of a small boat market here. Not sure what the market is like now days but i know 10 odd years ago when i was working in a boat yard there was an ok market then.

 

[Seajet]

I'd think the boat would be fine for a novice, it's not extreme in any way and should be rewarding to sail, so won't put your other half off by boredom.

I don't know the market on the East Coast, but seeing as a lot of it is on the shallow side, not sure a fin keeler would sell on readily or be easiest for you to travel around there ???

If you like the boat and the price is right, as long as you think you'll keep her a while maybe resale hardly matters.

 

[Daydream believer]

I don't know the market on the East Coast, but seeing as a lot of it is on the shallow side, not sure a fin keeler would sell on readily or be easiest for you to travel around there ???
.

I have a fin keel ( 1.8 draft) on the east coast & find it no problem at all. (In comparison A 32 ft Westerly probably draws 1.2M with bilge keels) I cannot understand all the fuss about shallow water. I am restricted 2.5 hours each side of low tide entering & leaving the marina but most bilge keelers will have a certain amount of restriction as well. The number of boats that actually take to the ground during the season whilst cruising is not that many I suspect. If there was a swell when anchoring then I would not want to dry out. If one has a drying mooring that is different but there are plenty of deep water moorings available. I know that the Pegasus is smaller but the principle is the same

However, if the OP wants to lay up at a club where they might not have a stand or trailer for the boat then a bilge keel is essential. If the OP lays up at a marina, as I do, then he may have to factor in the hire charge of the stand. At my marina I have to pay an additional £120-00 inc VAT each year for this. But if I had my own stand then I would still have to pay as much to store it.
Some owners buy their own hard standing legs specifically for the purpose & take home each year. This has to be factored.

Bilge keels are a pain when it comes to the annual anti fouling

 

[Seajet]

I agree when trundling around sailing, only an optimistic nut tries to get away with the extra few inches under the keel which shallower draught confers; it irritates the hell out of me when people link lift keelers like mine with the phrase ' ditch crawling ' - which nobody I know ever does, as there's always still the chance of a tesco trolley or old engine block / sinker on the seabed !

Where shallow draught and taking the ground is relevant, is in using cheaper drying moorings; these are not only a lot more affordable than deep water moorings - let alone marina berths - they are usually a lot more pleasant and sheltered, being closer inshore so hopefully a short row rather than motoring miles out in something like a young lifeboat.

With a twin - not bilge - keeler like the Pegasus - or Centaur etc - I don't think antifouling is too onerous, it's triple keelers with shallow outrigger bilge keels which are a right pain, a friend has such a boat and I photographed his wellies protruding between the central & bilge keel - ' the glamour of yachting '.

There is a twin keel Pegasus 700 going at my club, I believe for a good price but I don't know the owner or details - could find out if PM'd.

 

[Habebty]

I had a lift keel 800, masthead rig (most of the Broads based 800s seem to be fractional) great boats. Some were home fitted. Mine had the petrol MB2 50s Volvo/Honda saildrive for which parts are now difficult to get. So look for a diesel inboard. No real vices I could think of other than a little lightweight as mentioned before, but not in a bad way.
800 castings and bits are still available, search this forum for the seller.
Sailorman of this forum used take his to Holland.

 

[steppygas]

Thanks for all the input,

I went to look at the 800 but it required a little more TLC than what i can give at the moment.

However not all bad news as i noticed another craft for sale in the same yard whilst there, strangely enough another Pegasus but this time a 700 twin keel. Had a viewing and was very impressed so i am thinking of putting in an offer subject to survey!

Also good news Seajet - its already been antifouled so wont have to be subjected to "the glamours of yachting" for a while!