Perfect first time sailing boat

[Avocet]

Our experience (of Morecambe Bay, at least), is that a transom-mounted outboard is of limited use when it gets choppy - the waves are steep and the prop just loses its grip on the water. I assume an outboard in a well would be better, but have never tried one. There's a lot to be said for an inboard with its prop well under the water in such conditions. You might get a Cutlass 27 within your budget - they're a superb sea boat (obviously, can't take the ground though, and usual drawbacks of a long keel as well as the traditional virtues).

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I assume an outboard in a well would be better, but have never tried one.

You assume right. A Hurley 22 with an extra long shaft engine in its well has no such problems. A 27' boat for £4k is likely to have an old engine in it, which as threads this week have shown, is likely to cause expensive grief.

 

[jwilson]

You could probably pick up a Ruffian 23 within your budget. There are 4 advertised on Apollo Duck Ireland at the moment. These are good sea boats well capable of crossing the Irish sea.

Agree with the Ruffian, though many have a very tired interior from wet sails chucked below from club racing - I raced one for a while. Met one in Iceland once - owner had sailed it there from Ireland. Excellent tough and quite fast little boats. But as others have said, look at all sorts and buy on condition and kit - let the previous owners have spent the money on sails, rigging, upholstery, engine etc.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I agree

the biggest safety factor in any boat is an engine that will start

and an old inboard diesel.......well my experience has been far from wonderful

compared to a newish outboard in a well

D

Dylan, I think you're a wonderful bloke from what I've read of you in your posts and who am I to comment on the love affair between you and your outboard. (After all I've watched a video of the time you first met...) That first flush of happiness at finding a partner you can love and have an amazing time with is obviously still with you.

Might I make one small criticism though? May I suggest that the biggest item of safety on a boat is not the engine or the bilge pump or the sails or almost anything about the boat but what lies between the ears of whoever is in charge?

After all, people sail round the world and into and out of all sorts of harbours without any engine at all. Sadly, in the many boats I have sailed, (some of which were commercially maintained and coded to the highest standards with almost no expense spared) I have found myself with no engine and having to use the sails.

To the OP. Outboards on brackets on the transom of small boats are not ideal, but they are possible and people manage. Outboards in a well are better. Inboards are better still, but might not be practical or suited to the pocket cruiser you are contemplating buying. If you do look at a boat with an inboard, buy an old one with your eyes wide open and with a proper assessment of its condition. You might get lucky after all.

 

[Seajet]

You assume right. A Hurley 22 with an extra long shaft engine in its well has no such problems. A 27' boat for £4k is likely to have an old engine in it, which as threads this week have shown, is likely to cause expensive grief.

I'd check the requirement for a long shaft; my standard shaft o/b in a well doesn't break the surface in anything but the nastiest chop when one will usually be sailing; only time it's happened to me was when motoring in a calm into the tide rip at the head of the Little Russel channel, Guernsey.

If one can stow the outboard for sailing any distance and fit a fairing plug it greatly improves speed and prevents the sloshing noise; a well is infinitely preferable to dangling the engine on the back of the boat, for prop immersion, access to controls, working on the engine and lifting if fouled on pot buoys etc.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I'd check the requirement for a long shaft; my standard shaft o/b in a well doesn't break the surface in anything but the nastiest chop when one will usually be sailing; only time it's happened to me was when motoring in a calm into the tide rip at the head of the Little Russel channel, Guernsey.

If one can stow the outboard for sailing any distance and fit a fairing plug it greatly improves speed and prevents the sloshing noise; a well is infinitely preferable to dangling the engine on the back of the boat, for prop immersion, access to controls, working on the engine and lifting if fouled on pot buoys etc.

A popular modern engine for the H22 is the Tohatsu like Dylan's. This comes with a sailboat prop, battery charging with regulator and rectifier as standard, and a "SailDrive" logo. Whoopee! They come in long or ultra long shaft sizes.

 

[Seajet]

Angus,

yes the Tohatsu seems best bet if one feels forced to go 4 stroke; but I thought they come in standard shaft as well, as I know an Anderson 22 with one, and the A22 can't usually stow a long shaft in the cockpit locker which is a major drag, literally !

A22's vary a lot in fit out though, so either this boat has a longer cockpit locker or the engine is indeed standard shaft ( I really hope they don't stow a long shaft in the saloon, doesn't exactly encourage shipping it in and out of the well and a major obstacle / fire hazard...).

 

[Tranona]

It is not the cockpit locker or stowage that determines the shaft length, but the height of the mounting board above the waterline. The H22 board is set at 21" under the aft deck. A short shaft would not get into the water. Other boats are set to use a short shaft, but it puts the power head closer to the water.

 

[Dave99]

There's lots of bargain sailing yachts appearing on ebay from time to time at the moment

 

[AngusMcDoon]

yes the Tohatsu seems best bet if one feels forced to go 4 stroke; but I thought they come in standard shaft as well

You can't buy a new 2 stroke. The Saildrive Tohatsus don't come in standard length, not listed on their website anyway.

 

[Seajet]

I'm aware of the idiotic ruling against new 2 strokes, which was a huge shame as my Mariner 5 2 stroke is a great engine, perfect for the A22. With a little care like thorough fresh water flushing every Autumn and Spring it's still good as new, has not required any parts.

Running at 100:1 they're quite green too, not leaving an oil slick or Red Arrows style smoke trail like the old Seagulls.

4 strokes are heavy to lift and fussy about the stowage position to avoid oil entering the combustion chamber, they must be a serious problem on some small boats where lifting all the way on and off the boat is required, not to mention trim.

As long as it fits the locker it's not too much a problem on a boat with a well, as one doesn't really lift the whole dead weight of the engine when a knack / routine is developed.

Especially for tenders a good secondhand 2 stroke is still preferable, the Mariner / Yamaha 2 being sought after.