Performance Difference - Fulmar/Konsort Bilge Keel

C

chriswesterman

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Jun 2005
Messages
80
Location
Glos
Visit site
Hi,

Just making the step from Chartering to actually owning a boat. Looking for a good quality Bilge Keel ( ie with little work to undertake) - around 29' £25k budget. I've sailed a Westerly Konsort Bilge Keel reqularly and whilst its not a sprintly performer its solid, well mannered and would fit my need. However if I stretched my budget upwards abit I possibly could afford a Fulmar ( Bilge Keel). Has anyone any experience of the performance difference between these two.


>> editted - can't spell solid !


Regards


Chris
 
Ive sailed a Konsort bilge keeler and a Fulmar fin keeler. The Fulmar is much more of a cruiser/racer. If you want an more exhilarating sail, even a bit of a handful when pressed hard, go for the Fulmar. If you want a sailing caravan and are prepared to use the iron topsail when the wind falls light go for the Konsort.

There is a bit more space in the Fulmar (except perhaps for the foc's'l) although the head room is lower IIRC in the heads and forward.
 
If by performance you mean speed then the best way to judge this is by the Plymouth Yardstick (or PY or PN) number. The lower the number the faster is the boat since the number represents the time taken to sail around a notional course. Further details can be found at:

www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/technical/Pages/pys.aspx

and

www.benfleetyachtclub.org/files/Portsmouth_HC/7_PN_List_2006.pdf

The PN number of the Konsort is 1016 and that for the Fulmar 1118. No details are given but I am sure this will be for the fin keeled versions. The bilge keelers will be slower but the relativity will be pretty much maintained. Hence, the Fulmar is substantially faster.

This, of course, says nothing about the sea-keeping or feel of the boat. For instance, my old bilge-keel Merlin had a PN pretty much the same as a Konsort but a much flatter bottom. This made it slam pretty badly over waves so making the much more rounded Konsort faster in practical circumstances.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If by performance you mean speed then the best way to judge this is by the Plymouth Yardstick [ QUOTE ]


Aagh!! Portsmuff, NOT Plymuff! devised by Sinbad Zillwood Milledge of Langstone Sailing Club and known as the Langstone Tables prior to adoption by the RYA.

[ QUOTE ]
The PN number of the Konsort is 1016, that for the Fulmar 1118. No details are given but I am sure this will be for the fin keeled versions [quote}

Every entry specifies the keel, propellor and spinnaker type.
There are adjustment tables e.g for fin versus bilge keels - and the few Konsorts with fins were called a Pembroke, just to confuse things.

[ QUOTE ]
The bilge keelers will be slower but the relativity will be pretty much maintained. Hence, the Fulmar is substantially faster.[ QUOTE ]


Really? We're talking about less than 2% here. There were many more fin Fulmars made, for which deduct 50 from 116 which IS substantial.

I raced and cruised both versions and IMHO the fin Fulmar is a good performer, slightly tender, whereas the bilge version is stiffer but slams noisily. But that outdated cockpit was awful!
The Konsort is 'sold' (?) right enough, but in the motor-sailing bracket, not a performance cruiser.
 
Fulmar is a much faster boat although now pretty solid and heavy by todays standards. Handicaps are irrelevant in answer to the question. They are there to allow different classes of boat to race on equal terms. The comment above re handicaps is wrong and the numbers should be reversed. Incidentally my Fulmar races to a handicap of 990 and competes closely with a well sailed Contessa 32 depending on course and weather variables.

Go for the Fulmar if you want a faster cruiser racer.
Good Luck. Hope you find a good one.
 
Chris,
I own a Fulmar jointly with my brother and also have a small share in Konsort with my Father, both Bilge Keel, so I can speak from experience!
As others have said the Fulmar is very much the better sailing boat and overall is bigger. For example the galley area has more storage, the chart table is much better with a separate seat, better storage all round etc. The downsides are that the forecabin of the Konsort is much larger - large enough to sleep across ways if you want- with better headroom, an dstarngely the quarterberth is much easier to get into in the Konsort. Access to the engine is easier in the Konsort simply because the engine is nearer the front of it's locker.
Both are good tough boats, we have been further in the Konsort (souther Brittany and southern ireland) but this is just due to the owning and cruising arrangements.

Whichever one you buy they are obviously becoming quite old by now and the extent of the refits undertaken - especially if the engine has been replaced should have a significant bearing on the cost.

Regards
 
Having owner both boats for a total of 15 seasons, I would comment as follows:

1. The Konsort is a stiffer boat and very forgiving because of its rig and broad beam. I started with this, but after 4 seasons moved on up for the extra cash and never regretted it. But the comparison is not all one way......

2. The Fulmar is narrow on the bow and tends to submarine, the Konsort is flared and drier.

3. Both slam when going to wind, and in not very large waves either. This can be grating, but is a feature of all bilgers - water gets trapped between the keels on descent.

4. The flaring of the Fulmar keels is much better and ensures a superior ride and turn of speed. This is where the Fulmar scores - I have watched over several hours how she can hold her own against larger yachts, even under small canvas she drives well to wind. I survived my worst ever gale experience in a Fulmar - crossing the North Sea head on, and she never left me feeling this is my last breath!!

Good selction, and good choice! If you want more, PM me.

PWG
 
If you want to see both side by side come down to Topsham SC we have both racing regularly. The Fulmar races in the fast fleet and gives the fin keelers a run for their money. There is no disadvantage in shallow water but out at sea she makes a lot more leeway. The Konsort is in the comfort fleet but is well handicapped so does quite well in competent hands. I would vote Fulmar having chartered both for holidays.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top