Prospect 900

[billsign]

I am considering purchasing a Prospect 900 by Ridgeway Marine, built 1977. Has anyone out there any experience of this boat. I'm curious to know if there is anything particular I should look for and any nasties I should be aware of.

 

[john]

Ridgeway marine (Gordon Harris and Kevin Taylor) designed and built these yachts on Oulton Broad, Suffolk together the Pegasus range and the Pandoras and Preludes. The firm closed about five yars ago but an ex employee runs a small operation on the site and may be useful for spares/mouldings etc. I can find no trace of him on the web.
I had a Pegasus 800 with the fractional rig and wing keel and it was superbly put together. they made their own fittings (stemhead, cleats , hatches etc) in alloy that were well designed and a pleasure to use.
A friend had a Prospect on which I often sailed. I remember it was a good sailer with no obvious vices but had an unbelievable amount of accomodation down below. One small problem I encountered was that the cockpit seats were a little too widely spaced and you could slip off when heeled!

 

[earlybird]

If the boat is a triple keeled version then look out for signs of flexing in the area where the bilge plates are attached to the hull. This might be a particular problem if the boat is kept on a drying mooring. I have sailed in one a few times and otherwise endorse the comments made in the previous post.

 

[kds]

"Ridgeway marine (Gordon Harris and Kevin Taylor) designed and built these yachts on Oulton Broad, Suffolk together the Pegasus range and the Pandoras and Preludes. "

i THOUGHT THEY WERE DESIGNED BY VEN DER STADT ?

IF SO - HE NEVER DESIGNED A BAD ONE YET !
Ken

 

[john]

ken may be right here - certainly the pandora range are van de stadt in origin. Pegasus 1100,800 and 700's were designed by Gordon Harris. Not sure about the Prospect and Prelude's origins. All were certainly built by Rydgeway marine.