Question regarding Pegasus 800 keel

[droofen]

Hi all, newbie here

I am interested in starting sailing and am looking at a 1979 Pegasus 800. The boat seems to be in fair condition and requires some paintwork and tidying up, but seems ok for the asking price of 6k euros. However my issue is with the keel, as it does not look like a fin keel to me and a centreboard is not present, nor any lifting mechanism. The seller is claiming that he bought it like this and it's normal. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!

 

[chris-s]

I believe there was an 800 with a lifting keel ... Pegasus Yacht Owners Club

Might be worth asking over on the Pegasus Facebook group.

 

[LittleSister]

According to an old Practical Boat Owner, the fin keel version of the Pandora 800 has 4' 5" draft; and the centre-board version 2' 9" draft with the plate up, 5' 6" with the plate down.

Looking at the gap between the two sides of the rear of that keel, and comparing the shape of that keel with the keel profile in the PBO drawing, I suspect what you may have there is the centreboard version that has had its centreboard and lifting mechanism removed. If that is the case the sailing performance would be adversely affected, and the boat would be excessively 'tippy' (possibly even dangerously so) as a result of the reduced ballast.

 

[VicS]

It does not look like the stub keel of the lifting keel version

 

[graham]

Doesn't look right to me .There's no reason for a fin keel to have a slot like that.The shape would create turbulence at the back of the keel which would slow you down.


Definitely doesn't look the correct profile to be a centreboard version.If you had a picture from the side it would help then measure the draught and compare with the design measurements. If the keel is not standard don't buy it. At worst it could be unsafe at best it would devalue the boat on resale.

 

[droofen]

Thanks for your comments guys. Will visit the boat again this week and take some more pictures and measurements of the keel and go from there.

 

[jwilson]

Very strange indeed. I'm not sure the recess at the aft end would actually add that much drag but I'm sure it's not as the hull builder and designer intended. Makes you wonder if draught and weight are correct as well.

 

[Wansworth]

With the price of small old grp sailing boats the price seems too high especially with odd keel