Repeated Drying Out On Legs.

[Homer Simpson's Lovechild]

After a sojourn to the dark side I am planning to return to the world of sail.
My wish list is around the Vancouver/Victoria/ Rival type of 35' ish long fin keelers with skeg hung rudders.
One particular boat has my eye but it's in Brittany and has dried out twice daily for a few years on steel legs . The harbour is well sheltered and hard bottomed. She is moored fore and aft ,clear of the quayside.
I realise that thousands of boats do this but they are mostly built for the job with bilge keels etc.
I know that only a survey would reveal the true story but I thought I'd sound out the opinions on this site .
I have concerns about a boat of this type being repeatedly dried out regarding structural damage etc but being on the west of Scotland don't really have any expertise on the subject.
I do very much like the look of the boat but there are others ( superficially less nice looking ) closer to home. Should I cross this one off the list?

 

[rich]

My boat Hermees, Wood & 32ft is 51 years old and has stood on legs for all that time,with no problems.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My boat (26' / long keel / 4 tons) had been drying out on legs for many years when I bought her. The survey made no adverse comment and I have never seen anything amiss as a result myself. Now she's on the Clyde the legs live in my garage, but I may use them one day. They are Yacht Legs Co telescopic aluminium ones.

 

[vyv_cox]

I know several boats that are kept on legs on moorings. Can be a lot of pounding if the moorings are very exposed to chop but in a sheltered place no problem. My opinion is that legs and a long keel are a more robust arrangement than a large boat with bilge keels when it comes to drying on every tide.

 

[charles_reed]

I know several boats that are kept on legs on moorings. Can be a lot of pounding if the moorings are very exposed to chop but in a sheltered place no problem. My opinion is that legs and a long keel are a more robust arrangement than a large boat with bilge keels when it comes to drying on every tide.

+1

 

[Kelpie]

I'm planning to beach my boat on Yachtlegs in the spring, effectively a drying fore-and-aft mooring. Any tips on how to go about this? Thinking about how many lines, how much slack to have in them etc. ideally I'd like to control exactly where the boat will sit when dried out, and place some sleepers down on the ground.

 

[William_H]

Re the boat OP is considering buying I would think that the boat should be examined while on the legs. It is the attachment of the legs that will suffer if there is any damge done. This should be apparent whne the weight is on the legs (as well as keel of course). You could try rocking the boat looking for movement however I don't think he should be very afraid of the history of this boat. good luck olewill