Sadler 26 or 29 for single handed cruising

[James_Calvert]

We've done a lot of sailing along the SW Devon and Cornwall coasts in the last 2 years since we moved here permanently.

Often in company with other boats.

One of the joys of the area is that you can pick itineraries which are easily sailable in a short time, even in contrary or light winds, which we do.

In company we all end up in the same destinations at much the same time, but shorter boats will resort to motoring much earlier.

We have a Sadler 32, which is ideally suited to the way we use her.

In short, if everything else is equal, go for a faster boat.

 

[Sandy]

Whatever you choose, I have friends with both versions, Devon and Cornwall, the Channel Islands, Normandy and Brittany are great sailing grounds (just don't tell anybody in Lake Solent).

 

[steve350]

I had a look at the dimensions of the sadler 26 and noticed what seems to me to be a considerable beam in relation to the LOA of 25' 9".
It's 9' 5" beam would not be out of place on a 30-32 foot boat (the Sadler 29 beam is almost identical at 9' 6"). I wonder how this effects the sailing characteristics. Perhaps the boat needs to be sailed "flat" lest it should round up in a gust? I have no experience of the Sadler 26 but it is a boat that caught my eye and one I am investigating as a potential next yacht.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I had a look at the dimensions of the sadler 26 and noticed what seems to me to be a considerable beam in relation to the LOA of 25' 9".
It's 9' 5" beam would not be out of place on a 30-32 foot boat (the Sadler 29 beam is almost identical at 9' 6"). I wonder how this effects the sailing characteristics. Perhaps the boat needs to be sailed "flat" lest it should round up in a gust? I have no experience of the Sadler 26 but it is a boat that caught my eye and one I am investigating as a potential next yacht.

It doesn't have the roominess down below of the 26, but I think the Sadler 25 sails better, mind you I am biased as I chose a 25 instead of a 26.

 

[johnalison]

It doesn't have the roominess down below of the 26, but I think the Sadler 25 sails better, mind you I am biased as I chose a 25 instead of a 26.

I think the 25 was a prettier boat and I know that it sails well, as we sailed in company with one for several years. The 26 is a bit more modern, and presumably unsinkable, possibly only a slight advance on the 25. When we had a 29 we cruised in company with a couple of 32s. In cruising terms they were very similar in speed, with the 29 occasionally being faster. When racing, the 32s would win if it was F4 or more, as they would walk away from us upwind and put up a larger spinnaker downwind, but when cruising there was very little difference. This was for fin keels, one 32 lifting.

 

[srm]

Go for the bigger boat, a more stable platform makes life easier, but get the boat well organised for single handing. Mooring or going alongside are the difficult bits.
- A hook system for getting hold of a mooring with the line from the bow long enough to be worked from the cockpit. Once attached pull the boat up to the buoy and pick up the mooring at your leisure. With a bit of practice can be done under sail.
- As mentioned above a midships cleat and short line for going alongside. Secure the midships line and you can use engine to hold her alongside by putting the tiller over to steer away from the pier or pontoon while you set up the other mooring lines.
I used to singlehand a 42 ft sloop with hank on headsails. Now in my 70's I will happily take my heavy 35 ft boat with rolling headsails out, or move berths in the marina, without a crew. Have even gone through locks in the Caledonian canal single handed - but not a very good idea in the high season when the lock keepers are busy.
Just plan ahead, have everything you may need to hand, and be ready for the unexpected .

Oh, and don't fall over the side, even with a harness and tether - a friend did while single handed and we attended his funeral.

 

[chubby]

Another vote for the 29, I single hand a 32 ft motorsailor, plan ahead, warps and fenders both sides, have a planB and things happen more slowly in a bigger boat, within reason

 

[steve350]

It doesn't have the roominess down below of the 26, but I think the Sadler 25 sails better, mind you I am biased as I chose a 25 instead of a 26.

Thanks for the reply.
The 25 is held in high regard and for me is probably preferable to the 26. I read somewhere an article by David Sadler where he said that the 25 was the boat he had a fond attachment to and that he would be confident to sail it pretty much anywhere. I think my choice would be between the 25 or the 29 although the 29 is slightly outside my budget.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

I'll plug the 32 as well. I singlehanded mine easily for ten years. It's a doddle. Fabulous practical sailing boat.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Yes another vote for the 29', you will find actually 'sailing it' offshore no problem with the right set up , however also agree with others coming alongside is best done by preparing to go alongside BEFORE you approach the pontoon ie engine running, fenders out, and prepare mooring ropes so that when you 'step' the boat you have BOTH bow and stern lines in your hand , all assuming all sails are down and secure. Good luck

 

[[163233]]

I have noticed that the better sailors tend to be short-arses. Perhaps because it's cheaper for them to sail without knackering their backs or maybe the lower CoG, but once you hit 6' a 26' boat will be wearing for more than day sailing.

 

[srm]

you have BOTH bow and stern lines in your hand

... and one end of the boat blows away from the berth while you secure the other.
Much easier, quicker and safer to use one line from centre cleat. The way the professionals do with fishing boats, small ferries etc. Short spring from midship cleat, engine fast tick over ahead, wheel or tiller held over as if steering away from pontoon/pier and boat stays put while you set up the other lines. If the wind is blowing you off use more revs. Just watch small fishing boats unloading their catch, more often than not they only use a spring from midships and engine to stay hard up against the pier. Like wise small ferries landing passengers. They do it as its quick and reliable to get alongside and away again.
Unfortunately, most yachtsmen have not learnt the use of springs in berthing.

 

[V1701]

I have noticed that the better sailors tend to be short-arses. Perhaps because it's cheaper for them to sail without knackering their backs or maybe the lower CoG, but once you hit 6' a 26' boat will be wearing for more than day sailing.

It makes certain things easier for sure - I'm 5'6" and let's say not overweight. I lived on an Albin Vega happily for 2 years (headroom 5'7"). My Bowman 26 has just about 6' of headroom. Being small it's also easier to get forward on smaller boats, squeeze yourself in to small spaces to get at stuff, berths are usually long enough, e.g. so it can definitely be an advantage. I'm not sure it has the potential to make me a better (or worse) sailor. I sold the Vega to a really big older guy, all the while I was showing him round I was thinking it just wasn't big enough for him (or rather he was too big for it). Aren't US boats built big now because we are all getting bigger?

 

[V1701]

... and one end of the boat blows away from the berth while you secure the other.
Much easier, quicker and safer to use one line from centre cleat. The way the professionals do with fishing boats, small ferries etc. Short spring from midship cleat, engine fast tick over ahead, wheel or tiller held over as if steering away from pontoon/pier and boat stays put while you set up the other lines. If the wind is blowing you off use more revs. Just watch small fishing boats unloading their catch, more often than not they only use a spring from midships and engine to stay hard up against the pier. Like wise small ferries landing passengers. They do it as its quick and reliable to get alongside and away again.
Unfortunately, most yachtsmen have not learnt the use of springs in berthing.

I started using that method coming in to land on my Colvic Watson 34, it was a revelation I have to say...

 

[johnalison]

My 1987 Sadler 29 didn't have a centre cleat but I have an idea that later ones did. There are ways of cobbling up a centre line to use though, but the 29 is not a very big boat and this will only occasionally be needed.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I have noticed that the better sailors tend to be short-arses. Perhaps because it's cheaper for them to sail without knackering their backs or maybe the lower CoG, but once you hit 6' a 26' boat will be wearing for more than day sailing.

Never found being 6' in either my old Invicta26 or my current Sadler 25 to be a problem, I spend more time on deck than down below and whenI am down below I'm either sitting down or lying down for most of it, there is also a matter of finance, both boats were within my ability to finance them without too much difficulty.

 

[Babylon]

My boat (Vancouver 27) didn't have centre-cleats, so I just added them myself. I often prepare a bowline-loop to hook us by the 'hip' to a shoreside or cleat or bollard if I have any worries about coming alongside, the tail being led from the neck of the cleat back to a winch.

I can't comment from any experience on the differences between the different Sadlers, but as a 'small' boat single-hander I'd say you'd quickly get used to any of them (from 25 to 32ft) in terms of mooring, close-quarters manoeuvring, etc. Everything else being equal, bigger boats are theoretically faster through the water and will give you more room down below, but there will surely be other sailing/seaworthiness/comfort factors between the shortlisted designs, etc.

 

[Stemar]

+1 for the use of a centre line when coming alongside. 29-32 feet is getting to the limit of being able to heave a recalcitrant boat back into line, but get that centre line round a cleat and you're not going anywhere. All that's left is to tidy up.

 

[srm]

A previous boat, Prout 32 ft catamaran, came with five mooring cleats; one at each corner plus one on foredeck. As soon as I got it home I added another four. 2 x midships, 2 x quarters level with end of marina fingers. It's easy enough to add cleats where you want them and makes single handing so much easier. Used to take the boat out by myself when it was a fine evening, often just under the jib which had most of the sail area anyway.

While pontoons are almost universal consider how you will manage comming alongside a pier around low water. As long as there is a free ladder a line from midships around the ladder and back holds the boat while you set up your mooring lines. Reverse procedure makes getting away easy.

 

[Crowblack]

Both Sadlers are decent boat's, I've sailed both 29's and 26's and IMHO opinion the 26 is a better sailing boat, picks up easier to a breeze and for a 26 footer handles the rough stuff really well. It's a really easy boat to handle and very forgiving.

Also if you're attracted by the unsinkability reputation be aware the 26 is the only double skinned Sadler that was actually tested to have enough freeboard to sail home if holed and flooded - - it's generally thought the others would not sink, had enough foam to remain afloat but would be awash and unsailable.

Sure if you want more room and a door on the loo go for a 29, particularly for guests/crew - but I'd recommend sailing them both before you make up your mind.

If you go for a 29 get a late one with the later wooden companion way steps instead of the giant GRP ones which making getting to the engine at sea awkward - the later 29's also come with a lot of other mods - such as centre cleats, sloping bulkheads for more room at the chart table an extra coach roof hatch and three ports down each side instead of two.

Good luck and enjoy choosing.