Sadler 26 or 29 for single handed cruising

johnalison said:
My 1987 Sadler 29 didn't have a centre cleat but I have an idea that later ones did. T
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Mine is later and didn't have a cleat, I think they were optional extras. However, there is a sliding cleat available you can put onto the genoa track which works fine.
 
I had a 1995 bilge keel Sadler 29 for 15 years,a brilliant boat and v easy to sail single handed,although I was always a little wary of heading out on my own if the forecast was above F5.The boat crossed Biscay twice without a problem.
 
hi, sailed a rivall 32 for many years single hand ,brought all sheets back to the cockpit mounted some winches on the coach roof with jammers go for it happy sailing .
 
maggietwo said:
hi, sailed a rivall 32 for many years single hand ,brought all sheets back to the cockpit mounted some winches on the coach roof with jammers go for it happy sailing .
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All the boats I have ever owned had all sheets led back to the cockpit, so I assume you mean lines. My Sadler 29 had halyards, one main, two forward and topping lift, led back but not reefing lines or kicker. Some modification would be needed to add these, but it is presumably possible.

I don't think that choice of keel has been covered. I have always favoured fin, and the Sadlers all sail better with fins, and so would recommend this unless full use is going to be made of bilge keels.
 
Only slightly off topic but it looks like there are some Sadler experts here...when moulding a hall with a lot of tumblehome like a Sadler 25 how did they get it out of the mould? Or was the mould in two halves?
 
johnalison said:
All the boats I have ever owned had all sheets led back to the cockpit, so I assume you mean lines. My Sadler 29 had halyards, one main, two forward and topping lift, led back but not reefing lines or kicker. Some modification would be needed to add these, but it is presumably possible.

I don't think that choice of keel has been covered. I have always favoured fin, and the Sadlers all sail better with fins, and so would recommend this unless full use is going to be made of bilge keels.
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I’ve now got everything led back to the cockpit, 3 halyards, pole lift, kicker, out haul and 4 reefing lines. The devil is in the detail and unless you can reduce friction you’ll still be making trips up to the mast to pull the main down. New Sanders main sail a few years back was an improvement because all cars instead of mix of cars and sliders with previous sail. I’ve now bought thinner 8mm for reefing lines and hope this will be further improvement - also lubricate everything running rigging passes through and mast track. Finally I’ve got a windlass control in the cockpit but still have to operate it from the bow because of the need to clear chain from blocking the hawse pipe (not forgetting the chain/octoplait splice which has to be pulled back though)
I can manage single handed but much nicer sailing with a friend.
 
[163233] said:
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.
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Nah, I'm 6'4 and we spend 5 months each year living on our Sadler 26. The port berth is 6'5 and I don't need to stand for anything other than cooking and washing up in the 'galley' which is conveniently beneath the coach roof. Maybe I'm not one of the better sailers tho [insert sad face emoji for me]
 
I used to regularly single hand my Dehler 86 which is just over 28 feet. I would go with the 29 foot version, not sure that there is any significant difference in handling difficult.

Couple of observations in addition to those above:
1) Hydraulic wheel steering helps. Let the wheel go to handle lines and it stays where it is
2) Docking via motoring against a midships line placed over a cleat is a great technique to reduce stress
3) Lassoing mooring buoys works a treat, can be done from midships or even from the helm position
 
Dutch01527 said:
I used to regularly single hand my Dehler 86 which is just over 28 feet. I would go with the 29 foot version, not sure that there is any significant difference in handling difficult.
1) Hydraulic wheel steering helps. Let the wheel go to handle lines and it stays where it is
2) Docking via motoring against a midships line placed over a cleat is a great technique to reduce stress
3) Lassoing mooring buoys works a treat, can be done from midships or even from the helm position
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The Sadler 29 is tiller steered, as is the 26 - not sure if it can be converted to hydraulic wheel steering.
 
We have a wheel steered 29 in Aberaeron, which may be on the market.
I must admit to occasionally being rather envious of it, but my budget is strictly Sadler 25.
 
I quite happily sail my Moody 33 singlehandedly, make sure you get ready for either a mooring or pontoon in plenty of time - fenders on both sides, if necessary ask the marina for assistance on the pontoon. If a mooring pick it up from the cockpit with a rope handy to put through the loop, and then moor properly at your leisure. PS make sure you're wearing an auto lifejacket!
 
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