Sadler 29

[samwise]

We are currently looking closely at buying a Sadler 29 bilge keeler. The boat seems well found and cared for, but is lying ashore, so a turn around the buoys is not on. Anyone out there with knowledge or experience about how these boats handle? All the feedback so far has been positive, but I would appreciate any further experience that may help us towards a decision.

 

[mick]

Hi Samwise,

I have no experience of the Sadler 29 but I have its wee sister, the 26, also with bilge keels. A smashing wee boat, safe, reliable, sturdy, good to sail, and, like the 29, UNSINKABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Try the Sadler forum on mikelucasyachting.co.uk for more info.

 

[Sammy]

Yes I had a 29 for many years great go anywhere boat eventually changed it for its big sister the 34 now I am stuck because that is a great boat and I cant find anything I prefer as a really good all rounder. Go for it.
Try the Sadler website for info especially the forum post a similar post and see the replies you get, I will be surprised if you get many that are not favourable.
www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk
Chris

 

[VMALLOWS]

I have had my Sadler29 (bilge) since 1985. (fitted out in the frnt garden from hull and deck). From a seakeeping point of view I've been out in a few nasties and have no cause for complaint (about the boat, that is!). My use is 100% cruising, and your comment about 'around the bouys' suggests your interrests may be towards racing ... can't comment on that. The layout might of course be considered dated today, but personally suits me and obviously you'll have considered it.

Be aware that Sadler 29's have gone through a number of changes. The most significant probably when they changed from 2 windows each side to 3. (about 86/7) and when large extra areas of foam were added (under forepeak berth area and under quarterberth) : about same time. The latter were in order to claim 'unsinkability' but reduce stowage considerably.

Factory engines also changed from BUKT to VOLVO around same time.
Three (at least) companies have been responsible for production over the years.

As already mentioned, try the SADLER ASSOCIATION and MIKELUCAS sites...any seach engine will find them. All the info is there.

 

[LeonF]

Sailing Today did a review of the Sadler 29 a while ago. You could probably get a back copy or a reprint of the article. I considered one but went for a Sigma 33 instead.

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[derekgillard]

I bought a Sadler 29 (Fin Keel) in June of this year, it is my fisrt boat and I am delighted with it.

The Sadler is well built and feels safe, in our first season we took her over to France and the Channel Islands with no worry, even on the way home when we had a good force 7. Mike Lucas has a good site if you need technical help.

Good Luck

 

[billmacfarlane]

I owned a Sadler 29 for 5 years , the bilge keel version , bought from new in 1986. I won't comment on the layout as you've obviously seen one and liked it. She had what I would call a steady performance with vice free handling and makes a good cruiser. The motion in a seaway makes her feel like a bigger boat. She's not the ideal boat to take round the cans but you'll get a good handicap. The only thing I disliked was the slamming of the weather keel sailing hard on the wind. It can be alleviated by careful sail trim and keeping the boat upright. As I said I owned mine from new and quite frankly the quality of the finish was absolute crap. I nearly took them to court over it. It'll pay you to get a good surveyor , one with experience of surveying double skinned , foam filled boats. A friend of mine had one and the surveyor found a few areas where the foam hadn't been filled properly leaving areas of stress cracks. Judging by what most people say about them , my example was the exception rather than the rule but get a good surveyor.

 

[VMALLOWS]

Sorry to hear you had a bad one. Does sound about the time Martin Sadler was going / had gone under following the disastrous BARACUDA episode.

Regarding keel slapping (solent chop bangs!)..... I found this terrible at first, but as I gradually added extra 'ballast' it diminished, and has practically vanished since I added two huge s/s tanks under the foreward berths.!

 

[billmacfarlane]

Yes it was about the time that they were building the Barracuda. I got the impression that the company had overstretched itself and wasn't surprised when the company later went under. Incidentally I chartered a Barracuda for a weekend and did a Channel crossing in winds of F8/9. It took us 6.5 hours from Littlehampton to Fecamp. A never-to-forget sail but my God that boat leaked like a sieve.