Sadler 290 - What extras are essential ?

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DaveyG

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One of the 290's that was not finished by Ramparts / Hilliers is being completed by Andy Middleton in Poole. It's at the stage where Andy is starting to consider the type of Extras that should be fitted.

So previous and current 290 Owners, what are the essential extras that should be included ?

Here are 3 that I've had proposed already:

Upgraded engine and alternator
Bow protector and roller extension
Main sheet track
 
If it is to be completed for an owner, surely it is that owner's choice depending on where s/he sails and what the ambitions are. If it is on spec then the shortcomings of the earlier boats (few though they are) are pretty obvious. Problem with building an essentially one off boat without a firm buyer is you either underspecify and put people off or overspecify and the price shoots up without necessarily addressing what potential buyers want.

So best to find a buyer before too much is committed - the design is well known enough to not need a finished boat to sell - and work with the owner on the final spec.

My spec would have a Volvo D1 20 (they all have big alternators) with a 2 blade Flexofold, self launching anchor, electric windlass, my choice of electronics (Garmin), high spec sails and a traveller to get the most out of them. i would expect my choice of upholstery and probably wood trim if not already done.
 
DaveyG said:
One of the 290's that was not finished by Ramparts / Hilliers is being completed by Andy Middleton in Poole. It's at the stage where Andy is starting to consider the type of Extras that should be fitted.

So previous and current 290 Owners, what are the essential extras that should be included ?

Here are 3 that I've had proposed already:

Upgraded engine and alternator
Bow protector and roller extension
Main sheet track
Click to expand...

Well desirable extras:
Weaver (or IBS) snap davits on the transom with corresponding fittings glued to your inflatable so you can securely attach to your boat when it's moored or anchored. When you have boarded, stowed your goods & removed the OB you can then pull the dinghy up to the transom (it pivots on & is supported by the davits) by the painter & secure to the pushpit. When you arrive at your destination you can let down the dinghy, attach your OB & be off in less than 5 min. For those not familiar with the 290, it has a rear cockpit door so you can just step off the dinghy into the cockpit.
 
A decent saloon table. The standard one is, IMHO, rubbish. It is mounted on 1 cylindrical leg, so if you lean against it at sea it turns. It is located too far to port, so it overhangs the port saloon berth. The worst bit though is the leaf is support by 2 spindly little bits of wood, which will snap if you lean on it. The table on our old Sadler 29 was far far better. I'm in the process of designing and building a much better one, based on the design of the S29 one.

Another little mod I've done was to add 2 handles either side of the cockpit gate, to make getting out of the water easier.
 
Agree about the table and transom grab handles, I would also consider a sprit for a cruising chute.
Folding prop essential, originally a bit under propped, but have changed to a 15x10 2 blade folder on a Beta 20 and that seems fine. like the sound of the dinghy mounting too.
Had mine from new in 2004 (no. 3) and still love it.
 
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Thanks for all the shared wisdom, below is the list so far

  1. Transom davits and grab handles
  2. Metal fuel tank
  3. Quality water tank
  4. Feathering prop with rope cutter
  5. Upgraded Saloon table & mounting
  6. Upgraded engine and upgraded alternator
  7. 3 x 105ah batteries
  8. Bow protector and roller extension
  9. Copper coat
  10. Shore power
  11. Main sheet track/Traveller
  12. Fridge

Are we missing anything else of substance ? Andy is mainly looking at essential extras that are significantly easier to fit during the build process.

I'm not sure that there is a buyer firmed up yet, Andy's intent was to appeal to a broader audience with an attractive package
 
Not wishing to teach people to suck eggs, but please ensure the bunks / seats in the saloon are built as Rampart intended. The bunk to s'brd for example sticks out a couple of inches further than the wet locker, so that it is wide enough to sit on comfortably, and sleep on at a push. Before buying the boat we did, we looked at an example which had been fitted out by Lauren (SP?) Marine after Rampart went bust, and the bunks were simply too narrow, (and the quality of the interior joinery was, IMO, poor).

Our boat (hull 43, originally called Gina Anne) has a cutlery draw directly under the companion way, which works well. I understand this was an improvement Rampart made part way through production of the 290s, so if you are looking at an earlier model this may not be present. The only downside is I've banged my head on it a few times when working on the engine!

Other little improvements I've done include fitting a gas detector, with the sensor directly under the cooker, fitting a bit of thin ply in the bottom of the locker under the sink, to give a flat surface to stand the bin on, and replacing all the brass skin fittings and sea cocks with DZR ones. Make sure the galley sinks sea cock is easy to operate as it needs to be shut on a beat to avoid filling the galley and fridge with sea water.

In terms of your list, I'm not sure what the advantages of a metal fuel tank are over a plastic one - I'm sure the plastic one in ours hasn't corroded at all. I'm quite happy with the 2 blade folding prop (which is attached to the upgraded Yanmar 29 HP engine and sail drive), and find there is reasonable drive in reverse. While I fitted a feathering prop to our old S29, I have no wish to do the same to the new on.

3 no 105 Ah batteries seems a little OTT - by all means make sure the domestic batteries are as large as will fit (I think ours are 110 Ah) but a 75 Ah engine start battery will be more than big enough.

I thought shore power and a fridge were standard. Another thing which I thought was standard is a cabin heater. Ours has the upgraded 3 kW Mikuni which works well, and the Admiral particularly likes the vent into the back cabin, which gets her bed toasty and warm. I think Mikuni have stopped making diesel fired heaters, so you'll have a choice of Webasto or Eberspacher, neither of which produce a 3 kW heater. I'd have thought that 2 kW would be fine for Spring and Autumn sailing, but you'd want a 4 kW one for Winter use. Our heater is located in the cockpit locker, which is fine but a) its a bit vulnerable to damage and b) there's a risk of melting fenders on the exhaust. Boxing the heater / exhaust in is on my jobs list for this winter.

Thinking of the cockpit locker, it's a huge space, and could do with a bit of organising, but we manage to fit the dinghy, outboard etc, kedge anchor, lots of warps, 8 large fenders, hose, shore power cable etc in there. The previous owner had a light fitted in there which is useful when trying to find stuff in the dark.

Finally, while not mentioned in your list, an anchor windlass is a very nice to have, and easier to fit in the build process.
 
DaveyG said:
Thanks for all the shared wisdom, below is the list so far

  1. Transom davits and grab handles
  2. Metal fuel tank
  3. Quality water tank
  4. Feathering prop with rope cutter
  5. Upgraded Saloon table & mounting
  6. Upgraded engine and upgraded alternator
  7. 3 x 105ah batteries
  8. Bow protector and roller extension
  9. Copper coat
  10. Shore power
  11. Main sheet track/Traveller
  12. Fridge

Are we missing anything else of substance ? Andy is mainly looking at essential extras that are significantly easier to fit during the build process.

I'm not sure that there is a buyer firmed up yet, Andy's intent was to appeal to a broader audience with an attractive package
Click to expand...

Your list is pretty much the same spec as my Bavaria 33 except the traveller as I have inmast. You will find that large battery capacity with a dedicated start and minimum 250AH house is a standard fitment on most boats (I have 280 plus another 95 for the bowthruster). Shorepower plus charger is standard as is fridge. Electric windlass, decent anchor and chain plus a self launching bow roller.

Don't follow the argument for metal tanks. Plastic are far superior, but might be a bit more expensive as they will have to be custom made - Tek Tanks may already have the specs for them. The 30hp engine is not really necessary, but if doing it fit either a Yanmar or a Volvo as there is a better choice of folding props with them. Not sure about the Yanmar but the Volvo has a 105A alternator which is more than enough for the battery capacity envisaged.

Worth considering the electronic package right from the start as it is much easier to install the backbone and hidden boxes early on. Same with pressure and hot water system and LED interior lights.

Would leave the decision on Coppercoat to the buyer.

It is a real challenge building a one off with all the desirable gear at a sensible price. My slightly bigger Bav 33 with all the gear discussed here including the upgrade interior would be about £115k today with Coppercoat. Not suggesting they are directly comparable as boats, but to illustrate how much value there is in mass produced boats that makes it hard to compete .
 
're Plastic Tank. Plastic tanks might be better for avoiding condensation which causes fuel problems. Ramparts fitted an Italian made plastic tank which had a small brass gauze filter in the banjo union connection. Remove it ! It has caused many fuel blockages from bits of crap from within the tank e.g. sealant from the heater connection. Rampart fitted water separator/filter units just down stream of the tank so better filtration.
I have 3x 100ah house batteries & 80ah engine wouldn't want less.
Have just designed & fitted bow roller extension incorporating articulating rollers. Self launching & recovery with windlass. Can't send photos on forum but if you pm me your e-mail could manage that. Better still visit me at Marchwood YC
Re Cabin berth width,am considering sliding additional plywood with legs. Slide out say 150mm when required would need additional cushion infill.
 
Hi, a very interesting discussion as most of the Sadler 290's are around 10 years old so will be at the age when things are wearing out and being replaced. I believe that the deck for the boat under construction might have belonged to me once, the hull was number 46 and that was eventually destroyed at Hillyard's yard in the fire but the deck was stored separately and a couple of the hulls were saved.
I have ended up buying boat number 27 five years ago when it was five years old which had almost exactly the spec that I was previously having built. Recommendations would be for large genoa winches (which may already be fitted to that deck), a bow sprit for a cruising chute. I have just fitted a spinnaker pole on a permanant track on the front of the mast as the cruising chute and genoa need to be poled out sometimes. I've thought about a traveller and discussed it with the rigger when I was recently having the standing rigging renewed, I'll probably do that in the future. The cabin table is a pain, I've thought about a quick release system, when sleeping on the cabin berths I remove the back cusions which just about give enough width. One important point is a music system and speakers, It's much easier to instal at the built stage.
The fuel tank is a bit on the small side at 60l as I have the 29hp Yanmar, I get round the problem with spare fuel cans in the locker. I have replaced the water tank once already, I think it was leaking due to frost damage prior to me buying the boat so a solid one might be better. A holding tank would also be useful for the European inland waterways, there should be room but it might require a redesign of the heads although there is a useful locker port side in the forecabin. Much of the other stuff can be fitted by the new Owner or upgraded later.
Sadler 290 "Lottie"
 
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