Sadler 290

[NigelCraig]

Noticed a Sadler 290 appeared among the moorings in Lyme Regis harbour. It doesn't look anything like any of the other Sadlers I can think of, e.g. 25,26,29, with a very high volume hull, almost straigh stem, high freeboard and extremely broad (compared to aforementioned) in the stern with a door in the transom. Is this a post Barracuda 45 design shift or not designed by a Sadler?

 

[TimBennet]

Stephen Jones design and most built be Rampart Yachts before their demise.

In the same family as the Sadler 340.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Noticed a Sadler 290 appeared among the moorings in Lyme Regis harbour. It doesn't look anything like any of the other Sadlers I can think of, e.g. 25,26,29, with a very high volume hull, almost straigh stem, high freeboard and extremely broad (compared to aforementioned) in the stern with a door in the transom. Is this a post Barracuda 45 design shift or not designed by a Sadler?

It's the new Sadler which was launched (to the market!) about 7 or 8 years ago. It was a nice boat had very good reports at the time but, sadly, the company folded after a few years.
We looked at one at the boat show. Very nice; we were very tempted.
IIRC the base model cost something like £54k, but there were so many options to go for that most probably cost around £70 or £80k.

 

[Tranona]

Stephen Jones design and most built be Rampart Yachts before their demise.

In the same family as the Sadler 340.

Which never got built.

 

[dt4134]

As said above, a modern Stephen Jones design.

Spent half an hour chatting to the owner of one a couple of years ago and he thought it was the bee's knees. Bilge keeler with lead keels and quite a performance hull design.

 

[savageseadog]

If it were a Stephen Jones design it would be a decent fast boat that sails well.

 

[Seven Spades]

It was a tragic story. Universally praised boat but underpriced by the builder. Then whilst the business was being wound up the yard caught fire destroying the moulds etc. Without a doubt someone would have been making these boats today if the moulds had not been destroyed.

 

[Habebty]

And here is a gratuitous pic of mine

Had it from new 8 years and still love it

 

[sailorman]

And here is a gratuitous pic of mine

Had it from new 8 years and still love it

NO ITS MY PHOTO INIT

 

[Habebty]

Oh yeah....... Photo credit to Sailorman

 

[sailorman]

Oh yeah....... Photo credit to Sailorman

Normally its stated as
"Photo By kind permission"

 

[snooks]

Without a doubt someone would have been making these boats today if the moulds had not been destroyed.

Are you sure about the moulds? I spoke to Andy Middleton, who built 3 sadler 32s recently (last one looks great, and is being internally finished off). I thought he said he had the moulds for the 290 and that was his next project.

If anyone wants a new bilge keeled Sadler 32 he's selling it.

 

[fastjedi]

Are you sure about the moulds? I spoke to Andy Middleton, who built 3 sadler 32s recently (last one looks great, and is being internally finished off). I thought he said he had the moulds for the 290 and that was his next project.

If anyone wants a new bilge keeled Sadler 32 he's selling it.

Great boat! The moulds did survive two very badly run companies, a string of disreputable directors and a fire ... unlike my life savings! We would rather not see any more afloat as we still feel sick whenever we see one on the water.

 

[Georgio]

Good news if the moulds did survive as there seems to be lots of praise for the design and many happy owners. Also it seems to fit a bit of a gap in the market. What a shame that the builders struggles to make the business a sucess.

 

[NigelCraig]

Are you sure about the moulds? I spoke to Andy Middleton, who built 3 sadler 32s recently (last one looks great, and is being internally finished off). I thought he said he had the moulds for the 290 and that was his next project.

If anyone wants a new bilge keeled Sadler 32 he's selling it.

I remember seeing a few Sadler 32s in Greece in the 80s - wasn't sure about that very tapered stern profile which seems polar opposite of todays design orthodoxy - would that be a problem in a following sea, or is it not as extreme below the waterline?

 

[snooks]

I remember seeing a few Sadler 32s in Greece in the 80s - wasn't sure about that very tapered stern profile which seems polar opposite of todays design orthodoxy - would that be a problem in a following sea, or is it not as extreme below the waterline?

Modern boats with big bums are made with internal space aft in mind. As they heal over in a gust the top part of the rudder can be lifted out of the water, the rudder looses grip and the boat can spin out.

As the 32 (and many other older - rule exploiting designs) heal the waterline length extends and the theoretical hull speed also increases (probably to around the waterline length of modern boats with vertical bows ) so instead of loosing grip, they just accelerate, leaving a big stern wake

The trade off of course is the lack of an aft cabin and internal volume, and where there are two berth now, back when the S32 was designed you'll just find a pilot berth.

Going dead down wind can also be interesting, and is best avoided in a running sea, the lack of buoyancy makes the rear end less stable. But this isn't an issue in reality as sailing 120-130º off the wind will get you where you're going faster, is much more stable and great, great fun

 

[NigelCraig]

Modern boats with big bums are made with internal space aft in mind. As they heal over in a gust the top part of the rudder can be lifted out of the water, the rudder looses grip and the boat can spin out.

As the 32 (and many other older - rule exploiting designs) heal the waterline length extends and the theoretical hull speed also increases (probably to around the waterline length of modern boats with vertical bows ) so instead of loosing grip, they just accelerate, leaving a big stern wake

The trade off of course is the lack of an aft cabin and internal volume, and where there are two berth now, back when the S32 was designed you'll just find a pilot berth.

Going dead down wind can also be interesting, and is best avoided in a running sea, the lack of buoyancy makes the rear end less stable. But this isn't an issue in reality as sailing 120-130º off the wind will get you where you're going faster, is much more stable and great, great fun

I suppose there are some advantages of a big butt such as speed downwind and initial form stability - I wonder is it possible to combine that with a high vanishing stability rating?

I guess the rudder issue is why some boats have twin rudders (apart from the need to dry out, as in Southerly)

The Sadler 290 design lwould have some merit in that heeled over one of the twin keels would be near vertical?

 

[dt4134]

I suppose there are some advantages of a big butt such as speed downwind and initial form stability - I wonder is it possible to combine that with a high vanishing stability rating?

The Sadler 290 also has a lot of ballast in the lead keels so isn't dependent upon form stability. I've heard that the price of lead had a fair bit to do with the builder's demise.

 

[Habebty]

The Sadler 290 also has a lot of ballast in the lead keels so isn't dependent upon form stability. I've heard that the price of lead had a fair bit to do with the builder's demise.

Ballast ratio is 48% and for what its worth cat A ocean. Displaces over 5000kg. Has a very high AVS which escapes me at the mo.

 

[The Third Man]

It is not correct to say that the moulds were destroyed in the fire. They survived it and were in Hilyards premises when Hilyards in turn went under. That said I do not know whether they still exist but I see no reason why they would not still be around somewhere.