Sadler 34 - any horror stories

[john_travers]

The Sadler 34 seems to offer most things I am looking for. Does anyone know if circa 1985 Sadlers ( Bukh DV20) has any real horror stories. I have heard much about water ingress to the foam core and the subsequent repair costs. Are they prone to osmosis etc?
Any advice much appriciated.

 

[Sammy]

Ive had mine from 1989 and we have been looking to update fore several years, every boat we try just dosn't seem to come up to scratch especially when it gets a bit rough.
The double skin is not as much as a problem as some people make out and has a lot of advantages.
The rear lower atachment points have given problem on some boats that have been sailed very hard all their life but still not a major problem.
The Bukh 20 is a great engine but again some have been giving some problems the better engine is the 3 cyl types around the 28 HP which has a bit more grunt.
Have a look at the Sadler Association Forum on the Mike Lucas Yachting Website there are some good threads on these subjects.
www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk
Good luck if you do get hold of one I am fairly sure you won't regret it, but each to thier own.
Chris

 

[vyv_cox]

Mine is a 1985 model, owned for 6 years. The deck has had a "creak" since I have owned the boat but this has never turned into anything to give concern. No foam problems at all, quite the opposite, it is probably one of the best features to have on a boat. Some stress cracking in the decks around stanchion bases but not serious. Bukh 20 is underpowered for the boat but mine was always reliable until I changed it last year.

A super boat, very difficult to find better at twice the price.

 

[vyv_cox]

Should have said, re osmosis, mine had high hull water content in 1992 and was epoxy coated at that time. The boat has been in the fresh water for the past 5 years non-stop, except for a few days per year for antifouling. We now have minor "pox" but not enough to warrant spending a lot of money. I am ashore this winter, hopefully to dry to some extent, and will re-Gelshield next spring. I have heard of other 34s of this age that had osmosis problems, so it's worth being extra careful. After 1989(?) improved resins were used so osmosis should be less of a problem.

 

[iainmillett]

I'v sailed a friends Sadler 34 for some years.

Agree that the 28hp engine is far better if you can get one. Sailing qualities are very good - a fast boat though.

This boat was epoxied last year - buy one already done if possible. Most boats suffer from osmosis after a time unless they have been regularly craned ashore.

I'd buy one myself but feel that at 34ft they need a decent crew eg a competent man and wife team. Mine comes along but is limited to the more domestic side of things!

 

[john]

Ive had a s34 for just about a year, after researching various alternatives for over two years. - I've little but praise for the boat excellent sailing and practical accomodation with a good deck layout. Inside, the galley area is best I've seen on a boat of this size and seating/sleeping areas very comfortable.
Unsinkable feature of double skin reassuring (esp. when we were mid north sea on a dark night a few weeks ago) and it has good acoustic and insulating properties. A good surveyor will spot any problems. My 1984 model has just gone in for epoxy treatment. I don't consider that bad for a seventeen year old boat. I have never felt the Bukh 20 to be underpowered. My advice - buy and enjoy!

 

[charles_reed]

Excellent, if slightly wet-to-windward boats.

All the Sadlers tend to suffer from deck delamination and problems with stanchion bases, but I've not heard about delamination of the foam-filled hull/interior mouldings.

Osmosis is a general problem with boats, kept in the water, over about 10 years old though those with isopthalic resin lay-ups tend to be less prone to the disease.
Sadlers changed to this in early 1980, I believe.
Generally one of the better finished British mass-production boats with QC streets ahead of Westerly - perhaps something to do with the boss walking the shop-floor?

 

[john_travers]

Many thanks to all for the advice.