ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Which is best in the bilge keel versions?
Last edited:
Sadler or Moody 29?
- Thread starter ghostlymoron
- Start date
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Better for what?
Windward ability nothing to choose, off the wind the Moody is faster and has far more internal space.
Mavis
Well-Known Member
Sorry, i do not agree. My mate had a moody 29 and we would out sail him on every point.
Scomber
Well-Known Member
sadler 29 prettier
and warmer (no condensation)
and quieter down below
just my opinion
and warmer (no condensation)
and quieter down below
just my opinion
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
The Sadler on handicap should be about 5% faster but thats a surprising figure since its a pretty slow boat - I'm racing one at the moment and the skipper is quite competent. Its a good sea boat though and we do really well in the races once the wind gets over 20kn. Narrow sloping side decks.
RobBrown
Well-Known Member
Well I'm biased because I've got a Moody 29 (tho Fin), but I purchased one in preference to a Sadler 29, Konsort, Mirage & a no of other similar size/age boats, when at the start of the process I had no ownership axe to grind. Agree with Charles Reed that the space available vastly better. Sailing performance not exceptionally different.
My 2d worth
My 2d worth
Last edited:
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your responses.
Rob B, sadler and moody are comparable in price, mirage is much cheaper.
Rob B, sadler and moody are comparable in price, mirage is much cheaper.
Jim@sea
Well-Known Member
Would the Moody not hold its price better
Neil_Y
Well-Known Member
With the Sadlers many may now be needing re wiring, or replacement log/depth systems, this is a bitch of a job due to the internal mouldings. DIY it's a difficult job and paying someone will probably work out costly. Also take a good look at the deck for soft patches where water has got into the core.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
I had a Sadler 29 b-k when a mate of mine had a Moody 29 b-k.
Moody was considerably better to windward in anything over 20kn. Sadler faster at lower windspeeds, very much so in light airs.
Sadler quieter/drier below as already mentioned.
More internal space in Moody, because of Sadler internal mouldings.
As a sailing boat I still think the Sadler was better.
Moody was considerably better to windward in anything over 20kn. Sadler faster at lower windspeeds, very much so in light airs.
Sadler quieter/drier below as already mentioned.
More internal space in Moody, because of Sadler internal mouldings.
As a sailing boat I still think the Sadler was better.
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
It's fascinating to read other people's experiences. My experience is almost the complete opposite. The several Sadler 29 bilgies we had in the club always performed better than the moody 29 that we have once the wind got up but were useless and invariably at the back of the fleet when the wind was light. The last few weeks have again confirmed this - the Sadler getting 2nd in a mixed fleet with 20 kn or more and then the next week with 5 to 10 knots coming in seventh. Why my experience should be so different to yours I do not know.
In the final analysis I put my faith in PY handicaps as a measure. Comparisons whilst just day sailing alongside a pal arent really valid. Racing is where you find out the differences.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
You're right, of course. On reflection, in the one bit of racing we used to do each year, we usually did pretty well overall if it blew a bit and less so in light airs. That one M29 we knew did stamp upwind really well in a blow, well reefed down, a much stiffer boat that the Sadler, it seemed to me. And the Sadler was a much more responsive boat in the light stuff than, say, our Moody S31, but the latter is a fair bit heavier for one thing, and has flatter aft sections, so more drag presumably. I really did like the Sadler, only really changed it because I could see end of engine life approaching, and we wanted more space.
But the PY's didn't seem to work at all well anyway, with peoples' results sometimes all over the place according to the conditions. It will be interesting to hear how the new RYA cruiser h'cap system works out, as clubs start to use it.
Last edited:
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I've discounted the Sadler now mainly because of the double skin construction making up-grades more difficult. It's a pity because I think externally the Sadler is better looking and the insulation makes condensation less of a problem. I was not aware of the soggy deck syndrome, I understand that the closed cell insulation material used in their construction will not take up water. The sailing characteristics of the two seem pretty well matched with the Sadler arguably better in light winds but being more 'tender' initially. The Moody seems to have a slightly better galley layout and more storage space although there's not much in it.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
To my mind the double skin construction is the main reason for owning a Sadler, rather than the reason for not owning one. We are currently aboard our single skinned motor sailer in Milford Haven, with the interior running with condensed water vapour. Whereas in our Sadler in the same weather the windows and hatches would be wet, but nothing else. In British winters it's a far better proposition to have full hull insulation.
Yes, having two skins makes some modifications more difficult but by no means impossible. I have added instrumentation, seacocks, holding tank, windlass, heating, changed fresh water hoses, without insurmountable problems.
Yes, having two skins makes some modifications more difficult but by no means impossible. I have added instrumentation, seacocks, holding tank, windlass, heating, changed fresh water hoses, without insurmountable problems.
Crowblack
Well-Known Member
I've owned a double skinned Sadler for ten years or more - It's quieter and warmer than a single skinned boat, suffers no condensation other than on the windows and does not have that unpleasant boaty smell that most other boats suffer from.
As above - I too have added a fresh suit of instruments using the old wires as a mouse drawing through the new wires plus a string mouse just in case I wanted to add others - no problem.
And - - if you're interested in ultimate safety if you knock a hole in it - it won't sink.
As above - I too have added a fresh suit of instruments using the old wires as a mouse drawing through the new wires plus a string mouse just in case I wanted to add others - no problem.
And - - if you're interested in ultimate safety if you knock a hole in it - it won't sink.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Vyv and crowblack, you've made me think again. What about the spongy decks someone mentioned?
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
When I bought my 34 in 1996 there was a creak from one point on the aft deck that the surveyor suggested might be a problem. He advised that it might be a problem and to keep an eye on it. Over the years we did that, and it went away.
There have been discussions here about foam in the decks of Sadler 34s. It appears that the builders may have used several construction methods, some boats have foam throughout between the deck and inner lining, whereas others, including mine and a friend's, have none or very little. If the decks follow the pattern of the hull then the foam and inner skin provide very little strength, the main layup is as strong as it would be without them. The inner skin on the hull is very light and can almost be cut with a sharp knife.
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
I would not necessarily disagree with your choice of boat ( its a 50/50) but with the two issues that seem uppermost in your mind. Spongy decks are bad in any boat and just as likely to be bad in one as another. Balsa sandwich is common in decks and its fine until someone puts a self tapper through the outer skin. The resultant rot can be more difficult to deal with than osmosis so avoid any boat with a spongy deck and carefully check for sponginess before purchase. As for the double skinned interior, yes its a PITA when fitting extra cables but not impossible - a pal has just had his first leccy windlass fiotted to a 29 without any unsightly wires showing. Requires lateral thinking at times. The plus, and its a big one, is the freedom from condensation and dampness in a Sadler.
theoldplucker
Well-Known Member
Sadler 29 & Moddy 29 was on my shortlist. Ended up with a Westerly Merlin which I am pleased with, especially the layout.
Crowblack
Well-Known Member
I've certainly had no problems with the deck on my boat.
Over the years I've wandered up and down many a harbour wall or marina pontoon and talked to Sadler owners 26's 29's and 34's and no one has complained about soggy or springy deck syndrome. Sometimes - someone somewhere heard of problem and the grapevine does the rest and it becomes a complaint of the marque. From my experience it's more rumour than endemic.
As a previous poster said you will look at any second hand boat you want to buy carefully and if does have a problem - move on to look for another - they made enough 29's from about 82 to the mid 90's for there to be a big enough choice to give you one in the right condition.
As Vyv said above the fact that the boat is double skinned is the reason to seek a good one out - the family, especially my wife is much happier in a boat that is unsinkable.
Over the years I've wandered up and down many a harbour wall or marina pontoon and talked to Sadler owners 26's 29's and 34's and no one has complained about soggy or springy deck syndrome. Sometimes - someone somewhere heard of problem and the grapevine does the rest and it becomes a complaint of the marque. From my experience it's more rumour than endemic.
As a previous poster said you will look at any second hand boat you want to buy carefully and if does have a problem - move on to look for another - they made enough 29's from about 82 to the mid 90's for there to be a big enough choice to give you one in the right condition.
As Vyv said above the fact that the boat is double skinned is the reason to seek a good one out - the family, especially my wife is much happier in a boat that is unsinkable.
