Saltram Saga 40 in light winds - how do they go?

[elenya]

Hi

We own a Saga 40, Elenya, and have had her for about 20 years. You can see some of the sailing we have done on her at www.yachtelenya.blogspot.com.

With regard sailing the design is not slow off the wind. Yes we tend to sail in areas with lots of wind but even on light days we manage ok. Average speeds for us would be 6 knots over most of our passages. We can sail happily at 8, had her up to 12 and spent many hours going nowhere. This is all ‘off the wind’ by which I mean a close reach or further off the wind. Close hauled we will slow to 5 and tack through about 90 degrees, and make reasonable leeway.

The rig is low aspect ratio so does not have a massive high wing shape drive of most modern boats but this does help to keep sail area low. Off wind the mast height is less important. The cutter rig is great.

Light wind performance is not sparking but again off the wind the displacement helps cary way in flukey light winds. Good sail shape helps and once she is in a groove she keeps on going.

Sailing two up in the areas we sail having a seaworthy bullet proof design that can easily look after us suits us. I would go for a test sail or try a similar style of boat before you buy.

Everyone who has sailed with us is impressed with her performance off the wind. Even our friend with his sunfast 36 could not believe it when we accelerated away from him down wind in light airs.

Do not forget this boat is only 32 feet on the waterline.

Hope this helps

Regards

 

[doug748]

Thanks for the feedback. The boat I am looking at is in Malaysia:
Saltram 40 for sale | Malaysia | Seaspray Yacht Sales Langkawi

It appears to be in good shape. New sails, and new rigging in 2015 (not used until 2017).

Yes, even get a Read's sewing machine thrown in! Looks to be a very good example.

The Skentleberys put a lot of love into those boats. I recall John Skentlebery use to race the 31, Symphonietta around the cans on Friday nights, back then. In the right conditions, it thundered on in the grand manner. He would have cut most boats in half had there been a coming together. ... ;- )

Good luck with the search, tell us how you get on.

.

 

[roaringgirl]

If you're considering a circumnavigation, have you thought about how much will involve sailing upwind in light airs?

 

[Carib]

For what it's worth, Yachting Monthly's 1995 'Blue Water Dream Boats' article (I have a well-thumbed copy!) says "The drawback with Colin Archers and many of their derivatives is that they are often quite slow, but the Saltrams do not conform to this stereotype. Though no ocean greyhounds, they can keep up respectable passage terms considering their healthy displacements, and they do conform to the other side of the Colin Archer coin: good seakeeping ability, a stiff and dry ride, and a well-balanced hull form which gives vice-free handling and good directional stability." It adds "build quality is high".

To my eye, they are really attractive boats. I've admired the one on the Hamble. Comfort at sea would be very good, and a reassuring boat to be on. All that deck space too...!