Samphire 26

[Madhatter]

In the collective wisdom of these here forums is there any knowledge of the Samphire 26 and its quirks and performance ( I am aware of the problems of the "She-Dek" and some that have suffered from osmosis )
Thanks in anticipation.
Derrick

 

[Seajet]

A bit short on the waterline with long overhangs by modern standards and a lot of wetted area so quite slow, but overall a good boat which will look after you; IF you can fund a deep water mooring / marina - might be worth looking at what else you can get for the same money.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Old fashioned layout that restricts useable space. They stay on the market a loooooong time, slow to sail or motor and most will be tired by now. On the plus side I think they're nice looking and reasonably priced. Annual costs of owning a coastal sailer on a swinging mooring is very low.

 

[Seajet]

Lazy Kipper,

where are you then, if deep water mooring costs are ' very low ' ?!

 

[jamesjermain]

Folkboat derivative but chunkier with shorter ends, fuller but shallower keel and thus rather less performance. She has more beam so more space below and a higher coachroof so better headroom. She is a tough coastal cruiser, solidly built and safe. There were and are better designs which are still widely available at very good prices so it may not be a particularly good buy unless it is cheap and in good condition. Compare the Contessa 26, Invicta 26, Folk Dancer, Sabre 27, Nicholson 26, Hurley 27, Halcyon 27 etc.

 

[Slow_boat]

There's a lovely one at our club, bought a year or two ago for something around £10k, an absolute bargain. Won't keep up with the plastic fantastics but very tough and a nice sea motion.
Being long keel, not to good for marina manouvering but do you really want to go to spend your nights in a boat park?
BTW, he keeps it on a drying swinging mooring. She makes her own hole in the mud within a week or two and sits reasonably upright. £110 pa mooring fee.

 

[Madhatter]

Thanks for all your replies, one day I will find my cruising boat

 

[Madhatter]

Folkboat derivative but chunkier with shorter ends, fuller but shallower keel and thus rather less performance. She has more beam so more space below and a higher coachroof so better headroom. She is a tough coastal cruiser, solidly built and safe. There were and are better designs which are still widely available at very good prices so it may not be a particularly good buy unless it is cheap and in good condition. Compare the Contessa 26, Invicta 26, Folk Dancer, Sabre 27, Nicholson 26, Hurley 27, Halcyon 27 etc.

£5000 and looks tidy

 

[LittleSister]

Great boats. Not a greyhound, but not slow either - a strongly built, capable sea boat with a good motion. Nice traditional styled looks, but a lot more room than some of the other similar length long-keelers mentioned. A really good cruising boat - sails better than more caravan like boats of that era, and is much tougher and more comfortable than the sportier boats of that age/size.

They were rather expensive new, so there aren't a lot of them around - even fewer of the Samphire 29 (a stretched version of the 26) and Samphire 23, smaller sister to the 26.

Some have stayed on the market for a long time, others have changed hands quickly. Condition can vary markedly. It's the sort of boat that will appeal very strongly to a relatively limited number of buyers.

Just to mention two Samphire 26s that have changed hands in recent times: One, Limbo, bought in Suffolk a couple of years ago has just arrived in Barbados via the Canaries and Cape Verdes, having set off from Poole last autumn (follow the blog 'Sailing in Limbo' http://sailinginlimbo.blogspot.co.uk/). Another new owner sailed his Samphire 26 from Plymouth to Inverness last October, and recently told me he was "Very pleased with performance of the boat in all sorts of conditions".

Of course, I'll admit bias - we've happily sailed thousands of miles in our Samphire 23, and have now bought a 'refurbishment project' Samphire 26.

If you want any more detailed info on Samphires do PM me, and/or check out the website linked below.

 

[V1701]

£5000 and looks tidy

This one? Does look tidy...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samphire-...ng_Boats_ET&hash=item33800a5b8d#ht_3291wt_953

 

[Madhatter]

Yup thats the fella , and he assures me the deck is good.

This one? Does look tidy...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samphire-...ng_Boats_ET&hash=item33800a5b8d#ht_3291wt_953

 

[Madhatter]

I am tossing up between that one and a Macwester Malin 32', the Mac for its size and equipment but tired, and the Samphire for its looks and condition and I suspect a lot better sailing ability.But with my limited budget ----

 

[V1701]

I am tossing up between that one and a Macwester Malin 32', the Mac for its size and equipment but tired, and the Samphire for its looks and condition and I suspect a lot better sailing ability.But with my limited budget ----

Very different boats though, can easily see the attraction of the Samphire but struggling a bit with the Macwester - if the reserve on that is anywhere near the £10k buy it now price I think you could do better. Good luck though...

 

[V1701]

I am tossing up between that one and a Macwester Malin 32', the Mac for its size and equipment but tired, and the Samphire for its looks and condition and I suspect a lot better sailing ability.But with my limited budget ----

Very different boats though, can easily see the attraction of the Samphire but struggling a bit with the Macwester - if the reserve on that is anywhere near the £10k buy it now price I think you could do better. Good luck though...

 

[Madhatter]

Very different boats though, can easily see the attraction of the Samphire but struggling a bit with the Macwester - if the reserve on that is anywhere near the £10k buy it now price I think you could do better. Good luck though...

Yea what I figured as well £6k would be ok but any more than that -- well.
Its the aft cabin that I need for long term cruising and it has a lot of kit with it

 

[oldbilbo]

This one? Does look tidy...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samphire-...ng_Boats_ET&hash=item33800a5b8d#ht_3291wt_953

Certainly does. She'd look rather better away from Dover.... perhaps Minehead.

 

[oldbilbo]

Its the aft cabin that I need for long term cruising....

Ah! What one revered PBO Editor called a 'fornicatorium'....

 

[Madhatter]

Well that's all gone tits up so still looking

 

[sailorman]

Well that's all gone tits up so still looking

sorry to hear that.
up & onwards

 

[Madhatter]

Albin Vega 27 now looking a possible candidate