Seafarer 18

[pij27]

I have just been given a Seafarer 18, and I am trying to find some information about her. I know she was built by Small Craft, Blue Hulls Limited, as I have found the plate on the transom. She is a day boat with a small covered cuddly, with a lifting keel. I know from the person who her that she sails ok without the lifting centreplate down, but would like to know how to free this, as it appears to be stuck and no idea how it should be rigged.
Any help of guidance would be appreciated.

 

[Romeo]

Photographs would help, but I would think you need the centreplate to have any performance to windward.

Previous thread here.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?1035-seafarer-18&

.... and I wonder if you might be better posting the query on the PBO forum rather than here. Bigger audience of folk who muck about with boats like that, probably.

 

[LittleSister]

.... and I wonder if you might be better posting the query on the PBO forum rather than here. Bigger audience of folk who muck about with boats like that, probably.

+1

But in the meantime, Smallcraft tended to build fairly simple boats, so I doubt there's anything particular complicated that could be jamming the centre plate up - such centre plates will often get jammed by a small stone getting wedged in between the plate and the case when the boat's grounded. It will sail much better, and be more stable, with it down.

I assume it is the same as, or related to, the Seafarer 575, of which the Hoskyn's A-Z Good Yacht guide said
"18' 11" length x 7'1" beam x 3'6" draft (fin keel) or 4'11"(lift keel down). Outboard engine. Very similar to Sailfish 18 and Sandpiper 565, by the same designer [Leo da Costa], but built by Smallcraft Ltd. at a slightly later date [probably mid-late 70s]. Lift keel version is easily trailerable."

There was a smaller version, the 15'3" Seafarer 465.

 

[RichardSFord]

Hi there, I was also about to remove the center plate from my boat on my own, but doing this would have been the difficulty thus I came out to a conclusion to take it to a professional. And then I got to know that the center plate was heavily rusted and we decided to replace the whole center plate but dropped the idea and went with cheaper option. The professional suggested me to paint with Galvafroid the the center plate was not so heavily corrosive. You may also seek the advice from such pro in your area.

 

[pij27]

thanks. sounds like should have it looked at and from that inspection work out a way forward