Seal 28

[Geoff A]

I cannot find much information about Seal 28 finkeel yachts If there are any owners out there past and present that can tell me the good bad and ugly about them I would like to know. Also if anyone knows what they sail like, I do most of my sailing single handed. Any info will be much appreciated.

 

[neil_s]

I have No 27. Have owned her for 21 years! She was bought as they seemed like a good family boat but family is no longer interested so I sail her by myself Early Seal 28's had lower topsides, shallower draft and a heavier drop keel but look prettier than the later ones. You can recognise later ones by the cove line inscribed in the hull (marking the extended topsides). There is not a lot of headroom over the settees in the early ones. Don't expect the kids to sleep in the aft cabin - mine wouldn't! The Seal 28 is an early wide stern design from Angus Peacock - they want to sail upright and will override you if you don't reef in time but if you pay attention they sail pretty well. As a single hander, I have abandoned the genoa and have a working jib size furling headsail giving much better visibility for very little sacrifice in performance.

 

[Geoff A]

I have No 27. Have owned her for 21 years! She was bought as they seemed like a good family boat but family is no longer interested so I sail her by myself Early Seal 28's had lower topsides, shallower draft and a heavier drop keel but look prettier than the later ones. You can recognise later ones by the cove line inscribed in the hull (marking the extended topsides). There is not a lot of headroom over the settees in the early ones. Don't expect the kids to sleep in the aft cabin - mine wouldn't! The Seal 28 is an early wide stern design from Angus Peacock - they want to sail upright and will override you if you don't reef in time but if you pay attention they sail pretty well. As a single hander, I have abandoned the genoa and have a working jib size furling headsail giving much better visibility for very little sacrifice in performance.

Thank for your reply. The one I am looking is stated as being a 1982 built boat would this be one of the newer built boats, it is also being advertised as a finkeel, do you know if any of the Seal 28 were built with a fixed fin. I have been looking on this site (Home page) Thank you for any help you can give me. Please PM me if you would rather.

 

[neil_s]

Yes - a fixed fin was available. I think a 1982 boat would also be a Mk 2. My boat was built in 1977. I also got the designer's name wrong - he was of course Angus Primrose! I keep my boat on a half tide mooring so the lift keel arrangement suits me, but it's likely a boat with a fixed fin will be a better sailer and perhaps more predictable, too. I suspect that cabin aesthetics dictated the position of the drop keel - it would be better balanced placed further forward. As I hinted in the first reply, the after cabin is a bit of wasted space too, but despite these faults the boat works for me!

 

[Misterbreeze]

Join the Parker Seal Sailing Assoc, only about a tenner and very helpful.
Home page

 

[Geoff A]

Join the Parker Seal Sailing Assoc, only about a tenner and very helpful.
Home page

Thank you. I have already been in contact with them