Seamaster 925

[Aeolus]

Maybe not the most interesting thread on the forum but these are boring times

How many people on the forum have a Seamaster 925 boat, where are you moored, how long have you had your boat, what do you like most about it and what do you like least?

Moi:
Where: Itchenor Reach (Chichester Harbour, southern UK),
How long: 15 years,
Like: easy to handle, comfortable and well sized cabin (I usually sail single-handed), she can cope with much more weather than I can, pleasing lines
Least like: not enough space topside to permanently fit solar panels

Jonathan

 

[fredrussell]

Not a boat I was familiar with so I’ve just been looking at a nice (archive) example on yachtsnet. Very little not to like there. Lovely lines especially.

 

[tjbrace]

Never had one but I think they are lovely looking ship. There is well looked after example in Bradwell marina/creek in Essex and also 2 neglected/abandoned ones in Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

 

[Aeolus]

Never had one but I think they are lovely looking ship. There is well looked after example in Bradwell marina/creek in Essex and also 2 neglected/abandoned ones in Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

Sad that some have been abandoned - they are lovely boats, but limited media coverage means many people haven't heard of them, hence low prices/lack of demand.

 

[Crinan12]

Where: Crinan moorings
How long: 2 years
Like: just delighted to have a boat. I dont know much about boats and how they sail so it's hard to say. We have only been out once in rough weather but the boat just bashed through the waves no problem. I was surprised. Not sure if all boats that size do that or not. The cockpit locker seems big. The anchor locker just fits the new anchor I bought. Was happy with that!
I think they are nice looking boats.
Least like: sometimes I wish I'd bought a boat just a foot or so bigger with an aft cabin. Access to the coolbox is a pain.

 

[jwilson]

I am a serious fan of the looks, performance and handling of almost all Holman and Pye designs, also of most S&S designs of the same era. Only downsides are the narrow sterns mean no double aft cabins, and most have big genoas so short-tacking can be hard graft. The finest of the lot is the S&S She 36, though you can get similar size and most of the performance for third of the price with a UFO34. Not quite the near-perfection of handling of a She 36, but a very capable boat for little money these days. Many "modern" sailors have never met the sweetness of handling under sail of some of these older boats: they expect to have to reef for the gusts and fight the helm if you briefly heel a bit more.

 

[Sadlerfin]

When I bought my first boat 21 years ago I narrowed it down to a Seamaster 925 or a Sadler 29. In the end I bought a Sadler and never looked back, however, I made an offer on a lovely 925 that had sailed round the UK moored in Gosport I went in too low and lost it to another buyer.
Every time I see one I think what if??

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I am a serious fan of the looks, performance and handling of almost all Holman and Pye designs, also of most S&S designs of the same era.

One difference, is that Don Pye was very happy to offset settees to fit everything in below. Lots of designers did it in boats less than 28ft or so, but I've seen some Pye 35footers with it.

I find it makes the interiors 'confusing' and somehow diminishes the social interacting as some people are sat facing bulkheads etc. I was discussing this with Olin Stephens and he agreed and said he would do everything possible to ensure the symmetry in the settees and main bulkhead below, even if some builders went on to do their own thing as they knew better.

 

[V1701]

I've been slowly showing my marina neighbours how to sail theirs and I like it - roomy, well mannered, quite a bit heavier and easier to manage than my first boat which was a 1989 Jeanneau of identical size...

 

[James W]

Owned one for a couple of years. Beautiful lines, solid as a rock and, if space hadn’t become an issue, all you would ever need in a boat.

 

[johnalison]

One difference, is that Don Pye was very happy to offset settees to fit everything in below. Lots of designers did it in boats less than 28ft or so, but I've seen some Pye 35footers with it.

I find it makes the interiors 'confusing' and somehow diminishes the social interacting as some people are sat facing bulkheads etc. I was discussing this with Olin Stephens and he agreed and said he would do everything possible to ensure the symmetry in the settees and main bulkhead below, even if some builders went on to do their own thing as they knew better.

I accuse you of gross name-dropping, and have to confess to be unduly impressed, to the point of being willing to grovel. Although I agree that a symmetrical saloon layout has its own beauty, we have found our current HR and previous Sadler 29 to be quite practical. I have not been aboard a Seamaster but have seen them on the water. I don't think they are as elegant as the best of H&P, being a bit dumpy and with an odd coachroof, but I'm sure they are sound boats, though they came a little early for the more modern designs, such as the brilliant Sadler 290.

 

[nova_castria]

had one great boats …. but drawn to up size