Seawolf 26, hot or not?

[Dyflin]

A friend of mine is interested in the seawolf 26 but we can find little info on them other than what's at the owners assoc' website.

Are they any good and what is the headroom and layout like (looks different with a few models?). Room to move around on deck? Tender or stiff, the usual questions /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good investment or...?

 

[seumask]

I've kept an eye on a bilge keel one that moors in our harbour and it genrally looks like a competent 26 footer, fast, and a good boat for a family on a budget. We met the owner with family (wife and 2 5 year old girls)on it in newtown creek this year and he was very pleased with it finding it hard to justify getting another boat as it sailed very well and met all their needs pretty well. I belive it was the later version with more head room

 

[Dipper]

I’ve had a fin keel Seawolf 26 for the last 13 years and love it!

David Feltham originally designed and built the first one for his own use which was mainly for racing. The early versions like mine had a low coachroof (without full standing headroom) and a smaller rig. Later versions had standing headroom, a taller rig and larger mainsail but were more prone to weather helm.

Despite their racy looks (mine is often confused with a GK24) they are strongly built. The internal layout can vary as many were home completed.

There have been several articles in the yachting press over the years and a few comments are listed below. I think all these tests were carried out on later version boats.

Yachts and Yachting November 1983
“The 26 felt pleasantly stiff for a boat of her size.”

Yachting Monthly July 1995
“Stiff, quick and predictable although heavy on the helm in some conditions, the Seawolf is a good seaboat.”

Rodger Witt – not sure which magazine
“I took her out in a gusty Force 6 and was highly impressed with her stiffness, her easy going gait, and her ability to point. And remember, this was the twin keeled version.”

Practical Boat Owner October 1989
“In all, a very pleasant boat to sail.”


Send me a PM with your email address if you want to see these articles in greater detail.

 

[savageseadog]

Very sound boat heavily and strongly built, large sail area for size.

 

[ebbtide]

Several around here, imported when Opal were Yachting France agents. David Feltham came and spoke double Dutch to our club, but there was no doubt he was committed to designing a twin-keeler that sailed well. I subsequently shared a 30 which often brought home the chocolates having the performance of a shallow fin. Interior finish was pretty naff tho.