She 31 Traveller does anyone know or sail one of these?

[Windway]

I am in the market for a new boat and am looking to downsize to something around 30 feet. When I was a wee thing and racing I was the navigator tactician on a SHE31B and always liked the boat. I have seen a SHE31 Traveller for sale locally and wanted to ask if anyone knows this version of the SHE31 and if they sail as well as their IOR sister? Looking at the brokers particulars I like the look of the slight higher coachroof and with it the additional headroom and a more cruising orientated layout down below.
My sailing area is Irish Sea, SW Ireland, Scottish Islands, Faeroe, Shetlands, Norway and Sweden. I welcome your comments.

 

[earlybird]

I owned a Traveller for several years up to 2004. A good sailor & close winded, if a bit wet. Also somewhat rolly down-wind, needs a goodish breeze to start showing its pedigree and a bit hard-mouthed on a fast broad reach. Small down below compared with more modern designs, and less form stability due to relatively small beam.
Well built, mine had no structural issues, but watch the balsa-cored deck, bearing in mind they're nearly 50 years old now.
I didn't cruise as far as you intend, but it's a go-anywhere boat.

 

[Georgio]

SNIP... a bit hard-mouthed on a fast broad reach.

Sorry for the thread drift but what does that mean?

 

[earlybird]

Sorry for the thread drift but what does that mean?

Perhaps not a very nautical expression, more horse-riding!
I meant to imply that under those conditions, a two-sail broad reach with a good swell under the quarter, then a very firm hand on the tiller is needed.
The rudder has no balance area, probably making the loads bigger than some other designs.
Maybe time to take in a reef.
Under most points of sail, and most conditions the SHE 31 is a delight to steer but, in my experience, the helm cannot be left for any length of time.

 

[jwilson]

Perhaps not a very nautical expression, more horse-riding!
I meant to imply that under those conditions, a two-sail broad reach with a good swell under the quarter, then a very firm hand on the tiller is needed.
The rudder has no balance area, probably making the loads bigger than some other designs.
Maybe time to take in a reef.
Under most points of sail, and most conditions the SHE 31 is a delight to steer but, in my experience, the helm cannot be left for any length of time.

Hard-mouthed is very much a nautical expression, for many many years, though certainly originally derived from horse-riding. Means a lot of weather helm pressure on the tiller when driven hard.

AFAIK all the She 31s, 31Bs and Travellers have the same underbody (and probably rig), but the Traveller has higher topsides and a bigger coachroof. The Traveller later morphed into the Delta 95 after She went out of business.

Have not sailed a 31, but they have a very good reputation: if they are even half as good to sail as a She 36 that means very good indeed.

 

[Georgio]

Thanks for the explanation, I admit I googled it after I posted and got much the same answer. Been sailing (but not horse-riding) all my life and not heard that one before.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for the explanation, I admit I googled it after I posted and got much the same answer. Been sailing (but not horse-riding) all my life and not heard that one before.

You ought to read some of Maurice Griffiths' early books. It was a term he used to describe the behaviour of many of the over canvassed shallow draft boats he sailed in the 20's and 30's. Tiller lines were part of the standard kit for helming such boats in a breeze!

 

[jwilson]

You ought to read some of Maurice Griffiths' early books. It was a term he used to describe the behaviour of many of the over canvassed shallow draft boats he sailed in the 20's and 30's. Tiller lines were part of the standard kit for helming such boats in a breeze!

Yes, once sailed on a very old cutter that had tiller lines with blocks to give 2:1 power to pull the tiller to windward.

 

[rob2]

I've no personal experience of the SHE, although I know someone who sails one and we compared notes about how the Varne design differs (apart from being a little shorter). It's a type of design that I like, obviously, having the veed hull shape offering good seakeeping and directional stability but the fin &skeg reducing drag compared with earlier full keel types.

There are some indicative comments on the Sparkman & Stevens site - in the guise of the SHE and the IW31, both from the same hull design. Perhaps a wet boat, as she'll cut through any waves, but goes like a demon to windward. The Varne is much drier as the bow knuckle acts as a spray deflector.

http://sparkmanstephens.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/more-about-design-1899-she-31.html
http://sparkmanstephens.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/design-1899-iw-31-class.html

Rob.