Shipmate Senior

[Guest]

Has anyone got information on the Shipmate Senior ?
I am looking for a small trailer sailer & have seen one advertised but I know nothing about them.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G’day Tim.
Ran a search and found this, you could try the URL listed below; I see they have a shipmate senior sailing in their club. Perhaps you can contact the owner through the club.

http://www.chanonry.org.uk/Sailing/whatwesail.htm

Avagoodweekend Old Salt Oz……

 

[oldharry]

Extract from 'Boat World Guide - Sailing Cruisers under £4500' published 1978:

SHIPMATE SENIOR Built by Small Craft (Blockley) Ltd
Designer Norman Howard
LOA 16'3" LWL 14'2" BEAM 6'3" DR Keel up 11.5" down 3'6", WEIGHT 750lbs (340Kgs) Ballast 165lbs (75Kgs)

Sail area: 104 Sq ft (9.66 smetres) Main: 74sf (6.87sm) Jib: 30sf (2.79 sm) Genoa 46sf (4.28sm)

Accomodation: Good sitting headroom, 2 adult berths + 1 teenager berth (!)

Builders comments: Although only a little over 16 feet she has berths for 2 adults , a toilet, and a surprising amount of stowage space. Her cabin is light and airy, and there is ample sitting headroom. Anchor work and sail handling can be done from the forehatch. Her cockpit is water tight, and can readily be made self draining by the addition of a pair of self bailers. An optional genoa is available for light weather use, and for those interested in fast pasage making "Shipmate Senior" is officially approved by the SBBNF for coastal waters.

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You will realise from these specs that she is 3/4 rigged, and at 750lbs displacement comes in the category of a 'dinghy with a lid'. However, my limited knowledge of these suggests that she is one of the better ones. One was up for sale last year in our local yard, and was bought by a 78 year old, who appeared to be in denial mode about his age. He took her out immediately in a F7, without even bothering to reef: the result was spectacular to say the least, and he eventually returned white faced and shaking.

He was met by the previous owner who had been watching with mounting dismay and offered old Tom his cheque back, suggesting he didnt really think thats the kind of boat Tom was looking for.

Tom said nothing, pocketed his cheque and just walked away. Next we heard he had bought a hefty little old gaffer with a rotten bottom just down the coast..... but 9 months later still hasnt had the nerve to go out in it!


Nevertheless the SMS has a good reputation with a modicum of common sense, and my little story actually highlights the fact that these boats will tolerate being pushed well beyond the limits of sanity for a 16 footer, and still get you back in one piece!

 

[blue_anchor]

hi,sailing a privateer,same hull,designer,constructor..fine boat,if drop keel,drop &check for play,some clunking is permissable,i bushed mine(not in the original design)and its brilliant..there is an owners club for shipmates,search through the trailer sailer assn..regards