Should I buy a Snapdragon 890?

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The header says it all. My Tornado 31 was beached last week and landed on the only available rock. She was holed and declared a total loss. I am looking for a replacement and the Snapdragon 890 bilge keeler caught my eye. I like the look of the spacious interior, but I am worried about how much trade off there is in sailing ability. I don't race but I do like going out of the comfort zone and push the boat. I am wondering how this boat will behave in a blow with a sea and whether she will cope? What sort of light wind performance can I expect? Etc.
Your valued opinions are invited, don't hold back.
Thanks in advance.
 
I have a Snapdragon 23 so a direct comparison will be tricky as they are fairly different.

If the layup is similar to mine then one thing you won't have to worry about is the boat handling the rough stuff. My '23 has a very heavy build for its size and feels like it could go through a hurricane.

The trade-off is that she's not amazing in really light airs.

Sailing ability of the 890 I really am not qualified to comment but from some discussions i'd say 'moderate' would be my guess. A good allrounder but not a racer.

I Hope that is of some use.

Nik
 
Unlikely to be anywhere near as good a performer as the Tornado looks. snapdragons are steady, simple pottering boats.

You don't say what your budget is, but there are many alternatives to the Snapdragon with better performance - if that is what you want.

As always with old boats like this it is is equipment and condition that are more important than the detail design.
 
I suspect you will find the Snappie really staid. Great family boat - but hopeless as a "racer". If you want a twin keel, check out the Sadlers, they will sail much better than a Snappie. Even a Centaur sails better than a Snappie.
 
Before getting too general about all Snapdragons (The 23 won its class in the Round Britain race back in olden days. :) ) maybe give www.snapdragonmirage.org.uk a shout and get some blurb from them.

That said I don't believe the 890 was any speed merchant. :)
 
I have a Snapdragon 26 which I have great fun with. She is a 1967 model and two years ago flew through a full survey. I have gone through her stem to stern in the nine years. She is solid for sure with a hull thickness of at least 1/2". Speed is not super but force 3/4 will give me 5 knots. Fun in a force 6, I recorded 9.6 running and surfing at times. Previous boat was a fin keel 'Armagnac' which was fast, but I have just as much fun now in south Cornwall.
 
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