Should I sea trial a 2006 Southerly 110 before purchase

[jwilson]

"Sea trials" are a complex issue. Some new buyers seem to want to find out ".... how the boat sails?"

There is reason for this with many motor boats, particularly planing ones, wher handling characteristics such as chine-riding vices cannot be reasonably assessed ashore. Also the engine operation is important - the engine or engines form a larger proportion of the value of the boat than on sailing yachts. However a Bavaria 36 (for instance) will sail like every other of the thousand or so on the water, and a request to sea trial one to find out ".... how the boat sails?" usually means the buyer is somewhat inexperienced.

Re the Southerly: I woudl want the keel operated in the water, or at least whilst lifted in slings ashore. It is a relatively simple mechanism, but any major problems can caue a very big bill. AFAIK Southerly used to recommend the hull be lifted completely off the keel plate for maintenance every ten years. See https://distantshores.ca/boatblog_files/cool-keels---8.jpg

 

[dovekie]

We have a Southerly 110, 2011 launch. There is an excellent owners association (Welcome to the SOA website : Southerly Owners Association) with many technical archives etc.

Out of the water - I think it important to see the state of the keel and grounding plate. Both are massive iron things with epoxy coating - ours is coppercoated - perhaps they all are. It is relatively routine I gather for the cast iron to eventually pit and rust, at which point the hull can be lifted off the whole thing, and it can go back to the foundry to be restored to as new. This is all theoretical knowledge on my part, I think we shall have to do this in the next few years. If the hull is coppercoated, has it been redone? The keel can be fully lifted and lowered in the hoist to test it

Since you now have the opportunity of a sea trial, I would suggest:
- the obvious things: engine, sail condition etc, steering play, easy rudder movement
- that you are happy with the unusual (to me) manoeuvring under power. Twin rudders, with the prop in between, so you cannot kick the stern to either side with a burst of ahead (since the jet from the prop misses the rudders. The bowthruster helps compensate enormously.

Nice boat to sail on, and to live on, not close winded, surprisingly good in a blow.
Hope that helps

 

[Stemar]

Were I selling, I wouldn't give a sea trial until I have a sold subject to survey and sea trial contract signed and a deposit paid. I've heard too many stories of "sea trials" that were no more than an afternoon on the water for someone with no intention of buying

I’ve never sailed a Southerly but, from my sailing days, I haven’t forgotten the day when, waiting for the tide near Birdham, I warned a passing example that he might run out of water. “Lifting keel” he replied and sailed on whilst I put the kettle on and continued to wait.

Then there was the guy who saw the big yacht heading over the sandbank and said, "Let's go - that thing's much bigger than us. If he can make it, we certainly can"