Snapdragon 27

J

jockster

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Herts/Dumfries and Galloway
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Hello, I have my eye on a snapdragon 27 bilge keeler which is local to me. It has not been used for several years and topsides are very tatty although I believe the hull is sound. Inerior and is spartan with minimal instrumentation. She has a good beam and sails appear to be in reasonable order. Just a quick pull out from bag. no roller reefing.I would be gratefull for any information on this type of boat and what would be a fair offer price. I think she was built around very early 70s or 60s?
 
Re: Snapdragon 27 .... I would not go in at 6k ...

Not being rude - but without knowing the boat - its not a good idea to state a price ...

I would approach the viewing with expecting a real heap ..... then work down from the average market price advertised less at least 10%. That would be a boat in commission and in reasonable nick.

A Snap 27 is a good boat and strongly built. It will never win any races but will get you home.

There is an Owners Association - great if you East Coast, as that section is very active ....... if you are South Coast - apart from Newsletter and access to plans etc. - is a waste of effort ....

Little bit of info : I bought a 23 some years ago .... it was advertised for £3500 .... I paid £1150. I listened to the seller and his wife, studied the boat .... the green wood, the overall dirty state etc. But found a reasonable boat under it all that took about 3 months of sanding, polishing and work to make look nice. Sold her 4 years later for double what I paid.
 
Re: Snapdragon 27 .... I would not go in at 6k ...

Given that you are looking at a fair chunk of cash to get a boat like that back on the water, £6k is probably very generous...... i'd be inclined to be looking at the light side of £4k.......

Nigel is right though.... you need to look realistically at what needs doing... price it up properly... and then decide how much your time is worth......

IMHO the cost of getting such a boat back on the water is always underestimated..... new instruments, plus a GPS and a furler is probably £1k..... £100 for just the varnish, sandpaper and brushes..... etc etc what state are the heads, seacocks etc.... just those basics could easily be another £500.... and then what about the engine?

Be realistic..... I've learnt the hard way with cars that its worth waiting, and paying the extra and getting one thats already sorted.... EXCEPT... I actually quite enjoyed putting them together properly... just never saved any money!
 
Re: Snapdragon 27 .... I would not go in at 6k ...

Specification here.

Snapdragons generally have a reputation for being safe, sound boats with good accomodation for their size. Hulls are thickly layed up and not prone to osmosis.

Some examples here, here and here which should give a guide on prices vendors expect to get - negotiate hard on lower spec or neglected boats.
 
Re: Snapdragon 27 .... I would not go in at 6k ...

Many thanks for all your replies. I had another look today and she doesnt look as bad as she did at first sight, however, I may be selling myself the idea of the boat. I concur with the sentiments expressed and will toughen up my thinking.
 
Moisture take up .....

The Big O word unfortunately is used to cover all manner of moisture take up in hulls. (Osmosis)

It is not correct to say that Snapdragon hulls are not prone to osmosis or moisture take up ..... it is a fact of life that all hulls of that vintage and style of lay-up will take up moisture. The good side is though - that given the average Snap was laid up well over spec - that it will not be enough to worry about unduly ..... well not to the extent that more modern lighter hulls would lead you to ...

Snap hulls are renowned for their weight and strength ....
 
Re: Moisture take up .....

[ QUOTE ]
....Snap hulls are renowned for their weight and strength ....

[/ QUOTE ]

...and not being prone to osmosis, in terms of damaging effects as opposed to just higher moisture readings - talk to owners and the association.

I have only encountered one owner who has found what is generally defined as osmosis in his hull, that was on a 24, and he worked in a boatyard that carried out treatment for osmosis.

Like all boats of their era moisture readings will vary but few will need any remedial work.
 
Re: Moisture take up .....

I was making a point of moisture actually as many lump all moisture matters incorrectly under the osmosis banner ...

It is said that true osmosis is not common on Snaps - in fact it is wrong to single out snaps on this - as most boats are not prone to TRUE osmosis - but all boats are prone to moisture take up. Generally osmotic action is due to a fault in lay-up allowing the osmosis cells to generate once hull is in water. This can happen with any lay-up no matter how heavy or form used.

The snap has a good reputation in this having been laid up by generally experienced staff and by hand. The weight of hull also indicates that a lot will need to be done to cause its failure.
But in saying that - my 23 bow used to have some thinner sections - due to hand layup ... a common problem with hand lay-up where overall uniform thickness was difficult to control. It was all down to the skill of the guy.
Later boats have turned to computerised control of lay-up - even down to weight of resin to mat etc. When required weight of resin is used - that's it. No "one for the road" as in hand style.

It is agreed that snaps are tough boats .... but we have to be careful about sweeping statements ....

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Moisture take up .....

[ QUOTE ]
...It is agreed that snaps are tough boats .... but we have to be careful about sweeping statements ....

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

....or expanding on other's statements /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I have a 24 and love her.

She's built like a brick privy and is very forgiving. Off the wind she can surprise plenty of bigger boats, but if wind and tide are agin' you, well, that's what the engine's for!

On my list of must-have qualities was a boat that won't just get me home when I'm wishing I'd never set out, but one that will get me home long after I'm wishing the damn thing would sink and put me out of my misery. I reckon I got it, though I've yet to put it to the test!
 
The association don't have an up and running website at the moment, that site is a Mirage owner out in Greece. He does give information on how to contact the association although they are not always good at responding (particularly to e mails).
 
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