Snapdragon 600 / Invader 20 / Invader 22

[Stemar]

For your budget, you could have a boat with an inboard diesel in decent condition. OK, there's the risk of a big bill if it goes phut, but unless it does, it's likely to be cheaper to run and more reliable than an outboard.

If you want to take your good lady sailing, I reckon standing headroom is important. That eliminates most of the smaller boats, including the Achilles 24. My Snapdragon 24 won't allow me to stand upright, except under the hatch (5' 11"), but Milady's fine at 5' 6".

We've taken her across the channel and been out in a full 7 off St Alban's Head. It was unpleasant and Milady was, shall we say, unimpressed, but the boat coped fine. Off the wind, she's fine and goose-winged, she can surprise bigger boats, but if the wind's forward of the beam, she's best treated as a motorsailer. One really good point is the V-berth in the forepeak. It's both easier to use and bigger than plenty of bigger boats.

 

[Jemima Puddleduck]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the help.

For your budget, you could have a boat with an inboard diesel in decent conditionMaybe, but I still like the idea of something I can take out and get fixed easily. A good 4 stroke is reliable and fuel efficient). OK, there's the risk of a big bill if it goes phut, but unless it does, it's likely to be cheaper to run and more reliable than an outboard.

If you want to take your good lady sailing, I reckon standing headroom is important. That eliminates most of the smaller boats, including the Achilles 24. My Snapdragon 24 won't allow me to stand upright, except under the hatch (5' 11"), but Milady's fine at 5' 6". We're in the same boat (excuse the pun). Mrs is 5'6'' and the boat would be aimed mainly at her needs...

We've taken her across the channel and been out in a full 7 off St Alban's Head Did you cross motoring or sailing?. It was unpleasant and Milady was, shall we say, unimpressed, but the boat coped fine. Off the wind, she's fine and goose-winged, she can surprise bigger boats, but if the wind's forward of the beam, she's best treated as a motorsailer. One really good point is the V-berth in the forepeak. It's both easier to use and bigger than plenty of bigger boats.

thanks
Manuel

 

[[70521]]

Hi,
Although it’s an old thread it’s still very interesting. I’m looking for a similar find. Something safe (capable of crossing the Channel), comfortable and relatively inexpensive for the weekends to get my Mrs acquainted to the idea of longer stays on the boat. I’d like to be able to dry the boat out (to reduce inspection and maintenance costs) and stay on the cheaper mooring in Chichester harbour. So a twin or swing keel would be preferable, with a biased towards twin keel as not to sacrifice room. I’d also prefer boat with a well and a outboard again to reduce costs. Finally and ideally I’d like 5’8 headroom so at least the Mrs can stand up right. I’m guess ai need to look for a larger boat start at around 23 feet up to 26-27 feet to keep within a £5000 budget. A rather long wish list....

I read here names of boats like Hurley 22 bilge keeler, Trident, Halcyon 23, Snapdragon 24, 26 and 600, Leisure 20, Alacrity MKII, Hunter Duette, Achiles 24, Jaguar 21, Invader-20, Anderson 22, I’m trying to find out more about them but it’s very difficult, especially headroom nevers seems mentioned. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

thanks
Manuel

Take a look at a Mirage 28. Should fit your requirements and have headroom over 6 feet and you will find some well in your budget.

The YouTube channel below might be of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6b0onHEONPTnUp1gBwBiQ

I'm an ex-Mirage 28 owner.

 

[Jemima Puddleduck]

Thanks Sandy. Have already started to look at your channel.

 

[neil1967]

For what it is worth (as the OP ) ) we ended up buying an Offshore 8m - fin keel, inboard, but in budget. She was an excellent yacht (headroom, good performance, sufficent space), and I understand that the previous owner has now bought her back from the people we sold her to. Beware though - we then moved on to a 40' Oyster........

 

[[70521]]

Thanks Sandy. Have already started to look at your channel.

Not mine, but a chap called Paul.

I am way to shy to speak to camera! But have appeared in a YouTube thing.

 

[William_H]

I think this size and style of boat excellent. I have had my 21fter for 37 years. With still a lot of use. I think the difference between 18ft and 23 ft will be quite dramatic. The 23ft being much more comfortable in rough water and faster. Certainly much more room inside and in the cockpit. Even a 23ft fin keel can be trailered with a need for a steep ramp for launch/retrieval but obviously not to done for each outing but oK for home for winter. Yes a lift keel is far more convenient but takes up usually more room inside or has a deeper fixed stub keel. Yes o/b powered provides great convenience. Though I have operated mine for many years without engine. It can be rowed fairly easily in a calm but perhaps my conditions are easier. (mostly reliable winds) good luck ol'will

 

[SteveBika]

Hi all, I bought a well-loved Invader 22 this spring, and had a little mishap in which I broke one of the spreader fittings. It's probably original, but I'm not certain, considering the large number of previous owners, one of whom fitted a custom-made mast-lowering system. I'll add a photo this weekend. Any idea where to look for replacements, short of having one machined?

 

[Stemar]

The first place I'd look would be in the junk pile of a boatyard. Most of the places frequented by old boats seem to have a pile of junk mouldering quietly by the fence and old masts are common occupants

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Surely if you want speed you buy a speed boat, I am always a little worried about people who have to race every where.
perhaps they need to keep proving something. I really dont see alot of difference between going at 7 knots or going at 5 knots. I have an invader which I would take out and trust in any weather. My invader seems to keep going when I see expensive yachts broaching, on windy days, because the in experienced other guy has got to much sail up so he can get that extra knot....................

Passage times...70 miles in ten hours against 50 miles. Off the top of my head I would say that would mean my getting from my berth in Malahide, to Strangford, rather than only making Carlingford, in the space of 10 hours. Useful when positioning the boat in N.I. for a trip to Scotland.