Snapdragon 600 / Invader 20 / Invader 22

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neil1967

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Hi

I am looking to buy a small (18-23ft) secondhand yacht for day sailing/weekending in the Solent. There are a number of Snapdragon/Invader yachts on the market at the moment - does anyone have any views on their sailing virtues/vices, things to look out for, etc, or even alternatives that I should consider at this shorter, more budget, end of the market?

Thanks

Neil
 
The ones I have seen are in the £3000-5000 range. I'm content that at this price I'll be getting something fairly basic, but don't want to buy into a liability or a deathtrap!

Any advice much appreciated.

Regards

Neil
 
Now let me think... What kind of popular (hence plenty to choose from when buying and easy to sell) seaworthy (Atlantic crossings aplenty) fast (for her time & length) safe, fun boat in the 22ft, £3-5K range could be recommended with confidence? Hmm..

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I wouldn't go for a Snapdragon probably the worst boat to sail in history. What are you needs and what are you looking to use the boat for ? There are loads of options in your price range.
 
I'm not stuck on any particular make/model. What I am looking for is a yacht in the 18-23ft size range, from £3-5000, which is appropriate for comfortable crusing in the solent. I'd like to keep running costs down (who doesn't) so I believe an outboard-engined yacht would be preferable. Whilst I know a fin keel (typically) gives better performance, I may end up transporting this yacht by road so I am erring towards bilge or lifting keel. yacht will typically be crewed by 2 plus a dog for day or long weekend sailing. To date my research has all been Internet, ie what is available at what price, although I hope to start phyiscally looking shortly. The yachts that are available in the right price range so far are: Hurley 22, Foxcub, Snapdragon, Lesiure 23, Prelude, Kingfisher 20. Any other suggestions much appreciated - all the more so if you know of a suitable yacht for sale in the eastern Solent!

Thanks
 
I used to have a Hurley 22 bilge keeler.It was a great boat sailed well very well built etc.other good boats in that range are the Trident or Halcyon 23.

A lot depends on the mooring you get. Drying moorings are cheapest .

If you are interested in a lifting keel the Anderson 22 is a good boat. Look in my blog for pictures of ours.

good luck with the hunt.Theres lots of small boats for sale so take your time and get a good one for your money.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't go for a Snapdragon probably the worst boat to sail in history. What are you needs and what are you looking to use the boat for ? There are loads of options in your price range.

[/ QUOTE ]
A lot of people would disagree with you on that, many have started cruising with Snapdragons - they do exactly what the OP is looking for. They aren't, and were never intended as, fast/high performance boats. They are roomy, safe and comfortable and capable of handling anything the Solent can throw at them.

I would certainly be looking at Snapdragons or Leisures. They are aging now but usually well looked after by a succession of owners who only sell them to move up in size. Both pretty well bomb proof, should be a choice of several in the price range and plenty of people around with knowledge of them who could offer advice on specifics.
 
Hunter Medina, Sonata (lift keel) or Duette (bilge), may be a bit racy but plenty of people cruise them and trail them, almost all out board powered and many have trailers. Quite a few examples in your price range. All sail very well. We started in the Medina and really enjoyed it.
 
We started with a Snapdragon ( actually a 24.5 ft 747 ) with bilge keels and an inboard 12 hp Yanmar moored in Ashlett Creek in Southampton Water opposite the Hamble entrance and for two years she looked after us and weathered some rather stormy times including a force 6-7 in Studland before returning through the North Channel / Hurst Narrows / the Needles so please don't dismiss the Snappies. Despite what we were told, she did not sail sideways and we sailed most of the time. Even made it to Weymouth on a couple of occassions. We only sold her 'cos we are both over 6 feet tall and felt we could now handle something bigger but we were sorry to part with her.
 
SWMBO and I took our Snappy 24 across the channel this summer and she looked after us a treat. It's true that beating against wind and tide is a less than heartwarming experience, but that's what the donk's for. If the tide's going the right way, we'll tack for as long as it's fun and when the Admiral gets tired, we'll turn the engine on.

Off the wind she goes very nicely. I once "raced"* a 40+ft deck saloon job up the western Solent in a steady SW F3. He did get past us, but it took from Newton Creek to Gurnard Bay.

I love my Snappy for what she is: a tough, roomy cruiser that can take the ground and will get me home long after I'm wishing I'd never set out, and accept what she isn't: a performance racer for blatting round the cans and ignoring the Colregs 'cos I'm racing.

Whatever you go for, unless weight for towing is a serious issue, try and get an inboard engine. Boats with outboards tend to be cheaper, but you'l find out why the first time you try to motor anywhere in a chop.


*Definition of a racing sailor: a yachtsman with another boat on a similar heading in sight.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Boats with outboards tend to be cheaper, but you'l find out why the first time you try to motor anywhere in a chop.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's slightly unfair. Boats with outboards are cheaper because outboards are cheaper than inboards and while a transom-mounted one is not perhaps best-placed in a chop, if you have a long-shaft in a well (like the Hurley and many others) the prop is not in a significantly worse position than on many boats with inboards.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't go for a Snapdragon probably the worst boat to sail in history.

[/ QUOTE ]

What a ridiculous comment to make! A lot of emphasis on the ' probably ' there -like the lager!
As a Snappie owner with hundreds of miles under my keel I entirely disagree. Try a sail in one.

Stemar - Well said.
 
I think a Hurley 22 or the Hunter Duette would be ideal for you.

I stand by what I said about the Snapdragon's sailing capability. I am sure they are safe and have looked after their owners, but I would be interested to see if there was a boat that is slower than a Snapdragon, particularly upwind.

Actually I have now just had a quick check on Portsmouth Yardstick numbers and they suggest the Snapdragon 24 to be the third slowest boat ever measured - just beating the Leisure 20 and Alacrity MKII.

Maybe I am old fashioned but if you are buying a sailing boat you want it to sail. The Hurley, Hunter Duette, Achiles 24, Jaguar 21 would all be better choices IMHO.
 
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....................
 
I started with a Snapdragon 26. OK it didn't fly to windward but it was solid. An insurance survey after 36 years of service recommended changing the original U-bolts on the rigging "just in case there is a hidden problem". That was it. (We did and there wasn't a problem).
 
neil1967 said:
Hi

I am looking to buy a small (18-23ft) secondhand yacht for day sailing/weekending in the Solent. There are a number of Snapdragon/Invader yachts on the market at the moment - does anyone have any views on their sailing virtues/vices, things to look out for, etc, or even alternatives that I should consider at this shorter, more budget, end of the market?

Thanks

Neil
Click to expand...

I bought one 4 years ago (an Invader 22). It's a fantastic little boat. We've had lots of pleasant overnight stays in Yarmouth with the children and I have taken it out in pretty blowy conditions and it has been very dry and very solid, getting up to 7 knotts in the right conditions. We bought ours for the same reason as you - pottering about for weekends and chose it because it had bilge keels and a deisel - not too common in a boat that size, so very safe. We are going to sell ours as children growing up and want to bring their friends with them on o/night stays. If you are anywhere near Lymingotn, give me a shout and you can have a look
 
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
 
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