so are you going to sail through the UK winter?

[Stemar]

But I've lately begun thinking how I might convert a very small, inexpensive conventional sailing yacht into a £5K dreamboat with no motorsailing pretensions. The nearest I've come to planning for cold weather was asking here about solid fuel stoves. So I suppose I do want mainly to sail, and I suppose I'm resigned to sailing 'the wrong boat' on occasional fine days during summer seasons as short-lived as they felt in my dinghy days. Just daft.

Step 1 A full cockpit tent that allows you to manage the boat, at least under power, with it up. A GRP doghouse with windscreen wipers is an optional, but highly desirable extra

Step 2 A good heater. On my budget, it'd be a Chinaspacher, but I here lots of good things spoken of them, and they're cheap enough that you could buy another for spares and still be quids in compared with the genuine article.

Step 3 A good stereo system and a well loaded Kindle

Step 4 Newtown Creek here we come

You could get a decent Snapdragon and do it up for your budget - this looks like a good start Snapdragon 27 for sale UK, Snapdragon boats for sale, Snapdragon used boat sales, Snapdragon Sailing Yachts For Sale Snapdragon 27 - Apollo Duck That would make a comfortable, roomy and tough motorsailer

 

[dancrane]

Great ideas among your steps there - although, I reckon they're only intelligent essentials for comfortable cruising. That Snapdragon looks like great value.

I had begun to draw plans for a 'bolt-on hardtop' over my envisioned dream-boat's companionway, allowing conversion to an enclosed helm (by remote tillerpilot) for motoring through miserable weather. Making the hardtop removable maintains the sweet lines which are half the reason I like the design (I won't say what it is because it'll burst the bubble if folk start pointing out why my idyll doesn't hold water, so to speak).

 

[nevis768]

Great ideas among your steps there - although, I reckon they're only intelligent essentials for comfortable cruising. That Snapdragon looks like great value.

I had begun to draw plans for a 'bolt-on hardtop' over my envisioned dream-boat's companionway, allowing conversion to an enclosed helm (by remote tillerpilot) for motoring through miserable weather. Making the hardtop removable maintains the sweet lines which are half the reason I like the design (I won't say what it is because it'll burst the bubble if folk start pointing out why my idyll doesn't hold water, so to speak).

In my experience tiller pilots aren't over dependable in terms of holding a course especially in windy weather or any kind of sea running. I can sell you a very nice Mascot 28 which has just come back from a 100nm trip around the Clyde in rough weather.

 

[mrming]

In my experience tiller pilots aren't over dependable in terms of holding a course especially in windy weather or any kind of sea running. I can sell you a very nice Mascot 28 which has just come back from a 100nm trip around the Clyde in rough weather.

I have the Raymarine Evo-100 system (tiller pilot version). It weaves a bit when you ask it to steer to a heading in heavy weather with a following sea, but if you set it to steer to the wind instead it works great.

 

[dunedin]

In my experience tiller pilots aren't over dependable in terms of holding a course especially in windy weather or any kind of sea running. I can sell you a very nice Mascot 28 which has just come back from a 100nm trip around the Clyde in rough weather.

But you are not using the wheelhouse

More importantly you chose the wrong days for your Clyde trip. We had a lovely short cruise in the Clyde for a few days last week. Flat water, great sailing and no rain. Won’t be sailing today - Storm Ashley :-(
Back to choosing the days

 

[Stemar]

In my experience tiller pilots aren't over dependable in terms of holding a course especially in windy weather or any kind of sea running. I can sell you a very nice Mascot 28 which has just come back from a 100nm trip around the Clyde in rough weather.

Very nice, but would you sell it for his £5K budget?

 

[Jules W]

We used to cruise the solent all year. Christmas tree up the mizzen. Even had fairy lights. Lovely and generally good enough conditions to enjoy.

 

[Poignard]

We used to cruise the solent all year. Christmas tree up the mizzen. Even had fairy lights. Lovely and generally good enough conditions to enjoy.

Sounds preferable to sitting around in an overheated house surrounded by relatives, watching "The Snowman", and over-eating.

 

[dancrane]

I'd sail at Christmas too, but only if I can continue the over-heating and over-eating.

 

[Daydream believer]

Sounds preferable to sitting around in an overheated house surrounded by relatives, watching "The Snowman", and over-eating.

It is what Xmas is for you miserable git.
Get hot & sweaty (too much drink), have the annual row with the in laws, (Too much drink), talk over the Snowman.(Too much drink)
But NEVER give up on the over eating , (washed down with loads of drink).

 

[justanothersailboat]

Bah! Humbug!

I would love to sail over Christmas to avoid the whole horrid show, even if the weather is a misery. But I have been told in no uncertain terms that I'm not allowed to.

 

[Wansworth]

Great ideas among your steps there - although, I reckon they're only intelligent essentials for comfortable cruising. That Snapdragon looks like great value.

I had begun to draw plans for a 'bolt-on hardtop' over my envisioned dream-boat's companionway, allowing conversion to an enclosed helm (by remote tillerpilot) for motoring through miserable weather. Making the hardtop removable maintains the sweet lines which are half the reason I like the design (I won't say what it is because it'll burst the bubble if folk start pointing out why my idyll doesn't hold water, so to speak).

Firstly stick shag carpet onthe err walls ,but keep it out the bilges if possible.This will add a air of opulence!

 

[Richard Hughson]

Unfortunately our marina in shetland requires the masts are taken down during winter to avoid excessive wear on the pontoons, we get some serious winds up here

 

[Gixer]

Having a young family and working full time my sailing days are limited.
Summer or winter I don't care, if its calm seas and fair winds I'm going out!

 

[Nina Lucia]

In UK waters that is? I have in the past raced through to New Years day and then re-started end January. But racing is time limited to max 6 hours and is reasonably active. Wouldnt fancy cruising, anchoring overnight etc.

What about you|?

We sail all year around

 

[winch2]

Well as I said above she's coming out on Tuesday but we're determined to get one last blast in this weekend, but only if this inclement weather smartens up a bit. Freezing, blustery downpours today and the weather map said a fair smattering of sun?. Weather forecasts can be so annoying....Anyway here's hoping.

 

[mjcoon]

one thing i have noticed while sailing, is the complete lack of constitution of shoe soles.
ive had three pairs this year whose sole has fallen off cleanly within months of purchasing.
and ive a fourth pair that is showing signs of parting company with the rest of the shoe....

Do you buy them 2nd hand from Charlie Chaplin? ;-)

 

[trapper guy]

Do you buy them 2nd hand from Charlie Chaplin? ;-)

where i do recall several scenes from laurel and hardy re shoes, i dont have any memory of chaplin in the same situations

 

[Daydream believer]

if its calm seas and fair winds

Dream on

 

[mjcoon]

where i do recall several scenes from laurel and hardy re shoes, i dont have any memory of chaplin in the same situations

I must admit it's a very vague memory (as they mostly are) of the tramp character with gaping shoes...