Southerly 105

cueball

cueball

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Seriously considering a southerly 105, I think they are as near to perfect for the east coast, the lifting keel grounding plate and lifting rudder make a yacht that can take the ground. Here comes the tricky part! I have just sold my prior boat which was an MG335 so I have become accustomed to lively sailing performance, will I be disappointed in the sailing ability of the southerly or will she surprise me? Also seen a 105 locally that needs some work on the keel as it does not drop fully, only gets about two thirds of the way down, any ideas what this could be and anywhere locally that could refurbish the keel and grounding plate assembly, likely cost? Thanks
 
cueball said:
Also seen a 105 locally that needs some work on the keel as it does not drop fully, only gets about two thirds of the way down, any ideas what this could be and anywhere locally that could refurbish the keel and grounding plate assembly, likely cost? Thanks
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The keel mechanism needs attention every 8-10 years, I understand. If this hasn't been done, it will need doing and will cost quite a bit. You should get a surveyor to advise if you're serious about the boat.
 
cueball said:
Thanks pvb, she has been priced accordingly, do you know of anywhere locally that could referbish?
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You originally asked how much it would cost to fix it, so I assumed you didn't know. If you don't know, how can you say it's "priced accordingly"? Is this the 105 being sold after the owner died?
 
pvb said:
You originally asked how much it would cost to fix it, so I assumed you didn't know. If you don't know, how can you say it's "priced accordingly"? Is this the 105 being sold after the owner died?
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Hi, Yes its the same one, im trying to work out the cost of putting everything right.
 
Well make sure you get a proper quote for fixing the keel mechanism. Sadly, it's often the case that estate sales turn out to be rather neglected boats, usually because the owner was often too old or too ill to look after the boat properly. Equally, they can turn out to be bargains because whoever's inherited the boat just wants to get rid of it and will often take a silly offer. But you must factor in the real costs of fixing things, including the loss of your use of the boat whilst things are fixed, as well as the potential liability of things which might need fixing in the near future. For instance, most boats that age have been re-engined, the boat you're looking at has its original engine, over 35 years old.
 
pvb said:
Well make sure you get a proper quote for fixing the keel mechanism. Sadly, it's often the case that estate sales turn out to be rather neglected boats, usually because the owner was often too old or too ill to look after the boat properly. Equally, they can turn out to be bargains because whoever's inherited the boat just wants to get rid of it and will often take a silly offer. But you must factor in the real costs of fixing things, including the loss of your use of the boat whilst things are fixed, as well as the potential liability of things which might need fixing in the near future. For instance, most boats that age have been re-engined, the boat you're looking at has its original engine, over 35 years old.
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Thanks for the advise, often old boats can cost more to put right than buying relitivly new.
 
If you enjoyed an MG , I think you will be frustrated with an old Southerly performance.
I have had dropkeel, the performance is always a compromise.
Maintenance on drop keel is always great and on going.
The perceived idea of creak crawling and drying out is romantic, if you have the time it can be fun.
My problem is I enjoy sailing, so found it frustrating waiting for tide and weather.
Can not tell you cost of repair nor the length of a piece of string, 2k to 5k is probably a ball park; but when you declare war on keel rotten bulkheads, Stringer’s and chainplate problems will be close behind, so another 7 k, then standing rig and hydraulic steering another 5k, engine will not be far behind ,another 7k. All plus VAT
A complete guess , 30 to 50 k would be my budget and at the end she will be worth 15 to 25 more, over 10 years a lot of fun for our money.
Southwold will know, so will SYH or Foxs; but Southwold will be far quicker for a price.
 
Thanks Gertha, this is a good view and I appreciate your honesty. Sailing performance is key for me and I have to admit the MG335 always put a smile on my face. I don't mind a slight compromise but I do want a sailing boat not a motor sailer.
 
Cueball, sorry slow on the uptake, currently down with the flu.
I remember we met In Oostende back in May.
Saw your boat which was in very good nick, kinda surprised you let it go.

As Gertha pointed out the Southerly is a very different boat although I wouldn't go as far to say it was a motor-sailer.
The MG however is one of the fastest in its size bracket, Tony Castro was well known for fast boats.
My guess is you're after better accommodation as like my MG, its a little cramped and the Southerly will certainly give you that, coupled with the ability to get in and out of places like Bradwell at most states of the tide.

If you want to increase accommodation and want to maintain cruising speed then you'll need something with a longer waterline length that doesn't weigh too much.
The MG could almost reach hull speed in 8 to 10kn of wind, its a hard fact that bigger, fatter boats need more wind to get going.
One of my favorite cruising boats is an Oyster 435 but less than 9knt of wind, it would just sit there and bob about like a whale.
So you're looking for something with a displacement of 8000kg or less with maybe a shoal draft keel.

If you really want to take the ground, then unless you go radical like a lifting keel Pogo or even a Cat, then you will have to get used to less lively sailing.
 
Hi Javelin, yes that's me we met in Oostende
Loved the MG so underrated great sailing boats, but time for a change. Most of my sailing now is with swmbo so a little less lively is ok and a lifting keel ticks a lot of boxes for the east coast. I have offered on the southerly and if accepted she will be coming to Your way for a keel referb and hopefully not much more ��Will keep you in the loop
 
We used to have a s115.
Bukh 36 bulletproof so I personally would not be worried about that. More worried about the fuel tank and whether it is mild steel original.
When we bought ours it was freshly launched and antifouled; in that condition I was very pleasantly surprised at her speed - we had in mast reefing as well.
I don;t think your keel will be a major problem; it is a simple system and once you get her in the slings of a hoist somewhere quiet, you will be able to sort it out as it is seemingly moving fine but just not fully dropping. I would convert it to electro-hydraulic with the switch easily accessible to the helm (if not already) so you can easily 'touch and go' on the shallow bits.
They may not be the fastest but the ability to be less constrained by shallows and sail more of a direct line does mean the journeys are perhaps not particularly longer.
 
Poecheng said:
We used to have a s115.
Bukh 36 bulletproof so I personally would not be worried about that. More worried about the fuel tank and whether it is mild steel original.
When we bought ours it was freshly launched and antifouled; in that condition I was very pleasantly surprised at her speed - we had in mast reefing as well.
I don;t think your keel will be a major problem; it is a simple system and once you get her in the slings of a hoist somewhere quiet, you will be able to sort it out as it is seemingly moving fine but just not fully dropping. I would convert it to electro-hydraulic with the switch easily accessible to the helm (if not already) so you can easily 'touch and go' on the shallow bits.
They may not be the fastest but the ability to be less constrained by shallows and sail more of a direct line does mean the journeys are perhaps not particularly longer.
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Thank you Poecheng that's exactly the info I'm looking for.
 
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