Southerly 38: Any owners? Views invited

[Sticky Fingers]

The Southerly 38 has been recommended to me (haha, by a broker who has one for sale!) as a boat that meets my needs, and on paper (or screen) that seems to be true. It has the added bonus of the swing keel which offers great flexibility for East Coast creek crawling, as I'd be based on the Orwell or nearby that's a definite plus. Based on the photos, the interior looks like a quality job.

Here's the thing. This is not a boat I know anything about, I don't think I've ever been on one even at a boat show. The model is relatively new and the price is, well, much too high for comfort but I could do it.

Before I invest the time to go and have a proper look, I'd be interested to learn what others think especially those who have this model or other similar Southerly boats. What are the problems with the swing keel...? The keelbox takes up a lot of space in the saloon, so does that become a pain? Obviously the keel has to go somewhere. How does the swing keel affect sailing performance? Presumably occasional beaching is fine but what about a drying mooring?

Thanks.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

FWIW, we have a S115, MK2, earlier single rudder boat.
Ours works as long range cruiser for two very very comfortable.
Suspect 38 has twin rudders, lighter layup, and more performance.
Suggest have a look at SOA website?

 

[Seven Spades]

The Southerly 38 has been recommended to me (haha, by a broker who has one for sale!) as a boat that meets my needs, and on paper (or screen) that seems to be true. It has the added bonus of the swing keel which offers great flexibility for East Coast creek crawling, as I'd be based on the Orwell or nearby that's a definite plus. Based on the photos, the interior looks like a quality job.

Here's the thing. This is not a boat I know anything about, I don't think I've ever been on one even at a boat show. The model is relatively new and the price is, well, much too high for comfort but I could do it.

Before I invest the time to go and have a proper look, I'd be interested to learn what others think especially those who have this model or other similar Southerly boats. What are the problems with the swing keel...? The keelbox takes up a lot of space in the saloon, so does that become a pain? Obviously the keel has to go somewhere. How does the swing keel affect sailing performance? Presumably occasional beaching is fine but what about a drying mooring?

Thanks.

My wife and I were really keen on buying a centre cockpit 420 (same hull as a 42RST). These were one of the last boats launched before Southerly stopped trading. I have always been really impressed by the quality of Southerly boats at boat shows but... this particular boat was shocking. Everything plated inside was badly corroding, my 20 year old Bowman Starlight was in better condition than that 5 year old boat. We were bitterly disappointed at the state it was in. All sorts of things inside had deteriorated badly. I can't say if that was typical of the brand or if the boat has been subject to some extreme treatment but Southerly are now off our list. It went from our ideal boat to off the list.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

FWIW, we have a S115, MK2, earlier single rudder boat.
Ours works as long range cruiser for two very very comfortable.
Suspect 38 has twin rudders, lighter layup, and more performance.
Suggest have a look at SOA website?

Good suggestion thanks!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My wife and I were really keen on buying a centre cockpit 420 (same hull as a 42RST). These were one of the last boats launched before Southerly stopped trading. I have always been really impressed by the quality of Southerly boats at boat shows but... this particular boat was shocking. Everything plated inside was badly corroding, my 20 year old Bowman Starlight was in better condition than that 5 year old boat. We were bitterly disappointed at the state it was in. All sorts of things inside had deteriorated badly. I can't say if that was typical of the brand or if the boat has been subject to some extreme treatment but Southerly are now off our list. It went from our ideal boat to off the list.

Wow that's a worry. This is a 2009 (I think). What year was the 420? Presume 2012 or later?

 

[Bathdave]

We bought a 2002 Southerly 115 mark 3 two years ago and have been delighted with it

Superb build quality

Went to a southerly owners rally last year - they all love theirs, there seems to be great brand loyalty which is always a good sign.There were a couple of 38s which looked a terrific boat. I'd love one but can't afford it!

I had heard that the last few Southerlys in build were bodged to get them over the line and out of the door when they went under, it would be very helpful to know if the 420 Seven Spades looked at was one of those.

There is a SOA website which is partially open to outsiders which would be a good check in place. Reliability seems good you cAnget a feel on the site for the sort of things people have issues with.

They are a fancy price but last time I looked there were several 38s for sale so might be worth a cheeky offer.

Although Southerly aren't trading, Northshore Marine still runs a boatyard, there are a number of former southerly employees there and they seem to have access to the build files (they actually remember our boat) and can give you inside info on the boat if you have a hull number.

The hydraulic swing keel is a fantatstic invention for channel Islands and France and I would have thought anywhere else.

Drying moorings are okay if mud or sand, gravel I would be concerned about getting it into keel swing mechanism

Keel Mechanism is pretty reliable, pennants need periodic adjustment. Apparently periodically you need to drop the whole grounding plate and keel and have it refurbished - quite expensive but it seems to be a 15-20 year job.

Not the fastest but goes upwind well enough (ours is 2.5 m draft with keel down)

 

[Bongo]

What about Noordship 38 on brokerage at Fox's..o.k. not lift keel but quality..

 

[Tranona]

They are an acquired taste. The keel mechanism is fine and the draft when down is far greater than on fixed keel boats of similar size. Half the ballast is in the plate that is part of the keel box so stability is outstanding with keel up or down.

The interior fitout is very "designer" and to some tastes plain. Lots of hand building and finishing but it does not show in the way that it does for example on HRs or Nauticats although cost in the same price bracket, particularly if you raided the extras (most of which are essentials!) list.

Southerly went bust (twice in quick succession) primarily because their low volume per model could not support either the development costs of their big range nor the production costs of low volume. Some owners also experienced snagging problems and poor customer service on new boats.

You will of course find enthusiastic owners, partly because of their unique characteristics and partly because they spent more than twice as much as a production AWB of comparable size!

 

[Tranona]

What about Noordship 38 on brokerage at Fox's..o.k. not lift keel but quality..

Doubt that a Nordship and a Southerly would be on the same shortlist. Little in common apart from size.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

They are an acquired taste. The keel mechanism is fine and the draft when down is far greater than on fixed keel boats of similar size. Half the ballast is in the plate that is part of the keel box so stability is outstanding with keel up or down.

The interior fitout is very "designer" and to some tastes plain. Lots of hand building and finishing but it does not show in the way that it does for example on HRs or Nauticats although cost in the same price bracket, particularly if you raided the extras (most of which are essentials!) list.

Southerly went bust (twice in quick succession) primarily because their low volume per model could not support either the development costs of their big range nor the production costs of low volume. Some owners also experienced snagging problems and poor customer service on new boats.

You will of course find enthusiastic owners, partly because of their unique characteristics and partly because they spent more than twice as much as a production AWB of comparable size!

Yes I agree with that, thanks. Useful info about the recent production problems. I've had a few PMs as well varying experiences. The 5-10 year old used boats seem to be holding their values (in £ sterling terms) pretty well (so far) which maybe means that over a 10 year ownership the extra cost isn't too painful.

Doubt that a Nordship and a Southerly would be on the same shortlist. Little in common apart from size.

Well, I see where he was going. Similar aft cabin and kind-of-deck-saloon. Might be worth a look.

The unique feature of the Southerly is the lifting keel that to be fair wasn't on my list till it was suggested, now it seems a really good idea.