Southerly

[dias]

Hi All,
I am contemplating buying a new Southerly 115 or 110, all the figures seem to stack up (ballast ratio / STIX ) am I missing something or can you really get the best of both worlds ie creek crawling & ocean crossing
Thanks in advance (new to forum)

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[[2574]]

Hi,

We were down at Northshore yachts at the weekend, They are based at Itchenor in Chichester harbour. We had a look at the Southerly 115 and also the Vancouver pilothouse boats . A chap called Robert took us around the factory and couldn't have been more helpful and he was clearly very knowledgeable. I'd advise going to see them to get the detailed advice - or at least phone them. Great to see a quality english boatmaker - most other have gone bust! They've got a new 135 RS (raised saloon) at the boatshow which is currently in build and it looks like it will be a useful configuration. They're very helpful folk.

rob

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[dias]

Hi Rob,
Went down there yesterday, as you say it has a quality feel to the factory & boats, cant help but fel that I have missed something though.

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[pcb]

Hi,

I own a Southerly 105. The keel configuration does provide a great deal of flexibility and choice when deciding where one wants to sail. Southerly’s are very comfortable cruising yachts. My own has coped very well in the harshest of conditions.

Your term “best of both worlds” is a little subjective. Southerly’s are a good compromise between flexibility and performance. You won’t be the fastest yacht out there but you will be very comfortable and when you do get where you are going draft will never be a cause for concern.




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[beancounter]

Hi,

A Southerly is on our potential list, so a couple of quick questions if I may:

a) In YM's A - Z of boats, James Jermain refers to the breed (or some of them) as being a little under-ruddered. (small size to allow for taking the ground). Is this something you've noticed as a problem?

b) Are all models fitted with overlapping single berths in the forecabin? - we like our marital comforts ;-)

thanks

John

<hr width=100% size=1>Fabricati Diem, punc

 

[RMA]

I have had a Southerly 115 for a couple of years now. The earlier boats had a rudder hung on the transom but that on the 115 (and the later boats) is tucked underneath and is flush with the bottom of the boat. This obviously restricts is size, with the result that you need to reef in anything more than about 20 knots of wind, particularly if close hauled. Apart from that they sail well, certainly a lot better than you would expect. The latest boats come with twin rudders, which should sort this issue out although I do not know how well they manoeuvre under power.

I suppose its really a question of how important that aspect of sailing performance is to you, because there are lots of compensations. The ability to steer from inside the boat is a blessing when its cold and wet outside (although perhaps I am a wimp?). They are roomy, comfortable well equipped and well built. The back up from Northshore is excellent (my boat is 16 years old).

I sail on the east coast, and the shallow draft really does extend your options, both in terms of choice of route and access to small harbours. If nothing else, it means that you can anchor, in peace and quiet, further up creeks than virtually anybody else.


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[pcb]

Hi John,

In answer to your questions:

a) My experience is of the 105 specifically. The 105 was one of the last Southerly's built with a lifting rudder as well as keel. With the rudder fully dropped balancing her is pretty straight forward; it is more often the case that the sails are overcooked rather than the rudder is undersized.
For some time I kept mine on a drying swinging mooring just outside of Southend-on-sea. We (my father owns a Southerly 105 as well) did not feel that the fixed rudder on the later models would handle the pounding it would have received there. Northshore claim to have resolved these concerns with the latest 115 model.

b) Looking at the Northshore archive (http://www.northshore.co.uk/archive/arc_main.htm) Most forecabins had split bunks. I believe that they build what you want today. The 105 and 115 aft cabins are very roomy and will accommodate all manner of marital comforts.

I believe you are a lucky man. After 15+ years of wedded bliss ¡§marital comforts¡¨ at home are rare enough for me. Marital comforts at sea are unheard of. ƒº

Regards,

Paul


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[waterboy]

I considered a Southerly but eventualy ended up with a, dare i say it? (Ben) shh.. How does one stop the Northshore martketing department sending me info on everything that I no longer want to know about. 3 telephone calls havn't worked so far.

<hr width=100% size=1>I never make the same mistake twice. I always make new ones.

 

[pcb]

Thats easy.... sell your (Ben) shh.. and buy a Southerly!

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by pcb on 11/08/2004 21:25 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I have never sailed on one. But if I were to go back to half a boat; Southerlies would be at the top of my list. No really, I think they look great. The deck saloon with internal steering position is a real boon in this country and for longer passages.

Having sailed since 89 without having to worry about drying out or even pushing an entry on the last of the ebb, knowing the worst that could happen is that we miss the wall and have to dry on the sands for an tide. I could never consider now cruising on a boat with a 6ft protrusion that could mean losing her if you get your tide calcs wrong.

Ok ok, this means a loss to performance, but I cruise and in doing so like to keep my options wide open, so I say yes to shallow draft boats that dry evenly.

Just my tuppence...

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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