start sailing in a dinghy or small yacht/keelboat?

[doug748]

Thanks for the advice, think a small yacht or keelboat is ideal for me, not keen on idea of getting a manoeuvre wrong and capsizing.

There is a lifting keel Hunter Liberty 22 in my local paper asking just under 3 grand, complete with trailer. Just the sort of thing to launch onto a drying mooring each summer and keep at home in the winter. Very cheap to run and a great boat for all sorts of reasons. At that price it will be sold but a good example of what you can get for little money if you keep your eyes peeled and can act fast.

Similar to this sort of thing:

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/the-minstrel/

 

[Seajet]

As the owner of a lift keel boat for the last 38 years, may I sound a word of caution about trailing lift keel boats home for the winter.

Doesn't matter what size ( if larger than a Wayfarer which one can roll over in a garage ) or the design type, having the boat on a trailer means one cannot get at the lifting plate part of the keel to inspect and maintain it.

I am on my second keel plate, largely because I didn't catch on early enough in ownership to have the boat up high each winter to maintain the keel; we are very lucky with Anderson 22's in that we have a supply of newly made keels from the original supplier, and it's a DIY job to change keels, but it's not something one would do just for fun, lumping about 950lbs of steel and iron.

The Anderson keel is galvanised to start with, but this scrapes off in the casing slot over the years; the design is no better or worse than any other galvanised plate in this respect.

It happens to ALL lift keelers, which as things work out are generally of the same vintage; it's too expensive to make a decent 22' boat at all nowadays, let alone with a lifting keel.

The Anderson keel is vertically lifting with a simple robust system, easily replaced if it does wear - some are more complex.

With swinging plates there can also be the problem of wear at the pivot bolt and corresonding hole in the plate, this is often caused by wave action joggling the boat at her mooring.

If buying a lift keel boat of any design it is essential to have a keel down inspection, with the boat craned if necessary.

For many years now I have kept my boat on high trestles at the club every winter, she is hoisted on to these every autumn as the cruisers are lifted ashore - these trestles allow the keel to be fully lowered exposing the plate; they also have the advantage of putting the boat high up out of the reach of casual thieves at least.

These trestles are flat when not in use and can be stowed in a shed and / or transported with a box or flat trailer.

I supply the plans and build instructions to all Anderson owners association members, and the majority of boats now use them.

I have also supplied these plans for free to owners of other vaguely similar boats, though of course the hull profile may need adapting; remember with lift keelers a wide load bearing area is required as the weight is taken on the hull, she doesn't stand on the keel with just steadies like a fin keeler.

I do know someone who has adapted his Anderson trailer so the keel can be lowered and hull raised, but he's a serious engineer and it's not easy.

So bear all this in mind if looking at lift keelers; they're a very good sailing compromise for mud drying moorings but one has to take measures to maintain the keel, and wintering on trailers tends to preclude this.

The first question one should ask a seller is ' And how do you maintain the keel plate ? '

 

[Greenheart]

I do know someone who has adapted his Anderson trailer so the keel can be lowered and hull raised, but he's a serious engineer and it's not easy.

Sounds prohibitive to most, I expect. But given that the idea was for the boat to be brought home each winter, mightn't a coverable inspection pit be dug where the boat would be parked? I doubt such a job would be beyond even me. If the keel could be dropped with the boat at trailer-height, inspection and maintenance mightn't be such a worry.

 

[Seajet]

Yes I meant to mention pits; while I have seen this done, it can be unpopular at sailing clubs or boatyards !

Two big problems with a pit at home;

A, they fill with water very easily - a bilge pump of some kind can be a real consideration.

B, with most trailers the axles run straight under the keel; so one is back to the modifications my chum Steve made, with the tray the keel bulb normally rests on made removable, and oversize hull support pads, then completely removing the axles, leaving the central square frame of the trailer supported on axle stands or similar.

Incidentally Steve is making noises about selling this 4 wheel modified trailer; as well as the modifications described, it's in near mint condition, never having been dipped into seawater - Steve always has the boat hoisted on and off the trailer at the club.

It was originally made by Hayling Trailers, I have photo's both as now showing the removable keel supports and it in winter mode with his boat up high and the 4'6" keel down.

Anyone interested let me know, I have just left a message for Steve to confirm he wants to sell, and price.

 

[trevorgh]

a lot of effort has been put into preparing this one for sale http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOAT-FOR-SALE-/252416607538?hash=item3ac533c532:g:HP0AAOSwQupXVqIV .

 

[porcupine]

It's a rare but very pleasant surprise to see a boat in its natural jungle habitat.

 

[Greenheart]

I like the fact that it says "will post to United Kingdom".

 

[Seajet]

I like the fact that it says "will post to United Kingdom".

£250 is a tad optimistic, but dictionaries don't come cheap and the vendor obviously has an urgent requirement.