Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
Not even close. Have you seen an 80's Moody? Or that Bavaria Cruiser abomination on the back of the current YM?
the smallest practical sailboat
- Thread starter Bosun Higgs
- Start date
Not even close. Have you seen an 80's Moody? Or that Bavaria Cruiser abomination on the back of the current YM?
Swinranger
Active Member
Mine IS junk rigged, or will be when I get around to buying the sail!
Swinranger
Active Member
Actually, I rather like those boats.
Almost exactly like mine, spooky!
planteater
Well-Known Member
OK, I guess it's a draw in the ugliness league! Damn, I thought mine was unique (that is mine in the picture Lakesailor posted).
Although the Swin Ranger isn't the smallest practical yacht it packs a lot into it's 22 and a bit feet. Full standing headroom (including heads), inboard diesel plus dual helm (cockpit tiller and cabin wheel). Cheap to buy and run but don't expect to win any races or beauty competitions.
Swinranger
Active Member
Actually, I am quite fond of the looks, it does stand out from the crowd!
I bought mine because it's small enough to live in the driveway, but loads of room inside and I've got no intention of racing, (unless we happen to meet of course!).
Hopefully will be in the water for 2011.
nathanlee
Well-Known Member
I agree.
I managed to live on a 21ft boat for two years and fit a fair old cruising season in there too. I mean properly live on it. Full time, all year round, since I had nowhere else to be.
The Corribee is pretty small for a 21footer too. Bloody solid little sea boats though, as Roger Taylor and many others have proved.
Size got the better of me in the end though, so I'm on a 22footer now, which almost has standing headroom
Mandarin331
Well-Known Member
Going back to the original topic I started sailing in the early 60s in a Midshipmen, a 14' dayboat with a Seagull OB, designed by Robert Tucker, with my parents & us 3 children on board, sleeping under a cockpit tent on occasion. Then moved up the to the luxury of a Dauntless 22 - which we took across to Holland for three weeks in 1970, also with five on board, memorably hand pumping fuel to the faulty Stuart 4hp the entire return trip in a foggy calm. The only navigational aid being the new Seafarer echsounder.
Returning to sailing in 2006 we had a Matilda 20 (actually 19'6") which had a two burner cooker, plumbed in sink, seperate heads, electric lighting and four x 6' berths and we sailed between Walton and Snape for a couple of years - we were amazed at what you could fit into 20' and how seaworthy she was up to about F5.
Now we have a 27'er and at times feel there's not enough space for two!!
In the past it was perfectly normal to start up in small boats, then 26' was a good size, now the standard seems to have crept up to 32' and expectations are much higher; GPS, Radar, GPS, fridges, heating, hot water etc etc - all of which means (as you can see in these forums) that a knowledge of electrical engineering, mechanics etc seems to be more important that the ability to sail & navigate and surprise is expressed at people who are happy to sail in a 14' boat with an OB, oil lamp and single burner cooker as the only requirements.
I'm not a luddite but I suspect we spent more time sailing and less maintaining.
Returning to sailing in 2006 we had a Matilda 20 (actually 19'6") which had a two burner cooker, plumbed in sink, seperate heads, electric lighting and four x 6' berths and we sailed between Walton and Snape for a couple of years - we were amazed at what you could fit into 20' and how seaworthy she was up to about F5.
Now we have a 27'er and at times feel there's not enough space for two!!
In the past it was perfectly normal to start up in small boats, then 26' was a good size, now the standard seems to have crept up to 32' and expectations are much higher; GPS, Radar, GPS, fridges, heating, hot water etc etc - all of which means (as you can see in these forums) that a knowledge of electrical engineering, mechanics etc seems to be more important that the ability to sail & navigate and surprise is expressed at people who are happy to sail in a 14' boat with an OB, oil lamp and single burner cooker as the only requirements.
I'm not a luddite but I suspect we spent more time sailing and less maintaining.
DownWest
Well-Known Member
Dylan,
you may call it a 'Slug' but it was designed by Van de Stadt, who was not noted for many duff designs. Considering it's comfort and dimensions, pretty good job.
So many new sailors are driven by the magazines, 'safety', and the salesmen/ brokers, that they miss out on the simple fun that can be had in a small boat without many gizmos. I started (in the family) in 12ft, 6ft, 16ft, 20ft, then 27ft. all plywood boats. Minimal electrics, no electronics. No radio, depth sounder (OK, lead line)and iffy engines. A great education on caution and seamanship. Since then, the extras are nice, but not essential.
Currently building a modern 21ft gaff cutter. Just right, and if adventurous, could do the Azores and back or the Jester.
John Welsford, an antipode designer of interesting small boats, has designed several small ocean capable yachts and states that the limiting facter is sufficient stores for the long legs, plus reserves if the weather is unhelpfull.
I am 6ft and don't expect standing headroom on a small boat, just in the hatchway to get my strides on. Rest of the time, sitting or laying down, good enough for a week on board.
A
you may call it a 'Slug' but it was designed by Van de Stadt, who was not noted for many duff designs. Considering it's comfort and dimensions, pretty good job.
So many new sailors are driven by the magazines, 'safety', and the salesmen/ brokers, that they miss out on the simple fun that can be had in a small boat without many gizmos. I started (in the family) in 12ft, 6ft, 16ft, 20ft, then 27ft. all plywood boats. Minimal electrics, no electronics. No radio, depth sounder (OK, lead line)and iffy engines. A great education on caution and seamanship. Since then, the extras are nice, but not essential.
Currently building a modern 21ft gaff cutter. Just right, and if adventurous, could do the Azores and back or the Jester.
John Welsford, an antipode designer of interesting small boats, has designed several small ocean capable yachts and states that the limiting facter is sufficient stores for the long legs, plus reserves if the weather is unhelpfull.
I am 6ft and don't expect standing headroom on a small boat, just in the hatchway to get my strides on. Rest of the time, sitting or laying down, good enough for a week on board.
A
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
The slug
Actually I call it "The Slug" - definitive article -
I used to race Sonatas and EBoats - so I know how well a small yacht can sail
had the eboat on a plane once - bloody frightening
The slug sails fine in every direction as long as there are no other boats around - then her deficiencies become more apparaent. But she motors like a little tug with the help of the little volvo - which has a flywheel that would do justice to a tractor.
But my UK circumnavigation is not really about speed - two years to get from the Iow to Aldburgh.
D
Actually I call it "The Slug" - definitive article -
I used to race Sonatas and EBoats - so I know how well a small yacht can sail
had the eboat on a plane once - bloody frightening
The slug sails fine in every direction as long as there are no other boats around - then her deficiencies become more apparaent. But she motors like a little tug with the help of the little volvo - which has a flywheel that would do justice to a tractor.
But my UK circumnavigation is not really about speed - two years to get from the Iow to Aldburgh.
D
nathanlee
Well-Known Member
shesh, and people take the mick out of me for only getting where I did in four months.
DownWest
Well-Known Member
Sorry,
'Must pay more attention', as in skool report. (IIRR, got a few like that)
Great job you are putting up on the web. Hope I am around to see ALL the episodes. The East coast was my stamping ground in the 50/60s, happy times..
A
In those days, the RNLI were a bunch of sterling blokes who rescued proper 'seaman' in commercial ships. i.e.The Flying Enterprise (actually a tug was the Hero (Termoile. sp.), thinking on it) We casual sailers did not expect help then. And had little way of attracting attention. So just got on with it.
'Must pay more attention', as in skool report. (IIRR, got a few like that)
Great job you are putting up on the web. Hope I am around to see ALL the episodes. The East coast was my stamping ground in the 50/60s, happy times..
A
In those days, the RNLI were a bunch of sterling blokes who rescued proper 'seaman' in commercial ships. i.e.The Flying Enterprise (actually a tug was the Hero (Termoile. sp.), thinking on it) We casual sailers did not expect help then. And had little way of attracting attention. So just got on with it.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
On the slippery slope then.......Size got the better of me in the end though, so I'm on a 22footer now, which almost has standing headroom
nathanlee
Well-Known Member
You'd think so, but I can't let Kudu go. I like her too much. Had her lifted out the water the other week, so she's being given a proper good seeing to. Insulation, headlining (I've even designed a small fridge), spray hood, and new rig, oh and a skeg.
As soon as I've finished her, I'll be back on there. It's just handy having the bigger one, since I've built a chart table and seat in her, so I can work.
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
Didn't realise you'd changed plans. Is Vreli to be your home, and Kudu used for adventures?