UK circum capable <27ft yacht?

[Seegull]

I'm looking at various yachts with the intention of going around Britain single-handed one day.

Any recommendations of robust simple second-hand yachts, ideally less than 8m / 27ft?

Seems like a few of the Hunters could do the job or a Sadler.

 

[Bristolfashion]

We finished doing this trip this year in a Sadler 29 (28' 6" long). If you must be under 27', possibly a Sadler 26 would suit.

Circumnavigation of Britain & Ireland : 2021 to 2024

 

[Nina Lucia]

Vancouver 27

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Nicholson 26.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Jaguar 27

 

[dunedin]

Unless doing a non-stop sail, for a “round Britain” trip almost anything with a good sound diesel inboard engine could be suitable. Likely to be lots of motoring to keep to schedule. And good forecasts so can avoid the worst weather.
More coastal than offshore voyage.
Also going into and out of lots of harbours, so being handy to manoever under engine is important - hence perhaps fin or bilge keel better than long keel.
Depending on budget lots of options, including Westerly Centaur, Hunter Ranger 25/26 etc.

Clearly different boat needed from what might be ideal for a truly offshore voyage to Greenland or similar.

 

[Refueler]

Nice examples ... but TBH - go for a motor sailer with bilge keels in that size ... Sunrider 25 ... Searider 24 ... Colvic 26 ... Centaur ... or similar ...

I have a Sunrider 25 and believe me - that boat could cross the atlantic .... its heavy ... it will look after you ... it only draws 1m draft ... it can get into all those little coves etc to wait out the weather ...

Forget Long Keel ... Fin Keel ... they will limit your access too much ...

Also take note that 26ft is often a catch all on marina fees ..... 27ft hits increased fees ..... ask me how I know !

Watch "Keep Turning Left" on Youtube ... then you will appreciate what I am posting ..

 

[Seegull]

Unless doing a non-stop sail, for a “round Britain” trip almost anything with a good sound diesel inboard engine could be suitable. Likely to be lots of motoring to keep to schedule. And good forecasts so can avoid the worst weather.
More coastal than offshore voyage.
Also going into and out of lots of harbours, so being handy to manoever under engine is important - hence perhaps fin or bilge keel better than long keel.
Depending on budget lots of options, including Westerly Centaur, Hunter Ranger 25/26 etc.

Clearly different boat needed from what might be ideal for a truly offshore voyage to Greenland or similar.

Thanks for reply.
Yes clearly not proper offshore. I've edited title.

Looking at Westerly's, just cautious of how old they are getting. But suppose can be said for Sadler's.
Hunters are a bit younger.

 

[dunedin]

Thanks for reply.
Yes clearly not proper offshore. I've edited title.

Looking at Westerly's, just cautious of how old they are getting. But suppose can be said for Sadler's.
Hunters are a bit younger.

If you are willing to disclose a purchase budget you might get better suggestions - as generally prices go higher as boats get newer (though most modern boats are now bigger).

 

[Seegull]

Ha...anything between 9000 and 30000!
Obviously depends on age, model and condition.
I'm not after a doer-upper...but accept that some surprises and modifications have to be factored in.

The more the boat costs the shorter the trip and preparation time has to be!

Yes, the newer boats are mainly too big or too racey

 

[V1701]

It's not so much the hull's age you need to think about, a recent(ish) replacement engine, good sails, recent(ish) standing rigging, a tiller pilot and good ground tackle are what matters most. Decent bunk cushions are also important because they're expensive if you've got to replace nasty, thin plastic covered original ones. You can use a smartphone for navigation and all will likely already have a depth sounder. The more of that lot you can tick off the better the boat will likely be for the task...

Ah ok I assumed you'd be on a smaller budget. Above still applies but you have plenty for a boat that will be suitable. FWIW I bought a 1969 Bowman 26 with all the above a few years ago for just over £4k. Long keel so a pig to manoeuvre in tight spaces but you get the hang of it. Sort of. It was a lovely boat...

 

[scozzy]

Tonnes of options, it's really down to time you have available and what you call "comfortable "!
My Halcyon 23 is built like a tank,perfectly comfy for me single handed and could do it easily if slowly! would I want to do it on it? Maybe....but I'd need alot of time i don't have....yet!

 

[Andibs]

Tomahawk 25

 

[Seegull]

Replacement engine: how much would be a fair estimate?
I'm amazed at how many boats have replacement engines.
Normally Beta, and normally already under-offer or sold!

 

[scozzy]

Having seen your budget after my comment I'm thinking you won't be making me an offer for my 50 yr old H23!
If you can go to 30k a replacement engine shouldn't be an issue you should have plenty of v nice 26 ftrs to choose from with everything required to go wherever you want

 

[V1701]

How much time have you got? I mean if it's a case of you have, say, £50k for everything (i.e. boat and all expenses for the trip) and when it runs out you go back to work, then I'd spend £10k on the boat, which for that would be an older one with a replacement engine, etc. as per the above. Rather than spending £30k on the boat and having to rush the trip and go back to work sooner...

 

[Stemar]

The more the boat costs the shorter the trip and preparation time has to be!

Sometimes!

I think I'd want a £10K contingency cushion when buying an older boat for that sort of trip. That would cover the cost of a new engine, rigging, etc (always depending on just what etc turns out to be) there's always fettling to be done, and it always cost more than you think in both time and money.

An old engine isn't necessarily a liability. You want to see it start from cold - put your hand on the exhaust manifold - it should be at air temperature. It may take a bit of churning, especially if there aren't any heater plugs; that isn't an issue on a cold day, but it should fire up on all cylinders and run smoothly after a second or two. A bit of smoke when cold isn't a problem, as long as it goes away after a minute or two. Smoke when warm is a red flag. Now you want to see plenty of water coming out of the exhaust. You don't want to see a dribble of water and steam. Finally, it should push the boat along at hull speed, probably about 6.5 knots on the sort of boat you're looking for, at 3/4 throttle. If it can't do this, but passes all the other tests, the boat may just be a bit under powered, but for a trip round GB, enough power to shove you into wind and waves would be fairly high on my list.

As for which boat, as suggested above, bilge keels open options you just don't have with a fin or long keel. You sacrifice a little windward ability, but not a lot with the right boat. Condition's far more important than the actual model. Recent rigging, decent sails and a reliable engine would be big pluses. Older boats are likely to have a few blisters. Unless they're huge, they really don't matter.

 

[steve yates]

Any of them

 

[oldbloke]

All these boats will do it. It's been done in a Spring 25, which most on here consider too light and tippy for a boating lake let alone the north sea. It's been done , unsupported in a wayfarer and on a laser 1. I wouldn't sweat too much on what boat but lookout for a good one that you like

 

[V1701]

Here you go Hallberg Rassy 26 asking £12k has all you'd need with nice to haves like ST winches as well. It's not long keel like the ad says but not the easiest to manoeuvre in tight spaces either, easier than a long keel though. Dunno what they're doing with a 24kg (!) CQR anchor if that's to be believed, get rid of that in favour of a modern anchor of the correct size (Knox would be my choice) and off you go...

Hallberg Rassy 26 for sale UK, Hallberg Rassy boats for sale, Hallberg Rassy used boat sales, Hallberg Rassy Sailing Yachts For Sale 1978 Hallberg Rassy 26 - Apollo Duck