UK circum capable <27ft yacht?

[Tranona]

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!

A replacement engine is £7-10k all in for a 20 or 30hp. A little less for a smaller boat with a 10-16hp. Replacement is common because marine engines die of neglect mainly rather than wearing out and 30-50 year old boats that are near the bottom of the pile get neglected as owners lose interest or their circumstances change. Most of the older engines - Volvos, Yanmars Bukhs mainly were seawater cooled with poor electrics living rarely used in damp surroundings. Newer engines are freshwater cooled and most GRP boats can be made watertight so engines have an easy life, particularly if used regularly and hard.

I agree with others - don't get too fussed about the specific designs, condition gear and you are far more important for success. Bilge keels offer little advantage as you will find almost all areas have deep water anchorages or harbours. However if part of your plan is to explore the many tidal rivers and estuaries then of course the ability to dry out or sail in shallower water is an advantage.

Consider a larger boat than 8m because with that budget you could get a sound boat in the 9-10m range such as a Sadler 32, Westerly Fulmar, Moody 31 and many others that would be more comfortable, reduce passage times by 15-20%, allow you to sail in a wider range of conditions and motor better. No more difficult to sail - indeed probably easier. If sound when you start the running costs will be little different on a trip like that, although of course long term running costs, particularly berthing will be higher.

Suggest you have a look here forums.ybw.com/members/concerto.147919/#about Roger did his circumnavigation in a Fulmar and shared a lot of useful information along the way.

If you fancy something older but with a bit more class, have a look at a Golden Hind 31 like mine which is close to being perfect for the job. Good ones sell comfortably within your budget.

 

[Bodach na mara]

In my experience, engines get renewed not because the old engine is done but because it has reached the age of needing a repair or overhaul and the owner has reached the age where he doesn't do major repairs or overhauls any longer. The main part of the cost of replacing an engine is in the labour to get the old one out, the new one in, and connecting everything up and testing. Plus sorting out anything that doesn't fit or work properly.

In the size of boat we are discussing, it doesn't matter much what make or size of engine you are dealing with. The cost of renewal will lie somewhere between £8k and £10k. Well maybe a bit more if you decide to fit a new Volvo.

 

[fredrussell]

Not to let the side down or anything, but with the weird and wonderful UK weather I’d quite like a wheelhouse equipped motor sailor if I was circumnavigating.

 

[Supertramp]

To add another thought to the mix, standing headroom is nice to have as you will be stormbound and stuck aboard on occasions. Comfort matters when you're aboard for weeks.

Oh, and a good sprayhood!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

To add another thought to the mix, standing headroom is nice to have as you will be stormbound and stuck aboard on occasions. Comfort matters when you're aboard for weeks.

Oh, and a good sprayhood!

Not just a hood, but a cockpit enclosure. Makes a world of difference to comfort in port on a small boat. Hang your wetgear, sleep with the hatch open, watch the sunset on a cool night, where do I stop?.

 

[dunedin]

….

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

Just out of interest, what is the reason for the length constraint ? Is it a limit on a home berth size?

For doing the trip a slightly bigger boat may in fact be easier to sail - as extra size adds a bit more weatherliness and stability, and shortens time between safe havens. Even single handed a 32 footer like Concerto’s Fulmar could be better than a 27 footer.

 

[Sandy]

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.

Westerly Griffon.

 

[Frank Holden]

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!

Don't be too amazed, boats in your size range tend to be quite old. I was told by the sales director of Westerly Yacht Construction some 30 years ago - just before they went under for the very last time - that it was near impossible to sell a new sub-30 foot yacht in the UK because everyone who wanted one already had one.
A new engine would suggest to me that the owner was still looking after their boat and willing to spend money to keep her in good order.

 

[Gixer]

I’ve been casually looking at doing a ‘round the UK trip’ and can understand your interest in a 27f bilge keel boat. Luckily I already have one

Having a smaller boat that can take the ground opens up a lot more harbours for bad weather and emergencies. Saying that if I was sailing will 3+ people I would want a 32f boat.

I’ve been watching a number of series on YouTube of people doing this in small boats and it does look like a lot of fun. Sam Sails is a good one to watch, he does it alone in an old Hurley 22, The Bumbling Sailor has just completed the trip in a Scampi 30. Both these people go through the canals rather than going over the ‘top’ but still worth a watch.

Have a look on the Hunter Association site, there’s a number of people on there that have done this trip, the boats seem a good fit.
HA Home Page

Sam gives a frank account of thoughts and costs of sailing around the UK

 

[Refueler]

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

For 10K - you can get a very nice boat in the 26ft range .... trouble is on forums like this - you get a lot of nay-say - pessimistic stuff ... leading to newcomers looking at the wallets and wishing they'd never asked !!

 

[Refueler]

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...

WOW .... 50K ?????

There are boats out there for a lot less than that - more than good enough to do what OP wants to do ...

Guy could do a lot worse than a reasonble Centaur / Colvic 26 ...

 

[Refueler]

Don't be too amazed, boats in your size range tend to be quite old. I was told by the sales director of Westerly Yacht Construction some 30 years ago - just before they went under for the very last time - that it was near impossible to sell a new sub-30 foot yacht in the UK because everyone who wanted one already had one.
A new engine would suggest to me that the owner was still looking after their boat and willing to spend money to keep her in good order.

I knew the Westerly Guys - I used to live just up the road ... knew the Northshore guys as well ...

Biggest reason for the lack of new boats in the sub 30ft - was not that people already had - it was because the profit margin was too slim as it cots near as much to build a 26 as it did a 30-33 ....
Who0 was going to pay same money as a 30 - 33 for a 26 ??

Interesting though - when Westerly went under that last time ... certain moulds went missing !!

 

[Refueler]

I’ve been casually looking at doing a ‘round the UK trip’ and can understand your interest in a 27f bilge keel boat. Luckily I already have one

Having a smaller boat that can take the ground opens up a lot more harbours for bad weather and emergencies. Saying that if I was sailing will 3+ people I would want a 32f boat.

I’ve been watching a number of series on YouTube of people doing this in small boats and it does look like a lot of fun. Sam Sails is a good one to watch, he does it alone in an old Hurley 22, The Bumbling Sailor has just completed the trip in a Scampi 30. Both these people go through the canals rather than going over the ‘top’ but still worth a watch.

Have a look on the Hunter Association site, there’s a number of people on there that have done this trip, the boats seem a good fit.
HA Home Page

Sam gives a frank account of thoughts and costs of sailing around the UK

Check out "Keep Turning Left" ....

 

[Gixer]

@Refueler I got fed up with his constant moaning

The Sailing Brothers are good to watch also. Although I think they got lost doing the round the UK as they are now in Australia!?

 

[Refueler]

The Perkins 4-107 sitting in my 25ft Motor sailer is a lump of rust glaring at you ... press the start button and that lump of rust will take you wherever you want.

It was sitting on a pallet at back of HYCO shed for a couple of years after taken out of a Rustler because it smoked ... and owner decided to swap out for a new engine .... (many comments on this and other threads reminds me of that guy) ....

The engine was brushed off ... cup of diesel thrown at it .. it started ... was then put into my boat replacing the seized 4-99 ...

Approx 20yrs later .. with very little care and attention from me ... - that engine is STILL purring like a good-un.

Oh - the smoke ? Just needed a bl***y good thrash and I make sure I do that every so often ...

That's the problem with boat engines - they never really get worked hard as a diesel needs.

 

[Seegull]

I’ve been casually looking at doing a ‘round the UK trip’ and can understand your interest in a 27f bilge keel boat. Luckily I already have one

Having a smaller boat that can take the ground opens up a lot more harbours for bad weather and emergencies. Saying that if I was sailing will 3+ people I would want a 32f boat.

I’ve been watching a number of series on YouTube of people doing this in small boats and it does look like a lot of fun. Sam Sails is a good one to watch, he does it alone in an old Hurley 22, The Bumbling Sailor has just completed the trip in a Scampi 30. Both these people go through the canals rather than going over the ‘top’ but still worth a watch.

Have a look on the Hunter Association site, there’s a number of people on there that have done this trip, the boats seem a good fit.
HA Home Page

Sam gives a frank account of thoughts and costs of sailing around the UK

Thanks, yes I watched Sam Sails - great Videos and interesting lad. However, I would intend on doing shorter passages and avoid night-time as much as possible. Would prefer a larger boat with a diesel engine too.

Saying that there is an Austrian guy who crosses the Atlantic in a boat like Sam had.... another level!

Regarding size. Yes I thought a 26ft bilge keel would open up more options but still have plenty of space for a solo below.
Lucky you. When do you start?

 

[Refueler]

@Refueler I got fed up with his constant moaning

The Sailing Brothers are good to watch also. Although I think they got lost doing the round the UK as they are now in Australia!?

I like his sense of humour !! Not exactly PC ...

And his camera work is brill - well it ought to - it is his professional career - TV.

 

[Seegull]

@Refueler I got fed up with his constant moaning

The Sailing Brothers are good to watch also. Although I think they got lost doing the round the UK as they are now in Australia!?

Yep currently watching the Brother's channel. Very interesting as they are clearly on a budget.
Amazing that they are now in Oz...Great achievement!
Lucky to have a competent and trustworthy mate/brother to do it with. My main concern is the solo aspect of it.

 

[Seegull]

Just out of interest, what is the reason for the length constraint ? Is it a limit on a home berth size?

For doing the trip a slightly bigger boat may in fact be easier to sail - as extra size adds a bit more weatherliness and stability, and shortens time between safe havens. Even single handed a 32 footer like Concerto’s Fulmar could be better than a 27 footer.

I was initially looking at 30 to 34ft as was hoping to combine any solo adventures I can gather the courage and time to do with using the boat with my family.
Also looked at motorsailors (which there are slim pickings of)
But I decided I was trying to find a boat that can cover to many possibilities.
Plus as has been mentioned <27ft / 8m is the cut off for some some berthing options.
Therefore, my question is more: are there any suitable, well priced, sub 27ft, yachts out there for a potential circum of Britain?

From what I am seeing and hearing there are.

If not, then I could re-consider something a bit bigger.

 

[Gixer]

Regarding size. Yes I thought a 26ft bilge keel would open up more options but still have plenty of space for a solo below.
Lucky you. When do you start?

If you’re going on your own you’ll be fine, £15k for a decent boat with good engine, sails and solar (yes, solar) and your laughing. 5K for the trip and 10k in your back pocket just in case.

When am I going you say? I’m pretty much ready except for the most expensive item… time.