West Wight Potter 15/ Eagle 525

[[32511]]

I need a smaller, more easily handled and launched boat, and am considering one of these.
Another option is an Eagle 525.
Any feedback from owners of either appreciated!
Phil

 

[JumbleDuck]

I need a smaller, more easily handled and launched boat, and am considering one of these.
Another option is an Eagle 525.
Any feedback from owners of either appreciated!
Phil

We - my family - had the first ever Skipper Mariner, which was the original version of the Eagle 525. Cute looking in a "friendly dolphin" sort of way, nice airy wee cabin, lovely big cockpit, sailed horribly with pernicious lee helm. However, that was the first, as I say, and had a single centreboard instead of the later lifting bilge keels, so I presume it was sorted out. If I was looking in that size range, and didn#t love my Hunter 490 quite so much, I'd certainly consider an Eagle.

The outdoor activity centre where I keep the Hunter has a Skipper version which they like so much that they have just bought two Eagles as well.

 

[dylanwinter]

Potter

We - my family - had the first ever Skipper Mariner, which was the original version of the Eagle 525. Cute looking in a "friendly dolphin" sort of way, nice airy wee cabin, lovely big cockpit, sailed horribly with pernicious lee helm. However, that was the first, as I say, and had a single centreboard instead of the later lifting bilge keels, so I presume it was sorted out. If I was looking in that size range, and didn#t love my Hunter 490 quite so much, I'd certainly consider an Eagle.

The outdoor activity centre where I keep the Hunter has a Skipper version which they like so much that they have just bought two Eagles as well.

I would go for the potter

because it is well proven and a great size

I had a 15 foot 6 inch seafarer on a roller trailer

it was abasolute cinch to launch and recover

I towed it behind an escort

it was the only trailer sailor you could take for a day sail

a potter with a gunter would be perfect

I had some bloody brilliant winters on the broads

two candles heat the cabin

D

 

[Lakesailor]

I think I would plump for the WestWight Potter as well. I've seen them out in some boisterous winds and coping very well.

However, I wouldn't get one.

I tried one for size once and if you are at all creaky and stiff think very carefully about going too small. If you can't stretch in the cockpit or have to duck to look under the boom you may find it very uncomfortable.