Westerly Merlin - what else to look at

[Tranona]

res ipsa loquitur

Sorry, but is that another type of rubbish?

 

[voicilesrosbifs]

aft heads, or daft heads?

Thanks folks. Unfortunately, Tempest is over 30ft and Sadler does not have aft heads. Both nice boats though.

What's the big benefit of the heads being aft? So you can disturb the entire boat when you make a midnight visit?

 

[At_Ease]

What's the big benefit of the heads being aft? So you can disturb the entire boat when you make a midnight visit?

Number of reasons but for the purposes of this thread, call it personal preference.

 

[Judders]

Well from all that you have put in the thread, I would put a bigger shout still for the Hunter Horizon, either the 26 or the TK27.

 

[tom_sail]

We own a hunter horizon 26. Fantasic little boat!

Easy to handle singlehanded although a little twitchy in big sea. They have a tendency to round up in winds above 20-25 knots, not a problem for us we just reef early.
Up wind performance is good for a BK. In flat water we can get around 37-40 degrees to the wind around 35 and we go sideways.

Down below is cramped. If your a close family its perfect. You'll find it hard to get a private spot to get changed etc.

Hopefully that a non biased view on the hunter horizon 26/hunter horizon 27.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Following on from the reccomendations for the Hunter 26/27/272/273. If budget allows then the Ranger 265/Channel 27 (same hull but with a different lid) might be worthy of consideration.

Both offer more interior volume than the earlier models and sailing performance is comprable although the self tacking jib leaves them a little underpowered in the light stuff (although the same applies to the 272/273 which also have self tackers) although this can be mostly overcome by using the 'scooper' once off the wind.

 

[JimC]

Following on from the reccomendations for the Hunter 26/27/272/273. If budget allows then the Ranger 265/Channel 27 (same hull but with a different lid) might be worthy of consideration.

Actually the Hunter Ranger 265 and Channel 27 don't have the same hull as the earlier Horizon 26 and 27. The Horizons' hulls were derived from the still earlier Hunter Delta racing yacht, with a sugar scoop added in the case of the Horizon 27. The Ranger and Channel 27's hulls were designed from the outset for cruising and have a higher volume and greater freeboard. They also feature a soft chine running from about 2/3 length to the transom. The same hull was used for the Pilot 27. The boats using this hull are much roomier than the earlier Horizons, which were themselves considered exceptionally roomy for their size at the time of their introduction. The Channel 27 is still available www.britishhunter.co.uk All these boats were designed by David Thomas.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Actually the Hunter Ranger 265 and Channel 27 don't have the same hull as the earlier Horizon 26 and 27. The Horizons' hulls were derived from the still earlier Hunter Delta racing yacht, with a sugar scoop added in the case of the Horizon 27. The Ranger and Channel 27's hulls were designed from the outset for cruising and have a higher volume and greater freeboard. They also feature a soft chine running from about 2/3 length to the transom. The same hull was used for the Pilot 27. The boats using this hull are much roomier than the earlier Horizons, which were themselves considered exceptionally roomy for their size at the time of their introduction. The Channel 27 is still available www.britishhunter.co.uk All these boats were designed by David Thomas.

Agreed, which was what my post meant to say but I didn't make a very good job of it!

 

[Boo2]

Aft double cabin
Aft heads
Bilge keel
Max 30ft

Kingfisher 30s ? Doesn't have an aft heads though...

Boo2

 

[At_Ease]

Thanks for the additions everyone. I'll have a closer look at the Hunters.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Thanks for the additions everyone. I'll have a closer look at the Hunters.

Please bear in mind that many will have been competed by the original owners from kits supplied by Hunter and consequently the quality of the fit out can vary considerably depending on his/or her practical skills.

My personal preference would be a factory completed example. If this is not obvious then the manufacturer's sticker at the back of the cockpit will reveal all.

 

[JimC]

the quality of the fit out can vary considerably depending on his/or her practical skills.... My personal preference would be a factory completed example. If this is not obvious then the manufacturer's sticker at the back of the cockpit will reveal all.

Agreed, though some of the amateur-completed boats I've seen have been very good indeed. The hardest part get right is the cabin lining, you'll often see wrinkles in the vinyl on home completed boats. The important stuff incl' all the GRP work is done by the factory. The makers plate on a boat that was home completed reads "mouldings supplied by Hunter Boats" rather than "manufactured by Hunter Boats" (or British Hunter on more recent examples).

 

[Lucky Duck]

Agreed, though some of the amateur-completed boats I've seen have been very good indeed.

Sadly when looking for my first 'proper' boat these examples eluded me althought it is good to learn that they do indeed exist. (I was originaly looking for a Horizon 27/272 but ended up with a Ranger 265 which I came across at a good price by chance)

I see you have a Channel 31, if it wasn't the OP's price range I would have reccomended these boats without hesitation.

 

[Boo2]

I had a look at a Merlin recently, and thought it was a bit pricey for what it was. However, it does have the right attributes, principally:

Aft double cabin
Aft heads
Bilge keel
Max 30ft
...
Hence I find myself looking for alternatives up to say £25k, which meet the four criteria above. Suggestions most welcome.

Also worth considering the Windex 92, not a bilge keel but instead a lifting keel design which should do OK with legs.

Don't know where you'll find one though

Boo2