What to do?

nevster

nevster

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I'm normally a motor boater quite happy with my little Cox 22 pottering around at 6-7 knots doing a bit of fishing etc. My confusion has come about because someone that shares our moorings is selling his Westerly Centaur and has given me first refusal. No normally I would have said no thanks, but suddenly this sailing lark seems to have an appeal to me, it also seems to appeal to swmbo. But I still like the appeal of my Cox (I know its not flash but it does all I ask of it) I dont know what to do, any advice gratefully received.

Nevster
 
Funnily enough this was my first solution but unless my six numbers come up this weekend swmbo has decided that two lots of mooring fees, insurance, running fees etc is a bit too much for finances.

Nevster
 
Its important to keep SWMBO happy, you will be able to enjoy weekends, even holidays afloat, using God given energy (wind to you and me). There is nothing to stop you going out using the motor and doing a bit of worm drowning with the Centaur. Its a win win situation.
 
Hi
The Centaur is a very well built boat and if it has the usual 25 hp Volvo fitted it performs as a pretty good motor boat as well. Lots of people have made quite long trips mostly under engine. It will have a deeper keel than your Cox but does that matter - depends where you want to go. If you are new to sails it is a safe, sea-worthy boat to learn on. The thought of keeping two boats chills the blood. Enjoy your boat whatever you do.
 
One obvious answer is that you can fish off a Centaur however:

Perhaps taking SWMBO for a little trial sail - preferably overnight somewhere would decide things.

If you want to change to sail make sure that it sunny and warm, light winds and the sailing is easy with no unwanted gybes and other situations. Perhaps motor a bit and then put the sail up for a gentle reach across to a nice anchorage where you sit in the cockpit enjoying your sundowners before stepping ashore for a spot of supper somewhere nice.

If you don't want to change to sail, go for a test sail on a breezy day when the boat leans over in an almost out of control sort of way, make sure its raining and you shout at each other a lot. When you arrive where you are going, find out that the pub's stopped serving food and the cooker won't heat the Fray Bentos properly. There are leaks onto your bunk and you roll around at anchor all night (preferably dragging once in the process which makes you get up and reset the anchor) and the engine refuses to start in the morning.

Sailing and sleeping on board is a lot about dreams. I have a theory that there are enough, but ONLY JUST enough nice sailing days in UK waters to keep people sailing. That's why its such an addictive activity. You keep wanting another fix of what you know it ought to be like.

Perhaps I'm being too tongue in cheek with the above, but its unusual for partners to want to change to sail and often partners are put off sailing by their first experiences. Have you both done any sailing before?
 
Many moons ago I bought a brand new Cox 21 and collected it from the yard at Brightlingsea.If i`m not mistaken the Cox 22 was also sold as a motorsailer and there were at one time a few of these around. Should be possible to find the specs or a picture somewhere. Just increases your dilemma I suppose.
Pete.
 
Have done some crewing for uncle as a youth but swmbo had no sailing experience up until today when prospective vendor took us out to show us what boat was capable of. Both thoroughly enjoyed experience which has not helped with dilema! Now both in love with sailing but still like motor boat as well, oh what to do!

Regards

Nevster /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I have a theory that there are enough, but ONLY JUST enough nice sailing days in UK waters to keep people sailing.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's a good theory. Especially when, like me, you are a fairweather sailor. I can't see the point of freezing my nuts off or getting soaked. I've mused on motor boats before. We get our sailing opportunities in 3-4 hour batches and although it's only 15 minutes from front door to leaving the mooring we do get a few windless days when motoring is the only option. Outboards don't cut the mustard really.
But then when you've had a good sail. with just the chuckling water and the thump of the chop on your bilge keel (one of their few virtues) you think "I'd have missed out on that in a MOBO"

I'd say the Westerley would be a good compromise, unlike most "motor-sailers".
 
Hi to all Cox 22 owners and others.
here is the picture of my last year restored Marine Cox 22. As I have seen in other forums the Swin ranger has nothing to do with a Marine Cox 22 salinig boat (two masts, long keeler and bilge keeler at once).
I have changed my rudder with two more parallel blades that turns the propeller into a turbine like water rocket propulsion(!) very directable... and stable for this North Sea waters. Important when you try to enter into a Harbour in heavy waters...
See "Mariadela" under: http://www.dupetit.com/englich/images/mariadela.jpg

I am also searching for backgrownd information as catalogues, drawings and stories, turns etc with a Cox 22, specially if there is anything about how good they are for heavy sea (ocean, crossing over and back from Holland to Eangland, etc.
Regards

Alfredo
 
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