What's faster than a Sadler Barracuda 45?

[ds797]

Just interested to know how she compares to other boats more recently? There don't seem to be any actively racing now so its hard to compare.... Obviously she was known as exceptionally fast for her day, but are more modern boats faster on the water?

Would something like a J/122 or J/133 be faster? What about something like a First 44.7?

Just be interested to know if there's a modern equivalent that offers similar or better performance but still with a usable interior (so that seems to rule out Ker, Mills, Corby, King etc!).

Cheers!

 

[345000]

Interesting question.

Very quick off the wind, but not so hot to windward.

Off the wind, in my humble and insignificant opinion, you'd have to be in something of at least a similar size to go faster - I remember reading back in the 80's that on one particular passage they'd seen 22 knots, although that was exceptional, with 15 being a lot more... achievable !

It will be interesting to see what others say.

What I do know is that owners love them, despite their reputedly having foybles that deter the unconverted.

 

[ds797]

I've never sailed one.... yet! Would love to have a go, bit of a childhood dream... Remember the credits for Howards Way seeing the Barracuda strutting her stuff around the Needles.... probably what got me so keen on sailing in the first place!

Love to hear from any current or past owners, or anyone who's sailed on them!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Brianhumber has (or had) one so might be worth a PM to him?

Also this thread is quite interesting http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?63067-Barracuda-45-any-one-know-this-boat

 

[sailorman]

I've never sailed one.... yet! Would love to have a go, bit of a childhood dream... Remember the credits for Howards Way seeing the Barracuda strutting her stuff around the Needles.... probably what got me so keen on sailing in the first place!

Love to hear from any current or past owners, or anyone who's sailed on them!

Bob Fishers was quite intimate with the Needles

 

[Daydream believer]

I am surprised Seajet has not come up with his usual 22 ft exaggeration of speed & tardis like accommodation
Does not normally miss a plug
Must be asleep dreaming of sailing from the Channel Islands to Uk :sleeping:
Or dumped on some hard going rotten :encouragement:

 

[E39mad]

Bob Fishers was quite intimate with the Needles

Wasn't it Bembridge?

Anyway agree that they were poor to windward but flew off the wind. I used to a race (as crew) a First 45f5 against them and sometimes could beat them around the course, let alone handicap.

The J44 of the same era was very quick both up and downwind!

 

[ditchcrawler]

You are both right.Barracuda hit the boiler of the Varvassi off the Needles when trying to cut the corner during the Round The Island Race,and got back with lots of pumps from the Lifeboat.I remember it as we were participating that year.Mr Fisher didn't highlight this in his article in the Sunday paper the next day.Can't remember who he wrote for,the Telegraph or the Guardian.In a separate incident it sank off Bembridge whilst filming Howards Way.

 

[sighmoon]

An open 40?

 

[ds797]

Thanks for the replies! Surprised a Bene 45f5 is faster on the water! I know the J44, what a boat, but sadly not that many on this side of the pond. Open 40 quicker I'm sure, but not so great in terms of an interior!!

 

[mrming]

Surprised a Bene 45f5 is faster on the water!

It would depend on the race. In a point to point race where you were lucky enough to have a large amount of downwind sailing, the Barracuda would be long gone. Sadly, in handicap day races with a significant upwind component it pretty much never pays to have a planing sled type boat.

 

[E39mad]

We used to race them in the Solent - the Sadler was really poor upwind in comparison. The Bene's were new with then state of the art racing sails and were sailed pretty well. Not sure about the rags or crew on the Sadler.

The Bene 45f5's could be fast - 1990 Round the Island we were 6th monohull round in 6 and three quarter hours.

 

[brianhumber]

Still have mine after 20 years and 30,000 odd miles, being only the second owner. Still can give the young contenders a run for their money off wind but it needs to be blowing so reefs are needed, mainly due to the age of my sails and the stretch in them. Had an Elan 44 overtake me off Lepe a couple of weeks ago and could only admire his tight blade sails. Light winds the hull just sticks and upwind I have always struggled. The handicap was always shite so I have never bothered much with racing preferring to enjoy the 15kts plus cruising conditions are right, averaging 12kts from Jersey to Chichester when winds and tides are right is quite a buzz. Leave in the evening and arrive before breakfast.
The Sadler build quality was terrible, first owner never cracked it and it took me over 5 years to get the hull/deck joint tight.
Very few other yachts you can get so much pleasure stonking it with the boys or just poodling with the wife. Ditto going long distances fast and then with the keel raised criusing the Friesland Islands, Dutch Canals or minor harbours other 45 footers can't get into easily such as Carentan, St Valery, Penerf etc.

Have no intention of selling even with two metal hips as long as my health stays good.

Will be out this coming weekend but wind looks quite light so not expecting any fireworks.

Brian

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Have no intention of selling even with two metal hips as long as my health stays good.

Just keep away from the compass binnacle !

 

[flaming]

Just interested to know how she compares to other boats more recently? There don't seem to be any actively racing now so its hard to compare.... Obviously she was known as exceptionally fast for her day, but are more modern boats faster on the water?

Would something like a J/122 or J/133 be faster? What about something like a First 44.7?

Just be interested to know if there's a modern equivalent that offers similar or better performance but still with a usable interior (so that seems to rule out Ker, Mills, Corby, King etc!).

Cheers!

Similar style boat would be the Elans. There's a 400 and a 450. Supposedly pretty quick downwind, and I would guess not quite as limited upwind.

For a little less interior (and a lot more money) the Pogos are your pick. The 40 footer (12.50) will be faster on all points of sail I would bet. Lifting keel too...

 

[Seajet]

Wasn't it Bembridge?

/QUOTE]

We heard Bob Fisher's Mayday when on Bembridge Ledge; " Well the hull's cracking now, we've got the liferaft alongside but if you could make the lifeboat sooner rather than later it'd be much appreciated " - 10 out of 10 for cool :encouragement:, though it would have been even better if they'd stayed off the rocks !