Which bilge keelers sail well

[theoldplucker]

Some smaller bilge keelers sail really well, even to windward. What about larger yachts. Be interesting to have a list of the good performers. I start the list with -

Pandora
Achilles 24

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Oxymoron 36

 

[Twister_Ken]

Sadler 290
RMs

 

[oldsaltoz]

Consider including suitable engine type as well.

 

[ebbtide]

Seawolf 26 and 30

 

[matelot]

try a Moody 336 if you can get one. Just came 2nd under PY in our race series against boats up to a Jeanneau one design and a Dehler 36. Found we could outrun a j24 to windward though we didnt point as high by about 5 deg. No problem with Hunters or the old Sadlers. Only time we were slow was in very light winds ( 5 knots) when we didnt have enough sail area.

 

[Cloven]

UK Hunters

 

[billiew]

Westerly Solway,get enough sail on and mine'll really skip.
Bill

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
UK Hunters

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Andy

 

[SAWDOC]

Was just reading at the w/end in "A voyage for Madmen" how Chay Blyth's bilge keeler performed very poorly - used to broach frequently in the big stuff - then again he was on a steep learning curve as well as a steep wave....

 

[PeterGibbs]

I second this.

Plus Westerley Fulmar

PWG

 

[matelot]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
UK Hunters

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Andy

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Yes - Hunter as in Sonata. Delta, Impala and the bilge keel cruisers. Didnt think they sold the Yank ones here,. Anyway the boat concerned was a bilge keel Hunter 30 which is reasonably fast and slippery.

 

[Stevedud]

Any votes for a Westerly Pentland Ketch, I've just bought one. Any plus points or minus points I should know about and anyone quantify sailing performance rather the the vague statement I keep reading "they sail better than they looK"
How close to the wind is practical and what sort of speeds can I expect on various points of sail.

 

[chrishelen]

Hi Steve, i am a fan of Westerlys, IMO they are good solid seaboats,the bilge keelers do sail pretty well to windward as long as you have the rig set up correctly and have half decent sails ,have you visited the westerly owners site yet? they will point you in the right direction.
good luck.

 

[kds]

Even the old westerly Centour is pretty reasonable in the hands of a good helmsman.
ken /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[OGITD]

The Newbridge Virgo Voyager.
I bought mine after a little research on the net as, I wanted as much as could be provided in a small ish yacht.
I primarily sail her in the outer Clyde areas where you do get some considerable heavy seas, and I have found her very pleasant to sail under either main, genoa or both.
Pointing in rough seas with maximum sail she can tend to slam into the waves. But bear away slightly or reduce sail and this is soon corrected.
My wife who was new to sailing in 2007 found her such a pleasant motion and giving confidence to the novice that we often take turns for a snooze in the cockpit while under way.
Also in the club recently it was mentioned that a number of years ago there was a Voyager owner who regularly won all race events with his, although this was under the handicap rules.
Additionally it was suggested that I join the racing group/squad as I would be pleasantly surprised how she would perform against the larger boats. This from our club champion who did rather well in a certain national event, so this proves he knows what its all about.

 

[TiggerToo]

I cannot remember the name... I think there is something call an rm_... I am sure there are a couple of owners who frequent these fora. They have had rave reviews in the press and some good commenst on here too. They look good from outside. Never sailed one though.

(sorry rb_ I had forgotten, but it was yours I was thinking of)

 

[rwoofer]

Can't beat RMs as mentioned above. Here are a few photos of an RM1200 planing at 10knots plus.

The bigger RMs use water ballast to help develop power, but even without water ballast my little RM880 has seen over 10 knots on the log.

 

[Sans Bateau]

If you would like an older boat that sails better than a Hunter, get a Sadler of equivalent size! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Storyline]

Westerly Pentland's. do <40 degree apparent if you are really 'in the groove'.

Excuse the vested interest /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif