yacht for tidal moorings

[gordon029]

Hi I am looking for my first boat.Unfortunately I am restricted to tidal moorings and this is where my problems start. As I have been sailing for a number of years on a fin keeled boat I would prefer a similiar type boat and this is where I mention a lifting keel type.So which lifting keel yachts are suitable for grounding.I would really appreciate some info .I am thinking of a boat of around 20 to 26ft and the budget is around 12k.
Thanking you all in anticipation

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[oldharry]

Dont completely dismiss the Bilge keeler. There are some very good and competent ones around. The bilge keel Sadler 25 for example on test was found to perform just as well as its fin keel sister, and slightly faster on certain points of sailing.

Lift keelers have their good and bad points too, and the lift keel mechanism is prone to getting mud and shingle stuck in the slot on a drying mooring. They do not necessarily perform the same as a fin keeler, and there is all that extra mechanism to maintain (and go wrong at the crucial moment according to someones law!). I have owned 2 drop keelers, for the same reason (drying moorings) both of which had disappointing performace to windward, and no appreciable speed difference to equivalent Bilge keelers.

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[boatless]

Stretching the size parameter slightly, two of the nicest boats I've sailed are the Parker Super Seal 27 (in budget probably) and the MGC227 (probably out of budget unless you're very lucky). Lift keel Hunter Delta supposed to be pretty good, but never sailed one.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Capt_Scarlet]

How about a triple keel boat? My Achilles 9M has a fin that is deeper than some tubby fin keelers, and two smaller bilge keels to stop it falling over when required.

I kept mine on a tidal mooring without trouble.

Quite by chance I also have a triple keel Achilles 840 (28ft) in reasonable order for sale. PM me for more info.

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[mirabriani]

I do not know where you intend to keep her (no profile)
However a friend of mine had a Westerly Fulmar fin keel
He kept her at Rye on a drying mud berth.
I remember when he moved berths he just moored up afloat and we watched her settle comfortably. She sat more upright than several bilge keeled yachts.
Also, there are many bilge keeled yachts in Folkstone Harbour which dries out.
Regards Briani

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[LittleShip]

Looking at your price range and requirements take a long hard look at the Westerly Centaur, this is a bilge keeled boat that is very forgiving for a first time boat owner.

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[pwc51]

As suggested by Boatless - I can recommend the Lift Keel Hunter Delta. I owned one for over 10 years - we kept her in a drying marina so she sat on the mud every tide and never came to any harm. Great sailer too.

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[Born_Free]

I have a Fairey Fisherman, effectively a triple keel. Ok so it's a wooden motorsailer, but sails quite respectably and is great for passage making as it has a fairly powerful motor for its size. Takes the ground well and is shallow draughted, great for the E. Coast where I sail. Worth a look and should be within your budget.

<hr width=100% size=1>Born Free!
Now I'm expensive

 

[bendyone]

Have a look at at Hunter Horizon 26 twin keel - a good sailer and plently of room below.

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[wagenaar]

I think Rye is quite an exception. I was there a couple of years ago and found indeed that the keel just sank into the mud, although we put a line ashore for safety reasons. In placrs with w harder bottom, the ship will fall on its side.

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[DavidGrieves]

Cobra 750, bilge keels are fabricated as part of the hull (no keel bolts) they are also aerofoil desing. The boat sails well and can get point to the windward. Designed by David Feltham, Cobra have an owners website do a search and check them out.

Good luck

David

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[wicked]

Suggest an Evolution26 if you want something racey or an Evolution25 if you would rather have standing headroom (same hull)

Hydraulic 800lb keel which locks down so it's effectively a fin keeler (i.e. you can dry out on the keel against a wall if you want). With the keel up it will float on wet grass - I regularly sneek back to the berth with only 18" of water!. Also it sits upright on the mud which is an important consideration.

Mine dries out on a mud berth on most tides and never had a problem - no amount of mud is going to stop 800lbs of cast iron when you lower the keel.

Should get one for £12K but expect to pay a bit more if it has lots of racey bits. Similar performance to a Super Seal.

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[billmacfarlane]

Try the Super Seal 26, nice accommodation and even better sailing performance. If bilge keles do it for you then the Sadler 25 is one of the best I know. It'll tie nicely into your budget too.

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[gordon029]

Hi I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my request for boats suitable for tidal moorings.I have spent considerable time on other areas of the web with a lot less success.To those of you who suggested looking at bilge keels ,I am getting there as I just spoke to a boat owner this morning who told me that to get his keel up took 500 turns,but the worst part was that it fell off his boat not once but twice due to bolt failure.Anyway on with the search and thanks for the help.I will keep you posted.

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