What 26' Bilge keeler?
Discussion
So...as the children as growing up and likely to enjoy camping on the boat, I have secured a 8m mooring in Falmouth and will over the next year or so trade in the mighty Cornish Puffin for a 26/27 bilge keel boat in the £6-7k bracket.
As far as I can tell the Centaur is probably the best of its type, but then there are Colvic's, Macwesters, Sabres, Hunters (probably a bit pricey) and others.
I was set on a Centaur as it fills the "caravan on the water" brief best, but I reckon a Colvic would be a sturdier vessel due to moulded keels and heavy layup. So basically I keep flip flopping, I try and look on the YBW threads but in reality this is the only forum I like and ultimately trust the judgement of folk in Boats, Planes & Trains. (Apart from when the Plane beards start speaking in their abbreviation language and try their hardest to slam each other down).
As another footnote I like the idea of a 20+hp inboard and would not consider a sailing boat of this size with an outboard.
As far as I can tell the Centaur is probably the best of its type, but then there are Colvic's, Macwesters, Sabres, Hunters (probably a bit pricey) and others.
I was set on a Centaur as it fills the "caravan on the water" brief best, but I reckon a Colvic would be a sturdier vessel due to moulded keels and heavy layup. So basically I keep flip flopping, I try and look on the YBW threads but in reality this is the only forum I like and ultimately trust the judgement of folk in Boats, Planes & Trains. (Apart from when the Plane beards start speaking in their abbreviation language and try their hardest to slam each other down).
As another footnote I like the idea of a 20+hp inboard and would not consider a sailing boat of this size with an outboard.
I'm very happy to hear any reasons even if they are just opinions and especially if you own one. I know I'm over thinking this, but this is PH " where overthinking things matters".
For example, the Colvics keels are pretty much straight up and down, not great for sailing, but very good for drying out and this is what mine will do over winter on a mud berth. The bolt on splayed out Centaur keels look a bit weak to me but I imagine (with maintenance) totally fit for purpose.
For example, the Colvics keels are pretty much straight up and down, not great for sailing, but very good for drying out and this is what mine will do over winter on a mud berth. The bolt on splayed out Centaur keels look a bit weak to me but I imagine (with maintenance) totally fit for purpose.
Westerly Griffon. Essentially a more modern centaur. Quite a bit faster, more spacious, good family friendly boat with decent cockpit and wide decks.
We had one from new when I was about 12. It replaced a centaur. Now have a westerly fulmar which is on the market.
Just realised that a Griffon is probably a bit pricey.
Weren't many Colvics sold as kits? Variable quality if so.
Saddler 26? or 1980's Saddler 25? Both had a bilge keel option and have great sea manners
We had one from new when I was about 12. It replaced a centaur. Now have a westerly fulmar which is on the market.
Just realised that a Griffon is probably a bit pricey.
Weren't many Colvics sold as kits? Variable quality if so.
Saddler 26? or 1980's Saddler 25? Both had a bilge keel option and have great sea manners
Edited by blueg33 on Monday 26th January 09:55
J3JCV said:
I'm very happy to hear any reasons even if they are just opinions and especially if you own one. I know I'm over thinking this, but this is PH " where overthinking things matters".
For example, the Colvics keels are pretty much straight up and down, not great for sailing, but very good for drying out and this is what mine will do over winter on a mud berth. The bolt on splayed out Centaur keels look a bit weak to me but I imagine (with maintenance) totally fit for purpose.
For me it's really about looks. The Sabre is just a much nicer looking boat IMHO, and although I've not run round both with a tape measure comparing internal volume, it's close enough not to matter. I believe the Sabre is slightly faster too (but we are talking a small percentage here). I'll fess up, the Sabre below is fin keel, however only the fish can see that....For example, the Colvics keels are pretty much straight up and down, not great for sailing, but very good for drying out and this is what mine will do over winter on a mud berth. The bolt on splayed out Centaur keels look a bit weak to me but I imagine (with maintenance) totally fit for purpose.
Centaur...
Sabre...
blueg33 said:
Weren't many Colvics sold as kits? Variable quality if so. Saddler 26?
The Colvics were mostly all kits but the hull and decks were pretty bullet proof.My brother's best mate worked for Sadler for a while. Got really peed off with them and stormed out in a huff. As he was leaving, he kicked one of the hulls with his welly. It went straight through the side of the hull. That, he said, summed-up Sadlers to him.
Fishtigua said:
blueg33 said:
Weren't many Colvics sold as kits? Variable quality if so. Saddler 26?
The Colvics were mostly all kits but the hull and decks were pretty bullet proof.My brother's best mate worked for Sadler for a while. Got really peed off with them and stormed out in a huff. As he was leaving, he kicked one of the hulls with his welly. It went straight through the side of the hull. That, he said, summed-up Sadlers to him.
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