Thread: 18' (5.5m) Sail boat - Which one?

I do too, but whether it is self righting not was the original criterion - so a useful question I think.

We know the TS16 isn't - but at the same time we are both recommending it! But we both caveated the statements too.

The Micro is but not everyone likes the looks - I admire them greatly and have seen people who hate the looks reform - when they have seen the process of one being built and then sailing.

At least some of the Coresounds do use water ballast too but I don't know the status of each boat.

Best wishes
MIK

http://www.graingerdesigns.com.au/st...detail-145.php

P

Oh decisions, decisions.......

Going up to see the good folk at Duck Flats Wooden Boats on Thursday I think.... but don't tell Ted.... if they know I'm coming they might lock the gate, turn out the lights and make out no one is home......

It sounds like the cabin version of John Welsford's "Pathfinder" should be on the list too.

Just as a little aside from the normal..... there was sail in my family tree many years ago...... great granddad built the 'Lady Angus' 42' 6" cutter when he was about 82 yrs old, the family mainly fished from Edithburgh and Kangaroo Island in Sth Oz.


Plus just found this little gem in the SA Police Gazettes of 1932 - Just love the description of some of a great uncles stolen property from his boat.....
The initiative in those days was remarkable.... make things from whatever is laying around.....

By the way if you find any of the items listed let me know I'd say the sails etc were made by my father

STOLEN

OSBORNE.-Between the 31st August and the 3rd September,1932, from a fishing cutter on the foreshore, a linen duck mainsail, size 20ft. x 17ft. x 13ft. x 10ft., made of 3ft. wide duck, seam in centre, two rows of reef points, four single 4in. blocks; a tiller made from wheat truck handle; two gratings, size 2ft. 6in. x lft. 4in., for covering well, made of oregon; a boat hook made of iron with a mallee stick handle-total value £5, the property of LEWIS HARTLEY
ANGUS; identifiable

Look at a Jarcat 5 or Jarcat 6 as well. There's a number active in S.A., and a very active owners network.

Robert

Hey Robert, you trying to give me extra work !

Then I'd have to build 2 hulls...... but then again a lot narrower so I could do one at a time in the shed and still have plenty of room to move around them....

Then I could join them together outside under the BIG pergola..... food for thought.... I had better look deeper at that idea.....

Yep!!....I also like the Jarcats.....the J6C is very close to the top of my 'next build' list!!
......like Aberdeen I love the Hartley 'range'.......built a TS16 20 years ago......currently restoring/re-modelling a 17ft powerboat hull....but being semi-retired have to look at running costs.....done the 'sailing boat thing'.....the J6C offers an easy build, stable platform, comfortable over-nighter/weekender that would be very economical to run.

Thanks for that Vern
But what are they like for handling by a novice sail person ?
Both the TS16 and the other one....... getting to old for too much effort.... of course you have a couple more years on me but the healthy lifestyle down there on the east coast would balance that out !

Any idea on what powers the cat in the thumbnail ?

The TS16 is just a ruddy great big dinghy. One of the blokes I did the boat building course with had to give up racing one because he didn't fit under the boom The TS18 would be a better choice methinks.

I've got a mate who was very keen on the Jarcats and I never really understood why until I saw one in real life - you can play football in that cabin In the sized boats you're looking at building, if cabin size is important, have a good look at the Jarcats.

The other thing to consider is that your missus isn't a boat person and may prefer the stability of a catamaran to a monohull. The cats don't heel over like the mono's do and that can upset some people. I've a mate who's wife has gone completely off boating because she could never get used to it heeling - that may not be common but it can happen.

Richard

Size is important Richard and I have met a lot of wives who don't like heeling...... sit boo boo sit.... (ouch if SWMBO ever read this)

It also looks like Jarcats can be built in either sail or power ?
Must see if I can locate one this way soon.... time is ticking.

If I do proceed with the Vixen will most likely power it with a Mercruiser I/O diesel..... have a contact who gets used ones now and then less than 2 years old..... never did like outboard motors.........

Aberdeen,
I am like you...getting too long in the tooth to be bothered with the effort of sailing again...."been there done that" as they say!!

The TS16 was great (20 years ago) from a sailing perspective......very much like a big dinghy....not for the inexperienced though!!

I have not sailed a Jarcat but know two people who swear by them........very easy to sail and very stable and roomy for cruising. The model pictured is the motorised version (the J6C) recommendation is for 20-25hp outboard. Should be much more economical compared to my Hartley which I am intending to power with a 50HP OB. I have a friend in QLD who has a J6 (sailer) and also uses a 15hp OB....he loves it and uses it as a powerboat 90% of the time. It will handle a good sea and runs all day on around $20 worth of fuel.

I am not wanting to do the sailing 'thing' again so I would opt for the J6 Cabin cruiser version pictured.


Right at this moment though my aim is to get the Hartley finished and onto the water for some serious fishing........I will see how that performs before I make any final decisions.......I also want to build something smaller for use in the large lagoon/river system at my front door............thinking (powered) GIS for that!!!

Vern at least I have my little 10'6" for those backwaters and river systems ....... The bigger one will be focussed on that water with salt added....

A valid comment you made about aging and sailing.... unless one has the background from a younger age it might not be the best option in some cases as the body wearies ??? What was that about teaching old dogs new tricks.. ?

The 18' (whatever the style and propulsion) is I hope, destined to be around for many, many years. The more I learn about the sail side of boating the more I realise that maybe, just maybe, when/if I get to 70yrs + I might not be as able to handle sail like I would be able to just turn a key

All the best with your 'reno' and hope to see the progress over time.

I will still sus out the Jarcats as they have lit a flame of interest....

Just as a side thought whilst much younger myself I wouldn't write off the sailing just yet.

Sailing can be a fast paced with lots of effort and constant trimming... or laid back looking up at the sails with your foot on the tiller slipping along nicely.

To get the the best out of the boat takes constant work, to move it along nicely takes very little real effort.

Even with the "conventional" rig of a sloop (Big mainsail and a headsail) these can be made very simple to sail. (Such as a small boom on the headsail and mount it on a track... as you tack it automatically changes side for you).

The winches are to make things easier, once you get the hang of it on the size boat your talking (I have cruised and raced on yachts up to 80ft) you will find you can trim the jib almost all the way by hand, a few turns of the winch and your done. (It could be done without a winch too, they just make it easier)

An afternoon reading a couple of "how to sail" type books and you will have all the info you need to make the boat go, stop and turn, maybe not to racing standards but who cares!