Thread: Scruffie Stornaway 18

These might be of some help . . .

http://www.smallcraftadvisor.com/art...ines-stornaway

http://boatpoint.ninemsn.com.au/revi...weekender-9233

I have just a limited bit of information in my data base about this design and judging from it's hull profile I'd suspect a substantial amount of leeward skidding close hauled. The handkerchief size mizzen seems contrite at best, though could offer some steadying sail options and a mule in light air.

If it is a good price and you don't want to go fast or get to difficult places or sail home to windward (you can motor if push comes to shove) then it is worth considering.

If you consider sailing to be the main way to get to where you are going ... maybe choose something else. They go downwind and crosswind ok but are pretty slow upwind particularly in rougher water.

MIK

Thanks gents, I appreciate the feedback, Your replies gave me some extra questions to follow up on. Mik it is a good price and I don't need to go fast, I spoke to a chap in Sydney that has one with a different rig and he is very pleased with his, safe, stable not fast but not tooo slow. If I go ahead I guess I'll try and learn to live with it's limitations. Life is full of compromises after all, and provided it's realatively safe which it appears to be it will hopefully be a good boat to start with. I'll keep you posted and if I go ahead will post some pics.
Thanks again

R

Upwind performance is a serious safety and time planning issue. It is not much fun to sail for an hour downwind in a decent breeze to find it takes 5 or 6 hours to return to base. Smart people usually head off upwind at the beginning of the day to get a nice fast return coming back as it gets late.

If uncertain of the wind direction .. an outboard would be very useful on a Scruffie.

Michael

I finished my build of a Scruffie 18' in 2004. All the comments are valid concerning upwind performace but it is a very safe boat and the famil y enjoys the outings when we go. If you're starting out and the price is right I wouldn't hesitate. They cut a great look on the water.

I suspect it would be possible to place a "slice 'o pie" centerboard in the deadwood, which could improve upwind efficiency.

Thanks to everyone for the feed back. I'm still learning how to drive this forum thing. I tried to reply earlier today using partial quotes from Mik and Dry Water. Got myself in a tangle. I'll try that some other time.
So taking the long way; Mik the boat comes with an outboard so hopefully that will alleviate some of the safety concerns. DW I think it's a great price $10k boat, motor, sails, registered trailer, boat cover the works. I know, I know I can get a reasonable fiberglass boat cheaper and probably get more boat. But I wanted a timber boat. So call me silly. I don't have the time to build something suitable at the moment, so buying is the best option. Mik, I could certainly build a GIS but I'd have to sail on my own because my wife would be more comfortable with some sort of cabin. I've looked at the Hartleys both 16 and 18 and there is nothing wrong with them, but this Scruffie design just appeals to me more. My plan is to sail it just like it is. I know I can improve it's performance by upgrading the rudder and the keel to the latest version of this design. Par, if by a Slice of Pie your talking about some sort of pivoting wedge shape I think that's eminently doable, and its been in the back of my mind, since I got the initial feedback. But for now I need to get the boat, sail it, and then think about what mods I can make. in the meantime like dry water says the plan is to enjoy and learn.
I don't want to appear ungrateful for all the advice, because I'm not and it's all stored away for future reference. But sometimes like the ad says you've got to "Just Do It"

Cheers

R

Exactly R!

MIK