Farr 6000 too small for Bluewater cruising or out to GBI?

[TwoSail 1]

 

That said, I'd still rather have a 22ft trailer yacht than a 22ft keeler. In the case of getting caught out somewhere, worst case scenario you can tow the boat home if need be. Also means you can travel to BOI, Marlborough etc without needing a week off work for the journey.

 

Bingo, thats exactly my reason. Im not stuck to one area, I can do BOI, Gulf, Taupo etc etc.

 

Some drop keels and ballast systems must be better/more weighty than others?

[TwoSail 1]

Also a side note, You mention a big RIB inflatable and outboard. What do you plan to do with this for the passages. Often towing is not a good option especially downwind.

Yeah, not likely going to happen on a trailer sailer though is it? Used for spearfishing. I could just use a dive yak, or I could get a high pressure floor inflatable and use a proper eletronic pump when in situ.

 

I like the idea of the Noelex outboard so that I can also use it somewhat for fishing, ie just changing spots or the accuracy needed to pick up a longline etc. 

 

What type of Keel is the Noelex 22 vs 25, are they bouth swing keels? the 30 is hydraulic swing is it not? (not that it would fit in my garage).

 

Yep Im taking the mast into consideration.

 

My current tow vehicle is a a 2010 3.0 Outback. Indestructible engine, dont need dual range with an auto, the AWD is superior being full time 4wd and on top of that the 10 airbags makes her nice and safe. Ive had everything from Hiluxes to 100 series diesel. The outbacks are my favourite all round vehicle. Cheap on fuel, but will still do 0-100 in 6.5 (hey we are talking a wagon lol). I know porsche had some input on the engine. I have a friend who is a Sub Tech in Aus and he said he has never seen a broken chain and only 2 head gaskets. I also have a mate with an 04 Outback and hes done just over 1mill KMs on it. I use to tow a Bertram 25 game fishing rig and used the outback to tow that, they are not light. But I had to get a specialised tow kit for it. But id like to stick to under 22ft if possible. So the Noelex 22 is sounding like the one, seeing as I grew up with the 25 and 30, I might find some familiarity.

[TwoSail 1]

haha these guys doing Moreton Island (the worlds largest sand mountain) offshore of Brisbane in a 17ftr.

 

Anyone dived that wreck? Its been years but we use to go over their on the ferry with our 4wd longboarding (surfing) and would snorkel out to that wreck.

 

knowing how many VERY large white pointers are around there Im not sure Im so keen on surfing there anymore.

 

[hb1849 12]

What type of Keel is the Noelex 22 vs 25, are they bouth swing keels? the 30 is hydraulic swing is it not? (not that it would fit in my garage).

 

 

My current tow vehicle is a a 2010 3.0 Outback. Indestructible engine, dont need dual range with an auto, the AWD is superior being full time 4wd and on top of that the 10 airbags makes her nice and safe. Ive had everything from Hiluxes to 100 series diesel. The outbacks are my favourite all round vehicle.

 

We tow our Aquarius 22 with the same vehicle. Out performs many utes/SUVs on slippery ramps due to the very impressive traction control. Only minor issue is that you do have to drive to the temperature gauge on the hills. The cooling system can't keep up if you try to drive up every hill at 100km/h -- I'd say most high-ish powered cars would be similar. Other than that it pulls the great lump of a thing along quite happily in 3rd (or 4th down hill/wind).

 

FYI -- The Aquarius doesn't use the centerboard for ballast at all -- ballast is a fixed lead stub keel. Nice feature as you don't need to bother with locking the board down etc.

[Kevin McCready 83]

As always, asking price and price are two different things. I got my mooring in Okahu Bay for $1500.

 

If you decide the TS route (and I wouldn't but did in my early days of learning to sail), check the hull for stone damage.  Water into the weave through the gel coat where road stones have penetrated means expensive repairs.

[Island Time 1,235]

I met a guy sailing this;

14 ft centreboard , from Gibraltar to New Caledonia. It can be done, its a matter of how competent a sailor is in control, and how uncomfortable he/she is prepared to be!

[Kevin McCready 83]

Peter Pan is said to be 21 foot here. But yes. Amazing what people will do. http://www.kristiina.kaapeli.fi/log11.htm

[madyottie 82]

Yeah, agreed, size isn't everything. Look at Andrew and Swirly, that boat is only 18ft, but has been into stuff I routinely try to avoid. That said, having sailed around it several times, it looks like it would hold together when most other craft would shed both minor and major parts. 

 

Similarly, that british couple whose name totally escapes me have sailed pretty much everywhere in a Wayfarer, that's a 16 foot open dinghy. Even to Iceland in a storm!

 

Personally I'd quite happily take my little 16 foot trailer yacht out to barrier, but I would not expose my family to such discomfort or possible risk. 

 

I've never sailed a Noelex 30, but I think I remember them being a hydraulic daggerboard. They are sold in Aus as a Farr 940, which has a few minor detail changes, like a walk through transom (of sorts).

 

The 25 has a worm drive winch with a vertical dagger. The 22 comes with either a weighted swing keel (the Marten Marine boats) or a weighted dagger (the Elder/Noelex Marine boats). Home built versions come in both versions according to the whim of the builder.

 

Performance wise, in my experience, the dagger boats are generally considered faster, although I had a Marten, and we were always near the front of the fleet. I think the real difference was that the Marten boats were generally older and softer. We struggled against the elder/noelex boats downwind, I think they were slightly flatter sectioned, but we were often faster upwind. In the '97 Nationals we lead the fleet around the top mark in several of the races, but hadn't had time to get our gybing sorted (my regular foredeck guy wasn't available) so could just hold on down the first reach, before being annihilated at the wing mark and second reach. 

 

And in a minor rant... one light race we creamed the entire fleet, leading by what seemed like half an hour, to find the finish line surrounded by a huge hole. we inch our way painfully slowly toward the line, then hear the sound of rippling water astern. Glimpsing around to see 20 odd kites coming at you on the edge of a breeze line while you're parked 50m off the finish is not fun! I think we ended up 6th out of that race. I can remember being more than a little upset.

[Island Time 1,235]

first they say 6m, then 21ft. I'm not certain, I had 14 ft in my head. Whatever, it was damn small!

[Island Time 1,235]

yep, the Noelex 30 is a hydraulic Keel, vertically lifted. it is ballasted, with a bulb. It can be pinned down and the boat can sit on it on a grid or cable. Very versatile.

[Terry B 71]

MY - it was Frank & Margaret Dye who did those remarkable voyages in the Wayfarer. I've got 1 of their books.

Closer to home Dave Perillo spent 6 months in the Yasawas living on a John Welsford Navigator (15 feet open boat). And he did some pretty awesome stuff in the Hauraki Gulf as well. 

 

Great stories - but not for me - at my age I like my comfort to much

[madyottie 82]

Thanks. Yes, great reading but I couldn't find Small Boat Cruising last night. I've recently found a book called Ocean Cruising or something similar, it's the most boring sailing book I've ever picked up!

[Battleship 100]

You may notice you can go pretty much anywhere in anything with care.

Personally I go a bit bigger around 26ft at that size you start to get some headroom and the boat can look after itself a bit more. I'd forget about a trailer yacht loads of hassle going on and off the trailer for a day sail, did this myself for many years, a boat kept in the water is a lot easier to use and trailers can be costly to maintain so the difference in maintenance costs are not as large as you may think especially if you are prepared to get your hands dirty.

 

One thing to remember though is if it's not fun for your partner/family it pretty quickly will become a lonely exercise, try and find something with a modicum of comfort and make sure the boat is dry, so the other half can relax with a book if need be.

 

Choosing carefully when to attempt a longer crossing and when to stay near home can make a huge difference in enjoyment for all aboard. Longer passages may sound like fun but things can quickly turn miserable on a small boat.

 

Not having tight deadlines is the best way to enjoy a longer trip no matter what the size of the boat, I avoid upwind like the plague when cruising it sucks, go the other way or hang around another day, all part of the adventure.

[Black Panther 1,586]

The most dangerous item on a sailboat is a calendar

[Black Panther 1,586]

The most dangerous item on a sailboat is a calendar

[Black Panther 1,586]

The most dangerous item on a sailboat is a calendar

[harrytom 642]

Had a davidson m20,pretty much go anywhere boat,had we not had a compound to leave rigged,would of lost interest real quick,rig park trailer,get trailer,wait at ramp,derig nah.

[Crocket 12]

The only addition I put add to whats already been said is keep the hatches closed when the weather gets a bit lively.

T/Ss and small keelers will sail fine, but are more susceptible to getting knocked down very quickly. All fine unless you have an open hatch where the water can flood in. They will go down very quickly once that happens.

I've seen some quite experienced guys get a bit embarrassed by this trick. The funniest I remember (although not at the time) was a fairly quick little trailer boat back in the 80s in a Wednesday night race, hoisted the bag out of the front hatch, it popped open, dug the nose in and kept going down the mine. All over in a matter of seconds.

It was like WTF! Where did they go?

[DrWatson 375]

I like the idea of a larger, swing keel yacht + large haulout trailer + deck stepped mast on tabernacle.

 

Keep on a mooring but can haulout easily for regular maintenance. Would work particularly well if you have property very close to a boat ramp and can haul with a boat tractor...

[Guest 000]

Is 20ft too small to get to GBI etc or is it more about the weather and getting to know your yacht first.

I don't think vessel size has a lot to do with seaworthiness. Back in the '60s and '70s JOGs (Junior Offshore Group) were all the rage and we had notable voyages undertaken in boats around 20-23 foot LOA - Trekka, Crewcut, Sopranino to name a few. I single-handed the Atlantic in 18 foot LOA back then. I wouldn't do it now because I'm old and have lost a bit of spunk somewhere over the years, not because I think it unsafe if you gain a bit of experience first.

It depends where your comfort level lies.