Hi all,
yes I'm still looking for the right boat for me. The Swanson 27 didn't suit my partner, so didn't suit me, haha.

I've looked at a few Tophats and been disappointed at the general condition, so much so that I'm going off them. The last one my partner wouldn't even go onboard.
"Seen enough from outside" she says.

So next is a nice looking "to us both" a Spacesailer 24. I like the encapsulated keel and skeg rudder, open "ish" transom and general look of them My main concern is the ply core deck. Also what looks like water marks on the port side bulkhead of the dinette area.

Please take a look and I value all your more experienced opinions.

www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1975-spacesailer-24/SSE-AD-14733226/?

Mike

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Mike367 said..
Hi all,
yes I'm still looking for the right boat for me. The Swanson 27 didn't suit my partner, so didn't suit me, haha.

I've looked at a few Tophats and been disappointed at the general condition, so much so that I'm going off them. The last one my partner wouldn't even go onboard.
"Seen enough from outside" she says.

So next is a nice looking "to us both" a Spacesailer 24. I like the encapsulated keel and skeg rudder, open "ish" transom and general look of them My main concern is the ply core deck. Also what looks like water marks on the port side bulkhead of the dinette area.

Please take a look and I value all your more experienced opinions.

www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1975-spacesailer-24/SSE-AD-14733226/?

Mike

What's your concern about the ply core deck. Is it bouncy when you walk on it . If not whats the concern? If so its up to you on whether you want to fix it or just leave it . In my opinion it really depends on how big the soft ( bouncy) area is and whether your willing to just leave it .The correct way is to remove the top skin of fibreglass and replace the ply. Other methods are per attached which may or may not satisfy your needs. I have had a soft spot on my foredeck for five years and not worried about it although I will fix it eventually as the non skid will need repainting and may as well try one of attached . www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/can-glue-injection-fix-rotten-core?MailingID=1184&sc=WIR20230326-PaintingYourBoatSeries&st=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Can+Glue+Injection+Fix+Rotten+Core%3F&utm_campaign=WIR20230326-PaintingYourBoatSeries

Just looked at the ad, Mike.
All the good points mentioned (sleeps 6 Ho ho ho)
A few of things come to mind.
No pics or mention of electronics. Chartplotter, Radio, Depth sounder. wind speed /direction gauges, EPIRB.
What gear does she come with, Full anchor rig, boat hook, fenders, PDF?
What type and condition of batteries?
Can't see well, but they don't seem to be selftailing winches.

I mention these items because they all cost MONEY and if not part of the boat will be part of your costs.
I have a 24 footer.

gary

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garymalmgren said..
Just looked at the ad, Mike.
All the good points mentioned (sleeps 6 Ho ho ho)
A few of things come to mind.
No pics or mention of electronics. Chartplotter, Radio, Depth sounder. wind speed /direction gauges, EPIRB.
What gear does she come with, Full anchor rig, boat hook, fenders, PDF?
What type and condition of batteries?
Can't see well, but they don't seem to be selftailing winches.

I mention these items because they all cost MONEY and if not part of the boat will be part of your costs.
I have a 24 footer.

gary

Good points, he tells me she has Compass and speed but no depth. Can give you a NavMan with her."

Also,from photos ,running rigging/sheets would need replacing - not cheap if done properly + as Gary notes ? ancient/original winches !

Mike I always worry about the chain plates through the bulkhead , they sooner or later all get rot From leaking , and it certainly isn't a problem I would want to have to deal with .
the costs of owning a keel boat and having to legally come out of the water to do antifouling,insurance, tighter laws governing you working on your own boat etc , has me thinking if I can't pull my boat out of the water on my own trailer I just can't afford a boat .
plus the advantage of setting off anywhere in Australia to wonderful sailing areas anytime of the year .
have you had any thoughts on a trailer sailer ?
certainly in your size of boats you are looking at.
there is a great YouTube of a couple leaving Darwin and sailing down the WA coast a great adventure.
might be of interest if you do a YouTube search.
also a great way to start yachting if inexperienced..
P.S. Also can be used as a floating caravan while on the road.

Had a 24ft Yacht -Pacific 747 - ideal lady boat - 30 years ago,when live was a lot simpler,and cheaper !
Sold it for $12k - Deposit on house .
Then had trailer sailers,but only works if can be kept mast up,beside a ramp . Not available on Lake Macquarie,unless you buy waterfront !
Concept good, but becomes 3 day exercise to go sailing,unless you have good help.
Now back to keelboat -Contessa 25 - 10 minutes from home,and can be sailing in 20 minutes. Boat very basic,but solid,and only going Daysailing - to each there own !
One advantage of Trailer Sailer -if you drop something it hits the ground - does not sink out of sight !

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Bananabender said..

Mike367 said..
Hi all,
yes I'm still looking for the right boat for me. The Swanson 27 didn't suit my partner, so didn't suit me, haha.

I've looked at a few Tophats and been disappointed at the general condition, so much so that I'm going off them. The last one my partner wouldn't even go onboard.
"Seen enough from outside" she says.

So next is a nice looking "to us both" a Spacesailer 24. I like the encapsulated keel and skeg rudder, open "ish" transom and general look of them My main concern is the ply core deck. Also what looks like water marks on the port side bulkhead of the dinette area.

Please take a look and I value all your more experienced opinions.

www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1975-spacesailer-24/SSE-AD-14733226/?

Mike

What's your concern about the ply core deck. Is it bouncy when you walk on it . If not whats the concern? If so its up to you on whether you want to fix it or just leave it . In my opinion it really depends on how big the soft ( bouncy) area is and whether your willing to just leave it .The correct way is to remove the top skin of fibreglass and replace the ply. Other methods are per attached which may or may not satisfy your needs. I have had a soft spot on my foredeck for five years and not worried about it although I will fix it eventually as the non skid will need repainting and may as well try one of attached . www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/can-glue-injection-fix-rotten-core?MailingID=1184&sc=WIR20230326-PaintingYourBoatSeries&st=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Can+Glue+Injection+Fix+Rotten+Core%3F&utm_campaign=WIR20230326-PaintingYourBoatSeries

Thanks for that, it's an interesting read.

I haven't actually looked at the boat yet so it may have no soft spots, but she is nearly 50 years old.
Now I know a little more about repairing cored decks I feel a little easier about them. I think I'd do it the proper way though, cut out the rot and replace the core. Do all the spots and repaint the deck.

Thanks

Mike.

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MAGNESIUM said..
Mike I always worry about the chain plates through the bulkhead , they sooner or later all get rot From leaking , and it certainly isn't a problem I would want to have to deal with .
the costs of owning a keel boat and having to legally come out of the water to do antifouling,insurance, tighter laws governing you working on your own boat etc , has me thinking if I can't pull my boat out of the water on my own trailer I just can't afford a boat .
plus the advantage of setting off anywhere in Australia to wonderful sailing areas anytime of the year .
have you had any thoughts on a trailer sailer ?
certainly in your size of boats you are looking at.
there is a great YouTube of a couple leaving Darwin and sailing down the WA coast a great adventure.
might be of interest if you do a YouTube search.
also a great way to start yachting if inexperienced..
P.S. Also can be used as a floating caravan while on the road.

Hi,

yes I have considered a TS but a couple of points have put me off.

1. Less boat for your dollar as you also pay for a trailer.
2. Mast up/down, lunch and retrieval solo could be a challenge. Can pay for mast up storage ($5k)
2a. Would I be less inclined to go for a sail with the work launch/ retrieval?
3. My spouse wants a loo with privacy, which is fair enough, though she would be an occasional sailor (she thinks)
4. I'd have to buy a bigger car.
5. Resale potential if I decide on an ocean passage and buy a bigger boat.

But I'll rethink the TS option, the enclosed head could be the biggest issue.

Cheers,
Mike.

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PLanter4 said..
Had a 24ft Yacht -Pacific 747 - ideal lady boat - 30 years ago,when live was a lot simpler,and cheaper !
Sold it for $12k - Deposit on house .
Then had trailer sailers,but only works if can be kept mast up,beside a ramp . Not available on Lake Macquarie,unless you buy waterfront !
Concept good, but becomes 3 day exercise to go sailing,unless you have good help.
Now back to keelboat -Contessa 25 - 10 minutes from home,and can be sailing in 20 minutes. Boat very basic,but solid,and only going Daysailing - to each there own !
One advantage of Trailer Sailer -if you drop something it hits the ground - does not sink out of sight !

Hi

Yes I agree with you there, good and bad points with a trailer sailer.
Mast up storage here in Vic is around the $5k mark for a 8 metre boat. Though I'm not sure if that includes the trailer which could add another metre to the boat. Or if they allow you to do any work on the boat in their yard. Their insurance may not cover it.

Mike.

Select to expand quote

PLanter4 said..
Had a 24ft Yacht -Pacific 747 - ideal lady boat - 30 years ago,when live was a lot simpler,and cheaper !
Sold it for $12k - Deposit on house .
Then had trailer sailers,but only works if can be kept mast up,beside a ramp . Not available on Lake Macquarie,unless you buy waterfront !
Concept good, but becomes 3 day exercise to go sailing,unless you have good help.
Now back to keelboat -Contessa 25 - 10 minutes from home,and can be sailing in 20 minutes. Boat very basic,but solid,and only going Daysailing - to each there own !
One advantage of Trailer Sailer -if you drop something it hits the ground - does not sink out of sight !

Yup, 3 day exercise to go sailing. Result for me was 3 or 4 outings per year. Boat on mooring is more expensive but if you use it the $/time on water is a lot less. And more outings.

That Spacesailer looks good. They are solidly built boats. Ahead of their time, same space in cabin as a 26ft boat. Good deep wide cockpit.

I had a Spacesailor 24 for 3 years and it was a great boat. We won two series championships in it at Gosford. Taking it out for fun we sometimes laid it on its side and it had no problem coming back up. As others have said an amazing amount of space below. ie. seating for four in the mini saloon even. Mine had an outboard and I recommend that. Pull it out of the water for sailing speed and saves space below compared to the inboard version.



More about them here:
members.optusnet.com.au/spacesailer24/Spacesailer_24_Photos.html

Hi Mike,

I went down the TS option and started with a Noelex 25 which was easy to rig and fun to sail but not built tough enough for my conditions. Mrs wanted an enclosed toilet and a double bed so it was either a Noelex/Farr 30 or a Magnum 8.5. Due to transport issues with the Noelex option I went with the Magnum. Enclosed head, double bed, more substantial boat and quick. No problems transporting it width wise.

The Pro's and Cons

The Con's first
I sail it solo 90% of the time, and although I can rig it solo, I prefer to have my wife or a sympathetic passer by to tail the spinnaker halyard when standing the mast. It takes me 1 hour from the moment I arrive at the car park at the ramp until it is mast up, splashed and ready to shove off. It takes me 1 hour to retrieve, de-rig the boat for towing home, including washing it down at the ramp. Being a light boat with just 430kg of centreboard, it tends to be a little tender. This can be averted by reefing early or running a headsail smaller than needed. My wife prefers no heel beyond 15 degrees I don't mind the heel and she certainly goes well with a heel of 25 deg. A quick add of back stay makes it easily dealt with when a bit over powered.

The Pro's
The Magnum tows beautifully, even at 100kph. No pen fees, stores on my driveway where I can work on it without leaving my property. The Magnum is fast. Quite competitive against much larger boats in light and especially flukey conditions. I use racing antifoul so it lasts forever. Easy to launch and retrieve solo at the ramp. I can tow the boat anywhere for a change of scenery or for extended holidays which is a big plus in WA. Last year up to Shark Bay, previous trip to Gulf of Exmouth. Most recently to Abrolhos Islands 30 Nm West of the coast of Geraldton. The 15hp 4-stroke motor costs literally nothing to run and pushes her along at 5 knots at mid revs even in a sea and headwind. The ability to pull the keel and rudder up in shallow waters (draft 40cm keel up.) I've actually jumped overboard and walked her across a very shallow shoal to get into a secluded bay. Re-Sale on TS's like the Magnum is good, they hold their value very well.

Every boat is a compromise and for me the Magnum satisfies most needs right now. I sail it approximately every other weekend throughout the year. I would love to have a bigger keel boat in a pen at the club but this is a $200/week luxury on top of the regular sailing expenses, especially whilst still paying child payments and mortgage.




DM