Help! I need experienced opinions

deckhanddave · #1 11-06-2006

So here's the quick of it. I've been posting all over for weeks trying to find some semblence of information about the Seafarer 31 Mk1 sloop... to no avail! I've even gone as far as to email Bill Tripp Jr about his father's design but have yet to hear back. So here's a new idea. Forget that it's a seafarer 31 since no one knows anything about her, I am going to give you the specs and a few picture examples and you guys (and gals) tell me what you think she'd be like.

This is a project for me, I have a perfect hull with a good diesel engine, and the intention to travel in this boat in a few years; thats it. The rigging, interior, the whole 9 needs to be redone and because of it its kind of like haveing a blank canvas to work with and make my own creation. Soooooo, without further ado...

LOA: 31'2"
LWL: 23'
Beam: 8'9"
Draft: 4'7"
Ballast: 3500# encapsulated lead
Displ: 9000#
Sail Area:
main- 170 sq ft
jib- 190 sq ft
genoa 290 sq ft

Even if you just compare her to another design, thats fine, I just need some feed back. Thanks!

Sailormon6 · #2 11-06-2006

My first impression is that the boat is the kind of boat that ought to be preserved. She has beautiful, classic lines above the waterline, and, below the waterline she looks like she'd be well behaved. She wouldn't be the fastest thing on the water, but she wouldn't be the slowest, either. She looks like she'd like a lot of wind.

For most project boats, the condition of the hull and engine are the deal-breakers. As I see it, if the hull and diesel engine are really "perfect," then the only remaining questions are whether you can buy her at a price that will make it economically feasible for you to restore her, and whether you have the time, skills and committment to complete the job.

camaraderie · #3 11-06-2006

Dittos on that...she is very attractive and looks like a good cruiser. I like the protected rudder skeg! My guess is she will heel easily then get stiff and have a nice sea-kindly motion. Good luck!

sailingdog · #4 11-07-2006

Pretty boat, and from her specs and looking at the photos, I'd agree with cam and sailormon. She's also not as beamy as some of her more modern counterparts, so she's probably a bit more tender at least at first.

sailaway21 · #5 11-07-2006

Ted Jones worked with Bill Tripp, Jr (father of Tripp extant) and has an article on his designs in this months Good Old Boat (Nov/Dec-06) and I'd start my search there. What a coincidence! BTW-play the lottery this week, you're on a roll.

redcorvette1995 · #6 11-07-2006

I bought an Ontario 32 and redid everything and I mean everything. It was a project I very much enjoyed and was a great experience. One note of caution, choosing this path can be more expensive than actually just going out and buying something. That being said it does allow you to spend X dollars a week/month without putting up a huge amount up front.

Beyond that she looks like a nice solid boat, with pleasing lines and some personalaity. I think she would make a worthy project

Todd

deckhanddave · #7 11-07-2006

thanks for the input. The price is more than reasonable (the cost of a year in dry dock at her marina) and I agree about her classic lines. Since the rig has to be all but scrapped I'm considering setting her up as a gaff cutter.(she was originally set up as a day sailer. Single shrouds, undersized rigging, no reefs in main, light duty roller furler, undersized chain plates and stays...)I've always loved the look and low tech nature of the gaff. A LOT of work needs to go into this boat, but luckily that's what I'm looking for. Made a very very rough gaff cutter mock up using a lyle hess design. too much topsl' for me but still gives an idea

sailingdog · #8 11-07-2006

a bit odd looking to me...but looks like it'll work

sailingfool · #9 11-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckhanddave

... Since the rig has to be all but scrapped I'm considering setting her up as a gaff cutter.(she was originally set up as a day sailer. Single shrouds, undersized rigging, no reefs in main, light duty roller furler, undersized chain plates and stays...).... Made a very very rough gaff cutter mock up using a lyle hess design. too much topsl' for me but still gives an idea

Why does the rig have to be scrapped? I would expect what is there is adequate for the boat's capabilities even if it needs servicing - do you just want to start over?
As to making a cutter out of a sloop, how are you going to move the mast step, or are you just going to add second foresail and call it a cutter. Frankly converting a sloop to a cutter gaff rig seems a pretty dubious concept.
Have you worked out a budget for your planned renovations?

Faster · #10 11-07-2006

For some reason I'm not getting your posted pics on this thread, but looking up the model in one of my books, it does look like a pretty boat - one of those timeless never-looking-dated designs - but not the "look", to my eye anyway, that would suit a traditional gaff rig.

As far as adding a staysail in a cutter configuration you may get away with that since the original sloop rig appears to have a fairly long "J" measurement. Having said that, though, I doubt you'll gain much aside from perhaps the "look" you want.

I agree with Sailingfool that you may want to have a closer look at the rig before you deep-six it and reinvent the wheel.