Video

Description

“Summer Wine” was built in 1999 and was the actual boat shown at the Earls Court, London Boat show in 2000. She is a water ballasted trailer sailor powered by a 50hp Yamaha outboard, wheel steering with twin rudders. This is an amazingly flexible and versatile boat which can be sailed, powered and trailed on the road to your chosen destination. You can raise and lower the mast yourself and store the boat at home, when not in use. This means it is probably the most cost-effective way of owning a 26ft sailboat.
She has a low draft due to her water ballast and lifting keel. This means she is able to venture into shallow waters where other boats of this size would be unable to explore.
She is fitted with a powerful Yamaha 50 HP outboard, enabling speeds up to around 14 knots. Quite unique for a sailing boat and useful for moving the boat quickly if needed. The other advantage of an outboard is freeing up cabin space for day use, sleeping and storage.
The boat has built in foam compartments that apparently ensue she is unsinkable. I have owned the boat since July 2013 and cruised most of the south coast of Devon and Cornwall. Happily, I have never had occasion to test this factor. However, I have seen a video made by the manufacturers where they flooded one of these boats and she remained afloat.
The cabin is comfortable with full standing headroom, table, galley and separate heads. In theory there are 6 berths but in practice it would always be overcrowded sleeping 6 on any boat of this size. It can comfortably accommodate 2 adults with possibly a child or dog.
This can be described a hybrid sail and power boat. Some purists have strong opinions on this. Yes, it is unlikely to win any sail or power races, but this is missing the point. It is designed as a flexible, safe and low-cost cruising boat. When in manufacture it was the most popular trailer sailor on the international market. Over 11 years of ownership I have clocked up many safe and happy memories cruising this unique craft.

Specifications

Navigation Equipment

Seering compass.

Engine(s)

The Yamaha 50 is a a good engine for pushing the boat along steadily or bringing her onto the plane when required.

Sails & Spars

A few years ago, the original mast broke in calm weather condition off Salcombe. This was due to metal fatigue caused by large, through the mast, stainless steel bolts reacting with the aluminium mast structure. This was a long-term original design flaw, particularly where the mast is in contact with salt water. The mast was replaced with a strong, ex-Hoby Cat mast of the same length. New fittings were fabricated with large rivets replacing, through the mast bolts. The original rigging was re-used, and the new rig performs well. It is certainly much stronger and far less vulnerable than the original.

Safety Equipment

The sale includes an ICOM portable VHF radio

Location Map