Snapdragon 747

Thames Marine at Canvey Essex, manufactured a series of family sailing cruisers under the brand name of Snapdragon. Their 24’ 6” bilge keel Snapdragon 747 was in the middle of the range. Owners claimed they went to windward marginally better than the Snapdragon 24, which was the predecessor. I must confess that I cannot spot differences between them. The 747 has standing headroom of 5’ 9”, five berths in two cabins, a separate heads and a hanging locker. Comfortable accommodation seems to have been the priority, rather than performance under sail. Some people would classify the 747 as a motor-sailer rather than an auxiliary yacht, but that would underestimate her performance off the wind and downwind.


There are several of these early 1970 GRP yachts for sale. If you are looking for a good value, family yacht that can be kept on a half-tide mooring, and you are not too concerned about windward performance, a Snapdragon 747 may meet the criteria.



Specification


Hull GRP
Keel Bilge
LOA 7.47m (24ft 6in)
LWL 6.25m (20ft 6in)
Beam 2.45m (8ft 0in)
Draft 0.76m (2ft 6in)
Displacement 1,678kg (3,692lb)
Ballast 703kg (1,547lb)



Links


Snapdragon and Mirage Association
http://www.snapdragonmirage.org.uk/


Snapdragon 747 for Sale £6,495
http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=158592


Snapdragon 747 for Sale £4,200
http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=152379


Fin Keel version of the Snapdragon 747 for Sale £6,495 (Sold)
http://search.boatshop24.co.uk/fullspec.asp?btsrefno=15268454


Good Photos of a 747
http://www.topsail.co.uk/boat.php?refnum=1568


Snapdragon 24 - earlier version of 747
http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/archive_boat.php?boat_id=43