'Seamonster'
GRP version at Burnham
Again
And again
Original Wooden Cuddy Version
And again
Alan Buchanan
The Seafarer ‘Seamonster’ took part in the 2013 la Semaine
du Golfe held on the Morbihan in southern Brittany. Designed by Alan Buchanan, she was built in
1967. Unlike the earlier version with a fibreglass hull, wooden deck and cuddy,
her upper structure was moulded in fibreglass.
Her hull has a shallow keel and a heavy mild steel retractable
centreplate. She is rigged as a Marconi sloop with a slab reefing mainsail and
a furling Genoa. Designed as a day boat she has minimal accommodation for
overnight camping. A boom tent vastly increases usable space for gear that is
normally stowed under the cuddy, making room for a crew of two to bunk down.
With a generous sail area and a slippery hull, she has a
good turn of speed and above average windward ability, in part due to her masthead
Genoa and an efficient centreplate. Her transom hung rudder gives positive and
sensitive steering. Auxiliary power comes in the form of an outboard motor.
Very few of these early GRP ‘classic’ day boats have
survived until today. I have photographed two I found at Burnham-on-Crouch. The
fully moulded fibreglass Seafarer at Rice and Cole is redeemable, but I think
the older one with the wooden superstructure has probably had its day.
Dimensions
LOA 5.2 m
Beam 2.2 m
Draught 1.6 m (Plate down)
Links
Expired Auction at Ebay.co.uk for a Seafarer
La Semaine du Golfe
Gulf of Morbinan
Buchanan Owners Association
Perhaps an option for you Bill?
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's partner owns 'Seamonster'! He has offered me a chance to sail her, but as yet I have not taken it up.
Cheers,
Bill.
We have just inherited hull number 70 6 64, in reasonable condition and are in the process of renovation in Longford, IRELAND.
ReplyDeleteHi All, We have just been given an Alan buchanan designed Seafarer 18 ft day sailer.
ReplyDeleteIt's sat in our club for the last 11 years or so.
We had it picked up on some oil drums tio try and drop the steel centre board.
Its badly corroded but basicly sound. After much hammering and levering we got it nearly fully down but something is stopping it dropping completely out.
The chain and shackle were removed and also the pivot pin - it should drop out? What I'm I missing? Help!!
davidbushell24@yahoo.com