sirius 26 sailboat review

One Hundred Choices for the Best Small Cruiser

* = Seven boats appear in above lists twice.

Listed on the opposite page are one hundred choices for the "Best Small Cruiser." There are, of course, many more than one hundred choices for the "best" small cruising sailboat. In fact, there are 360 choices reported in this guide alone, and at least a few boats beyond those, on which we failed to find sufficient data to include here. In any case, as the saying goes, one man's meat is another man's poison. That is, a sailboat that one person does not like at all can be one that someone else likes very much.

One of the main reasons for this is that different boats are designed for different purposes: boats best for cruising in shallow bay waters versus deep ocean waters, for example. Styles vary to suit different tastes: traditional versus modern design, for example. Boats that do well in around-the-buoy racing may not be so well suited to cruising. A boat built to the highest standards of quality may not suit the pocketbook of the casual weekend trailer-sailor. And the range of choices goes on and on.

To help narrow the field of choices for the reader who is eager to find the right boat to buy, and doesn't have the patience to wade through all the facts and figures on all 360 boats presented in this guide, we have (somewhat arbitrarily)

devised a hundred choices, broken into groups of a dozen or so. Are you looking for a single-masted character boat? We list thirteen of them here, from 18 to 25 feet on deck. Do you yen for a two-masted yawl or ketch? We list every one of the dozen covered in this guide. Do you prefer a custom- built boat or at least very high quality construction? We show thirteen "high-end" choices, though you could find others in these pages. We also list fifteen good cruising boats for a family of four, and another thirteen for a cruising couple without children or guests aboard. We choose fifteen round-the-buoys racers for your consideration, and a dozen blue water cruisers, including a 15-footer that has sailed from California to Hawaii (though some may not agree that such a feat qualifies such a boat for offshore work).

Although there isn't space to include photos of every boat in this book, or even the one-hundred choices listed as "best," we have dug up representative sample photos from our vast collection of boat sales brochures to include on the following pages. They are arranged in roughly alphabetical order. If you don't find a picture of the boat you're interested in, try searching Google. There's a huge cache of photos there.

Alerion Express Cat 19 (details on page 20) is a high-end cruiser designed, among other things, for easy trailering and ramp launching.

Bay Hen 21 (page 85) is a character boat that's easy to launch and trailer.

Beneteau First 26 (25) (page 323) will nicely accommodate a family of four for cruising.

Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 (page 222) is a character boat with great comfort for cruising two.

Beneteau First 235 (22) (page 152) is a good boat for a cruising couple.

Blazer 23 (page 221) is a competitive racer. The author (trimming jib) is sailing here with other writers John Rousmaniere (steering) and Freeman Pittman, tech editor at Sail magazine.

Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 interior (also see to left) is particularly comfortable when cruising in rainy weather.

Bridges Point 24 (page 275) is available either as a finished boat or a kit.

Cape Dory Typhoon 18 (19) (page 23) has enough ballast to stand up well in a blow.

Cal 20 (page 89), produced from 1961 to 1977, is still raced in several fleets around the country.

Cape Dory 25D (page 330) comes close to being the ideal trailerable cruising boat.

Capri 26 (24) (page 282) features a cabin big enough to "drink ten."

Capri 18 (page 25) was introduced in 1985 and is still being sold today.

Cheoy Lee Flyer III (25) (page 334) has a Folkboat style hull.

Catalina 22 Mk I (page 157) wins the all-time popularity prize for cruising boats.

Catalina 25 (page 332) came in a great variety of configurations.

Com-Pac 19 (page 27) was drawn by Island Packet designer Bob Johnson.

Com-Pac 25 (page 336) has an unusual volume of interior space for her length.

Cornish Crabber 17 (page 31) is elegantly finished on deck and below. Cornish Crabber 22 (page 164) sports a gaff cutter rig.

Cornish Crabber 24 (page 284) is a well-built gaff-rigged character boat.

Cornish Shrimper 19 (page 32), a character boat, has an elegant finish, but is short on headroom.

Dehler 22 (page 167) has a number of high quality features.

Dolphin 24 (O'Day) (page 285) was available either as a kit or as a finished boat.

Dehler 25 (23) (page 227) also uses a "slipway trolley."

Elite 25 (24) (page 289) is fitted out in France, and features the French style of careful interior design.

Eastsail 25 (page 340) is generally built to a customer's specifications with extended offshore cruising in mind.

ETAP 20 (page 98) is built to a high standard of quality and is unsinkable.

ETAP 23 (22) (page 169) like other ETAP boats, she is double-skinned in a foam sandwich for flotation.

Golif 21 (page 99) from France has an unusual cabin ventilation system.

Irwin 10/4 (25) (page 347), as the saying goes, can drink ten, eat six, and sleep four.

J/24 (page 294) is said to be the world's most popular one-design keelboat.

La Paz 25 (page 353) features an open cockpit for deck chairs and berths for six below.

Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20) (page 106) features a clever cabin table design.

Menger Oysterman 23 (page 237) Montgomery 15 (page 71) and is a character boat based on the Montgomery 17 (page 46) both have molded

Chesapeake Bay Skipjack. lapstrake hulls.

Marshall Sanderling 18 (page 40) has been in production for almost fifty years, and continues to be popular.

Morgan 24/25 (25) (page 358) is fast and weatherly, especially in light air.

Newman Friendship Sloop 25 (page 360) conjures romantic memories of Maine fishermen.

Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) was produced in several configurations, including both a sloop and a yawl rig.

New Moon 25 (page 379) can be fitted out to the customer's specifications.

Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) is available as a pilothouse with six feet of headroom, great for cold weather cruising.

Nimble 20 (21) (page 116) features a yawl rig, rare in a boat so small.

Nonsuch 22 (page 185) was designed with the idea of elegant simplicity.

O'Day 26 (25) (page 362) is a near sistership to the O'Day 25.

Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 (page 120) is generally considered a very high quality product, commanding a premium price in the used boat market.

Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 (page 303) is solidly built to cruise in a bay or an ocean.

Parker Dawson 26 (page 364) has two separate cabins, and a center cockpit enclosed in canvas can be a third.

Quickstep 24 (page 306) was built by several firms, giving a choice of several accommodations plans.

Rob Roy 23 (page 246) has the makings of a classic small yacht.

Sand Hen 24 (page 308), with lightweight spars and no shrouds, should be easy to trailer and launch.

Santana 20 (page 131) was a very early entry in the "sport boat" market and is still popular.

Santana 21 (page 132), with a D/L ratio of only 86, is classified as an ultralight.

Santana 22 (page 198), an ageless design, is still popular after over 40 years.

Sea Pearl 21 (page 136) is simple, light, and shallow draft, perfect for casual beach cruising.

Seaward 25 (24) (page 310) has a sleek and salty look and is well built.

Shark 24 (page 312) has done well in racing over the years.

South Coast 23 (page 255) was converted to a yawl from a sloop (see photo bottom left).

South Coast 23 (page 255) Stone Horse 23 (page 258) is a classic shown here was built from a kit. designed over 75 years ago.

Tanzer 22 (23) (page 259) has a strong class association that promotes both one-design racing and cruising get-togethers (two views, left and right).

Terrapin 24 (25) (page 371) ^ |ike her Vancouver 25 (page 372) is well namesake, slow but comfortable. equipped for extended cruising.

Vertue II 25 (page 373) is a no-nonsense heavy cruiser made for ocean passages.

West Wight Potter 15 (page 64) has made some long distance cruises, including one from California to Hawaii.

West Wight Potter 19 (page 65) is still selling well after over thirty years of production.

Continue reading here: Authors Gallery of Photos

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Readers' Questions

What similar boat to cornish crabber 17 plans?

The Colvic Watson 25 Sailer is a similar boat to the Cornish Crabber 17. It has a traditional long keel and tiller steering. It is a roomy boat and makes a superb cruising boat for coastal and inland waters.

How is beneteau and jenneau related?

Beneteau and Jeanneau are both subsidiaries of the French group, Beneteau Group. The two brands have been part of the Beneteau Group since 2000, when Beneteau acquired Jeanneau. Both brands specialize in sailboats, motorboats, and powerboats.

Is the Com Pac sailboat considered a high end production?

No, the Com Pac sailboat is not considered a high end production boat.

What is the headroom in a dehler 25 sailboat?

The headroom in a Dehler 25 sailboat is approximately 1.85m (6 ft).

Are etap sailing boats still made?

Yes, Etap sailing boats are still made. Etap produces a wide range of sailing boat models, including the Cruiser and Cruiser Club series, the 21, 22 and 23 meters, and the Open and Weekender series. Many of the Etap sailing boats are still in production today, offering quality and innovation that continues to make them popular among sailing enthusiasts.

How many sirius 21 sailboats are still sailing?

It is difficult to accurately quantify the number of Sirus 21 sailboats that are still sailing. Most estimates place the number at around 200, though it is likely that the actual figure is higher.

Is the Sirius 21 sailboat really Unsinkable?

No. While Sirius 21 sailboats are designed to be safe and stable, no boat is truly unsinkable.

Has any one done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat ?

No, I have not done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat. However, I do know a few people who have owned Eastward Ho 24' sailboats, and some of them have taken them out for extended cruises, so it is possible that someone has done blue water sailing in one.

Is the rob roy 23 a bluewater boat?

No, the Rob Roy 23 is not a bluewater boat. It is more suited for inland lake and river cruising.

Is beneteau 235 unsinkable?

No, the Beneteau 235 is not unsinkable. Like all sailboats, the Beneteau 235 is susceptible to water taking on board. Water can enter the boat through a breach in the hull or through open hatches and ports.

Are compac 19 good boats?

The Compac 19 is an excellent boat that is great for short day cruises, fishing, and weekend getaways. It is often praised for its excellent maneuverability, easy handling, and low maintenance cost. The boat features a functional and reliable design, making it an attractive choice for both recreational and commercial use. Additionally, the Compac 19 has a spacious cabin, large cockpit, and ample storage for overnight trips.

How to rig sirius 21 sailboat?

Rigging a Sirius 21 sailboat is a straightforward process, but it should be done carefully to ensure the safety of the boat and its crew. Attach the mainsail halyard to the handle at the top of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the spinnaker halyard, also known as the topping lift, to the aft side of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the jib halyard to the clew of the jib and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the mainsheet to the end of the boom, then attach the boom vang and the outhaul to the boom. Attach the jib sheet to the clew of the jib and run it through the pulley at the base of the mast. Attach the main and jib traveler lines to the tracks on the deck and thread them through the blocks at the mast base. Attach the mainsail to the mast and boom and the jib to the fore stay. Attach the main tack to the clew and then attach the clew to the boom. Attach the jib tack and clew to the forestay. Finally, attach all of the running rigging lines and adjust the tension as needed.

Sirius 26 can

The sirius 26 can is a 24.42ft masthead sloop designed by jean berret / vandestadt & mcgruer and built in fiberglass by vandestadt and mcgruer ltd. (can) between 1987 and 1988., 6 units have been built..

The Sirius 26 can is a light sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Sirius 26 can for sale elsewhere on the web:

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• Yachting Monthly's Scuttlebutt

Sirius 310 DS - Amazing or What?

• Thread starter V1701
• Start date 25 Oct 2020
• 25 Oct 2020

Well-known member

If you haven't already seen this, or are bored I think this is well worth a watch, long but worth sticking with it: Sirius 310 DS Full Tour The freeboard looks to be no more than other similar sized modern boats, they seemingly haven't compromised hull form/sailing ability for internal volume. What they've done here, especially considering the layout & spec options, in just 31 feet, is pretty impressive...  

They are extremely well thought-out boats, and ideal for a couple cruising the more northerly lattitudes. The 35 is really impressive.  

Laminar Flow

V1701 said: If you haven't already seen this, or are bored I think this is well worth a watch, long but worth sticking with it: Sirius 310 DS Full Tour The freeboard looks to be no more than other similar sized modern boats, they seemingly haven't compromised hull form/sailing ability for internal volume. What they've done here, especially considering the layout & spec options, in just 31 feet, is pretty impressive... Click to expand...

Laminar Flow said: The most impressive thing about the Sirius are their price ... 170,000 pounds sterling for the basic 31'. Click to expand...

Channel Sailor

Active member.

Wow. So many things sorted on this yacht that would eventually annoy or frustrate an owner of an AWB. It must be very heavy though. I have alway liked the idea of a workshop instead of an aft cabin, I recall RM do a similar option.  

Torsten Schmidt builds some nice boats, and his care and commitment are obvious. Inevitably, the boats are rather expensive. As a result, he doesn't sell many. As a result of that, their relative rarity (and cost) makes them less than easy to re-sell. Second-hand Sirius 310DS boats don't exactly fly off the shelf. They have 3 on their website at the moment.  

pvb said: Torsten Schmidt builds some nice boats, and his care and commitment are obvious. Inevitably, the boats are rather expensive. As a result, he doesn't sell many. As a result of that, their relative rarity (and cost) makes them less than easy to re-sell. Second-hand Sirius 310DS boats don't exactly fly off the shelf. They have 3 on their website at the moment. Click to expand...

NormanB said: He has a full order book + waiting list though? Very well thought out vessels and I would join the queue with my winning lottery ticket. Click to expand...

Sirius are decent boats from a good builder but you can't expect miracles. I have only visited one, belonging to an E Coast member and it looks as if it has been updated since then. I thought that it was pleasant and comfortable but didn't get to sail. My impression from seeing them sail around the Baltic is that they do what you would expect from a fairly shallow draft boat with high topsides and an emphasis on accomodation, in that they will do what you ask but aren't as close-winded or as comfortable in rough seas as a more conventional design. If you want a small pilot-house boat, they may well be the best around.  

Like NormanB, a Sirius (probably a 40DS) is my lottery boat The attention to detail is extraordinary and they're brilliantly thought out Plus, how many designers and owners of a yacht building company in this day and age would happily spend getting on for half an hour chatting with a scruffy penniless MAB owner at a boat show? Torsten did even though it would have been patently obvious that there was no chance of me ever buying one of his boats  

John_Silver

pvb said: What's the list price of a reasonably specified 310DS these days, inc VAT? Click to expand...

John_Silver said: When I did the rounds at the 2019 Southampton Boatshow, with my "spec leveller" spreadsheet I came out with: Sirius 310 For 2 comfort with big rig & lead keel to my cruising spec £340k inc VAT Rassy 310 to similar spec £210k inc VAT Rassy 340 to similar spec £315 inc VAT Discovery built Southerly 330 to similar spec £330 inc VAT The Sirius is definitely an impressive boat....and, of course a custom build. Click to expand...

They do look impressive on the accommodation front, how do they sail? Playing devil’s advocate.. they almost look like a Vancouver 38p with the aft cabin chopped off, so what do they offer to be worth more than two comparable V34p (at the Sirius’ second hand prices of over £200,000)? Not a criticism, looking to open a debate.  

Bobc said: The difference however between Sirius boats and other "quality brands" is that you can actually see where then money has gone in a Sirius. Click to expand...

• 26 Oct 2020

No doubt an impressive boat with a lot of thought gone into the various layouts. The two cabin version is the same layout as a Vancouver 34 Pilot, albeit the Vancouver is longer but also narrower. Many of the features are familiar. Not sure the aft end of the galley works on the same level as the saloon as you can't reach the worktops without bending down. It works further forward where you drop a level or two. A good Vancouver 34 Pilot is at least 15 years old now and could set you back up to £100,000. A Regina such as this 35 maybe a good alternative: 2010 Regina 35 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk Sirius no doubt have their following but even if I was lucky enough to have circa £350k to spend on a yacht I think I would be looking elsewhere.  

Here are some comparisons I pulled together of what, to me, were the standout boats at Southampton in 2019 - which included the Sirius 310. My key criteria was suitability for long term, single handed, cruising. [ Cruising grounds Ireland, Baltic, North Sea, Atlantic France, (one day, North Spain, Portugal) - ie coastal cruising, rather than ocean crossing ]. Boat shaped boat review 2020 .  

fredrussell

Well, I’ll be the sole voice of dissent then. It’s not even slightly attractive. I mean, I’m in no way a hater of modern looking boats - quite the opposite - but a boat should look nice shouldn’t it? Row away factor and all that? No? I’ll get my coat.  

Simon__ said: They do look impressive on the accommodation front, how do they sail? Click to expand...

A Nauticat 32 or 321 gives you most of that for a lot less.  

Lucy52 said: A Nauticat 32 or 321 gives you most of that for a lot less. Click to expand...

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Sirius 28 information? Anyone?

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I'm in the process of researching and choosing my first sailboat. I'm on Lake Ontario and have time off each summer for extensive cruising (Where to? Could be anywhere). I want the boat to sail well - first and foremost it's a boat - and if it was bluewater capable then all then better (dreaming...), and I might also live aboard (I'm a bit of a minimalist so a large boat isn't essential for that). I've considered many boats including the Grampian 26, Albin Vega 27, Tartan 30 and others, but the Sirius 28 keeps coming to my attention. The problem is that I can find very very little information on the Sirius 28. From a distnace it appears to be comparable to the Tartan 30, but I don't really know because I can't find much information on the Sirius 28. Does anyone have information about the Sirius 28? Sirius in general? Thank you. Kevin MacTavish  

Sirius 28: Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. of Owen Sound Specifications: LOA - 28 ft Waterline - 24 ft Beam - 9 ft 8 in. Draft - fin keel, 4 ft 4 in.; winged keel, 3 ft 6 in. Displacement - 6,700 lbs Ballast 2,600 lbs Sail area (main & 110%) - 410 sq ft Engine(s): Yanmar Engine(s) HP: 9 or16 Engine Model: IGM or 2GM Fuel: 19 Gallons Water: 24 Gallons Manufacture: Vandestadt – McGruer, Ltd. (519) 372-9767 Box 7 (519) 371-3999 Owen Sound Ontario, Canada NYK5P1 Sirius sailboats (21’ 22’ & 28’) were manufactured in Canada during the early to mid 1980s. This Article below was featured in Canadian Yachting, June 1986. Sirius 28 Good breeding and "modern conservative" thinking produce a reliable , appealing cruiser By Paul Howard If the Sirius 28 was a racehorse, it would be described as having good breeding. Its designer, Hubert Van de stadt, has in his stable the smaller Sirius 22, a restyling of his Sirius 21, which has proven to be a tough, able, small cruiser. This talent for design runs in the family. Hubert is the nephew of the well-known European designer E. G. Van de Stadt, who has a long and impressive list of outstanding designs, including the lines of the famous 72-foot South African ketch Stormvogel. The Sirius 28's builders also inspire confidence. Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. of Owen Sound ahs been building boats since the mid-'60s and in spite of such setbacks as major fire and a long industry recession, it has managed to survive and grow. With this kind of bloodline, the Sirius 28 is creating more than a passing interest. The first boat was launched in August, 1982, and as of March 1986, the company had orders booked through to hull 90. A 'modern-conservative' design The design is "modern conservative." The "modern" comes from the systems that make sail handling more efficient. Inboard shrouds, inboard sheeting, slab reefing with internal lines, sheet stoppers and internal pre-stretched rope halyards led back to the cockpit are examples of the designer's solution to the problem of simple, efficient sailing. The long waterline, fin keel, spade rudder and sharp entry are becoming standards in yacht design. The four-foot, four-inch fin on the Sirius 28 is a lead keel of 2,600 pounds. This gives her a ballast: displacement ratio of almost 40 per cent. Combine this with a beam of nine feet, eight inches, which is carried well aft into the quarter, and you have a hull that is able to stand up to her sail area of 410 square feet. Vandestadt and McGruer In their desire to expand the boat's market into some areas on Long Island Sound where the water is particularly shallow, Vandestadt and McGruer is attempting to decrease the draft without hurting sailing capabilities. To this end they had John Hemingway design a winged keel for it. Hemingway has been involved in keel research and design for the True North America's Cup effort. The winged keel has the same displacement and center of effort as the fin. The idea is not to improve sailing ability, which is fine, but to decrease draft to 3 1/2 feet while maintaining performance. The masthead single-spreader rig supports a Cinkel deck-stepped mast. Single lowers are helped out by a baby stay or jack stay to prevent mast pumping. The chainplates are inboard, which allows inboard sheeting of the headsail. This will help the 28 get weather efficiently. An outboard chainplates also make movement fore and aft much easier. It's not necessary to duck under the lowers on your way up to the sharp end. The boom is controlled by a traveler running the width of the cockpit just forward of the wheel. This provides an excellent sheeting angle, making mainsail trim easy and efficient. The self-bailing cockpit has no bridge deck but a high sill will prevent any water getting below in the event that a sea sneaks aboard. High coamings, two large lockers and excellent visibility forward make the cockpit an enjoyable spot. It is long enough to let you sleep out in nice weather and the boom comes far enough aft to rig a simple boom tent or sun awning without the topping list splitting it in half. Test sail Well, now that we know the deck layout, let's go for a sail. Close-hauled, the wind puffed up to about eight or nine knots apparent. In this light stuff and a smooth sea, the boat slips along with very little fuss and its efficient high-aspect rudder provides good control even when drifting. Under these conditions, the Sirius 28 is very close-winded, tracks well and accelerates nicely in and out of the puffs. Even downwind it ghosts along under a main and number-one Genoa, leaving hardly a ripple in its wake. While we are not too busy, let's look at the rail stanchions. The base and stanchion are one-piece assemblies. This produces a strong fitting as do the bow and stern pulpits of one-inch welded tube. They are through-bolted to solid glass areas in the foam-cored deck. Standard double lifelines enclose the deck. A stainless steel boarding ladder built into the stern pulpit completes the deck details. Teak treads on the ladder would be kinder on bare feet than the stainless tubes. The molded toe rail on the deck edge is fairly small in section. When the rail is buried and the spray is flying, I wonder if the toe rail would provide a sufficient toe hold. It seems to me it would be pretty slippery. A bow roller and self-bailing anchor locker make easy work of retrieving and stowing the anchor and rode. Down under Well, we've sailed into a hole, so let's go below and snoop around. Opening ports-eight standard opening ports! Once you have cruised on a boat in the tropics, you will never sail without them. The cross-ventilation they produce can make the difference between roasting and rapture. Wide beam and high freeboard, along with a fairly high trunk cabin, result in a lot of hull volume. This has allowed the designer to locate an enclosed head compartment aft on the port side. A one-piece molding comprises the sink vanity, with stowage under the sink. A foot pump supplies the sink from a 20-gallon water tank complete with an outboard vent and deck fill. The galley is aft on the starboard side and includes an alcohol stove, an icebox and a single sink with a foot pump. Propane cooking is an option. Put your money down: you won't be sorry. Propane is cleaner, faster more convenient and cheaper. Just stay afraid of it and follow all the safety procedures. If you do go for a gimbaled propane stove with oven, a safety bar across the front of the stove would provide a safer work area for the cook. A full interior liner makes a neat job of the overhead surfaces and good head-room extends right up into the V-berth area. This is accomplished by extending the trunk forward and not fading it into the deck. It doesn't look as streamlined but it is a compromise the designer felt was justified. The hull is lined with a closed-cell foam called Ethafoam and covered with a rich-looking fabric. It has good insulation qualities, looks attractive and, when it wear, it can be peeled off and replaced. The standard cabin sole is carpet, but a teak and holly sole is available as an option. A dinette on the starboard side, which converts to a double, and a settee on the port side complete the seating. The table slides up and down the mast compression post and it is a simple matter to move the table down to make up the double berth. A folding chart table above a hanging locker completes the interior. The teak joinery work below and on deck is well executed. Stowage is ample. The iron genny I don't hear the bow wave chuckling, so we must be out of wind. We fire up the two-cyclinder 18-hp Yanmar and it raps away at idle. I have noticed that these engines have a fair bit of combustion knock at idle, but once they are sped up a bit they quietened right down and are smooth little power plants. The Sirius powers at 5 1/2 knots at about 2,800 rpm. It is quiet and easy at this rpm and the controls are conveniently mounted on the steering pedestal. Engine access is via the companionway steps and the port side cockpit locker. It is as good as can be expected on a 28 footer. A Racor fuel-water separator and a water lift muffler are standard. The standard engine is a nine-hp single-cylinder Yanmar. I doubt that it would be as smooth as the two-cylinder model. The Sirius 28 has an impressive list of standard equipment. It certainly pays for the buyer to consider this when comparison shopping. The list includes double batteries, lower lifelines, two sails, stern ladder, wheel, brake and guard, opening ports, bilge pump, painted spar and more. Price these items separately and you get an idea of the real value of the boat. The boat's base price is $52,500. For this you will enjoy a performance cruiser that is simple to sail and as with most boats, will probably take a great deal more punishment than will the crew. Other comments about the Sirius 28 ft sailboat. A quality of design and construction much similar to the Cal, Com-Pac, Sabre, Caliber vessels Canadian boat, has modern rigging including inboard shrouds, inboard sheeting, internal halyards and reefing etc.., over 120 built through mid -eighties. The company no longer in production. Boat sails well in light wind, and is capable in heavy weather. The Interior layout is comfortable for 4-5 people. Lead keel with 40% Displacement. ratio. It is very fast for a cruiser.  

Faster, Yup, I'm a corporate pilot... Started on a King Air 200 then a B200 now flying a Citation and a Hawker but I love the 200.... a GREAT airplane!  

Thank you, Iflyka200s. The Canadian Yachting article is very helpful. It is but one opinion, however, and based, seemingly, on one experience sailing the Sirius 28. More varied opinions of anyone that has sailed these boats would be great. Comparisons, also. For example, does anyone know how the Sirius 28 compares with the Tartan 30 in particular? These are two boats I'm looking at. The Sirius tends to be sold at a higher price. I know that the Tartans of that era have a reputation for high quality craftsmanship. What of the Sirius? Why the higher price? Simply because they are of a more recent vintage? I can only guess. Thanks, again. Kevin MacTavish  

They did not make too many Sirius 28s, so the higher price might a reflection of that.. or perhaps the owner/seller has unrealistic expectations. If you have two particlular boats in mind, spend some time on each, and survey the one that overall appeals to you most. And remember that asking prices are just that, a place to start.  

Sirius 28 info I have a Sirius 28 on Lake Superior. I've had it for 8 years and it's an excellent boat. I've raced on dozens of different boats for years before buying my own boat and this one is excellent by comparison. It is very fast for a cruiser. Positive stability when over powered, and as balanced of a boat as i've ever sailed with a 110 headsail. Last weekend we put her nose to the wind, close-hauled and didn't touch the helm for 2 hours. We have auto-pilot mind you, but it wasn't even turned on. The boat just has incredible balance. Looking toward the future, we'd like to get a bigger boat, but I really don't know of any in the 32-34' range that are as easy sailing as our little Sirius 28. VanDestadt & McGruer had planned on making a 31' version when they were shut down in 1989. They were not allowed to operate under bankruptcy in Canada and couldn't get the 31 to market fast enough while the buyer's preferences were changing towards larger boats at that time. They had to basically rebuild their entire factory and all of the molds when the factory had a fire in 1984. Our boat is number 52 (or maybe 54, can't remember off hand exactly) and was molded just before the fire and finished after the fire as far as I can determine in 1984. Any other info you'd like, you can write back and I'll see if I know it. We've had the boat for years and she's gotten us through everything including 12' waves on Lake Superior. She's a great, stout, fast boat with good head room, which you won't find just anywhere.  

Paul Howard that wrote the article for Canadian Yachting also did an article on the Sirius 21/22 for them also.Paul and his family know a thing or two about boats and sailing having sailed around the world a couple of times.He build the first boat and the half way through the trip had to make the boat longer,as it was not long enough for the growing family.  

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Sadler 26: the little boat with big attitude

• Rachael Sprot
• September 8, 2022

Is the Sadler 26 the ultimate small yacht or just an overgrown dinghy? Rachael Sprot steps aboard to find out

Most of the Sadler 26s built had twin keels, although deep and shallow fins were also available. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images Credit: Richard Langdon

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

I’ve always been a fan of small yachts. They’re exponentially cheaper to buy and maintain, the loads are lower, making them safer for new crew, and the shove ‘n’ go boat handling saves a lot of hassle in marinas .

But even by pocket-cruiser standards, 26ft is tiny. And although extraordinary voyages are made on tiny boats, I’ve always thought you’d need an MBA (Masters in Bunk Arrangement) to cope in such confined quarters.

Would the Sadler 26 change my mind?

I joined John Dickson on his Sadler 26, Ella , to find out. John sails Ella on the south coast and English Channel with his wife, Nao, and children, Ollie, 13, and Georgina, 10.

The cockpit is deep and comfortable, with coaming lockers on each side and good leg bracing. Credit: Richard Langdon

He seizes every chance to head out, sometimes just with cockerpoo, Maggie, for company. The first thing I noticed when I stepped aboard Ella in the river Hamble, was that she didn’t baulk at my weight, as I was expecting.

She may only be 26ft long, but with over 9ft of beam there’s plenty of form stability. The real secret behind her feeling of buoyancy, however, is that her double-skinned hull is filled with foam.

John Dickson sails his Sadler 26, Ella with his wife, Nao, and children Ollie and Georgina. A professional jazz musician, John also sails Ella solo from the river Hamble on the UK’s south coast. Credit: Richard Langdon

Scarred by the terrible loss of life of the 1979 Fastnet Race when several yachts sank, Martin Sadler, David Sadler’s son, designed the 26 and 29 to withstand significant water ingress.

Although their unsinkability was never officially established, in one test the 26 was sailed through overfalls under full sail in a Force 5 with the seacocks open and half full of water, which sounds pretty conclusive to me.

Folkboat DNA in the Sadler 26

Like all successful species, the Sadler 26 is the product of evolution. Deep in her ancestry you’ll find the Folkboat, but you’ll have to go via the Sadler 25 and Sadler-designed Contessa 26 to find it.

There’s still a hint of her Nordic origins in the high bow and swoosh of sheer, although the full stern looks somewhat truncated. The underwater profile is sea-kindly and a transom-hung rudder has a full-depth skeg providing protection and directional stability.

The helm is light and responsive, and the cockpit is well set up for singlehanded sailing. Credit: Richard Langdon

There were several keel options. Most were built with twin keels , but there are also deep and shallow-fin keels and lifting keels. The twin keels are relatively fine and deep in order to preserve sailing performance to windward.

Aloft, there’s a masthead rig with large overlapping genoa and respectable ballast ratio of 41%.

The construction technique is quite different to modern balsa or foam-cored hulls. The outer skin is full strength and the inner skin is a moulded lining.

The 9ft 4in beam gives the Sadler 26 a wide deck, with enough room to stand by the shrouds. Credit: Richard Langdon

Apparently the foam wasn’t originally considered essential for strength but it does play an important role in this regard, providing extra stiffness.

The strategically placed pockets of polyurethane foam don’t just provide buoyancy, they also insulate the hull, reducing condensation and noise.

Around fittings such as keel bolts there’s no foam: the two skins meet to form a solid layer of GRP .

The major downside of this construction method is that it could be expensive and complicated to repair if water seeps into the foam, which may become increasingly likely as these boats age.

A pre-purchase survey will be important to identify any problems.

Well-considered cockpit

On deck, the coachroof remains in proportion to the rest of the yacht, the curved top softening the outline.

Two pairs of rounded portlights, one small and one large, are easy on the eye.

A teak handrail accentuates her lines and breaks up the otherwise large expanse of gelcoat. The teak rubbing strake is another attractive detail which also covers the hull-to-deck join, which is bolted and glued together.

The Sadler 26 came with a masthead rig, supported by a forestay, backstay and in-line caps and lowers. The foretriangle is larger than the mainsail. Credit: Richard Langdon

The moulded toerail gives a secure foothold, but the scarcity of scuppers means that water collects on the sidedecks, especially if you’ve slightly altered the trim by adding too much weight in the bow or stern, which is easy to do on a small boat.

The stanchions drop into sockets in the toerail, which seems like a neat solution, but means that if you have any abrupt encounters with the dock you not only bend a stanchion, but might damage the deck-moulding too.

Some boats, including Ella , have fitted bolt-on stanchion bases instead. The sidedecks are wider than you might expect thanks to her beam, with room to stand by the shrouds when coming alongside.

The anchor well is sealed off from the vee-berth. Credit: Richard Langdon

There’s a proper anchor well to keep muddy chain sealed off from the vee-berth. Look closely enough at the cockpit though, and you start to have a sense of where Sadler’s priorities lie. It may look unremarkable, but it’s an excellent working area when sailing, both comfortable and functional.

The square shape of the cut-off transom is a compromise worth making, allowing room for three adults or a few more little people. The benches are the perfect width to brace across when heeling, even for those of us with short legs.

It’s still small enough to reach all the controls when singlehanded though, with halyards and reefing lines led back along the coachroof.

Bolt-on stanchion bases replace the original moulded ones in the toerail. Credit: Richard Langdon

The transom-hung rudder positions the tiller well aft, so that it doesn’t dominate the space.

Standing with the tiller in hand, there’s a clear line of vision forwards even with the sprayhood up. The deep coamings make a comfortable backrest.

The recessed storage cubbies are a useful feature often missing on larger yachts.

When beating to windward, the coachroof gives shelter from a full bombardment of green water.

The only drawback is that the traveller position is directly in front of the companionway hatch. Owing to the small mainsail though, it’s relatively easy to manage.

A good use of space

The starboard-side cockpit locker swallows up gear and houses a stainless-steel fuel tank. Ella had a large removable panel to give better access to the back of the engine , gearbox and stern gland, which is a very practical modification.

A 90-litre flexible water tank lives under the cockpit sole, making good use of otherwise redundant space. Slide back the companionway hatch and you reveal a bright, compact interior.

Immediately to starboard of the companionway is the galley with a small sink, coolbox and boat cooker . The previous owner had dispensed with the full-sized oven and put extra stowage beneath the hob.

Mounting navigation equipment by the companionway makes it easier for John to sail singlehanded. Credit: Richard Langdon

Locker space is minimal here, but if you’re not too ambitious about what you cook, the space is perfectly adequate. The top of the engine box provides additional work surface for food prep.

A spacious quarterberth runs under the port side of the cockpit and a cleverly designed nav table pulls out above it on older models.

John has mounted navigation equipment here which made it easy to reach from the cockpit, a useful feature when singlehanded sailing .

The hanging locker is useful for storing lifejackets and foulies. Credit: Richard Langdon

In a neat metamorphosis, the saloon table drops down to create a double bunk. The starboard-side bench is too short to be a full-sized bunk, unless you push through into the hanging locker forwards as some owners have done.

Beyond the main bulkhead is the heads compartment with wet locker opposite.

The vee-berth gains a feeling of additional space from the raised coachroof and large foredeck hatch above. It’s not a plush interior, but the inner mouldings have aged well and provide plenty of storage beneath.

The transom-hung rudder is supported on a full-length skeg and gives the Sadler 26 good manoeuvrability. Credit: Richard Langdon

The foam insulates each stowage compartment, meaning that items stored under bunks suffer less condensation and mildew.

The major drawback of the interior is headroom. John is 5ft 6in and can stand up in the cabin, but if you’re much taller you’ll be spending most of your time stooped over – many people would find the maximum headroom of 5ft 10in restrictive.

Without totally destroying the proportions, it would be hard to achieve more headroom on a boat of this size and for those with longer legs, the similarly constructed Sadler 29 is worth considering.

Impressive handling

The original engines were 10hp Bukhs and then 9hp Volvo Pentas. Ella had a more recent 20hp Beta Marine.

It’s a tight fit in the engine compartment, but the enlarged access panel in the cockpit locker allows most jobs to be conducted in situ. It gave an impressive 6 knots through the water at 2,000 RPM.

‘I’m really glad of the extra power,’ said John. ‘When the kids have had enough and you’re fighting the tide and you just want to get home, she can do it.’

The 5ft 10in max headroom in the saloon can feel restrictive. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

She was pretty nifty when it came to tight turns in the river Hamble, employing all the leverage of her transom-hung rudder. Although Sadler is renowned for producing yachts that sail well, I confess I was a little dubious about the 26.

There’s a lot of yacht crammed into 26 feet and with the twin keels too, I wondered what had been sacrificed in the quest for interior volume and a moderate draught.

But after hoisting the main and unfurling the 140% genoa on Southampton Water, she set off impressively.

There’s a good view from the cockpit when helming, even with the sprayhood up. Credit: Richard Langdon

Despite only having 7-8 knots of true wind, she made 4 knots with ease and the helm was feather-light.

In fact, she was so well balanced that we gave up helming entirely and just tweaked the sails to adjust the course.

She made 35°AWA when the wind held, slipping off to 40°AWA when it decreased.

It was a slack tide and the chartplotter showed crisp, right-angled tacks. She was a pleasure to sail.

Compact but clever

Tacking a boat with a big foretriangle is harder work than modern, fractional rigs, but she’s small enough that most of the genoa sheet can be pulled in by hand.

Downwind there wasn’t enough breeze to put her through her paces, but she ghosted along at 3 knots in only 5-6 knots of wind. It’s a fairly modest sail area, but she still felt responsive and moved with a sense of purpose.

For singlehanders and families alike, you don’t want too much power anyway.

Interior mouldings have aged well, including in the galley, where the engine box provides an extra food preparing area. Credit: Richard Langdon

Underpinning all of that, there’s a feeling of seaworthiness and the design is well-proven. Sadler 25s and 26s have been used successfully in short-handed events such as the AZAB and OSTAR .

One of the pleasures of small boat sailing is that you’re more likely to sail the boat to its full potential. It’s much less arduous to play with the control lines so you can experiment with twist and car position without breaking into a sweat. But the boat needs to be responsive to sail in the first place.

On the Sadler 26, performance has been preserved to the right level: she’ll reward an ambitious sailor and take care of a novice.

In the summer, John and the family use the boat for hybrid sailing holidays. He’ll deliver her to the West Country or Channel Islands alone or with friends, and then they’ll join him for a week of cruising, perhaps taking a holiday cottage for a few days to give themselves a bit more space.

Continues below…

Sailing a Westerly Griffon from Folkestone

Former builder Pat Boon 
has been fascinated by boats since childhood. He welcomes Bob Aylott aboard his 26ft Westerly Griffon,…

25 of the best small sailing boat designs

Nic Compton looks at the 25 yachts under 40ft which have had the biggest impact on UK sailing

Sadler Starlight 35: a solid 35-footer

Duncan Kent examines the enduring appeal of the Sadler Starlight 35 and discovers a yacht that is a delight to…

Sadler 290: A powerful & roomy twin-keeler

When she was launched in 2003, the Sadler 290 was probably the roomiest and most powerful 29ft twin-keeler ever built…

As the children grow up they might consider upsizing, but John is pragmatic about the fact that they may not share his passion for sailing. If not, he’ll continue to enjoy the solitude of solo sailing without the stress of handling a larger yacht.

The compression of space on a small yacht means that every centimetre matters and each element of the design has to be carefully weighed.

I was impressed by how little was missing from the Sadler 26. Things work harder by multi-tasking and ingenious transformations turn chart tables into sleeping areas and bunks become dinner tables. So you can have it all on a 26 foot boat, just not at the same time.

There’s a can-do attitude to the Sadler 26. It’s a boat that can be sailed solo or with a family. The inherent buoyancy inspires confidence for those venturing further afield, or you can creek crawl and escape the marina scene locally.

The large forepeak hatch makes the vee-berth feel spacious. Credit: Richard Langdon

She has all the facilities of a bigger yacht, albeit not simultaneously. The accommodation is well-laid-out and will just about allow for the routines of normal life. I wouldn’t attempt a Sunday roast on board but knowing the kind of people who sail these boats, it’s probably been done.

For all her merits though, it’s the sailing performance that stands out for me.

How many boats out there can accommodate a family of four and offer safety and seaworthiness at only 26ft? Not many. And how many of those will be fun to sail? Even fewer.

Overgrown dinghy? Absolutely, in the best possible way.

Expert opinion on the Sadler 26

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA) www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

Back in the day I used to own a Sadler 25, and my friend’s dad ordered one of the 26s off-plan and was certainly not disappointed with the level of fitout. Whilst many have stood the test of time, there are some niggles you need to be aware of.

In my view, and the view of many other surveyors, the infill foam is actually an essential part of construction, bonding the outer hull moulding to the internal moulding.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges with the 26 today is where the foam has absorbed water. This causes softening of the structure, both externally and internally, and should not be ignored.

Like the Sadler 29, the Sadler 26 is double-skinned, with polyurethane foam between the outer hull and interior moulding boosting buoyancy even when flooded. Credit: Richard Langdon

This is common with twin-keel versions that have taken the ground regularly, which will result in softening around the keel root externally and movement of the internal framing near the keel fastenings.

I’d strongly recommend seeing the craft lifted and tip tests undertaken on the keels to see what deflections are occurring, both inside and outside.

Other issues include moisture in the deck pad due to the wiring of deck instruments, rotten ply where the chain plates have been fitted internally, seriously worn fastening points on the stem cap for the forestay, and the overloading of the rudder skeg on the twin-keel versions, where there has been repetitive grounding.

Alternatives to the Sadler 26

Contessa 26.

The Mini Cooper of the sailing world, there were almost 800 of these little yachts built over a period of almost 30 years and they’ve gained a cult following.

A mould was exported to Canada where several hundred more were built as the Taylor 26, after a trademark dispute.

Remarkably, the lines were never drawn as such, but a mould was made from a Folkboat hull and a few adaptations made to give a higher freeboard and slightly more internal volume.

A deep forefoot makes motion smooth on the Contessa 26. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Unlike the Folkboat, the Contessa 26 has a masthead rig and large overlapping genoa. The cockpit is small, even for a boat of this size, but having the mainsheet at the aft end of it makes the space there more usable.

Sail area-to-displacement ratio is low but a lot of that weight is in the keel. They aren’t renowned for their light airs performance, but the wetted surface area is less than you might imagine, thanks to the short waterline length and narrow beam.

In fact, the Contessa 26 often features in podium positions for Round the Island Race and has won a few too.

The encapsulated long keel and transom-hung rudder are attractive features, and the solid deck eliminates the problem of a soggy core.

The price you pay for an attractive boat that sails well is accommodation. There’s only 5ft of headroom except directly under the raised companionway moulding.

The sheets are in easy reach of the helm, making the Contessa 26 good for singlehanding. Credit: Graham Snook

There were three original layouts, A, B and C. All had two 6ft 6in saloon berths and 6ft 3in vee-berths.

The main differences were that there was no heads compartment in layout A; the loo was positioned between the vee-berth. This brought the vee-berth aft and created space for a proper anchor locker. On B and C configurations, a starboard heads compartment pushed the vee-berth right forward. A and C have the galley amidships; it is aft by the companionway on layout B. There’s no room for a saloon table and it’s minimalist-style living.

The Contessa 26 is incontestably pretty and has proven to be a bulletproof offshore cruiser boasting many high-profile circumnavigations.

They command a premium because of their deserved reputation, but won’t suit everyone.

Very much of their time, they’re nonetheless sought-after for 21st century adventures.

Trapper 300

Until recently, I’d never heard of Trapper, but when my sister bought a Trapper 500 a few years ago, I wondered why they weren’t better known.

They produced several pokey performance-cruisers in the 70s and 80s with nice lines and a good turn of speed. The 300 was designed by Bruce Kirby, who also drew the Laser dinghy (enough said), and based on a successful Quarter-Tonner, but they were aimed at the cruising market.

The 300 is a fin-keeled, masthead sloop with a semi-balanced spade rudder. The bow is razor-sharp and there’s a neatly tapered stern.

The saucer-shaped hull profile is much wider at deck level than it is at the waterline, creating space on deck and increasing buoyancy when heeled, but with minimal wetted surface area in light airs. The cockpit is compact but deep and safe.

A deep cockpit on the Trapper 300 provides security. Credit: David Harding

The traveller location right in front of the companionway hatch might be frustrating on long passages if you’re often going in and out, though it’s less of an issue when coast-hopping.

The internal layout varies between the Mk 1 or Mk 2 but both have comfortable saloon seating and a saloon table.

On the Mk 1 version the galley is by the companionway, on the Mk 2 it occupies the port side of the saloon.

There’s a standard heads and hanging locker arrangement forwards of the mast and full-length vee-berth. Largely composed of interior mouldings, the insides of many remain in good condition.

If you want something that’s rewarding to sail, looks pretty and has enough space for minimalist cruising, they’re a really good option, and often better value than higher- profile designs.

Westerly Griffon

The Griffon is unmistakably Westerly , with a high coachroof and square-cut transom utilising every inch of boat length.

She was the first Westerly designed by Ed Dubois, and has a more streamlined look than the older Laurent Giles models.

Although she’s still a bit boxy to the eye, the rewards are reaped below where there are two-and-a-half double bunks and 5ft 9in headroom all the way forward.

There’s the usual vee-berth arrangement, generous saloon with pull-out seating that converts to a double, and an almost double bunk in the port quarterberth.

High topsides on the Westerly Griffon and a chunky coachroof offers ample headroom down below. Credit: Bob Aylott

The Mk 1 version had a fold-down saloon table and sapele joinery. The Mk 2 had a sturdy fixed table with folding leaves and teak woodwork.

The galley occupies the starboard side as you come down the companionway and beneath the starboard side of the cockpit there’s a large locker. On deck, the cockpit is larger than average with the mainsheet position aft.

It will comfortably accommodate four for sailing, and six for cockpit drinks with the tiller up. Halyards and reefing lines lead to the cockpit, making her suitable for singlehanded sailing .

Most of them were bilge-keelers but a few had fin keels. They are reported to perform well for this keel configuration and have plenty of sail area, but pointing probably won’t be their forte.

If creek crawling and getting away from it all is more your thing than haring round the cans, and you’re looking for a boat with a nice temperament that’s comfortable for longer periods of time and gentle on the crew, here she is.

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Review of Sirius 28

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar 1GM diesel engine at 7.0 hp (5 kW), which gives a max speed about 3.7 knots.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 liters (18 US gallons, 15 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Sirius 28 is 2.05, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.6 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Sirius 28 is about 144 kg/cm, alternatively 810 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 144 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 810 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Sirius 28 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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• Sailboat Guide

Sirius 21/22

Sirius 21/22 is a 20 ′ 11 ″ / 6.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Hubert Vandestadt and built by Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. between 1977 and 1987.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Vandestadt & McGruer was the Canadian importer of the American built MacGregor line of trailerable sailboats in early 1970s. The company also built the SIREN 17. The SIRIUS 21/22 is said to be the first North American production-built, ballasted cruising boat with positive flotation. In a more expensive procedure, closed-cell foam was injected into some compartments, then into the gap between the inner and outer hull the full length and up to the deck level. In the early 1980s, the hull was modified to include a reverse sheer transom at which point the boat was renamed the SIRIUS 22. A fixed-keel model was also offered.

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• Sirius 40 DS Boat Review

48° North Tests the Stout, Twin-Keeled Bluewater Cruiser

The Sirius 40 Deck Saloon (DS) just made its North American Boat Show debut in Seattle in January, and I have to admit, it had not been on my radar. It certainly is now, and it left a big impression. Perhaps this is because this was no two-hour boat test. I got on the boat at Cornet Bay Marina just inside of Deception Pass, and spent two very enjoyable days cruising the boat, including a night on the hook in a San Juans gunkhole at Kimball Preserve.

The first 40 DS splashed in 2015. And the first on the West Coast of this continent now has a home in Vancouver, BC, after sailing here from Germany, where Sirius Yachts are built.

At its core, the Sirius 40 DS is a stout bluewater sailor, whose design priorities begin with a large, central deck saloon with 360° views and creature comforts galore. It has several ballast arrangement options, two of which prioritize keeping permanent draft to a minimum while retaining rock-solid stability. And one of these (the twin-keeled version we sailed) allows you to safely “dry-out” on tidal flats; not just as a novelty, but daily. It utilizes a Solent rig with a readily-deployed self-tacking jib and traditional-sheeting genoa. Considering its host of interior layout options and multiple rudder arrangements to pair with the ballast options, it’s one of the most customizable production boats I’ve come across.

This Sirius 40 is big and beautiful, and it is ready to take you to far away places. Yet, the ocean is not the only place this boat will be at home—it’s also uniquely perfect for year-round cruising on the Sound, the Inside Passage, or Alaska. Its saloon windows allow you to take in the beauty of your surroundings while being out of the weather if it is cold, wet, or both; whether you’re under sail, under power, or at anchor.

Innovations

As much as any boat I’ve stepped aboard in recent memory, the Sirius 40 DS is full of surprises. It exposed some of the expectations to which I default, based on certain conventions in boat design. Being different is noteworthy in itself, but since ingenuity and creativity are on constant display in the Sirius 40 DS, there was also a significant wow factor.

The first clever invention I noticed was the burly canting wheel, hinged on centerline. This gives you many of the advantages of dual helms—the ability to drive from either high or low side for visibility or trimming purposes and easy fore-aft movement around the cockpit—while keeping the steering mechanism strong and simple.

As I entered the extraordinary saloon and passed the raised dinette to port, I walked down a couple of stairs at the forward end, expecting to find only a V-berth (it’s there and it’s lovely, by the way). On my way, I discovered another spacious cabin tucked under the deck saloon on the port side, which had one of the largest double berths I’ve ever seen on a cruising boat. This secret berth provides the qualities of a mid-ship berth, where the boat’s movement is minimized and where you’re insulated from lapping water in the stern and anchor chain noise in the V-berth.

This mid-ship berth is not the only unexpected space afforded by the raised saloon sole. I pulled up a floorboard in front of the galley to discover a storage area under the floor that was nearly three feet deep. There are four of those massive compartments. For passage provisioning, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen more ample storage solutions inside the cabin.

And then, it was time for the real kicker… The aft-most bench in the saloon dinette hinges out of the way and reveals a passageway into a hidden shop and storage room. This area houses the bones of the boat’s systems—engine access, electrical, water, gen-set or laundry for some—and comes standard with a workbench. It’s a brilliant use of space, and one that doesn’t sacrifice any of the comfort or elegance of day-to-day living.

The Sirius 40 is just plain comfortable. If it didn’t sound so much like marketing lingo, I’d even call it luxurious. This was never more obvious than when we were hit by a surprise 30-knot squall in Rosario Strait. We had already struck sail as daylight was fading fast and we needed to head directly to our anchorage for the evening.

We watched as the wall of white moved across the water at us. “Rain or wind?” I wondered aloud. Well, it was both. It hit and I was truly grateful to be inside the saloon, steering from the interior helm station, awed by the cell’s power and by the boat’s resistance to it.

Comfort is key to the styling, but it’s all about the views. Views when you’re cooking in the central galley, views while you’re eating in the saloon, views out the hull portlights in any of the three private cabins. I’ve never seen so much of my exquisite natural surroundings while inside a boat. You’re never really “down below” on the Sirius 40 DS.

Quality Craftsmanship

Structurally, the Sirius 40 is a beast. When I loaded my sailing bag into the closet in the midship cabin, I discovered an approach to the chainplate that was new to me. A massive steel rod tied the deck fitting directly to an athwarships stringer. This was just an example, everything about its build is brawny.

The fit and finish is as fine as any boat I’ve spent time on. It is quiet…dead quiet. No creaking floorboards. No squeaky hinges. The saloon table is genuinely gorgeous. And when the companionway door was closed, that 30-knot squall raging outside was eerily quiet inside the deck saloon while the boat heeled 15-degrees under bare poles.

The most unique of the three ballast arrangements—a twin “bilge keel” set-up—is, as mentioned above, structurally strong and stable enough to support the boat and its contents on land twice a day in perpetuity. The night before I got on the boat, the group with whom I cruised had spent the night dried out on the east side of Whidbey Island. After being warned by some neighbors that they were going to be aground, they stood up on their keels and eventually stepped off the back of the boat and explored the soggy flat in mud boots.    

Everything about sailing the boat was pleasurable and easy. The systems all worked in harmony with one another. The boat tracked beautifully. And when we eased sails to drive down from close-hauled to a beam reach in 20 knots, the boat accelerated and put a big smile on my face. It is easy to appreciate the weight of the boat and its pair of keels when sailing. The boat’s movement felt slow, moderate, deliberate.

Sailing upwind in breeze in the mid-teens, I did wonder whether a fin keel would have slightly improved the performance to weather. I’d be very eager to try the lifting-keel version. You can certainly find more impressive upwind sailing performance in light and moderate breezes, but you have to sacrifice a lot about what makes this boat special, and the sailing was still very fun. The boat has a substantial rig and had plenty of sailpower to make good progress toward our destination under sail, keeping our 25,000lbs plowing toward Blaine. While it’s hard to say whether it was the keel arrangement or the boat’s significant heft, the only time I really wished for more performance was getting back up to speed out of a tack. However, it goes without saying that there were other priorities in its design and build. Ultimately, it was a strong sailing performance from a highly capable boat.

Ready for Anything

Sailing the Sirius 40 DS perfectly summed up all of my other experiences on the boat: numerous systems offered innovative solutions to common problems, its motion was remarkably consistent and comfortable, the layout made me want to settle in and relax, quality was on display in every facet, and the boat felt stout and ready for anything.

If we could have kept going—north to Alaska or south to warm water—I certainly would have been happy to do so. The Sirius 40 DS should be on the short list for anyone searching for a strong, heavy bluewater home, from which to explore the world in extreme comfort.

Rig and Sails: Mainsail (standard) 49.0 m2 Self-tacking jib 32.3 m2 (standard) Genoa I 63.6 m2 Mast height above water: 65′

Joe Cline has been the Managing Editor of 48° North since 2014. From his career to his volunteer leadership in the marine industry, from racing sailboats large and small to his discovery of Pacific Northwest cruising —Joe is as sail-smitten as they come. Joe and his wife, Kaylin, welcomed a baby girl to their family in December 2021, and he is enjoying fatherhood while still finding time to sail, make music, and tip back a tasty IPA every now and again.

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Sirius 21 keel

• Thread starter allan5530
• Start date Jun 2, 2021
• Brand-Specific Forums
• Sirius 21/22

Hello I'm new to this site as well new to Sirius 21 swing keels. My question to the group is about the keel assembly, is there anything more to the keel assembly than just the pivot bolt and the pivot locking bolt above the pivot bolt. I find my keel is just hanging there very loosely. Should there be some ki g of nylon spacers or metal housing? Thank you.  

I've asked a number of people about this as my keel bumps and thuds when chop is on the beam. Apparently, all swing keels have a bit of play. I changed the cable on mine this year (and checked the eye-bolt where it attaches). I would like to check the pivot bolt, but it seems like a serious operation to lower the keel and a difficult one to put it back. Some people with swing keels put in sacrificial plates or similar into the keel trunk area. What was recommended to me was to buy those plastic cutting boards from Ikea and attach them on either side of the trunk. That way the keel is rubbing or bumping on the plastic and not on the fibreglass of the trunk. I would like to know if there are Sirius owners out there who have experience with a worn pivot bolt. Does it wear out?  

I'm planning on checking my keels pivot bolt also in a couple days. Right now my boat is off the trailer up on stands for bottom paint so I'll lower the keel and make a wood frame to support it in place then pull the bolt. As this old boat is new to me I have the opportunity now to confirm its safe.  

That sounds great. Please keep me posted as to the condition of the bolt so I know if it should be on my list for next season.  

Ok so I left the keel up and used a car jack at the front of the keel to pick up the weight, then tapped the pivot bolt about 1/2 way out see image its a 5/8" bolt. Very little rust and little wear. Bit of a pain getting it back in, but if you stick your head in the storage compartment you can see the bolt alignment, I had to jacked the keel up a little and put wedges on both sides of the keel to line up the bolt.  

Attachments

Also I used a large clamp on the flat part at the front of the keel to tip the keel you'll need to pull the clamp down if you're on port side lifting the keel parallel as it will drop to starboard when the bolt comes out of the starboad housing.  

Good to see the info and pictures. Seeing as how the bolt is in good shape, I think I won't worry about mine too much. At my club and the sail shop they said they've heard of cables failing, but never bolts - unless it had to do with someone running aground at speed.  

Hi all, I'm repairing/rebuildin the swing keel locking bolt area on my serius21 as there is just a 1-1/2" dia counter bore with a 3/8" center hole on both sides of the keel trunk. can anyone take a photo of what it should look like? Thanks  

JoshuaKairo

Hello, do you still need that photo? I am a new Sirius 21 owner, and I need help with operating the swing keel. How do you lower the keel? I was able to crank up the keel slightly before launching the boat in the water, but now when I turn the winch the other way nothing happens. the winch handle simply rotates freely with no tension on it at all. Is there some kind of clutch/brake or a lever that needs to be moved? Any help would be appreciated.  

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