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The Sadler 34 Sailboat

The Sadler 34, a masthead sloop, was designed by David & Martin Sadler and built in the UK by Sadler Yachts Ltd.

'Calisto', a Sadler 34 sailboat moored in the River Yealm, Devon, UK

Published Specification for the Sadler 34

Underwater Profile:  Fin with Skeg-hung Rudder

Hull Material : GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall : 34'9" (10.6m)

Waterline Length : 27'10" (8.5m)

Beam : 10'9" (3.3m)

Draft : 5'10" (1.8m)

Rig Type : Masthead sloop

Displacement : 12,800lb (5,806kg)

Designer : David & Martin Sadler

Builder : Sadler Yachts (UK)

Year First Built : 1983

Year Last Built : 1995 

Number Built : 260

Owners Association :  Sadler and Starlight Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Sadler 34

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  14.6

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  39.1

3. Displacement/Length Ratio:  265

4. Comfort Ratio:  28.0

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   1.8

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the  Sadler 34

eBook: How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Sailboat

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.6 suggests that the Sadler 34 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 39.1 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Sadler 34 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 265, tells us the Sadler 34 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 28.0 suggests that crew comfort of a Sadler 34 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Sadler 34 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Any Questions?

What is the history of Sadler Yachts?

The history of Sadler Yachts is a story of a father-and-son team who created some of the most popular and seaworthy sailboats in the UK. Here is a brief summary of their achievements:

  • David Sadler was a civil servant and a self-taught yacht designer who started his career in 1969 by designing and building the Contessa 26 and the Contessa 32 with Jeremy Rogers in Lymington. These boats were based on the successful Folkboat design and became classics in their own right, winning many offshore races and cruising awards;
  • Martin Sadler was David's son who completed a yacht building course at Southampton College in 1972 and worked for Jeremy Rogers as well. He wanted to start his own boatbuilding business and invited his father to join him as a non-executive director;
  • Sadler Yachts Limited was incorporated in January 1973 and launched their first boat, the Sadler 25, in 1974. This boat was designed by David Sadler and was a fast and robust club racer and family cruiser that sold over 300 units until 1981;
  • In 1979, Sadler Yachts introduced the Sadler 32, another design by David Sadler that improved on the Contessa 32 with more accommodation, stiffness, and rating. The Sadler 32 was an elegant and seaworthy cruiser/racer that received great acclaim from the yachting press and customers. Over 300 units were built until 1989;
  • In 1981, Sadler Yachts launched the Sadler 29 and the Sadler 26, two boats that featured Martin Sadler's innovative idea of unsinkability. These boats had a sandwich construction with rigid polyurethane foam injected between the inner and outer hulls, making them virtually unsinkable even if holed. The Sadler 29 and 26 were also spacious and comfortable family cruisers that sold well in the UK and abroad;
  • In 1984, Sadler Yachts moved to a larger premises in Poole and expanded their range with the Sadler Starlight 35 and the Sadler Starlight 39, two performance cruisers designed by Stephen Jones. These boats had a more modern look and feel than the previous Sadlers, with sleek lines, sugar scoop transoms, wing keels, and fractional rigs.
  • In 1989, Martin Sadler designed the Sadler SE, a modified version of the Sadler 34 that had a more contemporary interior layout, a sugar scoop transom, and a taller rig. This boat was intended to compete with newer designs in the market, but only a few were built before Sadler Yachts ceased trading in 2008 due to financial difficulties;
  • After Sadler Yachts went out of business, some of their moulds were bought by other boatbuilders who continued to produce new or refurbished Sadlers for special orders. Some parts and services for Sadler boats are still available from other sources.

What other versions of the Sadler 34 were built?

There were two versions of the Sadler 34 built: the original version designed by David Sadler, and the SE version designed by Martin Sadler. The SE version had a more modern interior layout, a sugar scoop transom, and a taller rig.

What is the accommodation like in the Sadler 34?

The accommodation in the Sadler 34 is spacious and comfortable for a boat of its size. It has a double berth in the forepeak, a U-shaped dinette that converts to a double berth in the saloon, a quarter berth aft, and a separate heads compartment with a shower. The galley is well-equipped with a two-burner stove, an oven, a fridge, and a sink. The chart table is large and has plenty of storage space.

What keel options are available for the Sadler 34?

The Sadler 34 has four keel options: a deep fin keel, a shallow fin keel, a bilge keel, and a lifting keel. The deep fin keel has a draft of 1.83 m and a ballast ratio of 43%. The shallow fin keel has a draft of 1.37 m and a ballast ratio of 46%. The bilge keel has a draft of 1.22 m and a ballast ratio of 48%. The lifting keel has a draft of 0.76 m when raised and 1.68 m when lowered, and a ballast ratio of 45%.

What is the Sadler 34 like to sail?

The Sadler 34 is a fast and seaworthy sailing yacht that can handle various weather conditions. It has a balanced helm, good directional stability, and easy handling. It performs well upwind and downwind, and can reach speeds of up to 7 knots in moderate winds. It is also very stiff and stable, thanks to its sandwich construction and high ballast ratio.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Sadler 34?

The average cost of a secondhand Sadler 34 depends on the year, condition, equipment, and location of the boat. According to YachtWorld, the price range for Sadler 34 boats for sale as of December 2021 is between £29,950 and £32,330.

Is this boatbuilder still in business?

No, this boatbuilder is no longer in business. Sadler Yachts ceased trading in 2008 due to financial difficulties. However, some parts and services for Sadler boats are still available from other sources.

What other sailboats have been created by these yacht designers?

David Sadler was the designer of several popular sailboats, such as the Contessa 26, Contessa 32, Contessa 35, Sadler Starlight 35, Sadler Starlight 39, and others. Martin Sadler was his son and collaborator who designed the SE version of the Sadler 34 as well as the Sadler Barracuda.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

Other sailboats in the Sadler range include:

A Sadler 25 sailboat heads west out of Plymouth UK in light conditions

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  • Sailboat Guide

Sadler 34 is a 34 ′ 8 ″ / 10.6 m monohull sailboat designed by David Sadler and built by Sadler Yachts between 1983 and 1995.

Drawing of Sadler 34

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)

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New and used Sadler Yachts 34 for sale

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Sadler 34

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British Marine

The Sadler 34 is a 34.75ft masthead sloop designed by David & Martin Sadler and built in fiberglass by Sadler Yachts between 1983 and 1995.

260 units have been built..

The Sadler 34 is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a short water supply range.

Sadler 34 sailboat under sail

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Sadler 34 Yacht / Sailboat

Sadler 34

The Sadler 34 yacht has ancestry which can be traced directly back to the Contessa 32, also designed by Martin Sadler. The Sadler 34 is the largest of the Sadlers and has all the qualities of a true classic offshore yacht.

Her sleek, purposeful profile, moderate beam, generous displacement and undistorted hull lines all point towards a powerful cruising yacht, one whose design is based on what the sea demands, rather than what fashion dictates.

Referred to as timeless, comfortable, elegant and remarkable in performance and dependability the Sadler 34 is popular with families and has the ability to go further than the next marina.

The Sadler 34 has been used for a number of significant offshore passages:

1986 David Katz a uses Sadler 34 to retrace Columbus’ steps from Spain to the Caribbean.

1989 Tom de Ruiter returns from a four year 35,000 mile single-handed circumnavigation in a Sadler 34

1988 Several Sadler 34s entered in the Two-handed Transatlantic Race. Positive feedback made towards basic structural integrity and strength of the hull and deck.

The Sadler 34 has changed little over the years. However, the new deep and shallow fin keels, designed by Stephen Jones have improved hydrodynamics and lower centre of gravity these have added even more power and performance.

  • Specification
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Length : 10.6m Beam : 3.3m Weight : 5,800kg Sail Area : 660 sq ft

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sadler 34 sailboat

  • Sadler 34 Yacht

Largest of the Sadlers, the 34, designed by Martin Sadler, has evolved from illustrious predecessors. Her ancestry can be traced directly back to the Contessa 32, (designed by David Sadler) and she embodies all the qualities of the true classic offshore yacht.

Her sleek, purposeful profile, moderate beam, generous displacement and undistorted hull lines all point towards a powerful cruising yacht, one whose design is based on what the sea demands, rather than what fashion dictates.

The timeless elegance of her looks, her remarkable performance and her complete dependability has been the key to the enduring appeal of the Sadler 34. Easy, predictable handling and comfortable motion have made the Sadler 34 a firm favourite among family crews looking for a cruising yacht with that added sparkle and the ability to go further than the next marina.

These same qualities have also lead to her being used for a quite remarkable number of offshore passages. David Katz chose a Sadler 34 to retrace Columbus’ steps from Spain to the Caribbean in 1986, while in 1989 Tom de Ruiter returned from a four year 35,000 mile single-handed circumnavigation in a Sadler 34 modified only by the addition of a wind vane and some solar panels. There were several 34s entered in the tough 1988 Two-handed Transatlantic race, where one owner commented – “As the race progressed, so our confidence in the boat increased, as it did in her ability to continue making good ground to weather in a full gale. . . never did I have any doubts about the basic structural integrity and strength of the hull and deck.”

In common with her smaller sisters, the 34 has changed remarkably little over the years. However, the new Stephen Jones designed deep and shallow fin keels, with their improved hydrodynamics and lower centre of gravity have added even more power and performance, and will help the Sadler 34 to keep setting the pace for many years to come.

“If she looks right, she is right”, is one of the oldest adages in the business. On the Sadler 34, you will notice the absence of trendy distortions like over-slim entry, over-fat waist, unsightly bulges and bustles, where excessive berthage has been crammed in.

Note instead the clean, uncluttered lines that clearly show her sea-kindliness and power, well faired-in keels (four keel options are available) and a properly supported rudder on a full-depth skeg, giving strength and directional stability.

Construction

Alastair Vallance of “Yachting Life” developed an ingenious test. “Our very first move was to go straight down to the starboard hanging locker. With a strong sun, would we see the usual x-ray of glassfibre through the gelcoat? Not a chance!” Sadler hulls are over an inch thick. They are made up of an inner and outer module with rigid cellular polyurethane forced in between under pressure. The outer module – the hull – is laid up to the same thickness as a single-skinned boat’s entire hull. The result is a “sandwich”, offering the kind of stiffness one normally associates with steel.

Why are they made like this? Firstly, it makes a Sadler unsinkable – a concept so new in production boats that at the time it left competitors in somewhat of a dilemma. Secondly, it provides standards of quietness, warmth and absence of condensation that are outstanding at any price. Thirdly, it provides a hull so stiff that it does not ask the mast and rigging loads to be shared by the dubious strengthening of interior bulkheads. Fourthly, it provides an interior moulding which is smooth, easy to clean and maintain, and contributes to the bright, open atmosphere below.

Start at the bow – by inspecting the massive stainless bow fitting with its twin rollers. Note the capacious anchor stowage, the deep moulded toerails with teak capping instead of the usual extruded alloy; the wide, uncluttered side decks; generous fairleads with midship cleats for springs; provision for jackstays to take your safety harness clip.

As you move aft to the cockpit, note the stainless anti-chafe strips in way of quarter rails, cleats and boarding ladder. Appreciate the well-sited halyard and sheet winches and cleats. In the cockpit, note the well-positioned, strong mainsheet track; the deep cockpit which you sit in, rather than on, with angled coamings providing both protection and comfortable backrests. Open the huge seat and stern lockers, whose lids are fitted with elastic restraining straps. Look for the ingenious handhole, which allows you to turn off the gas bottle without opening the locker lid. Note also, the safety-harness clip points. A deck layout designed for sailors by sailors.

Accommodation

Access to the cockpit from below is via a comfortably wide accommodation ladder consisting of two stout steps covered in Treadmaster and mounted on the removable front of the engine compartment.

The top step is formed by the top of the engine box and makes a useful extra worktop for the galley. The access itself is closed with a three-section, varnished teak washboard, the top section of which is fitted with a louvered vent.

The accommodation can be divided into three separate cabins. Right forward are two vee-berths which can be turned into a double with the usual infill piece. There is adequate standing headroom beneath the 500 x 500mm escape hatch, set in the coachroof.

Just abaft the forecabin is a comfortable head compartment to port and this is provided with pressurised hot and cold freshwater through a flexible shower head. The seacocks for the seawater and waste outlet of the head are easy to reach and service. A tannoy vent is set in the deckhead and there is a small mirror fitted to the aft bulkhead of the compartment.

There is plenty of open-fronted lockerage for the stowage of toiletries. A push button operated electric pump beside the basin takes care of the shower water discharge. To starboard of the head is generous hanging space, which can be closed by zipped covers, or by the part-louvered main bulkhead door. The door is to full accommodation height.

The main saloon consists of a c-shaped settee around a two-leaf cabin table. The centre section of the table forms a bottle stowage. On the starboard side of the passage through the saloon is a settee which doubles as a sea berth and is fitted with a lee cloth. A trotter box for this berth extends aft beneath the chart table to give a maximum sleeping length of 6 feet 7 inches (2 metres).

To port, the settee also converts to a double berth. With the settee backs removed, the sleeping length between the galley peninsular and the main bulkhead is 6 feet 2 inches (1.58 metres). There is stowage behind both settees and beneath the settee to port. The whole of the space beneath the starboard settee is taken up with a glassfibre 60 gallon (273 litre) water tank. Grabrails run the full length of the saloon along both sides, just beneath the deckhead. The headlining is textured, foam-backed vinyl with varnished teak battens running fore and aft to increase the apparent length of the accommodation.

Abaft of the main saloon to port and handy to the cockpit, is a well designed ‘U’ shaped galley. There is a gimballed two-burner Plastimo Atlantic stove and oven, which can be locked upright for harbour use. A cavernous ice-box is moulded into the after worktop of the galley and there is a side opening fridge beside the accommodation ladder.

The forward section of the galley consists of a peninsular fitted with two deep sinks. Both are fed by pressurised hot and cold water via a faucet on the end of a flexible hose. There is also a separate, hand-pumped fresh water supply to one of the sinks. Let into the remaining section of the forward peninsular, alongside the stove is a rubbish compartment, which is designed to take a domestic, flip-top waste bin. The plastic bin top can be removed and replaced with a flush-fit section of worktop. There is plenty of above-worktop stowage both behind the stove and along the back of the galley. Fiddled shelves are concealed behind dark-tinted acrylic sliding doors.

The navigator’s station to starboard at the foot of the accommodation access is well laid out with plenty of stowage for the tools of the pilot’s trade. The chart table will take a folded Admiralty chart and stowage for full folio folded charts is beneath the hinged top. This compartment also includes a partitioned section for pencils, dividers and rubbers. Further stowage is beneath the navigator’s seat.

Beside the navigating station is a half-louvered door, which gives access to a small aft cabin containing an “almost double” berth. The door is pintle-hinged so that it can either be opened into the aft cabin or the main saloon.

Sadler & Starlight

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Better Sailing

Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

While there are plenty of 30-35ft blue water cruising yachts currently on the used sailboat market, many of them are tired and need new standing rigging, sails, engine, etc. That said, there are good boats out there that have been loved and looked after. Those that are well used have most likely been well maintained, too, so don’t be put off by yachts that have crossed oceans or even circumnavigated before, as their owners will have had to keep them properly seaworthy. Sailing around the world is no easy task, so these boats should be in tip-top shape. 

Some might consider 30-35ft too small for bluewater cruising or for a circumnavigation (sail around the world), but that has been disproved over the years. Bigger might be better for coastal cruising with friends, but maintenance costs rise exponentially with every extra foot. A small sailboat should be more than enough to carry a couple off on the adventures of which they dream.

Nicholson 35

Now somewhat legendary, the tough and dependable Nicholson 35 first appeared in 1971, and between then and 1985, some 228 boats were launched. Built to Lloyds’ specifications with a hand-laid solid GRP hull, she boasts a fully encapsulated lead fin keel and full-depth skeg. She has an alluring sheer with nicely balanced overhangs, giving her bows a powerful go-anywhere look, while her low-profile coachroof blends pleasingly into the decks.

Compared to today’s modern cruiser, the Nic 35’s accommodation is somewhat limited due to her relatively narrow beam and pinched ends, but what there is has been used intelligently and makes for a good working environment on long passages. The need to pass through the heads to reach the forecabin can be inconvenient with guests on board. Still, for two people cruising, these minor irritations are more than compensated for with the high quality and solidity of the fittings and joinery and the availability of safe sea berths on passage.

The main saloon is comfortable with 1.88m/6ft 2in headroom. A U-shaped dinette makes a narrow but long double in port, and the 1.92m/6ft 4in-long starboard settee a great sea berth. However, many were fitted with one or two pilot berths above the settee backs instead of lockers. The galley boasts a huge coolbox, full-size gimballed cooker, deep sink, and plenty of stowage. A crash bar, bum strap, and bulkhead pole make it a great working galley at sea. Opposite is a large aft-facing chart table with instrument mounting space on a half bulkhead separating it from the watch seat and wet locker further aft. A few boats had a forward-facing chart table and roomy quarter berth instead.

The water tanks are under the sole above the keel, not under the saloon settees as with many modern crafts. Small portlights and hatches mean natural light and ventilation might not be so plentiful as on a newer boat, but then there is less opportunity for leaks. Her cockpit is business-like – not over wide but with high coamings to support the crew securely and keep them dry. She also has a high bridge deck to stop water going below should a wave find its way into the cockpit and very deep cockpit lockers. The mainsheet track is within reach of the helmsman, just forward of the pedestal, but getting to the primaries entails climbing over the seats from behind the wheel. Her masthead sloop rig has a keelstepped mast. It is stout and uncomplicated, with twin lower shrouds and a removable inner forestay for a storm jib.

Post-1975 models had a taller mast option (51ft as opposed to 45ft), increasing the sail area considerably. No doubt most will now have the control lines led aft into the cockpit for safer shorthanded sailing. Under sail, the Nic comes into her own. She has a very positive helm, although she can be prone to weather helm if overpressed. Her performance under sail is well mannered and drama free. However, her large (145%) genoa can take some sheeting in (don’t leave the inner forestay on). Her high bows part the waves with a gentle motion, and her deep, longish keel keeps her tracking dead straight in a following sea. She won’t break any speed records, averaging around 5 knots on a long passage, but she’ll always get you there safely and in comfort.

Nicholson 35 best small yacht for circumnavigation

Nicholson 35 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

The Sadler 34 evolved from the 32, and while the 32 was a tough, capable seaworthy sailboat cable of sailing around the world. The 34 offers much more in the way of accommodation thanks to her wider beam. Apart from being pretty, the most notable feature of the 34 is her double-skinned hull, sandwiched with thick closed-cell foam, making her unsinkable and eliminating condensation thanks to the added insulation. She came with a deep fin, shoal fin, or bilge keels, and the post-1990 models had a Stephen Jones-designed, foiled fin keel with ballast bulb that upped upwind performance. Under sail, she is responsive and vice free with a comfy motion and predictable handling. While her pinched (in modern terms) stern might limit the width of the aft cabin, it works well at sea, allowing her deep full skeg-hung rudder to keep a good bite on the water.

The Sadler 34 is quite a powerful performer and, despite having a fairly high displacement, achieves excellent passage times due to her ability to soldier on through foul weather and rough seas. Her deep and secure cockpit is perfectly dimensioned so as not to get thrown around at sea, and yet it provides enough clear seating for dining alfresco with mates. Stowage is also good, especially in the full-depth locker to port. There are harness points in the cockpit, but the mainsheet track runs across the bridge deck, which can catch out the unwary if the traveler isn’t locked in place.

On deck, the layout is practical, and the side decks uncluttered. Her foredeck is set up ideally for regular anchoring with a twin roller stemhead fitting and big anchor locker. Her accommodation is spacious enough for four. Though it was called a ‘double’ aft cabin, it only really works as a single, roomy quarterberth. She has an excellent U-shaped galley where pretty much everything can be reached with ease. The chart table opposite faces forward with its own seat, and there’s room aplenty for instruments and pilot books. Her saloon is roomy, and the table and seating are large enough for six to dine in comfort.

To port, the heads have a basin and its own door, allowing access to the forecabin. But in shower mode, the entire compartment runs athwartships, which isn’t ideal, especially as the hanging locker is in the same enclosure. There’s a decent-sized vee berth forward, which makes an ideal owner’s cabin at anchor. Stowage is reasonable, although the water tank is under the starboard settee.

Sadler 34 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Not unlike the Nicholson 35 in both hull lines and reputation, the Rival 36 is a tough, solid yacht designed for passagemaking in virtually all weathers and sea conditions. The 36 slotted between the slightly cramped 34 and the larger 38 ketch, with 78 in total being launched. Possibly a squeeze on such a tight budget, but you get a lot more space in the R36 than the older R34, and there’s a good chance you could find one that’s already equipped for bluewater cruising. She was offered as a masthead sloop or with a cutter rig option. Keel choice was between a deep lead-ballasted fin, a shallower Scheel keel, or a centerboard (R36C).

Under sail, she’s predictable and easily handled, although, like her predecessors, she’s not the fastest boat around. As with most heavy displacement cruisers, she’s designed more to get you safely across oceans than to race around the cans. Wheel or tiller-steered, she has a large, deep cockpit with high coamings and excellent stowage for deck gear. Access along the wide side decks is good, assisted One of a range of solidly built and well-found cruising yachts built by Northshore Yachts, the Vancouver 32 was designed specifically for serious passagemaking.

Full hull sections and short overhangs offer a high-volume yacht with excellent load-carrying abilities. Her fully encapsulated shallow keel contains nearly 3 tonnes of lead ballast, giving her an enviable ballast ratio of nearly 45%; a keel shoe extends aft to support the rudder and protect the prop from floating debris and lines. Only available with tiller steering and transom-hung rudder, she has an easily manageable masthead cutter rig with full shrouds and twin straight spreaders.

A smart teak-capped bulwark offers extra security going forward while large scuppers ensure rapid deck drainage. The interior is surprisingly spacious and comfy. The long quarterberth and port-side straight by high teak-capped gunwales and long handrails on the coachroof, and the foredeck big enough for handling the headsails and ground tackle, which can be securely stowed in the large, deep anchor locker when sailing. Below decks, she is warm and woody and retains the trademark Rival ‘keyhole’ bulkhead separating the superbly designed and well-appointed galley and navigation areas from the saloon. The twin-leaf saloon table has fiddles and can seat six for a meal, while the settees are straight and make comfortable 1.91m-long sea berths with lee cloths. Most had a pipe cot above as well.

Maximum headroom is 1.91m/6ft 3in, and stowage is good, thanks in part to the water tank being above the keel. With no double cabin aft and only a quarterberth, the forecabin provides a comfortable vee berth with ample floor space to dress, plenty of lockers to stow your clothing, and even a dressing table. The heads/shower compartment is also roomy, and Jack and Jill doors offer access from both saloon and forecabin.

Rival 36 - best used sailboats to sail around the world

Rival 36 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Vancouver 32

One of a range of solidly built and well-found cruising yachts built by Northshore Yachts, the Vancouver 32 was designed specifically for serious passage making. Full hull sections and short overhangs offer a high-volume yacht with excellent load-carrying abilities. Her fully encapsulated shallow keel contains nearly 3 tonnes of lead ballast, giving her an enviable ballast ratio of nearly 45%; a keel shoe extends aft to support the rudder and protect the prop from floating debris and lines. Only available with tiller steering and transom-hung rudder, she has an easily manageable masthead cutter rig with full shrouds and twin straight spreaders. A smart teak-capped bulwark offers extra security going forward while large scuppers ensure rapid deck drainage. The interior is surprisingly spacious and comfy.

The long quarterberth and port-side straight settees make excellent sea berths, leaving the U-shaped starboard saloon settee (converts into double berth) and roomy vee berth forward for sleeping at anchor. A half bulkhead separates the galley/navigation areas from the saloon, with a support pillar on either side providing excellent handgrips. It’s a bonus having the quarter berths behind the ch

art table as it allows the off-watch crew to keep one eye on the instruments and chart. However, having the heads forward can result in a lot of water dripping off your oilies when going below in wet weather.

All that lovely solid hardwood adds to her weight (nearly twice that of a modern 32ft Bavaria). Most owners are more concerned with her superb oceangoing abilities, though. She sails predictably and undramatically, her high bows and fine balance ensuring she parts the waves with little spray and no slamming – ideal for long passages where many lighter boats can throw you about.

Vancouver 32 - Best Sailing Boat To Sail Around The World

Vancouver 32 Specs

Peter

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Yachting Monthly

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Sadler 290: A powerful & roomy twin-keeler

David Harding

  • David Harding
  • December 13, 2021

When she was launched in 2003, the Sadler 290 was probably the roomiest and most powerful 29ft twin-keeler ever built – and David Harding reckons she still is

Sadler 290

The Sadler 290 is a tough, compact cruiser with excellent performance. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

Few production cruising yachts deserved more attention when they were launched than the Sadler 290.

This was a boat the likes of which had never been seen before.

She was destined to be something special from the outset, and she lived up to expectations in every way.

In fact, she exceeded them, and not only because the original brief had been for a boat that would be the modern equivalent of the Westerly Centaur .

As boats sometimes do in their formative stages, the Sadler became bigger and more powerful as the design evolved.

With the tiller taking up much of the cockpit, seats on the stern rail are particularly useful. Credit: David Harding

With the tiller taking up much of the cockpit, seats on the stern rail are particularly useful. Credit: David Harding

And as a former Sadler employee turned yachting journalist who happened to know everyone involved in the project, I was in the privileged position of seeing that evolution take place.

Having been involved in the development of the Starlights 14 years earlier, I had some idea of the potential in the design and I was more than eager to see how the new Sadler turned out.

Although the 290 was a Sadler by name, the new Sadler company was unrelated to those that had gone before. The design encapsulated many of the same beliefs and ideals nonetheless.

It would be a sailing boat first and foremost: tough, fast, capable, comfortable and designed to cover the ground quickly and confidently in all weathers.

The mainsheet is taken to a bridle forward of the hatch. On Java Blue the original wire bridle has been replaced by a longer one in Dyneema

The mainsheet is taken to a bridle forward of the hatch. On Java Blue the original wire bridle has been replaced by a longer one in Dyneema. Credit: David Harding

At the same time it would offer more interior space than almost anything else of similar size that could lay claim to being a sailing boat.

Maintaining the Sadler continuity was the fact that Stephen Jones was chosen as the designer.

Jones had been responsible for the Starlights, which were widely recognised as setting new standards in performance cruisers, and the Sadler 290 would be a development of a similar concept.

A Sadler 290 man

One owner who found the Sadler 290 to be exactly what he wanted is Peter Kinver, who bought Java Blue second-hand in 2015.

Peter had previously owned a Sadler 29 , which I sailed with him a few years ago from his home port of Looe. He’s also a leading light in the Redwing fleet in Looe (that’s the Uffa Fox-designed National Redwing dinghy).

Peter’s first cruiser, coincidentally, had been a Sadler 26 that washed ashore near Looe, having been adrift for two days.

The long tiller makes an extremely comfortable helming position on the Sadler 290

The long tiller makes an extremely comfortable helming position. Credit: David Harding

He restored it and sailed it for about a year before buying a twin-keeled Sadler 29 that he kept on a drying mooring in the river.

By then he had already seen the Sadler 290 as a new boat at the Southampton Boat Show. When the time came to move up from the 29, it was an easy decision to make.

As he explains: ‘I wanted something bigger and faster without going over 29ft because of the cost of marina berths. I thought about a Sadler 34 but it would have cost £1,000 a year more in berthing fees.’

The benefits of twin keels

He was mindful of marina costs because the plan was to keep his next boat in a marina in Plymouth for a few years.

Lovely though Looe is as a place to sail from – and it’s sadly overlooked by most cruising sailors heading along the coast – a half-tide mooring does have its limitations.

Being able to step aboard and sail away at any state of tide would allow Peter to make much more use of the new boat.

To that extent he had no particular need for twin keels and would have favoured a fin-keeler had one been available.

A moulded upstand along the gunwale acts as a secure toerail on the Sadler 290

A moulded upstand along the gunwale acts as a secure toerail. Credit: David Harding

Nearly all 290s are twin-keelers however, and as things have turned out, he has been more than happy to have two keels.

As he observes: ‘It’s good being able to dry out in the Isles of Scilly ’. Islands were involved in Java Blue ’s earlier life, too.

Peter initially saw her for sale in Guernsey – which has since been a racing destination with the boat – only to find when he enquired that she was already under offer.

Then, 12 months later, she appeared for sale with a broker in Plymouth and he bought her.

‘The boat came to me!’ he says.

Solar panels on top of a sprayhood on a Sadler 290

A solar panel lives on the top of the sprayhood, which stays up. Credit: David Harding

Many factors contribute to make the Sadler 290 a very different sort of twin-keeler to most. For a start, the keels are in lead rather than cast iron.

Because lead is so much denser, they can be a slimmer and more efficient section.

The centre of gravity is much lower because they’re bolted on to moulded spacers, so all the weight is in the bottom half of the keel s.

The resulting power and righting moment is enormous compared with most twin-keelers – and fin-keelers too, for that matter – allowing the Sadler to carry a healthy spread of sail and to have a hull shape that, in typical Jones style, needs to provide little in the way of form stability .

Stanchions mounted on top of the moulded toenail raise the level of the guardwires on the Sadler 290

Stanchions mounted on top of the moulded toenail raise the level of the guardwires. Credit: David Harding

No hard turn to the bilge is necessary.

The waterline beam is narrow in relation to the overall beam by cruising-yacht standards, leading to a deeper canoe body.

Since stability comes from the weight in the keels, not from the hull shape , the hull is free to do what it should do: to slip through the water easily and retain its balance when the boat heels, because the immersed section remains undistorted.

Thinking heavy

The Sadler 290 is no lightweight, but wetted area is kept to a minimum by another feature that’s widely used by the designer in his cruising yachts: the displacement skeg.

Despite the 290’s wide stern at deck level, there’s less boat to stick to the water back here than you would think.

These factors combine to create a boat that simply sails the socks off most cruisers of similar size.

More ballast, more sail and a narrower waterline make a boat faster in both light and heavy airs, and more comfortable into the bargain.

A tonne of lead ballast on each keel makes the Sadler 290 stiff under sail. Credit: David Harding

A tonne of lead ballast on each keel makes the Sadler 290 stiff under sail. Credit: David Harding

One factor that Peter notices compared with his Sadler 29 is the absence of thudding and banging from the windward keel.

That’s because the keels are mounted further down the hull, closer to the centre-line, than on a typical twin-keeler.

They tend not to break the surface when the boat’s hard pressed, saving banging as well as extra drag.

Other clues to the Sadler’s performance potential include the notably fine entry.

Galley on the Sadler 290

Tucked right out the way abaft the saloon, the galley is secure and close to the companionway. Credit: David Harding

Few cruisers are more delta-shaped than this one.

Going back a generation or two in designs, fuller forward sections would be needed to prevent nose-diving downwind in heavy weather .

Here, the buoyancy is provided by the ample freeboard instead.

The gunwale is by no means high by modern standards, but it combines with the relatively deep hull to provide well over 6ft (1.83m) of headroom in the saloon – more than respectable for a sporty cruiser of this size.

Saloon on the Sadler 290

Having the heads forward moves the saloon further aft, to a beamier part of the hull. Fit-out varied from builder to builder. Credit: David Harding

It also contributes to the exceptionally high AVS (angle of vanishing stability) of more than 140°, placing the Sadler 290 among the very small number of boats under 9m (30ft) to achieve Category A status under the RCD.

The interior volume is vastly greater than on the Sadler 29, whose hull is also shorter because the stated length includes the transom-hung rudder.

To say that the 290 is very different would be an understatement.

As Peter points out, she’s a bigger boat and ‘more of a handful – not as docile. You get much more room and performance but she’s not as directionally stable.’

As I found out on my first test in 2003, this isn’t a boat you can leave to her own devices.

There’s no skeg in front of the rudder as on the earlier Sadlers and the Starlights (the displacement skeg being something different), and the Sadler 290 will quickly wander off if you let go of the tiller.

Continues below…

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That’s why Peter, who often sails single-handed , bought a Neptune windvane steering gear.

While he has no plans to cross oceans , he dislikes the noise of an electronic autopilot although he does have one for use under power.

It took a little fiddling to get the Neptune to fit on the transom and involved removing the stern door, which he doesn’t miss.

The 290’s wide stern allows room for a generous double cabin. Credit: David Harding

The 290’s wide stern allows room for a generous double cabin. Credit: David Harding

During my sail when the Sadler 290 had just been launched, I was more than impressed by her performance.

We clocked 5.5-5.8 knots on the breeze in 10 knots of true wind .

Second time out, in fresher conditions, we rarely dropped below 8 knots with the wind abaft the beam and consistently exceeded 6 knots to windward.

It was a brand new, unladen boat with a clean bottom, sails straight out of the loft and a crew that included the designer, builder and sailmaker, but it still wasn’t bad going for a twin-keeled cruiser.

A white hulled Sadler 290 sailing

A fine bow by cruising-boat standards inevitably means a narrow foredeck. Credit: David Harding

She felt different from the other Sadlers and from the Starlights, perhaps a little more twitchy and with a helm that was extremely light most of the time before loading up as the rudder gripped tenaciously in the stronger gusts.

This time we had a slightly weedy bottom because an injury meant that Peter had been using the boat less than usual and was unable to keep it as clean as he would like.

Java Blue was also fully laden with cruising kit, so we didn’t quite match the earlier performance but I was reminded that the Sadler 290 is quick and extremely enjoyable to sail, and gives you one of the most comfortable helming positions from the windward coaming that you will find on any boat.

Verdict on the Sadler 290

The Sadler 290’s combination of space and pace in a boat of this length is extremely hard to match. There are compromises, of course.

A fine bow makes the foredeck pretty narrow. On the other hand, the broad stern combined with the sensible width of the cockpit allows the wide side decks to run all the way to the transom.

On so many boats, the cockpit is made as wide as possible, so it feels insecure in a seaway and you have to step into it to get to the stern.

At the helm, you’re well forward in the cockpit because of the long tiller. That places you close to the sprayhood for shelter and to the coachroof winches .

At the same time it means that space further aft is limited by the swing of the tiller. That’s where the seats on each side on the stern rail come into their own.

As a concession to cruising convenience, the mainsheet is taken to a bridle on the coachroof forward of the companionway.

Thanks to the modest width of the side decks and cockpit, the wide side decks run all the way aft on the Sadler 290

Thanks to the modest width of the side decks and cockpit, the wide side decks run all the way aft. Credit: David Harding

Many of us would prefer a traveller in the cockpit, but at least the sheet can be reached from the helm.

Peter has also replaced the original wire strops with longer strops in Dyneema to reduce the downward pull and give a better sheeting angle.

In the cockpit, a large locker to port swallows most of the usual gear , and the seats are close enough together for leg-bracing in a seaway.

Below decks the layout is unusual for a relatively modern boat in placing the heads between the saloon and forecabin, as was the norm until a few decades ago.

While not everyone will approve of this arrangement, it moves the saloon further aft into a beamier part of the boat.

It also allows the galley to be tucked away to port by the companionway steps, where it’s extremely secure and right out of the way.

A tall coachroof gives the Sadler 290 more than 6ft of headroom below. Credit: David Harding

A tall coachroof gives the Sadler 290 more than 6ft of headroom below. Credit: David Harding

A proper pillar handhold is at its forward end – a rare and useful feature. Abaft the chart table to starboard, the aft cabin is generous for a boat of this size.

By contrast, and as you would expect, the forecabin gets narrow towards the bow. The quality of joinery on 290s depends partly on who built them.

Sadler Yachts contracted the first boats to Rampart Yachts. Others, including Peter’s, were fitted out by Lauren Marine and later boats by Hillyard in Littlehampton.

With all the changes that affected her during her all-too-short production run, the Sadler 290 had a history that could only be described as chequered.

There’s no doubt that her potential was never realised, and the demand must surely remain for boats like this today.

The good thing is that there are owners like Peter who appreciate these remarkable boats for what they are.

Alternatives to the Sadler 290 t0 consider

Hunter channel 31.

A self tacking job came as standard on the Hunter Channel 31. Credit: David Harding

A self tacking job came as standard on the Hunter Channel 31. Credit: David Harding

Hunter Boats and David Thomas arguably did more than any other builder and designer to show that boats with twin keels could really sail.

Some of the early twin-keelers went sideways almost as fast as they went forwards, but builders such as Hunter and Sadler did much to change that as well as offering twin keels on bigger boats.

Plenty of Hunter’s Channel 32s and 323s had twin keels. They were also offered on the Channel 31, which came later and was Hunter’s second boat over 30ft (9m).

The Hunter factory had previously been too small for boats of this size, the stretched versions of the Impala 28 (the Horizon 30 and Crusader 30) being the biggest in the range, but a bigger factory allowed expansion.

Originally due to appear at the London Boat Show in 1999, the Channel 31 was delayed by a year to allow time for refinements.

In the words of David Thomas, the 31 was ‘right down the middle between a club racer/one design and a cruiser you can sail anywhere’.

The Hunter Channel 31 was launched in 2000. Credit: Rupert Holmes

The Hunter Channel 31 was launched in 2000. Credit: Rupert Holmes

She was conceived to be pretty quick, and carried a big mainsail , but cruising concessions included the standard self-tacking jib.

Owners could choose an overlapping headsail if they wanted. A souped-up version, to be known as the 303, was planned but never built.

Under sail, the 31 is fast and rewarding; well balanced, stiff and responsive.

If she has a weakness it’s that the rudder struggles for grip when she’s seriously hard pressed, particularly downwind, when the well-swept spreaders make it hard to de-power that large mainsail.

Below decks she’s plusher than many of the earlier Hunters thanks to the styling by Ken Freivokh.

As David Thomas put it, ‘we gave this boat the things the Sigma 33 doesn’t have – more ballast, a proper keel and a new-fangled interior.’

The 34 was built with a double-skinned hull. Credit: David Harding

The 34 was built with a double-skinned hull. Credit: David Harding

Brand loyalty tends to be strong among boat owners, so it’s no surprise that owners of one Sadler will often look at another one when considering their next move.

Launched in 1984, the Sadler 34 was the longest and latest of the Sadler models from the original Sadler Yachts.

Whereas the 25, 29 and 32 were designed by David Sadler, the 26 and 34 were by his son, Martin, who founded the company.

The 34 soon established a reputation as a fast, well-balanced and supremely capable offshore passage-maker, distinguishing herself in multiple trans-Atlantic races as well as the Azores and Back (AZAB), Round Britain races and others.

She was also chosen to undertake a number of global circumnavigations .

In what had become a Sadler tradition by the time she was launched, she was built with the well-proven double-skinned hull that incorporated enough closed-cell polyurethane foam to keep her afloat in the event of major structural damage.

This was put to the test on one occasion, when a 34 was run down by a ship in the English Channel. She floated low in the water but lived to tell the tale.

Multiple keel choices were offered to potential buyers, including deep and shallow fins, twin keels and a centreplate.

Later fin-keelers were given new, low-cg keels designed by Stephen Jones to improve their stiffness.

With her relatively slim hull, the Sadler 34 is not the most spacious of boats below decks and the aft cabin is essentially a generous quarter berth, but it is otherwise a comfortable and practical layout.

Westerly Merlin

The Westerly Merlin is An easily handled family cruiser. Credit: David Harding

An easily handled family cruiser. Credit: David Harding

Westerly and Ed Dubois were another builder-and-designer team to shake up the image of the twin-keeled cruiser in the 1980s.

The earlier Laurent Giles-designed Westerlys, including the Merlin’s predecessor, the Konsort, had sailed better than they were often given credit for, but Dubois took the performance to a new level.

The Merlin is widely considered to be one of Westerly’s under-rated designs. She was launched in 1984 as the first model to have an owner’s cabin in the stern.

It was a good size and, combined with the spacious heads, roomy saloon and surprisingly sprightly performance, got her off to a good start commercially.

David Harding

David Harding has been testing boats for decades and is also a sailing photographer

Like most Westerlys, the Merlin went through several incarnations and the 28 later evolved into the Merlin 29, with the addition of a sugar scoop and an inboard rudder replacing the transom-hung original.

Then, in 1993, all the aft-cockpit Westerlys were given the ‘Regatta’ treatment: masthead rigs gave way to fractional rigs (though the Merlin had always been fractional anyway) and Ken Freivokh was called in to re-style the interiors.

The Regatta 290, as the Merlin 29 became, found a limited market but can make a great second-hand buy.

Had the Merlin been styled more sympathetically from the outset – the forward end of the coachroof especially – she might have acquitted herself rather better in commercial terms.

She would struggle to match the Sadler 290 for performance but, being up to 20 years older, can be found for a lot less money.

Enjoyed reading Sadler 290: A powerful & roomy twin-keeler?

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Thoughts on a Sadler 34

GulfCoastSkimmer

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mazzy

Nice looking boats. Found some comment on the teak seating, which you should consider: " 2 TEAK SEATING. This was discussed in the May '97 issue of the Owner's Magazine and anyone wanting a reprint should give us a call. The material originally used for most of the Sadlers was plywood with a teak veneer on top and solid teak trim at the inboard edge. Most have degraded badly, with splits in the trim and exposed fastenings (which damage clothes and legs!). " From http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/frameset.htm Mike  

sailingdog

Nice looking boat. You don't see many boats over 30 feet that still have a tiller. Makes the cockpit look extra big.  

FS99- True... not too many boats over 30' have tillers, and I prefer them to wheels. But, the teak decks, if not properly installed and maintained are bad news waiting to happen.  

I have a Sadler with wheel steering (which is my preference, having had tiller steering in the past) Great boats, fast for there age and very stable in rough seas (North sea east coast can be like that a lot of the time lol). We have had ours for 7 years now and love her. by the way we also use a Wind Pilot.  

If only they did not tack the teak right through the upper GRP deck. Why on earth they do that I do not know. Mine leaks.  

What an unbelievable thing to do. Was it fixed on in sadler's yard? It must be nigh on impossible to find the origins of your leaks.  

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OntarioTheLake

sadler 34 sailboat

YBW Forum

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  • Thread starter pugwash60
  • Start date 17 Mar 2014
  • 17 Mar 2014

I'm thinking of buying bigger boat, I want something reasonably easy to handle alone, comfortable at sea and with good sailing performance. I'm upgrading from a long keeler and want a skeg hung rudder and probably built in the 80s or early 90s. I'm very interested in the Sadler 34 which looks ideal to me. I'm told that they tend to smell a bit, I'm presuming that if this is the case it's probably due to water in the foam, do owners have problems with water ingress, presumably it's harder than normal to trace and can go un noticed for some time. Are there obvious places where it gathers where it may be possible to remove the inner skin to dry it out and patch up the foam and / or examine for dampness? Are there known common problems other than the chain plate fittings to look out for? Are the windows a leak prone area, and are they relatively easy to remove and re fit if required? The other thing is that I tend to spend a lot of time at sea sitting at the forward end of the cockpit and reading, the track goes right across the cockpit here, is there room to squeeze an average sized bum forward of the track or is it right in the way? Other Boats on the short list are Scanmar 33 and Nich 35 do others spring to mind that I should be thinking about? Ideally I'd prefer tiller steering and a stern suitable to hang my self steering on, although I suppose I could fabricate a bracket to fit most things.  

john

Hi As a long standing owner, I've never heard the one about the interior smelling! My understanding is that the he foam is closed cell, so can't absorb. Like most yachts the chainplates will need rebedding from time to time (i've done it twice in 14+ years of ownership) and thats a straightforward job. I had my windows resealed by a company 10+ years ago and they haven't leaked a drop. The track across the companion way isn't a problem in practice and we tend to sit length ways with our backs to the bulkhead on a good full length cushion. There will be lots more expertise to come on here, including someone who will link to the picture of the Sadler 34 still reassuringly floating after being rammed by a coaster. My final take is that the only thing lacking for me is a larger double berth, and I don't think it is worth changing such a wonderful boat for just that reason - I'll try and lose some weight instead, though I can't do much about 6 foot 6 height! John  

vyv_cox

Well-known member

I have owned one for almost 20 years now, so you may consider me biased if you wish. Here are my comments to your points: Smell is a new one on me, never in ours and never mentioned as far as I know on the S&SOA forum, which I have used regularly since it commenced. Water in the foam is a bit of an urban myth. I have heard of a couple of cases in which water got between the foam and one of the skins, mainly because somebody has added a fitting and not sealed it properly, in one of the 'wet' wells, i.e. the engine bilge or the shower tray. One place that water can gather is in the ducting between the heads and the chart table. This is because someone has used the shower, undoubtedly the worst bit of design in the boat. The foam is completely closed cell and will not absorb water. When I cut some out to fit my yacht legs I immersed it in water for weeks to see what would happen. Result - nothing. The lowest point inside the boat is in the bilge above the keel, so drilling a small hole in the inner skin here would drain any water away and reassure you without creating any problems. You seem to know about the lower shroud plates, there is lots on the forum about them and it is not difficult to fix. The windows can be problematical. After years of rebedding the glass in the frames, which lasted for various lengths of time from days to a few weeks I have now bitten the bullet and had them done professionally. Time will tell but others who followed the same route have been successful. One of the great features of the 34 is that its cockpit is remarkably comfortable and the place you mention is our favourite. The trick is to retain the mast track stops, a primitive design that takes a bit of getting used to. However, the track ends are comfortable to sit on. Adding blocks and cleats to haul the traveller across turns comfortable seating into a spiky torture, so learn to live with the stops. These are minor points in what is a great boat. It's no accident that so many sea schools use them, although theirs may be the ones that smell!.  

Goldie

pugwash60 said: "I'm upgrading from a long keeler" Click to expand...

Also owned my Sadler 34 for twenty years, never had a problem with smell, in fact I have never had a problem with the boat. For me she has classic lines, which I never tire of looking at. The sailing performance is predictable, which is for me, as a single hander, more important than outright speed. I really enjoy owning her, even after so many years. I can endorse Goldie`s comment about the Stephen Jones deep keel. I had one fitted about ten years ago, made a world of difference. Would never contemplate selling my Sadler 34  

jbweston

Active member

I used to have a Sadler 34 and liked her a lot. I changed her because she was showing her age and I wanted a newer boat with some different features. So I'd sound two notes of caution: 1. All Sadler 34s are getting on a bit now. Because they are good boats many have had lots of use (some in sailing clubs) and so you might need to look quite hard to find one that hasn't been hammered. 2. The main practical problem I found is that they are hard to rewire because of the visually very attractive double skin construction. This looks great, provides good insulation and therefore freedom from condensation, but it makes rewiring (or new wiring) hard as you can't run it between the skins and so have to tuck it where you can. There are ways round this like using wireless instruments (which I chose to do). And of course rewiring in the cockpit lockers and engine compartment isn't difficult as they are like any other boat there. Because of their age you are going to have to rewire some time soon if it hasn't been done already. I never found the mainsheet got in the way of sitting comfortably. But I found all the reefing lines, spinnaker up-down-etc hauls for two spinnaker booms and spare halliards all came back to the cockpit and were coiled against the cabin bulkhead and they were more of a problem - wet and lumpy against my back. That depends how your chosen boat is rigged - no spinnakers and roller headsail would reduce the knitting. All-in-all a very good boat. I sailed all over the Channel and down to Brittany and back, often singlehanded. My most memorable trip (apart from across from Gosport to Cherbourg at night in the pouring rain, all alone and staring alternately into the gloom and into the radar!) was by myself back from Brest to Gosport in October via the N Brittany Coast and Channel Islands - a lovely week in great weather. I was very happy with her.  

Anything you want to ask about Scanmar 33 - please do. Have mine since 2005 and no regrets.  

  • 18 Mar 2014

Thanks very much everyone for your informative replies which have re assured me a lot. My worry on the water ingress thing was on account of having taken several years to track down a drip on my own boat and with the double skin I'd probably not have noticed that there was a drip in the first place. I'm particularly pleased that sitting at the Fwd end of the cockpit isn't a big issue. I presume the shower isn't designed to drain into the ducting, but sometimes the shower well and pump don't work? On the Upgrading word please don't be offended, it will be bigger, newer and professionally built as opposed to my currently home finished one, hence the upgrade. Nothing against long keelers apart from the odd curse in marinas when things don't go according to plan. Looking at my original post I can see what you mean, it sounds like I'm slaggin them off but far from it, one has to be so careful what one says online, and I didn't phrase that well. Thanks for the offer on the Scanmar too, one concern might be tacking, is it easy enough to steer from ahead of the binnacle whilst hauling the sheet, I'm used to a tiller which I can steer with a leg whilst cranking in the sheet, and have you had any problems which would be worth my while knowing about if I was looking at one in case it had the same?  

The shower on the 34 is quite frankly a joke. In the first place it is located in the heads space that is predominantly built in wood. On the starboard side are the hanging lockers that have zipped cloth doors, also far from ideal. Any water that misses the shower tray is free to run under the saloon door as there is no threshold step. It then sits in the forward bilge cavity, which accounts for the fact that on many boats the steel washers beneath the forward keel bolts are rusty, but no others are. Some of the water runs down the hole alongside the mast compression post through which the cables for the mast emerge from the ducting below. This is the one that is often wet. This can also be a problem if there are any leaks from the toilet hoses. I have made a small diverter in Milliput to direct any such leaks into the shower tray. I also find that a wine bottle cork fits the hole fairly well but needs some cutting to allow the cables through. Another quirky design feature exists in the galley. This took us a long time to diagnose, so it may be useful. When we bought the boat there were signs of long term water accumulation at the base of the locker under the sinks. There were water stains there and the sink drain seacock handle was very rusty (missed by the surveyor). Over some years we occasionally found significant amounts of water in the recess where the seacock exits the boat but we could never find a leak. Having owned the boat for more than ten years we finally found the source. The fresh water tank was full and we were close hauled on starboard tack when we saw water running from the Whale manual water pump at the galley, past the gash bin lid and down to the locker below. Once the boat came upright the water ran into the recess. It only happened when the tank was full and its level was above that of the tap. We fixed it by putting a small rubber cap over the tap spout.  

JumbleDuck

vyv_cox said: The fresh water tank was full and we were close hauled on starboard tack when we saw water running from the Whale manual water pump at the galley, past the gash bin lid and down to the locker below. Once the boat came upright the water ran into the recess. It only happened when the tank was full and its level was above that of the tap. We fixed it by putting a small rubber cap over the tap spout. Click to expand...

sadler 34 sailboat

vyv_cox said: Our whale device is the V-pump We have had several of them as they are particularly poor. We were only ever able to buy one with the shut-off seal. We have now replaced the manual pump, which was supplementary to the pressurised system, with the rather beautiful tap for our Seagull IV filter. Click to expand...

I often sail my Scanmar single handed, steering and sail handling is not a problem. No need to go forward of the wheel for tacking or gybing under main and headsail. There are 4 x 40 dual speed self tailing winches as standard equipment. One pair forward in the cockpit for when you have crew. The other pair are located aft and ideally placed for use from the normal helming position behind the wheel. I use the aft winches for the headsail sheets when singlehanded. The mainsheet is just forward of the wheel and also in easy reach. I use double reefing lines all led aft so all three reefs can be made and unmade from the cockpit.l The boat is well suited for shorthanded and singlehanded sailing.  

  • 20 Mar 2014

richardbrennan

You ask for alternatives; have you considered a Westerly Fulmar?  

Or a Vancouver 32?  

To the OP - I went to see a very cheap one in Greece, dreaming of a bargain, and it was in an alarming state. If you have your eye on that one, you might want to save yourself the airfare.  

  • 21 Mar 2014
Ravi said: To the OP - I went to see a very cheap one in Greece, dreaming of a bargain, and it was in an alarming state. If you have your eye on that one, you might want to save yourself the airfare. Click to expand...

westhinder

Another alternative: a Rival 34 would tick all your boxes.  

  • 22 Mar 2014

Seajet

Having sailed alongside a Sadler 34 and a Rival 34, how many circles would you like the Sadler to do around the Rival in say, 10 minutes ?!  

Seajet said: Having sailed alongside a Sadler 34 and a Rival 34, how many circles would you like the Sadler to do around the Rival in say, 10 minutes ?! Click to expand...

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  • Boat REF#  ·  263353
  • Length  ·  10.59m
  • Year  ·  1986
  • Construction  ·  GRP
  • Underwater profile  ·  Fin
  • Sleeping berths  ·  7
  • Engine  ·  1 x diesel 30hp, Yanmar 30GM (1998)
  • Lying  ·  Essex

Boatshed Essex

Boatshed Essex

This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still for sale.

  • Specification
  • Additional Information

Extra Details

12V/240V Graphite shaft seal Engine serviced May 2019

Sloop rigged Aluminium spars (1986) with Stainless Steel standing rigging (2003)

Headsail laundered annually Lonton & Gray Stackpack and mainsail cover 2018

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 3 batteries charged by: engine, solar panels, shore power

Construction

Treated with Coppercoat antifouling in 2014

Accommodation

Jabsco sea toilet Double sink in the galley Recent Interior varnishing Eberspacher heating unit, in full working order, but requires a service Fridge runs off 12v and 240v

2 burner propane Stove

3 halyard winches 6 sheet winches Manual Simpson Lawrence windlass 3 anchors (CQR type & Bruce 10 kg) 30.00m of chain 10.00m of rode Lewmar 43 primary winches, installed in late 2006 Small delta flipper kedge anchor Windvane available for separate negotiation

Nav Equipment

Hand held VHF included with sale

Safety Equipment

2 bilge pumps (2 manual / 0 electric)

Broker's Comments

This is a good example of these well renowned boats. The Sadler 34 was designed as an improvement of the already respectable Contessa 32. Like all Sadlers, the 34 has the characteristic unsinkable Sadler hull design and well balanced, performance sailing characteristics.

The Sadler 34 is a well proven sea boat, renowned for completing many tough passages all over the world (so much so the boat is a case study in Adlard Cole's 'Heavy Weather Sailing'). Furthermore, the 34's shallow draft is equally at home coastal cruising or creek hopping.

This boat has been well maintained by the current owner, with sails laundered annually, alongwith engine services and recent re-varnishing of the boat's interior woodwork. This boat was also treated with Coppercoat antifouling in 2014, thereby avoiding the need for labour intensive annual antifouling.

The boat is tidy throughout and in commission. The cockpit will comfortably seat six and the side decks and foredeck are comfortable for routine sailing tasks. The boat also comes with a number of valuable inventory items, including a recent stackpack and lazy jacks.

Down below, the headroom is good throughout and the accommodation contained in a sizeable double aft cabin, forward cabin and spacious saloon area, which also provides a another double berth. The galley is equally comfortable for preparing meals, in harbour and at sea. The galley was completely refurbished in 2008 with a new fridge, new sinks, new work surfaces and new cooker. The heads contains the sea toilet and shower.

When I visited the boat I was very impressed by its upkeep, presentation and ability to offer comfortable coastal and blue water cruising, with safety and good performance.

These boat details are subject to contract. Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

Please note this comments section is public . Please do not post your personal details here. To enquire about purchasing this boat, please contact the broker directly at [email protected] Please read our commenting guidelines before posting.

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COMMENTS

  1. SADLER 34

    SADLER 34. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. Sailboat Specifications Definitions Hull Type: Fin with rudder on skeg ... Like the LWL, it will vary with the weights of fuel, water, stores and equipment. A boat's actual draft is usually somewhat more than the original designed or advertised draft. For boats with ...

  2. Sadler 34 boats for sale

    Find Sadler 34 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Sadler boats to choose from.

  3. The Sadler 34 Sailboat

    The Sadler 34 Sailboat The Sadler 34, a masthead sloop, was designed by David & Martin Sadler and built in the UK by Sadler Yachts Ltd. The Sadler 34 Published Specification for the Sadler 34 Underwater Profile: Fin with Skeg-hung Rudder Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass) Length Overall: 34'9" (10.6m) Waterline Length: 27'10" (8.5m) Beam: 10'9" (3.3m)

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    34 Fuel fuel-diesel Hull Material Fiberglass

  6. Sadler 34

    Sadler 34 is a 10.6 m monohull sailboat designed by David Sadler and built by Sadler Yachts between 1983 and 1995. Designer David Sadler Builder Sadler Yachts Associations ? # Built 260 Hull Monohull Keel Fin Rudder Skeg Construction FG Dimensions Length Overall 10.6 m Waterline Length 8.5 m Beam 3.3 m Draft 1.8 m Displacement 5,806 kg Ballast

  7. New and used Sadler Yachts 34 for sale

    38 Sadler 34 SE - NEW LISTING - SOLD £28,000 GBP 1984 | 10.60m | Diesel | Sail | Sold View details All boats from Preston Marina Contact Seller Find your perfect Sadler Yachts 34 today. We have Sadler Yachts 34 brokers and sellers from around the world at great prices. Used Sadler Yachts 34 for sale from around the world.

  8. Sadler 34

    The Sadler 34 is a 34.75ft masthead sloop designed by David & Martin Sadler and built in fiberglass by Sadler Yachts between 1983 and 1995. 260 units have been built. The Sadler 34 is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized.

  9. Sadler 34 yacht designed by Martin Sadler. Information / specification

    Sadler 34 Yacht / Sailboat Sadler 34 The Sadler 34 yacht has ancestry which can be traced directly back to the Contessa 32, also designed by Martin Sadler. The Sadler 34 is the largest of the Sadlers and has all the qualities of a true classic offshore yacht.

  10. Sadler 34 Yacht

    Largest of the Sadlers, the 34, designed by Martin Sadler, has evolved from illustrious predecessors. Her ancestry can be traced directly back to the Contessa 32, (designed by David Sadler) and she embodies all the qualities of the true classic offshore yacht.

  11. 5 of the best shoal-draught fin-keeled yachts

    Launched in 1984, the 34 was one of the yard's later models and was offered with a wide choice of keels, including three different fins, a wing keel, twin keels and a lifting keel. Most examples were fitted with either deep (1.75m) or shallow (1.45m) fin.

  12. 1985 Sadler 34 sailboat for sale in Texas

    1985 34' Sadler 34 sailboat for sale in Seabrook Texas. Ready to sail! 2016 Beta 25hp inboard diesel with 50 hours Mechanical annual maintenance (October 2023)

  13. Sadler Starlight 35: a solid 35-footer

    January 13, 2021 0 Duncan Kent examines the enduring appeal of the Sadler Starlight 35 and discovers a yacht that is a delight to sail and built to last The Starlight 35 has a low coachroof allowing a clear panoramic view from the helm. Credit: Bob Aylott Credit: Bob Aylott Product: Sadler Starlight 35: a solid 35-footer Manufacturer: Sadler

  14. Sadler Yachts

    www.sadlerandstarlight.co.uk. Founded by Martin Sadler. Nearly 2000 boats were built. No longer in business. Years in Business: 1974 - 1988.

  15. 1989 Sadler 34 sailboat for sale in Outside United States

    34'. '. '. Outside United States. $40,754. Description: **More Photos and Information to come**. Sadler Yachts are known for their excellent designs that are not only fast but renowned for distance sailing around the UK. The Sadler 34 is an evolution of their smaller yachts and is designed to be great offshore as well as coastal cruising.

  16. Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

    >>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet. Sadler 34. The Sadler 34 evolved from the 32, and while the 32 was a tough, capable seaworthy sailboat cable of sailing around the world. The 34 offers much more in the way of accommodation thanks to her wider beam. Apart from being pretty, the most notable feature of the 34 is her double-skinned hull ...

  17. Sadler 290: A powerful & roomy twin-keeler

    Launched in 1984, the Sadler 34 was the longest and latest of the Sadler models from the original Sadler Yachts. Whereas the 25, 29 and 32 were designed by David Sadler, the 26 and 34 were by his son, Martin, who founded the company. ... With her relatively slim hull, the Sadler 34 is not the most spacious of boats below decks and the aft cabin ...

  18. Thoughts on a Sadler 34

    Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take. a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps. her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens.

  19. Sadler sailboats for sale by owner.

    Sadler preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Sadler used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats ... Sort by: Length Year Price Added. Sadler 34: Length: 34' Year: 1989: Type: cruiser: Hull: fiberglass monohull: Engine: 1 diesel inboard; Location: Comox British Columbia Canada, Outside United States; Asking ...

  20. Sadler 34?

    I'm thinking of buying bigger boat, I want something reasonably easy to handle alone, comfortable at sea and with good sailing performance. I'm upgrading from a long keeler and want a skeg hung rudder and probably built in the 80s or early 90s. I'm very interested in the Sadler 34 which...

  21. Sadler 34 For Sale, 10.59m, 1986

    The Sadler 34 is a well proven sea boat, renowned for completing many tough passages all over the world (so much so the boat is a case study in Adlard Cole's 'Heavy Weather Sailing'). Furthermore, the 34's shallow draft is equally at home coastal cruising or creek hopping.

  22. Sadler boats for sale

    Sadler boats for sale 21 Boats Available. Currency $ - USD - US Dollar ... Sadler 34 1 Listing. Sadler starlight 35 1 Listing. Sadler By Condition. Used Sadler 21 Listings. Your Search Clear all filters. Make: Sadler Remove Filter make:sadler; Filter Boats By. Condition Used (21) Boat Type

  23. 1984 Sadler 34, Troon United Kingdom

    This Sadler 34 has had the standing rigging and running rigging renewed 2023. Spacious saloon with a forward twin or double berth cabin and an aft cabin with small double berth. Powered by a Yanmar 27hp 3GM30F diesel engine. The Sadler 34 is renowned for it's sea-keeping abilities and vice free handling and is a capable offshore family cruiser.