BOATS
The French magazine Bateaux was
responsible for encouraging a new
class of entry-level boat to the sport of
coastal cruiser-racing – something that
would appeal to families graduating
from dinghy sailing.
Called Micro Cuppers and typically
5.5m long, these little yachts caught on
fast and were produced in many
countries.
The less extreme Micro Cuppers
make admirable trailer-sailers and
pocket cruisers, so there’s a good
choice available.
One of the most successful British
examples was the Swift 18, with well
over 200 built from 1982 to around the
turn of the century. The owners’
association website (swift18.org)
includes a forum that prospective
owners find helpful. Any owner of an
elderly yacht with a lifting keel needs
access to knowledgeable information.
The Swift 18 (5.48m/18ft LOA,
4.98m/16ft 4in LWL and 2.41m/7ft 11in
beam displacing around 681kg/1,500lb)
has a surprising amount of room below
with space for four berths. And thanks
to a draught of around 0.23m (9in) with
the pivoting keel raised it’s relatively
easy to launch and recover.
Alan Murphy, owner of a Swift 18
called Tiger Lily, wrote: “I also have a
pair of wheels, which means that I can
get to faraway places pretty quickly.
Crossing the Channel is no problem
inside a ferry and getting to the
Mediterranean takes me two or threeIf the idea of a sportier Micro Cupper
built in the UK appeals, the Rob
Humphreys-designed Gem 550 is also
worth a look. Its accommodation is
more limited but its sailing performance
is legendary. By way of contrast
Beneteau’s 1978 Finot-designed First
18 offers a swing keel and basicDave Selby is another regular PBO
contributor who chose a top selling
trailer-sailer. The Sailfish 18 was
launched in 1970, cleverly marketed as
a complete package (including
outboard and trailer) and around 900
were sold.
One of its major selling points is its
vertically lifting keel (operated by a
worm drive) that weighs 113kg (250lb)
out of a displacement of 454kg (1,000lb)
and increases draught from 0.3m (1ft) to
0.9m (3ft). So the boat is simple to trail,
launch and retrieve.
I asked Dave why he bought a
Sailfish and what he liked
best about her.
“I love the fact that there’s
virtually no wood. I looked at
other boats that had ply
superstructures that hadn’t
worn well and needed
attention.
“My Sailfish also had a
good trailer, which was
important as these can cost
£2,000 or more. The big,
deep and comfortable cockpit
is great... it’s bigger than on
many older 36-footers and it
really can accommodate six.
I’ve sailed with five of us on board, and
three big blokes on a long passage.
“It’s not self-draining, which is
something a lot of sea-school sailors
fixate about, and condemn as unsafe.
Tosh. I prefer the fact that there’s not a
single hull seal or seacock to fail. I have
been pooped and the cockpit filled with
water, and I just carried on sailing as I
bailed out.
“The high cabin with a wide
companionway is great; with the
wrap-around windows you can look
forward through the boat, while
sheltered by the coachroof. The wide
companionway means you can stand
on the keel box safely and reef/lower/
raise the main. No need to go forward.It’s a well-thought out design.
“Unlike most other boats of the size
you sit in it, not on it. It can really handle
the rough stuff and is a dry boat.”
When I tempted Dave to tell me of his
racing successes, he replied: “I once
won something, I think, when others
didn’t turn up.”
Dave is also fulsome in his praise of
the Sailfish 18 Owners Association. He
says that for just £2 per year you get lots
of information and can also download
the Modifications Manual that covers
items from keel case to single-handed
mast raising, cabin shelves, forestay
renewal, fitting windows etc. Dave says
they also source hard-to-find and
important spares like the bronze bush
on the keel screw.Sailfish 18 Swift 18
Sportier lift-keelers
COMPARABLE CHOICES
The Mirador 20, a plywood multi-
chine Julian Everitt-designed
lifting keeler, was marketed as a
kit. A well built and maintained
example is worth considering. Or
the Sandpiper 565 – designed by
Leo da Costa, this is similar to his
Sailfish design.Mirador 20Sailfish 18 was
a top selling
trailer-sailerGem 550Sandpiper 565