SB3 - running costs

   I & my crew have been out on SB3s a few times & loved it, & were thinking of getting one of our own. However, I was recently told - apropos of a different (rival) small keelboat - that the running costs on SB3s were fairly high, as they can't be either trailer-sailed or kept in the water. Is this right? Does that mean you have to pay lift-in/out fees every time you go racing? And are other maintenance costs higher for SB3s than for eg Seascape 18/RS Elite?
All help much appreciated, thanks.
Lucy

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barclay174 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 11 Location: Brighton Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote barclay174 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: SB3 - running costs Posted: 20 Jun 12 at 10:36am
	I & my crew have been out on SB3s a few times & loved it, & were thinking of getting one of our own. However, I was recently told - apropos of a different (rival) small keelboat - that the running costs on SB3s were fairly high, as they can't be either trailer-sailed or kept in the water. Is this right? Does that mean you have to pay lift-in/out fees every time you go racing? And are other maintenance costs higher for SB3s than for eg Seascape 18/RS Elite? All help much appreciated, thanks. Lucy

olly_love Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1145	Post Options Post Reply Quote olly_love Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 12 at 10:46am
	umm it depends, yes they can be trailer sailed, if you have a decent launch car, but its a pain in the arse, we used to keep one i sailed on at hamble point and trailer launch it, most clubs have a small craine designed for the sb3s single point lift, so its a one off fee, or if you arnt planning on doing much sailing then some places do a pay per hoist system but it can cost you can keep it in the water but it means antifouling and it isnt as quick, as for maintance costs, the sails last a long time appart from the jibs but they are still good for a few seasons, and the only bit that seems to break lots are the rudders but with every keel boat there are costs, we allowed about 2.5k a year for our sonata which includes new sails and insurance etc
	TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala

rb_stretch Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 23 Aug 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote rb_stretch Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 12 at 10:49am
	I don't see why you can't keep an SB3/SB20 in the water and I believe I've seen at least one on the Hamble. You can also trailer sail as long as you can put up with the faffing about and don't need to drop the mast every time. Having said that many sports boat owners do dry sail because it keeps the bottom clean, reduces maintenance and can be the easiest for setting off/packing up. I used to do self-launch dry sail in my old 707 and thought it was a great compromise - all the benefits with only a little extra hassle.

DFF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote DFF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Aug 12 at 2:33pm
	With trailers you have two solutions to make launching less traumatic and rusty for your car: a winch on either car or on the trailer or a tie-rod tow bar extension. Check with insurers if one of these two options are a go-er for you. The winch is better for steep ramps, the extension bar for shallower ones. If your club is highly tidal with mud then you need to find a deeper access point with a slip way and pref' safe parking for your trailer.
	Crewing on a Melges 24, against my better judgement...