Choosing a boat: SB3 - running costs

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SB3 - running costs

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9528
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 10:46am
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Topic: SB3 - running costs

Posted By: barclay174
Subject: SB3 - running costs
Date 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

Replies:

Posted By: olly_love
Date 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

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TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala

Posted By: rb_stretch
Date 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.

Posted By: DFF
Date 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.

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Crewing on a Melges 24, against my better judgement...