BC 26 advice please?

[Sula2270]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and association. I have been sailing all my life and owned 7 yachts so far ranging from 22 to 52 ft long . I am recently retired and have done my fair share of long off shore delivery trips to get to new cruising grounds, and endless boat maintenance in remote boat yards over the years. I am in the market for a new boat and a new way of doing things and as such find myself once again drawn to the trailable boat concept..BC26.



I have a simple question regarding the BC26...is she as simple to tow/rig/launch as all the blurb makes out? My plan for such a vessel would be to have her permanent berth here in my garden in SW Suffolk. My wife and I would plan on doing 3 or so trips of around 2 to 3 weeks duration each season to different parts of the UK/Europe. Is this a practical idea with this boat? The idea of being able to sail Scotland the West Country and say Morbihan all in one season is most appealing.

I have read various comments on the blogs concerning raising and lowering the mast on the BC23, does this also apply to the BC26.... Would a BC 26 be suitable for a 2 week Norfolk broads trip with the mast coming down for bridges most days?  Matt's video does look very convincing, but does it reflect real life? The two most "fun" of my previous boats were a Hunter boats Liberty 23 and a Horizon 26. We trailed the Liberty to France and Denmark which was OK but my car was on the limit (I now own a 3.1 tow capable car) and I do remember resorting to lifting her out the water by crane in some places to avoid a stressful recovery on a steep slippery ramp! Perhaps we should also be considering the BC23, but would it be that much easier to handle on slipways/trailing given I can see cranes being used from time to time?

Any comments would be gratefully received before we make the trip across to Wales when restrictions are eased. Thankyou in advance,

Graham Boyd

[Jonathan Stuart]

Hi Graham,

I think rigging/de-rigging and launch/recovery is just about as easy as it can be for a 26' boat.

Raising the mast is as easy as shown in the video. Be aware that in the video they are using Pontos winches which are 2-speed and in the lower gear more powerful than the standard Harkens. The Harkens are perfect for the boat but they're heavier work to raise the mast and a child (or lightly built adult) wouldn't be able to fully tension the forestay using Harkens.

Crosswinds become more of an issue on the BC26 when raising the mast when compared to smaller boats and there are more "bits" to get tangled/caught, but again that's unavoidable with a larger boat. The self-contained arrangement with the "cassette" for the boom and sail makes it very easy to attach/detach the boom.

These are bigger and heavier jobs than on a significantly smaller boat so I wouldn't want to do it as often as we did on, say, our BayRaider Expedition. That's not a criticism of the system, it's just the reality of a 26' boat. Personally I wouldn't want to lower/raise the mast multiple times a day on the Norfolk Broads but that would be perfectly possible if you have the motivation.

The same comments apply to launch/recovery. The boat generally slides off the trailer easily and the 2-speed winch makes light work of recovery. But if there's a strong crosswind and/or the boat doesn't go on straight then this is more of an issue than with a smaller boat. I do wonder if the trailer could be better developed / setup to ensure a straight recovery - that is the only obvious area for improvement. It is much easier to launch/recover when there is a ponton adjacent to the slipway. This applies to any boat but even more so to a BC26. Our local slipway doesn't have a pontoon alongside so we have got used to driving the boat straight on the trailer but this requires at least 2 people, and preferably a 1-2 extra helpers, and can be stressful.

Given what I've just said about launch/recovery and because we don't launch/recover often, last season we decided to get the boat craned out. This was money well spent. It also avoids submerging the trailer. Given the trailer must be submerged for launch/recovery and has twin braked axles, it is even more important than normal to have it serviced and that servicing is a larger job.

None of these points are problems or make it a hard boat to manage. When we bought the BC26 I was a little naïve in thinking we could use it in the same way as our old BRe. Some people probable would/could do that but I've realized I don't have the time/inclination for this. While there are many fantastic design features that mean you can genuinely be self-sufficient in (de-)rigging and launching/recovering the boat, these jobs are just necessarily "bigger" and more time consuming than on smaller boats but still surprisingly easy for a 26' boat. I reckon it takes us about 2 hours to comfortably (without rushing) rig or de-rig the boat, i.e. from arriving at a slipway to launching or from recovery to driving away. We could do it quicker but I prefer to keep the stress levels down! While I sometimes miss the ease of managing smaller boats, we want a boat that can sleep 4 people and has a heads, etc, and it is remarkable that the BC26 offer so much in a boat that can still be self-managed and trailer sailed.

I hope that helps.

Jonathan

[Sula2270]

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for your detailed reply. Most helpful and pretty much what I expected. Our Liberty 23 sat on a trolley which you then pulled up onto the trailer so the braked wheels never got wet, an excellent idea from the maintenance side of things, not sure if an arrangement like that could be done for the BC 26.

Do you know of any BC 26s in the SuffolkEssex area? If possible before heading to Wales for a detailed look it would good to see one locally to check the rough concept would work for us, and chat with real owners face to face. This will be a big investment for a small boat so it has to be right! With luck restrictions should start easing soon.

Graham

[graham2burton65@gmail.com]

I like Jonathans reply, it rings true from my general experience.

You sound as though you are experienced by the way the questions are put.

A lovely boat for trailing to a new venue for a two week cruise.

Daily lowering and raising sounds way too ambitious in my opinion.

My last boat had a very substantial custom made stainless tabernacle.  It also had granny bars that were so designed that the lower shrouds attached to the tops in way that meant that they were in line with mast pivot point.  I can highly recommend this set up or something similar but it does start to add weight.

With this set up, the other hurdle was the need to remove the boom and mainsail every time. 

I often wished the gooseneck had attached to tabernacle completely independent of the mast...

[Nick Orchard]

Hi Graham

I was waiting for some of the more adventurous BC26 owners to reply regarding regular trailing, but as they seem a little quiet at the moment I'll give you my 2 penn'orth in the meantime. We've had ours for 4 years now and have loved every minute (well most minutes). I towed it back from Cardigan to Torquay with a 2.0 Tiguan 4x4 DSG auto, and it was no trouble at all provided you don't try going more than about 50-55mph. It was on the legal limit weight-wise and that was after shifting as much as I could from the boat to the car. Now that I've added all the things you need to go sailing (like an anchor!) it would be over the limit. Behind a heavier car/truck it would probably feel even easier. Having said that, it's a pretty big, and more importantly, long object to manoeuvre and you do need to think carefully about your route from A to B. Most of the way it's fine, but a lot of the places that you might want to launch have narrow lanes and/or steep hills in the approach and not much space to turn when you get there. I was never intending to do much touring with the boat but bought the trailer anyway as it seemed like a good idea at the time. Since launching in 2016 the trailer has been sitting in a local farmer's field. I think the dilemma you have is that when you're towing you probably want a BRe, but once you've launched you want a BC26.

Although I haven't towed it at all, I do raise and lower the mast two or three times a year, either to check/service it, or fix things that don't work (thanks Garmin). I generally do this single handed, and as Jonathan says, it's about as well designed as you could make it, and I've never had a problem. It's much quicker with two or more people as you have more eyes and hands to stop everything that dangles from the mast catching on everything that sticks out on the boat, mainly on the way up. Having said that, I don't think lowering and raising for Broads bridges is realistic, possibly once a day maybe, but certainly not more.  I do think though that towing it a few times a year for 2-3 week cruises is very do-able. Alistair and Carol have towed Iris (also here in Torquay)  down to Spain several times, camping on it in the 'Aires' on the way there and back.

As a boat to live on for a week or so at a time it's brilliant. It has everything you need and it's a great boat to sail. You can stand up inside (under 5' 10"- ish), see out the windows sitting down, even use the heads (takes a bit of practice that one). You can park it anywhere, dry out on the beach or the mud and only needs a foot or so of water to float off again. A doddle to sail single-handed, which is what I generally do, even when I have crew (it's easier and I like to hog the helm). Its one possible vice is that it likes to round up to windward if it gets the chance. I understand that the newer longer rudders have fixed this, but you can stop it if you sail it more like a dinghy, i.e. keep it as flat a possible and your hand on the mainsheet ready to ease it as soon as it loads up.

If you get serious about a purchase my main advice would be to get very detailed regarding the specification and the extras. The list of extras is long and expensive, most of them very desirable, (or even vital e.g. nav lights!), and there are some things that you might see on some boats that aren't necessarily on the list at all, so make sure that everything your're expecting is defined. I think the amount of thought that's gone in to the design and fitting out of the boat by Matt is brilliant, and on the whole the finish is excellent, much better than on the typical mass produced boats, without trying to look like a Halberg Rassy on the inside. Some of the execution could be better - would it really take much longer to cut the tails off the cable ties? Oh, and don't expect it to arrive on time!

As you can tell from the length of my reply I am able to talk about the BC26 at length, and do so regularly to anyone careless enough to ask me about my boat, so if you'd like more of the same then I'd be happy to oblige, but probably better by email.

Happy boat hunting.

Regards
Nick

[Jonathan Stuart]

Nick's summary is spot-on and this is our experience too. We've had 4 of us sleeping on the boat for a week without any problems.

I particularly echo the point about the extras list - we ordered some extras that weren't on the list but that we had seen on a BC26 at a boat show. We also asked for some further custom ideas.

The BC26 sails really well. She still surprises me. The boat is light and has great performance but also handles strong winds surprisingly well.

She is also extremely maneoverable, under sail or motor. It's a small point, but given the motor can pivot with the rudders she is is very responsive and has a tight turning circle when running with motor and that is very welcome in tight marinas and especially when it's breezy and the lightness of the boat means you're more affected by the wind than "conventional" 26' yachts.

I don't know of BC26s in Suffolk / Essex but hopefully someone can help. We're in Dorset if you ever want to see our BC26.

[Sula2270]

Thanks again for the detailed replies.

Jonathan as soon as we can I might just take you up on your offer of a look at Bagpuss in Dorset. You would appear to be closest to us. The factory won't have a BC26 that's in a state worth viewing until May. Can I pm you regarding this when it's allowed?

Looks like delivery of a new boat will be into 2022. If any one looking at selling their BC26....let me know!

Graham

[Nick Orchard]

I believe BC26 013 Betty Blue lives in Woolverstone marina, unless she's out for the winter. I can put you in touch with the owner if you pm me.
Nick

[Jonathan Stuart]

Graham,

Please do PM me if you want to look at our boat or discuss anything further.

Jonathan

[Peter K]

Hi Graham,

Just picking up on this thread after Nick alerted me - I haven't looked at the  forum for a while.

As Nick said, I have BC26 013, Betty Blue,  living at Woolverstone, but out of  the water for the winter.   When there I keep the boat on the water, on a pontoon.  You are more than welcome to come and have look  & sail when  she's back in the water.

Not much to add to the discussion, although I'm very impressed that Jonathan can rig and launch or derig in 2 hours,  it would take me much longer!    Raising and lowering the mast is a little tricky / delicate: even with the Pontos winches it require some effort,  and does require care not to avoid something catching and bending (which is where having a second person to help makes a big difference).   Personally I don't plan to trail & launch to different venues more than once or twice a year.   I had initially though I would do a lot of trailer - sailing.  Launching at Woolverstone is easy, since the ramp is very steep (if lethally slippy at times); launching at say QAB Plymouth was trickier because although the setup look ideal, the ramp is shallower, and I don't have a high clearance 4 x 4 . (I have a Discovery Sport,  so the water was over the exhaust pipes when the trailer was in far enough.  Next time I would pay the Marina the small charge to use their tractor! ) I have occasionally  paid to have a crane out rather than do it myself, partly to avoid dunking the trailer wheels in the water, and sometimes when on my own.

As Nick said, the trailing experts are Alistair and Carol, who have trailed several times to  the continent.   I have trailed on my own to Wales and back, and also down to Plymouth two years ago, spending the summer on the South Coast.  I have slept  in the boat in a Service station, as well as in motorway and off motorway motels/ hotels with the boat.    It is a large boat to trail  (!), and I was very careful to plan the route to Plymouth with a fly-through preview to make sure there were no surprises.   It trails happily at around 50 to 55.

The pandemic put paid to travelling to the South Coast again last year, so instead we had a great few weeks sailing around the Deben, down to Brightlingsea, and up the Alde to Snape (where the lifting keep came into its own, although even then sailing between the withies is a challenge!)

Peter

[Drswarrick@btinternet.com]

Hi Graham
We have had Big Nan for 5 years. We keep her in Neyland yacht haven, Milford Haven. She has been a great success  both as a boat to explore the wonderful Welsh coastline and to travel further afield. She fits into the compact little yacht and highly flexible day boat categories. Most of my previous sailing had been on charter boats in the 40-50 ft range yet I find that Big Nan has similar spec. We love the ability to creep up to the pontoon at Dale in 12 inches of water, if we nudge aground down goes the ladder and I walk to the pontoon with the dockline. We very happily dry out overnight and don't even get woken by drying or refloating. Sea conditions can be very confused off our headlands and she handles well, she does feel much more comfortable with early reefing and she motor sails well to get us out of trouble. The asymmetric sail is well worth having for light conditions. Choosing extras is very much part of the process of having a personalised boat, the gas cabin heater and the tender outboard mounting are other examples of extras we really appreciate.
We have towed her to Cornwall and taken her to Ireland on the ferry. We tow her with a Range Rover sport which is fine, exceeding 50 mph on one occasion caused her to snake which was alarming. The trailer reverses beautifully and we did use the smallest of slipways in Ireland. Flushing the hubs after immersion has kept the axles and breaks in good condition with an annual service.
In reality I sail her as a single handler and launch and retrieve just about on my own. Initially it was daunting but now I enjoy it. Avoid cross winds, tide and chop!
I always feel there is a lot of tension on the spinnaker halyard lifting the mast and it's quite hard using our Harken winch. I would think dropping it to go under bridges would be ok as you wouldn't need to slide the mast foot forward which creates much of the hassle. The mast can be put up either before launching or after, I find it most convenient when in the marina.
If you want to have a look at Big Nan you will be most welcome. Currently she is tucked into our barn in Llandrindod Wells but will be at Neyland sometime in March when lockdown is lifted.
Mike Warrick

[Sula2270]

Thank you Peter and everyone else for all the info, most helpful. We look forward to having a look over one of the boats soon! I'll touch base via pm

Graham

[Carol Lawson]

Hi Graham
Well, what can I say? Except, this is Alistair not Carol.
I would agree with everything said so far with regard to the BC26. Great boat and we love it...still. Five years and counting.  It even passed muster with our sailor son, once he got it up to 7 knots in Carrick Roads.
The Broads would be a labour of love, but possible. Slips with pontoons are more than easier, they make life simple, but as others have said, watch out for wind, when raising /lowering mast and recovering. Strong cross tide or river flow can also be a problem when recovering, as you're lifting the keel and can lose your 'aim', but you will have encountered the same with previous boats. We raise and lower together and once you get a routine, it gets easier. On your hard standing if you want to take the mast off completely, you can carry it yourself, at the right point.
Everyone has mentioned the options and extras. One you might want to think about is Dyneema shrouds. Whilst you have to keep an eye on tension regularly, (learnt that..) I would suggest that they are much easier to handle if you plan to tow, on an occasional or frequent basis, no worry of kinking and they wrap up easily. As several have said we have towed Iris to Spain three times and if this mess sorts itself out have more plans. Basil (MuddyWaters-BC26 No1 special) has been to Morbihan and has had a Scotland trip planned for several years.
The boat does look big on the trailer but providing you aren't Stirling Moss ( that dates me!) she tows very easily. It makes for a very relaxed drive - as you are travelling at the same speed as most of the trucks. 55mph is a good steady speed. We find if you get to 60 mph it will start to swing, although Matt will say he goes at 70 on the back of his van! 3.1t. should be fine we have a pick-up at 3.5 and 4wd is useful on slips, if you've got it.
We have used the tunnel each time and it is so easy. You go on as a high vehicle with trailer but they aren't bothered about length. And if you plan to trailer in France - getting a sanef TAG is a good idea, saves queuing and stopping for tolls - the bill comes later- not so good! Pick your routes!
As Nick says we use it as our accommodation en route. Have enjoyed many an early evening glass on deck in the dying rays, much to the amusement and interest of fellow travellers. We've had children photographed by the boat in service areas and it also draws many compliments. It is much easier in Europe with dedicated areas for caravan/ camper areas and the truck parking is always clear getting out (UK has a lot to learn on that - how truckers put up with it I don't know-) We do a lot of "passage" planning before hand, almost as much fun as on the water. No, actually, sailing the boat is much better. We also have a cockpit tent, which once sorted we have used when the weather is inclement. Not sure if Matt is offering it as an option still.  I am working on a slightly different design, if you're interested in future. We also had two aft corner seats with integral davits fitted later, which have proven very useful. Carol being shortish had difficulty seeing ahead from the cockpit.

Think about an asymmetric,(we have a top down furler), it makes for a lot of enjoyment. As others have said craning can make life easier and a lot less stressful if setting off on a long journey. We packed up the whole boat ready for the road whilst at the berth and motored round to the crane - Straps on, do your checks and you're away. Any thing else, just ask.....
..... and what a very pleasant lot BC26 owners are, come and join us!

[Mr1]

Very interesting thread. Thank you. I am seeking some advice too on a bc26. Not on trailering (I'd be too daunted by that). I have a few years sailing experience having bought a 45ft marina cruiseship! Lovely but just too much. Especially as I found I was trying to single hand her in the Solent (wife onshore, boys onscreen).

So. Now that That's over thankfully I am considering the BC26 (as an alternative to the crabber 24 or the coast 250) - I know all VERY different boats.

all I want really is something in this size - which I can single hand sail easily enough and marina dodge without too much drama. I do however think RCD B is important to be able to grow with it and one day sail around our island. Or channel cross etc. I am not sure which RCD the BC 26 sits in.

Any thoughts most appreciated. I was thinking of visiting Chichester as well to see if I can take a look from afar at the BC26 or coast250 which I understand might be present there or even chsrm a kindly owner to talking me through their experiences.

[Jonathan Stuart]

I am fairly sure BC26 is RCD C. I recall from speaking to Matt (the designer) that the spec isn't far from RCD B and he was thinking of offering some options to make it RCD B. I'm not sure if that ever happened. But the point is that there are only minor technical additions required for RCD B, e.g. something to do with wash boards, rather than fundamental changes to structure.

If you want to have a look at a BC26 then mine's for sale and is based in Weymouth. Here's the details:

https://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,2182.msg14629.html#msg14629

Jonathan