The Unsinkable Sadler (continued)
This foam was of "closed cell" construction, thus rendering it
impervious to moisture. Water was unable to progress through the foam - unlike many other
smaller unsinkable boats, where the foam absorbed moisture.
Tests were in due course carried out on a Sadler 26, by opening all the seacocks whilst
sailing off Poole in 22 to 25 knots of wind. The results were dramatically
impressive and written up in several yachting magazines, since the boat could continue to
be sailed, with the natural water level only coming upto the bunk bases. In fact, as
part of the test, the little yacht was overburdened with water from a remote fire pump,
which initially made the motion a little "groggy". However, the boat went
off sailing again and the water attained its natural level (just above bunk base) and
finally sailed home.
Nearly 400 Sadler 29s were built and about 200 Sadler 26s, so there are a fair number of
Sadlers in service, giving owners this great feeling of security in the event of the
unforeseen happening.
EVOLUTION OF THE SADLER 34
A natural development of the unsinkable design was to progress towards a bigger yacht and
the Sadler 34 came to prominence in 1983. Some 260 of these cruising yachts were
built until they ceased production twelve years later in about 1995.
Immediately popular with charter groups, sail training organisations and the Services, the
Sadler 34 achieved many notable successes. Providing all the sturdiness and comfort
of a larger cruising yacht, the 34 also had a fair turn of speed and excellent seagoing
capability. With easy entry and a fair hull shape, the boat had a sea-kindly
performance and provided an excellent motion at sea.
With full standing headroom right through, separate heads facility to one side of the
companionway, separate aft cabin, substantial galley and a really comfortable main saloon,
this yacht was widely acclaimed by the yachting press.
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SADLER 34 LOA 10.6 |
THE DARK DAYS AND THE NEW DAWN
Towards the end of the 1980s, Sadler was among the "big three" boat builders and
they launched into the unusually styled Barracuda 46. This was a big step for
Sadler, to develop a new yacht with many technical innovations such as lifting keel, twin
rudders, shifting water ballast and other ideas which were well ahead of all the other
boat builders. This of course led to exposure through the national media,
particularly as a result of the television series "Howards Way", when the
Barracuda became the best known cruising yacht ever.
Sad to say, only 19 of these yachts were built and the "hype" associated with
this boat and Howards Way, probably distracted senior management, to the extent that
Sadler Yachts went into receivership in August 1988. Very quickly, the assets were
bought by two businessmen, already successfully trading in the marine market and new money
was injected into the business.
THE STARLIGHT YEARS
The first Starlight to be designed was the 39 and when this new yacht emerged onto the
market, it was perceived as the perfect cruiser/racer. Designed by a widely
acknowledged designer (Stephen Jones), built by an experienced team (Sadler) and having
unsinkability as a bonus, the Starlight range has now acquired an almost "cult"
status. There were 34 39s built between 1990 and 1994 and about 50 35s built in the
same period.
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STARLIGHT 39
LOA 12.3 |
The Starlight 35 was a natural development and this appeared in 1991 to provide
a cruiser with the same remarkable sea keeping capability as the 39, but more easily
handled by a man and wife crew.
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STARLIGHT 35
LOA 11.0 |