"Margie", Bruce Roberts Wheelhouse Cruiser Lying Essex
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Owner's Comments
I was first attracted to Margie by her purposeful lines when she was advertised for sale. I have mainly used her for day sailing on the River Crouch with just one or two overnighters to Bradwell and West Mersea. I normally sail alone but have been on trips with up to four people on board. In fact, I'm selling her as I have too much money tied up in her for this type of sailing and will be looking for more of a daysailer rather than the long distance cruiser that Margie really is.
She is very well balanced and tracks steadily without a hand on the tiller for some time before gently turning into the wind. She sails well for a Motorsailer having been designed, by Bruce Roberts, utilizing one of his pure sailing cruiser hull designs. Consequently, her underwater profile is that of a sailing boat rather than the normal `bluff Motorsailer hull. She manoeuvres well under sail but, like all long keeled craft, she prefers to be sailed through a tack rather than spun. She motors well in all sea conditions but, again as with all long keelers, she takes her time in turning when in reverse. Reasonable cruising speeds under power and sail are in the region of 4 to 5 knots for both.
I am advised that, in heavy weather, her motion is kindly without significant `slamming'. I have never personally been out in her above about a 4/5. She is `ace' for entertaining as she has a large deep cockpit (the tiller is easily removable) and the saloon table doubles up as a cockpit table plus, of course, she has a roomy and high headroom main saloon. These features, particularly the high sided cockpit, make her a safe place for children. |
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