"Mwingo", Colvic Countess 33, Bilge Keel, Centre Cockpit, Ketch, Lying Essex
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Comments Builder's commentsCruise in Comfort and Style The triple cabin arrangement of the Colvic Countess centre cockpit offers you far more room than comparable craft. With separate heads in both halves of the boat, it is ideal for extended charter cruises where the added privacy will make the business of sharing simpler and more amenable. The large central cockpit with wheel steering and the after helmsman's seat formed partially over the aft cabin gives excellent visibility in all situations. A quarter berth and chart table are located to the port of this passageway and if preferred the partition bulkhead in the passageway could be moved to bring the quarter berth within the aft cabin. Good access to the engine compartment for ease of maintenance is available on the inboard side of this passageway. The spacious saloon offers masses of seating making dining or entertaining even with large parties, most comfortable. The thoughtfully designed galley area allows for a choice of layout incorporating a cooker, fridge, sink and plenty of work surface. The gas bottles are located in the outboard side of the sail locker with entry from the cockpit seats but also with access from the galley itself to the control taps. An oilskin locker is adjacent to the companionway so that wet oileys are confined to this area. Owner's CommentsIf you want to tear round the world - buy another boat - but if you want to cruise in comfort not many boats give value like this.
The boat stands up to its rig easily to the bottom end of six. 18 to 22 knots across the deck brings out the best, yet she is pleasant to sail even in light airs. The folding prop helps keep the speed up. With some weight and good overhangs this is a very steady boat when the waves pick up. Mwingo heaves-to under Mizzen and Genoa leaving the main slack for reefing or even dropping. I always use the Mizzen and put four or fives rolls in the Genoa going upwind in heavier weather. With a reef in the Main all the sails are quite small so there is nothing hard to handle for a light (or older) crew. A reach in force four will get her up to 7 knots and you can get five to five and half to windward (about 40 degrees in a seaway). The main has been cut to draw farther out so that the mizzen gets some clear wind. The boat will circle in either direction without any adjustment to the sheets. The mainsheet is clear of the cockpit so if you take care of the companionway it is an ideal boat for youngsters and wrinklies. The wide mainsheet track makes accidental gybes very tame. The boat holds it's direction very well and the autohelm will keep her tracking with little effort. In spite of this you can just about turn in a boats length proving you drive her round clockwise. In stronger winds you have to drive her hard to kick the head through the wind. Six to six and a half knots are comfortable cruising speeds.
Shaped mug holder and remote engine switches. You may need some new charts as you go on your way but all the old charts are there for planning and dreaming of freedom. Mwingo has been a great boat. We have given her a lot of TLC and due to the great craftsmanship used in her fit out she will always reward your effort. Why are we selling? At 73 with some arthritis and one dodgy hip we have become a force three crew with a force five boat. It would be nice to get back to a young sixty just to start again! |
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