Hi Jezko,
Thought someone better get back to you!
I have a 286 Special, owners variant with the shaol
draft wing
keel, and have sailed her for a season now on the
east coast of
England: they are rare boats over here, but many are found in and around the
med., and in
charter fleets. Most of these will have twin aft cabins....
The 286 designed by Gilles Vaton, boasts his bulbous stem that also went on the Kelt 8.5/850/29.
The
engine is situated (Volvo 9 or
Yanmar 18hp)under the
saloon table driving a short shaft to a 2 bladed prop abaft the
keel. Brilliant for access, and more space in the aft cabin(s). The owners version has a
single aft
cabin, which is HUGE for such a boat!. The
boat has more opening hatches than you can shake a stick at - brilliant for ventilation! The whole boat has a very spacious, light and airy feel to it. The
single cabin/owners version has a largish heads, and a proper forward facing chart table. The
charter version has a smaller heads and a smaller, though perfectly adequate aft facing chart table. There is a "Breton" berth forward of the bulkhead which will accommodate 2 small adults or
children.
fuel and
water are underneath, with the
battery box close to and forward of the
engine. Access to everything is excellent.
These boats sail very well, and have a bit of the
racer in them, and although masthead rigged, have swept spreaders and are very "tweakable"!.
The
shoal keel is heavier and longer than the deep fin in some effort to compensate, but the ballast ratio is a light 31%. However, the boat has good form stability and stands up to her
canvas pretty well, although you may wish to start reefing at around 15knots true? I have sailed mine in 30 knots and largish seas without concern. There is a You Tube video of an 850, the 286s predecessor, crossing the North Sea in a F9
The forefoot is fairly flat which means she will slam in a short chop, but that is pretty much the only downer I have found to date. An excellent, comfortable, surprisingly quick, well thought out
family coastal cruiser or club
racer.
Hope this is not too late to be of help??