Colvin Sea Rover 30

[Rick3]

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the Sea Rover. The plan is retirement - maybe end of the year (early) maybe in two or so years - followed by a bit of globe trotting. I notice the vessel has a full keel, shallow draught, plus bilge keels. Would it be okay for extended cruising? The one I'm looking at made it here (South Africa) from the UK, apparently. Advice would be much appreciated.

[hpeer]

Steel?

Or did you mean COLVIC?

[sestina]

Do you mean the Kenneth Evans designed 28' broken sheer sloop? If so, my father had one. What I can recall, being quite small at the time is:

Solid glass layup with ballast in the central keel of steel punchings in resin, aka 'Belfast Confetti'. Single spreader masthead rig.

Not very fast, but good accommodation for its day, Volvo MD2 engine with a daft system for changing gear; lift a hatch in the cockpit sole and use your foot on the gear lever. Don't fall in! Cockpit seats quite low, as an adult you couldn't sit down and see over the top of the coachroof.

Spent several family holidays on board in the Med.

[Rick3]

Hi - and many thanks for replies. Yes, Colvic, designer is Evans. There's one for sale up in Richard's bay - 30 foot - for R115000.00 (about 9500.00 dollars). Apparently she was completely refitted in 2009. That's about an 800 km trip so I was wondering if a trip was worth it. Are they good sea boats. Slow doesn't worry me. I will definitely not be in any hurry.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rick.

[sestina]

Rick it's your call on whether it's worth the fuel. When boat hunting I always asked for lots of photos and replies to my questionaire if not on the sales details, helps sort out the probables from the don't walk, run away!

Why is she for sale?

What sort of sailing has she been used for?

Is she afloat or ashore?

If the engine is original, has it been subject to a major overhaul. Ditto gearbox.

What is the alternator amperage?

What is the battery capacity?

Has she been subject to a major grounding/accident?

When was the standing rigging replaced?

Has the running rigging been replaced?

Who made the headsail furling gear?

Is the fridge water cooled?

What cooker and how old?

Who made the navigation aids, and when were they installed. Including autopilot.

Has she been rewired?

What sort of anchor? And how long is the rode?

Any other refurbishment/major work recently.

Osmosis treatment?

[Rick3]

Many thanks for the advice, sestina; I will go and see the vessel armed with those questions. Thanks for the welcome, too, Gord. Good to be here. I suspect you will be hearing quite a lot more from me.

Having sailed from Cape Town to Guadeloupe in the french West Indies (as crew) some 30 years ago, I now have that irrevocable itch to return to the sea.

Thanks and take care, all.