Cooper Seabird motorsailor hull modifications

[DENNIS GALE]

Originally Posted by Randy Young

Hi Robert

I have a raised deck pilothouse Seabird 1982 by Cooper, her designer was Peterson. She also sits low about 2 " at the stern as well. I filled the dinghy on the bow with water and it seemed to equalize things.This turned out to be about 500-600 lbs. I have not added any ballast permanently to remedy this situation.

Generally , I am very happy with this design for cruising year round out of Vancouver B.C. I still steer from outside under the bimini most times and remain dry if not warm. I have had Rascal for 11 years.

Randy

Randy do you know of the seabird named whinchat? she had a 2000lb keel addition in monterey california and now is in Tasmania Australia. Keel cannot be too bad it made it here to Tas. I am considering buying it. But have reservations re this keel / sailability thing. Boat looks good and certainly fitted out for cold Tas weather. Regards Dennis

[Randy Young]

Not aware of "whinchat" or any hull modified Seabird's. I do see a few centre cockpit style with cutter rigs.

I sail frequently in fjords here in B.C. and occasionally if I get caught in a windshift while sneaking to close to shore it can be bit hairy tacking but otherwise OK unless the bottom's a bit dirty.

Randy

[Bruce Woodburn]

1439devoSEABIRD@dccnet.com (remove boat name for reply)

Pics would be most welcome.

Bruce

[Polarisa]

Hi I have a 37 seabird Ketch riged and have sailed her for five years. I am very intrested in trying to get a rally together this summer, it would be nice to get a bunch togethere at one place .

[DENNIS GALE]

I MIGHT BE A LITTLE SLOW GETTING TO THIS MEET. I LIVE IN TASMANIA AUST. DECIDED TO BUY THIS SEABIRD PREVIOUSLY NAMED WHINCHAT. COLLECTING IT TOMORROW AT KETTERING ONE HOUR SOUTH OF HOBART. THE OWNER THAT BOUGHT IT TO AUSTRALIA PARKED IT ON A REEF JUST OUT OF FIJI IN TWO FOOT OF WATER REEF CALLED "DUFF" ISLAND HE STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT ITS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK YOUR CHARTS MORE THAN EVERY 12 HOURS !!!! HIS NAME IS PROBABLY "GILLIGAN" THE ADDITIONAL TWO FEET OF KEEL STAYED ATTACHED. HE ABANDONED SHIP AND PEOPLE FROM fIJI TOWED IT OFF. IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD DOSE OF BLISTERS READY TO SHOW THEIR UGLY FACE. SURVEY REPORT DIDNT INDICATE THAT IT WAS PARKED ON A REEF. FOUND PICS OF THE PRANG ON THE LAP TOP COMPUTER LEFT ON BOARD.

[FAST FRED]

and a Perkins 4-108 under the cockpit

So the question is does it have a proper sailing prop , either folding or feathering , or at least a 2 blade? ,,

OR are you dragging a speed brake and wondering where the performance went?

GORI gas a 2 pitch folding prop that might be far easier to get modest sailing and better motor sailing performance.

Far cheaper than modifying the boat, and neither will destroy the resale value.

New prop, new sails , and the desire to chop her up will probably go away.

There are new J boats , if you are serious about sailing!

FF

[Gerald Wrohan]

A Seabird get together would be great. We tried one a few years ago, but nobody (incuding myself) managed to make. I'm in Campbell River so a little planning is required. I'm planning to be in Barklay sound until mid August.
That's quite the story Dennis! They are tough old boats. When I istalled a bow thruster last year we cut through better tham an inch of fiberglas in the bow.
Gerald

[Bruce Woodburn]

Originally Posted by Polarisa

Hi I have a 37 seabird Ketch riged and have sailed her for five years. I am very intrested in trying to get a rally together this summer, it would be nice to get a bunch togethere at one place .

Sounds good. I'm on the water Aug 1 to Sept 15 on the south coast (Victoria to Desolation).

Even if I can't make it, I think it would be good to get an owner's network so we can learn from each other's mistakes and successes.

Bruce (Seabird 37)

1439devoSEABIRD@dccnet.com remove boat name.

[Polarisa]

hey this is great I know a few in BC if we can get even six would be great...lets try for mid July now someone else pic the location and not Tas Aus ..LOL By the way I also had the tacking problem I spent the money on a good qualifyed rigger and shorten my Main back stay now i keep her tuned and she comes about in light air still will curve a line when beating depending on tide and current , but that is because of the keal . I also have her balanced by hull as well as rigged and YES i can let go of the helm in 15 to 20 Kts wind and stay balance. I love this boat well built and stabel.

Wil
SV Polaris A

[Bruce Woodburn]

Did your rigger say anything about the stern down trim these boats all seem to have? (Mine is 2" high in the bow according to the design waterline.) I'm in the midst of putting lead balast under the chain locker to level her out, but maybe this is a mistake?

Bruce

[Bruce Woodburn]

How about Blind Bay on the north side of Nelson Island (just north of Pender Harbour)? There is good anchorage at the Musket Isl Marine Park. It's within easy distance of Vancouver and Naniamo and half way between Victoria and Campbel River.

I'd vote for the last weekend in July.

Bruce

[Robert Bennion]

I'm re-rigging my Hardin built (Taiwan) "SeaBird" and would love to see any pictures or schematics to help determine mast rake.
Robert@broadwaytile.com

[Polarisa]

So Blind Bay it is on the last weekend of July. Please invite all the sea bird owner that you might know.

Wil
SV Polaris A

[Polarisa]

Originally Posted by Bruce Woodburn

How about Blind Bay on the north side of Nelson Island (just north of Pender Harbour)? There is good anchorage at the Musket Isl Marine Park. It's within easy distance of Vancouver and Naniamo and half way between Victoria and Campbel River.

I'd vote for the last weekend in July.

Bruce

Hey bruce I have nine seabird owners that I am going to e-mail the dates and location for the get together . Do you know any more .

Wil

[Bruce Woodburn]

I've scratched up a few Locals (Sunshine Coast and North Van).

This could be a good thang! Musket Island is a good anchorage (even for latecomers). I'll be there for sure. I'll be the one with the smouldering BBQ.

Bruce