Bob Miller (Ben Lexen) "Rampage" (Syd-Hobart 1972 & 1975)

My girlfriend wants us to go look at this 40' Miller & Whitworth so we can take a year of work to do some live aboard cruising. "Built to the same 1 ton design as the Hobart-winning Rampage."

Does anyone know much about this design? I cant even find pics of Rampage. Also someone mentioned that Ben Lexen designs of this era were a handfull to sail and that there was a similar boat called "Dancing Mouse" which was dreadful to sail in anything over 15K.



40' Miller & Whitworth sloop for sale - $67,000 Australia

http://www.centralyachts.com/listings/sail_assets/tango_specs.pdf

 

I've got many old mags that write about the various M&W 40s etc and none of them say that they were a handful - Ben was actually into boats that handled better than the contemporary S&S boats downwind in a breeze. Given the way the M&W 40s went downwind in big breeze, they couldn't have been too hard to sail one would think.

I don't know about Dancing Mouse's performance (although I knew the boat a little bitg when I was a kid) but her near sister Matika II was eventually a good performer, taking the CYCA championship when she was six to eight years old if I recall correctly.

 

sigh. old memories
was she alu? as was Waianwa? sailed by Bouzaid?

 

Thanks guys. Someone posted this pic of a M&W to show how small the keels are, but I do not know what model it is.



I don't really like the underwater profile. Does anyone know if this M&W40 has a similar underwater profile or if it has a more traditional shape?

 

That is the shallow keel version of the M&W 32. The normal 32 keels give the boat a draft of 6 feet. Plenty of photos of the M&W 40 about. I think they were also known as Olympic 40's. Draft is about 6"6". Lot of boat for the money.

 

Thanks guys. I can not find any photos or info on this type of boat anywhere. The only pics that come up in google searches are the for sale pics of this exact boat. Some quick research showed an Olympic 40 is a Compass 38 hull with a Lexen 40 deck. A lexen 40 is a newer design than this M&W 40. So if the Olympic 40 I found for sale is anything to go by, they have nothing in common with this boat. Unless there is also an older version?

I looked at the M&W 40. Nikki likes it. Here is a pic of her out of the water I found on the actual boat. Also does this corrosion look like a worry.

If anyone here has crewed on one of these I would like to hear from you.

 

The photo of the under water lines are pretty much the same as Rampage or Ginko[spelling] as I remember them. Not sure about the Olympic 40 for sale on yachthub with the compass hull, I always thought the Olympic 40 was a charter yacht version of the 40.

The yacht your looking at seems very tempting at that money, 40 footer at SS34 prices. That bit of corrosion visible is ok and easy to clean up, its the stuff that could be hidden by the mast boot that is more of a concern. The only problem for yachts of this size is the cost of maintenance, replacement of gear and mooring fees. Probably double what it costs me to run a 30 footer.

 

"Probably double what it costs me to run a 30 footer"....emmm not quite, but the point you make is real. I find that keeping below say 40 to 42 feet allows smaller winches, sails, deck fittings, masts etc. The sails can be handled by one person, the hardware is "affordable", and the repairs are minimal and can be effected by yourself without outside help.

Sorry I cannot remember the details of the M&W you are referring to...keep searching, there must be someone that sailed on one on the net. I sailed on the older boats, fw'ard hand, so know the bows well on most of the 60s to late 70's boats.
I am in Brisbane if you feel that you would like help with your decision, work as an independant shippy at Manly harbour. Just private email me.

 

The birthing costs are similar at Manly harbour for a 31 foot and 40 foot boat. Something like 6K vs 7 or 8. Yes the price of gear will be more but a lot of the expensive stuff is already new, re sails, engine etc. The rigging will need to be replaced I believe. I wouldn't mind giving that a go myself by doing a piece at a time by getting a new piece made going off a part I take down.

 

Ahhh, the joys of Manly harbour. My yacht is on a swing mooring and I pay pensioner rates of just over $100 a year. 40 footer is a bit over double that but still cheap. Two coats of antifouling is 6 litres, my fishing vessel at 40 foot needs 10 litres a coat.

Still think its a good buy but if the rigging needs renewing I would budget for 10 grand and have it done professionally. Cavalier 32 rerigged in Sydney costs 10 grand.

 

Consider yourself very lucky to have scored that swing mooring! They are like hens teeth around here. The rigging cost scares me.

 

Do not be afraid of the rigging costs, take em down and have them done one or two at a time, saves a fortune.

 

I have been told that by a few people. But hearing it from an experienced shippy and marine engineer like yourself is comforting. I am quite practical, having renovated my own house and built a drag car. I actually enjoy doing repairs and gaining new trade skills. I am an electrician by trade. I wont be scared to replace rigging myself.

 

I would like to give a big thanks to Landlubber for coming down to look at the boat with me. I was prepared to buy, but after a chat regarding the pros cons of the boat and its condition I decided against it for the money they were asking.

I think I might wait until something more like this comes along. It was only a couple hours drive from here too.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cole-nantucket-43/32202

 

NICE!