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[Godot]

Of course, the Meridian also has the smallest sail area, the narrowest beam, and the largest overhangs of the four boats, which leads me to believe it is far more tender initially than the others... but I could be way off base. 

That would make sense.  I'm not sure that is a terrible thing, though, unless you are sailing with the easily startled.  No matter how many times I explain to my wife that "the boat is supposed to do that," I don't think I've ever been able to convince her of it.

I haven't sailed on enough boats to speak with the authority of experience; but the way I understand it, the narrow beam, while initially tender, would help with windward performance, typically require less sail, and usually results in greater ultimate stability.  But then, it also cuts deeply into the interior accomodations, which is probably why most boats are significantly beamier (more than the initial stability, if I understand the nature of boat shows).  It all depends on what you want to do.  The Meridian would probably be a better boat for a trip across the North Atlantic.  The SF24 would probably be better for weekending with the family.

I think if I where to get the rig setup right, raise the bottom of the companionway above the seats, fix the billion things that have been neglected in the past 30+ years, and choose the right season, Godot would be a reasonably safe vessel for a trip to Bermuda.

[AdriftAtSea]

Actually, the long overhangs would probably make it a bit less seaworthy than boats with smaller overhangs.  In a following sea, an overhanging stern can act as a lever, and since the rudder is farther forward on a boat with a long stern overhang it won't have the ability to counteract the sea from pushing the stern around and the boat is more likely to get turned broadsides to a following sea.   Similar things can happen to a long overhang bow.  It's one of the critieria that John Vigor lists in his book The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat.  He recommends boats with a small overhangs or even plumb bows and sterns. 

Heeling to the degree that is the case in most boats that were designed to class-rules that effectively required long overhangs has two major effects.  First, it effectively lengthens the waterline of the boat.  Second, it reduces the effectiveness of the keel.  I bellieve these boats are less effective to windward than the ones that are less tender and sail more upright.  The effective area and lift generated by the keel is significantly higher if the boat is not required to heel over as much.

The real reason most modern boats are so beamy, is that most modern boat show buyers want a floating condo, and care much less about the seaworthiness of the boat.   Many are buying a sailboat as a status accessory, rather than as a mode of transportation.  They're designed to be used as floating condos, effectively weekend or summer retreats, rather than true sailcraft.  Why else would you need three double-berth cabins on a 35' boat?  It isn't like six adults can realistically live on a boat for any extended period of time. 

Also, the none of the double berths on the boat show wonders are really designed to be used while at sea or underway.  When was the last time you boarded a Beneteau, Hunter, or one of the other boat show wonder boats and saw workable sea berths or lee cloths/boards on the double berths?  I never have, and there aren't even provisions for adding them.  In most cases, the double berth cushions are a single piece...so adding them would require cutting the cushion in half, recovering the two pieces and then figuring out an effective way to anchor the lee cloths/boards.

As Norm said about the C&C 38 we were on earlier this summer.  "She sails with six, feeds four, and sleeps two."  Realistically, that is the case for anything longer than a week's cruise. 

[CharlieJ]

on our Meridian, we find that in any wind at all we're sailing at at least 15 degrees of heel. The deck edge goes under at 35 degrees. But once she lays over to that 15 - 20 degrees, she sits there solidly. The motion is quite comfortable, or as comfortable as it would be in ANY boat her size. WE've also found that to weather, we can make as well as most any boat her size. Friends who have sailed beside us claim she goes to weather like a knife. In fact, last year at the BEER Cruise we sailed alongside a San Juan 24 for miles, holding the exact same course to weather. They were not able to break though our lee, and didn't have the boat speed to sail over us. He finally dropped 5 or 6 boat lengths below us and was able to sneak through- but he was less than 200 yds ahead when we reached the anchorage. This over an at least 5 mile sail. Of course, Laura was on the helm and she does NOT like to be outsailed, so she was pushing hard. I"d have let them past ;D

Take a look at the video I posted of Tehani beating to weather in the open gulf- it's in "Boat Discussions"

We've found that the boat tracks far better in following seas than out plumb sterned, transom hung rudder  21 footer ever did. Our sailing is usually in Matagorda Bay and anytime we go down the bay toward the gulf we're gonna be beating- the usual winds are SE and the bay trends SE/NW. Consequently we're pretty much always off the wind on the way home- that's a 15- 18 mile slide.(GOTTA get a chute!!) The 21 footer used to slue around with the waves to the point where it was sometimes really uncomfortable. Tehani just tracks. Even with the boat laid over rail down, we're steering with one finger on the helm, two at most. In other words, she's a beautifully balanced boat.

What we do give away is hull speed in light air- the water line is just not there at lower winds speeds. The other thing we really give away is interior space. The 7 foot beam REALLY cuts down on volume, hence storage. But I've rebuilt much of the interior to get additional room, and we find her totally comfortable for a month or so. We can carry stores easily for 4 weeks aboard. She carries 38 gallons of water in fixed tanks and we carry another 10 (usually) in 1 gallon jugs spread here and there ( trim ballast)

If we were to try to live aboard full time without a land base, the boat would NOT be large enough, but she's most certainly doable for several month cruises.

[LauraG]

Our Meridian IS initially quite tender. When you step aboard her from the dock she rocks like you stepped onto a centerboard boat. She is quick to heel when going to weather but once she heels over she is steady as a rock.

Her narrow stern makes her a dream to sail downwind. She does not get pushed around much at all. I rarely have more than one finger on the tiller. A broad reach can be another story. In 5-6' waves out in the Gulf of Mexico where the wave period is relatively short she can be quite rolly.

[AdriftAtSea]

CharlieJ-

I don't mean to disparage your fine boat Tehani, and I have seen the lovely video you have posted.   

I am merely stating that many boats with long overhangs can be at a serious disadvantage in heavy seas, since the stern overhang can act as a lever  arm for a following sea to push on, and can lead to the boat broaching broadsides to the following seas, which is a real danger.  Of course, the following seas I am speaking of are greater than the 5-6' seas that LauraG mentions. Also, the fact is that heeled boats do lose some "grip" and tend to blow to leeward more than boats that sail flatter, given the same keel geometry. This doesn't necessarily affect how high she will point, but how much leeway she will make.

None of this necessarily indicates that the Meridian isn't seaworthy.  A lot really depends on the crew's knowledge of the boat and whether the designer took all of the different factors into account when he designed her.  From what you and LauraG have said, the Meridian seems to be a very well-balanced design, even when heeled.  That can't be said for many boats, which build up ferocious weather helm once they're over any appreciable amount.  She is probably designed to sail at 15-20 degrees of heel, given the length of her overhangs—this is probably one of the reasons she has a narrow stern, to help prevent weather helm from developing as she heels over.

[CharlieJ]

oh, I didn't take it as disparagment- just as discussion.

I know and most people who have been around boats for very long know also, that EVERY boat is a compromise. You take the good parts with the not so good and deal with them.

[paddlefoot]

Just signed up today - thought that I would say hello.
from centeral Indiana.
A few details -
I own 2 sail boats
1.) A Grampian 26 and
2.) An AMI (American Mariner Industries) 7.0 (23')
which is probably 1 boat to many -

More later.

Regards

Stan G.

[Zen]

Welcome  paddlefoot ;D

[Captain Smollett]

which is probably 1 boat to many -

Never.  Y ou cannot have too many boats (unless it keeps you from using them! :) )

Welcome aboard.

[Frank]

Welcome aboard.   That Grampion 26 is one big 26fter !! Have fun.

[s/v Faith]

Welcome Aboard Stan,

  A friend of mine has the same  boat, I have sailed on it, and raced against it.  THere is another one for sale in my marina.  THey seem to be a great cross between a very well sailing boat, and a lot of space below.

  Look forward to hearing more from you.

[Joe Pyrat]

Yes, welcome aboard.  Hope  you have as much fun here as I do.   :)

[Aimel]

Hi All,

Just thought I could drop a line to introduce myself (should say ourself).

I am Marc Lamontagne
She is Lise Roussel.
We are French-Canadians living in Saudi Arabia where we learned sailing and just fell in love with it.

We owned many boats:
Lasers, Hobie Cats, Snapdragon 22, Swift 18, Flying Fifteen and a Victoria Eighteen.
Now we own a Meridian 25 here in Saudi and a Catamran Prout Snowgoose 35 on Lake Champlain, New-York.

Planning to retire in 4-5 years and just sail where ever the wind blows.

You can learn more about us at www.desertsail.com

Nice to meet you all and we are looking forward to share more with you.

Rgds

Marc & Lise

[Zen]

Bounjour Mes Amis, C'va?

Sac re blur! ( excuse my French)  Sailing in Saudi!!
I thought they only had sand, camels and oil there :-)

I bet that is nice sailing , warm, sunny...

Are you from Quebic? Loved Canada, best when it is not winter, BC is my Favorite.

I went by your site, interesting to follow. I can practice my French and get a sailing adventure all at once.

Welcome, to Sail Far.

Well, I need to get the sand out of my shoes and go to work.  :D

[AdriftAtSea]

Must be nice and warm where you are, if a bit dry.  Welcome to Sailfar.net. 

She is a pretty boat, but looks like you've got your work cut out for you...as it appears the previous owner sadly neglected her. 

[Aimel]

Yes it is a great place for sailing.  10 months out of 12.
In July & August with 110 F we either live indoor or we go on vavcation somewhere north.

I, indeed, have some work to do on her.
Good thing I live only 20 minutes from the Yacht Club here.

We started last weekend with a good cleaning.
Like Charlie I am lucky to share my life with one of the best boat mate in the world.  She is petite, so can go where I am too big, and she is not afraid to get dirty.  We always work together.

This weekend we plan to remove all varnished wood inside and cut the cockpit sole to make a new one.
While the bilge will be accessible I will clean it, paint it and rebuild the lockers with some fiberglassed plywoods.
The previous owner spend a lot of money to buy expensive parts (Harken main traveler, winches, etc) but he did a really poor job with fiberglass.  I have to say it was his first boat and he spent 6 months working on it then put it in the water.  He never put the sails up and left the boat there for one year.

I am already dreaming about when I will be cruising/racing her.
Here we have 2 racing seasons: February until May and September until December.  Thus I have 2 months to complete all the work.

Wish me luck.

Cheers

[s/v Faith]

Welcome!

  What a great boat and a great web page!  I look forward to hearing more from you as the project moves forward.

 

[CharlieJ]

Welcome to Sailfar and best of luck with your Meridian. We love ours.

Those interior pics look quite familiar, but the ladder is very different than what was in Tehani originally. Of course there isn't much inside Tehani anymore that IS original  ;D

[Joe Pyrat]

Yes, welcome aboard.  Great boat and interesting web site.  I'll have to go back and do an extended visit.  :)

[CapnK]

Welcome aboard, Stan!

Since you have boatness x2, I figured you needed a Grog. ;)