I understand Black Swan has now been sold David.
Etsi. As a Baycruiser23 owner of only some two months now maybe I am not qualified to answer your question, only time will tell after I have done more extensive sailing over the coming year.
But the reason why I bought 'Equinox' in the first place was due to my increasingly desperate search to find a boat that met all my requirements. Having owned a Bayraider20 for 6 years I was already impressed with the Swallow Boat design and its ability to offer flexibility to my sailing.
I've had big 'cruisers' for many years and had fallen foul of the old problems of not sailing them due to work commitments, lack of crew, tide and weather restrictions. It was also getting seriously expensive being marina/yard based - you will have heard it all before I know.
The result being I was sailing my Bayraider more and more and the 'cruiser' less and less - and I was really enjoying the sailing. Travelling all round the country and meeting some great people was a great bonus too.
Something had to be done, so the cruiser was put up for sale and Karen had a kidney going spare so I sold that too.
The hardest part was choosing the right boat to find, and believe me, I went through everything that floats with a fairly fine tooth comb - all who know me will testify as to how boring I had become - even worse than usual.
All were discounted for various reasons. My criteria was that she had to be trailable to get to new cruising grounds (not necessarily a true trailer sailor boat). Not reliant on yards/marina's. Able to step the mast and rig on my own if necessary. Be a safe and fast boat to sail single handed (if necessary), not a floating caravan with a rag on a stick to blow it about. Launch and recover single handed. Outboard engine - (65 of your English Pounds (plus vat) an hour for a 'marine' mechanic put me off diesels for life!)
My final decision was for the BC23 - and not just because I was already familiar with Swallow Boats as I had studied the 'competition' very closely.
So far I am very pleased, she sails extremely well and quite fast and is meeting my criteria.
I have an 'aero luff' carbon fibre genoa luff spar which is proving to be quite excellent and the fully battened main makes her no slouch out on the water. I've yet to sail her in heavy winds - to my frustration the wind has always been light when I have gone out, but maybe that is a good thing. The tanks have only been filled once just to check that the emptying pumps do work, but I'm sure she will perform equally well in all winds.
Single line reefing is a doddle, amazingly fast and still keeping a good sail shape, and I am practising 'reefing' the genoa around the luff spar. I can not see any problems with reefing, even when single handing, and can all be done without leaving the tiller if I fit an extension.. I reckon I can do most sail handling like that, with the tiller stuck ingloriously betwen my legs. Some further research required there!
She has proven (in lightish winds) to be very light on the helm with just a hint of weatherhelm. The traveler and quite powerful kicker is also proving to be very useful in maintaining a good sail shape, giving loads to think about and practise when out on the water.
Once I get familiar with my current rig I want to add a code zero too (furlable) for lighter winds - but that will be in the future. I'm not sure if my jib (genoa?) is larger than the previous jibs/gennies on the 23's but it does perform extremely well. (See attached photo).
Inside she is not palatial by any stretch of the imagination, but adequate and I want to make it a warm and inviting area. I designed and had made up my own cushions, thicker than the standard for more comfort. The 'galley' is just a single burner cartridge gas ring with a sink - water is in a flexi tank forward (fillable from the deck), heating is a small (camping) gas cartridge heater and hot water bottle. CO alarm has now been fitted. Fusion marine radio with ipod connector. Chart plotter/fishfinder(C map), all integrated with AIS DSC VHF (as I sail in a high density commercial shipping area). Panasonic toughbook (ex military) with 3g and wifi for computer stuff, also set up with gps and fully charted (OpenCPN) for planning and back up. Yeoman paper based charts too. Two 50aph batteries charged by two 20w solar panels. Mains power is just a 'camping' lead with RCD and a couple of 13a sockets for when there is electric hookup available.
Early days yet, but I am already developing a (some might say) unhealthy relationship with my Baycruiser 23 and that is why I love her!
Andy
Baycruiser 23 No.25 'Equinox'
Ps Karen's operation scars are healing quite nicely now..!
