sailfish sailfish 18 Review

My dad brought one new back in 1978. He chose it because it was sold as a complete package that could be taken straight down the the slipway, launched and sailed. Twenty six years later and with a family of four children, I saw one for sale for £2400. My offer of £2000 was accepted and I haven't look back since. A typical trailer-sail involves a 7.30 alarm call on a weekend. By about 9.00am all six of us are ready to embark on a days adventure. The Sailfish happily follows our VW Caravelle and is easily towed at the legal limits on what ever type road. When at the launch site, the boat can be made ready for the water within about 45 mins. The rigging effort is no different to that of an Enterprise or Wayfarer. Curious on-lookers are always amazed when they see a cabin/keel boat being day sailed! On a lake in light/gusty conditions the boat seems to out sail everything of a similar size. In windier conditions, the lack of a deep keel and low ballast weight ratio becomes performance limiting. My children are permitted to bring a toy each so the cabin becomes a little play room and shelter keeping them out of the ruder weather. I rarely go in the cabin except to brew up. The trickiest part of a days sail in getting the boat back on this trailer which takes some practice to do well. (A modern rollercoast trailer would eliminate this bother) The knack is not to try and float the boat on the trailer but to winch it on so that the back roller keeps the keel in line. Packing the boat up takes about 45 mins and generally we arrive home at around 7pm - 9pm. The Sailfish has a teasingly attractive design, sails surprising well and for the price we paid, superb value for money. Who said you can't get something for nothing!

I had a new one in 1980. Poorly built and to dinghy like for me. Also the keel could fall off if the screw mechanisum was not replaced regularly.

Hello all,
And specialy the dutch people.
Iam thinking off buying a sailfish 18.
Do You have tips and what abouw the weak things off the keel?
Who whanted tho share the usersguide? copy ore sometings.
Thanks for your reactions and sorry for my pore english.
Ps. is it realy save to sail the ijselmeer?.
greatings Diederik

The Sailfish (depending on the trailer used) is THE easiest to launch and recover boat of all! It is incedably safe, sails well in moderate conditions and I myself have been in force 5/6 and enjoyed the experience, never once was she un-nerving or dangerous. The boat has many safety features and with the correct gear and personal protection, she gives imense pleasure for the dinghy sailor looking to progress up to cruiser sizes with 4 berths. You CAN, sleep another 2 in the cockpit under canvas(they often come with a fitted cockpit tent, which fits over the boom and secures to the outer hull) but you need to be very intimate when using the loo, with others on board! Most important is the ease in which I myself can launch her. Having arrived at the launch site, the mast is raised in 20 minutes single handed, then slipped into the water, not even getting the bearings wet, and ready for sailing within half hour. Take the car and trailer away, and off you go. Though this is best done for the first time in company with the very friendly, Sailfish Association at one of their many short breaks and outings, for help and ideas for making you adventure/ first sail, as easy as ABC and whilst enjoying your boat with people who have owned one for years and know how to get the very best out of them.

Until recently I sailed dinghys and raced regularly. I have just bought a sailfish and sail on the Blackwater in Essex. I fitted a new loose footed mainsail .I have only sailed her four times and the wind strength varied from a 4 to gusting 6.She flew.
Condition were very choppy, usually wind against tide. The seas were breaking over the bow and we were drenched and it was extremely exillerating.I did not reef (no reefing points set up ) but at no time did we feel uneasy.She sails very high up wind which is an advantage when navigating up narrow rivers. Over all it is a lovely boat , exillerating to sail and ideal for dinghy sailers demand a lively boat with extra stability.

After over 10 years of owning a Sailfish 18, I couldn't be happier with her, easy and fun to sail, easy to launch, with nylon rollers it's almost easier to recover than my Enterprise!

Sailing mainly on the South West Coast and North Devon but once around the West coast of Scotland.

Always been pleased with her sailing ability, easily keeps up with most other boats the same size. Very easy and great fun to sail, although you wouldn't call her sporty or racey, she is certainly not a slow boat.

Six years ago, just like Mike Reed, I bought a replacement boat, a Finnsailer 29 (which has no fin and sails like a lampshade, but hey ho... though it is extremely comfortable) and just like Mike, I couldn't part with her... still prefer sailing her now!

When I am with friends with other trailer sailers, I'm in the water and sailing before the others have even launched...

I can run up to a beach single handed, jump off the bows onto the sand, hold on the boat, which is still floating, and still have dry feet (she will float in a puddle), none of the others can do that! or easily wind her onto the trailer off the dry sand with the great new nylon rollers now fitted.

About the worst I can say about the Sailfish 18 is probably when you are at anchor with the keel down - and it needs to be or your head will try to unscrew itself from your body (especially when anchored off Lundy with the Atlantic swell causing the infamous Lundy Lollop caused by the wind holding the boat side on to the lumpy swell that curves around the tip of the Island) it tends to thud around inside the housing (the keel, not your head) and keeps you awake, although winding the keel up a fraction helps.

Anyone just bought or thinking of buying the best trailer sailer ever designed should join the Sailfish association, it costs an extortionate £12, for that you get a manual of modifications the members have achieved, info on the regular sail meetings and some great advice. Phone Jackie - 01332 720358

I own this boot now for the second time. It was my first boot in 1984 when I was learning to sail. Perfect beginners
boot, easy to handle and very save even on bigger water like
ijsselmeer and waddenzee (the Netherlands). After 5 years of pleasure with it I wanted bigger en more luxe. I have sailed for more than 6 years with 27 feet. Always thinking about my first sailfish. After this period the owner of me fist sailfish wanted bigger. So we swapped the boots and gain I was the owner of Sailfish 417. I am still using it for the weekends on the lakes in the Amsterdam Region. I still thing the concept of this boot is good. It was an innovative type in 1978 and it still is. It's small and I would not recommend this to a family with 2 kids. How ever you can sleep perfect outside with the boom tent en 2 kids can sleep inside. I would not do that for 2 or 3 weeks.
It is a good sailer with a lot of space outside and when I am on the water I like to be outside.

Ideal boat for the first time buyer.
Backed with a strong association who are ready to help with any information owners require and provide an excellent hand book on upgrades that can be added to the boat.
Has that up to date look that will not go out of fashion.
Exciting sailing, comfortable accomindation and easy to tow with a normal family car.
Very easy to launch and recover.
If you want a trailer sailer I would reccommend the sailfish 18 as a first choice when looking to buy.

Hello, we live in the Netherlands and bought this boat 5 years ago.
It is very light wich makes it a perfect trailer sailor. The handling is very good, because of it weight and lenght it handles like dinghy but stable. We use the boat in a lake district but we also sail it on the IJsselmeer (former sea) and it does it with ease. Performance is overall very good, especially turning and acceleration but because of it short water lenght it is not the fastest boat.Weak point are the keel and the original sails wich we replaced.
With 2 persons you can sleep comfortably on it.
Overall very happy with it

can anyone add some comments about owning one of these yachts. I'm looking to buy one but there is little info available. cheers!