Radford R415 for offshore cruising

[SV Callisto 0]

I came across this Radford R415 listing which looks intersting, but I can't find much information on them, aside from the specs on the designer's website. Obviously, this particular example is very austere inside, but aside from this, seems to be in decent condition from the photos, for the price. Appreciate any feedback on these boats for an offshore cruiser for a couple.

http://www.radford-yacht.com/dsn061/dsn061.html

Listing:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2005-sloop-radford-r415-expedition-yacht-7868963/

[TwoLegged 2,238]

The keel looks very shallow for an offshore boat.

But I like the interior: low-maintenance

[SV Callisto 0]

Just now, TwoLegged said:

The keel looks very shallow for an offshore boat.

But I like the interior: low-maintenance

I wondered about that, but they mentioned that the weight is very low to achieve the needed stability. I guess one of the big concerns with a boat like this is whether the builder (whoever that is) knew what they were doing, and whether the steel was properly treated for corrosion. We might check it out if we can manage to get over to the mainland, but I'd like to learn a bit more about the design and how many are out there, how they sail, etc. Currently have a C&C 35 which sails pretty well in light air, but can also handle heavy weather fairly well, so I want something that doesn't need 20 knots just to get moving, and won't slam into waves.

[andykane 195]

The specs on the designer's site suggest that light air performance would be rather sedate - SA/D of ~14, compared with 17.5 for your C&C.

40hp motor seems a bit low for 30k lbs displacement too.

Here's a similar boat that looks much nicer built for not much more: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2004-sk-42-pilothouse-7213632/ 
Weird interior layout though...

[TwoLegged 2,238]

12 minutes ago, andykane said:

The specs on the designer's site suggest that light air performance would be rather sedate - SA/D of ~14, compared with 17.5 for your C&C.

40hp motor seems a bit low for 30k lbs displacement too.

So a motor-sailer rig, but an auxiliary engine.  Sounds like the worst of both worlds.

[SV Callisto 0]

1 hour ago, andykane said:

The specs on the designer's site suggest that light air performance would be rather sedate - SA/D of ~14, compared with 17.5 for your C&C.

40hp motor seems a bit low for 30k lbs displacement too.

Here's a similar boat that looks much nicer built for not much more: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2004-sk-42-pilothouse-7213632/ 
Weird interior layout though...

Yes, that one does look much nicer, especially the maple woodwork, but overall a nicer looking design as well. Funny to call it a pilothouse though, as it seems to lack an inside steering station. I'd want to know a bit more about the design I think. I found this in a quick search, which explains why it resembles a Waterline: http://figure8voyage.com/figure-8-voyage-boat-progress-in-the-pacific-northwest/

The 40hp on the Radford is a bit borderline for sure, I have 40+ on my C&C although I still rarely motor above 6kn, but it's nice to have power in reserve for when you miss the slack current at a pass. Still, 40hp should still move it along at 6kn according the Radford data, although it would leave little in reserve.

[SV Callisto 0]

1 minute ago, SV Callisto said:

Yes, that one does look much nicer, especially the maple woodwork, but overall a nicer looking design as well. Funny to call it a pilothouse though, as it seems to lack an inside steering station. I'd want to know a bit more about the design I think. I found this in a quick search, which explains why it resembles a Waterline: http://figure8voyage.com/figure-8-voyage-boat-progress-in-the-pacific-northwest/

The 40hp on the Radford is a bit borderline for sure, I have 40+ on my C&C although I still rarely motor above 6kn, but it's nice to have power in reserve for when you miss the slack current at a pass. Still, 40hp should still move it along at 6kn according the Radford data, although it would leave little in reserve.

One other thing - the photos from the Figure 8 site show a rudder post that ends below decks, meaning no way to rig an emergency tiller, and a windvane could be a challenge on the raked transom. 

[andykane 195]

21 minutes ago, SV Callisto said:

Yes, that one does look much nicer, especially the maple woodwork, but overall a nicer looking design as well. Funny to call it a pilothouse though, as it seems to lack an inside steering station. I'd want to know a bit more about the design I think. I found this in a quick search, which explains why it resembles a Waterline: http://figure8voyage.com/figure-8-voyage-boat-progress-in-the-pacific-northwest/

The 40hp on the Radford is a bit borderline for sure, I have 40+ on my C&C although I still rarely motor above 6kn, but it's nice to have power in reserve for when you miss the slack current at a pass. Still, 40hp should still move it along at 6kn according the Radford data, although it would leave little in reserve.

That's a good find - the broker's listing is a bit pathetic. Big difference between "build by an ex-Waterline employee" and your average self-designed/self-built boat. 

It does have an autopilot control in the pilothouse which seems like a good solution. If you need full steering control then you probably want to be on deck anyway.

I would guess there's a deck plate above the rudder post so you can get some kind of emergency tiller on there.

[SV Callisto 0]

23 minutes ago, andykane said:

That's a good find - the broker's listing is a bit pathetic. Big difference between "build by an ex-Waterline employee" and your average self-designed/self-built boat. 

It does have an autopilot control in the pilothouse which seems like a good solution. If you need full steering control then you probably want to be on deck anyway.

I would guess there's a deck plate above the rudder post so you can get some kind of emergency tiller on there.

Agreed, the AP below deck should be fine, and I hadn't considered a deck plate - I'm sure an ex-Waterline guy would have thought of that. I'm not really sold on steel/aluminum boats, just going down another rabbit-hole...

[[email protected] 426]

Radford designs generally sail well. There are a few about in Australia, and seem generally well used.