Date: 12/2/2005
Name: Ivar Weierholt
email: ivarweierholt@hotmail.com
subject:RE: General Questions
Jon:I agree with Mike Robinson that the SJ21’s are generally ‘Spartan’
They are really just big day sailers.
I have owned a MKI and two MKII’s and enjoyed them all. I’m not aware of any daggerboard boats; they all have the same swing keel except for a few fixed keel versions. I preferred the MKI for racing (bigger cockpit) and the MKII for general sailing and ’cruising’ (bigger cabin).
My boat has a built-in ice chest on the Port and a built-in sink/water tank to Starboard. All the boats have the same space for a porta-potti. My first SJ21 had a small single burner gimbaled propane stove for heating water, etc. It was handy. But, I would never refer to these boats as having a ‘galley’.
My current boat happens to be one of the rare fixed keel version. (although there are 5 in my area of Western Washington) I like it very much (better than the swing keel version because I keep it in a marina and it is always ready to go, and because there is no keel trunk in the cabin, it has a flat floor and a lot more room.) But, the swing keel boats go on/off a trailer more easily and can be hauled around but you have to put the mast up and down, rig and re-rig the boat each time you launch it. The fixed keel boat doesn‘t launch and trailer as easily. But since I keep mine in a marina, I can just get in, sail away and walk away when I get back.. One drawback to the fixed keel version is you have to keep an eye on water depth more than with the swing keel version. Also, the local SJ21 fleet won’t let us compete in their fleet regatta’s. Not sure why.
The SJ21 is a super day sailer, but if I was interested in going aboard for more than a day or so or in bad weather, I’d like a boat with more cabin space and creature comforts.
Boat #303 in the SJ21 Directory is a fixed keel version. You can get an idea of what that keel looks like there.
Ivar Weierholt
#1179
“Olden Goldie”
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