www.smallsailboats.co.uk Bill's Boats Home www.smallsailboats.co.uk Scout Kayak Racing Kayak Phillida Hilyard Shyauk Hina Catamaran Small Zeta Pandora Buccaneer Big Zeta Kingfisher Aziz Harriott Micro Caleb Shipmate          The Shipmate Senior is a true trailer sailer that can easily be towed behind an average family car.  With care and suitable conditions she can be launched and retrieved from the water by one person. Twice I took 'Lisa' (The Shipmate) to the West Country for estuary cruising.  First we went to the River Tamar and Plymouth Sound, then the following year we went to St Just in Roseland near Falmouth. Both of these cruises were single-handed ventures entailing several days and nights. I joined the Shipmate Association, but unfortunately I was not able to attend any of their rallies.  The Association at that time was very active with meetings mainly in the Midlands. While cruising the East Coast Rivers and sailing off West Mersea, my Shipmate experienced a knock-down which resulted in the cockpit being swamped.  The situation was potentially dangerous because the cockpit was not self-draining.  Only by rapid bailing with a bucket did I manage to get the boat on a level keel.  Since the companionway was rather low, water could easily have flowed into the cabin.  I believe this design weakness may have been put right with later models. I also felt the boat could have performed better had she had a much heavier centreboard.  Less sail changing would have been needed.  On the whole, I thought she was a super little day boat or weekender. If you enjoy the site or have any questions please drop me a line: Bill Serjeant