Balstara

"Balstara" is a Sadler 32 deep fin keel sloop built in 1988, altered for short handed extended passage making, the yacht is used for weekend sailing in the Irish Sea, as well as for more adventurous challenging cruises - often used to provide an event around which charities can base fund raising events.

Balstara in Leirvik Harbour in Stord, Norway June 2003

Preparing Balstara for the season Jan 2003

A birds eye view from the spreaders (PJR)

 

Modifications

  

Balstara's Challenges (Cruises)

Detail of some of the modifications made to Balstara to facilitate short handed and extended passage making:
  •  Fitment of a detachable inner fore stay for setting heavy weather No 3 and storm jibs (more details on Modifications 1)
  •  Fitment of a Sailomat servo pendulum wind vane self steering system (more details on Modifications 2)
  •  Fitment of a Collision Avoidance Radar Detection System (more details on Modifications 3)
  •  Fitment of bracing between hull and deck head beam supporting baby stay (Modifications 4)
  •  Addition of steel and plywood backing plates under the fore deck cleats (as standard these are simply bolted through the deck)
  •  Some further improvements are scheduled for the next refit (more detail on Modifications 5)

 

   Balstara is used for weekend sailing in the Irish Sea, as well as for more adventurous challenging cruises often used to provide an event around which charities can base fund raising events. Follow the links below for more information:
 

 

Balstara's Principal Dimensions

  

Other Challenges (Cruises)
       
Length overall 31’ 6’’ 9.60m
Length along waterline 24’0’’ 7.32m
Beam 10’6’’ 3.20m
Draught 5’6’’ 1.68m
Displacement 10,000 lbs 4760kgs
Ballast 4,500lbs 1860kgs

 

Engine Volvo Penta MD2020-MS10A with 2.35:1 reduction ratio
Propeller Gori folding propeller, 16.5 x 11 RH
Cap shrouds 5m 18.3cm above spreaders, 6m 25 cm below spreaders
Inner shroud 5m 90.3cm and 5m 90.9cm
Baby stay 5m 79.5 cm (shortened by 3inches)
Back stay 12m 43.5cm
Forestay 11m 92.3cm
Inner fore stay  To be measured.

                                         

  
A selection of other challenges and trips undertaken by Balstara's skipper:

Crew Projects

A list of sailing project's for Balstara's crew during 2004:
  •  Constructing polar diagrams (showing data about achievable boat speed in different wind & sea conditions)
  •  Investigating & collecting material for an article on parachute anchors
  •  Gathering pilotage information on ports and anchorages for the Cruising Notes section of the website
  •  Investigating & collecting material for an article on cruising chute trimming

These practical projects help build knowledge & experience, and provide added interest on longer passages.