Description

Since buying this yacht 8 years ago she has been a source of constant enjoyment and adventure for our young family. From lazy sunny afternoon anchorages to bracing passages in strong winds she has carried us easily, safely and without fuss. She sails with the poise of a much larger yacht and is beautifully balanced, stable and fast.

We have found her to be the perfect size for easy single-handed sailing while still boasting plenty of accommodation and storage space to allow a comfortable few days aboard with family or friends. Aside from the stiffness and safety benefits her foam core makes for a warm, quiet environment below deck and helps avoid the damp and mould problems common to other boats.

Bláthín has been painstakingly maintained and continuously upgraded with a steady series of improvements since we bought her - she must now be one of the best Sadler 26s around.

As the years have passed our family has expanded and grown and we are now in search of a larger yacht to accommodate our changing needs. Bláthín is therefore, with some reluctance, for sale. We’ll miss her!

The Sadler 26 has a well-deserved reputation as the ideal small cruiser for Northern European waters. To quote from Mike Lucas Yachting, “Her perfect manners, total lack of ‘nervousness’ and superb sea-keeping qualities make the Sadler 26 stand out as the ultimate performance cruising yacht in her class. The Sadler 26’s two-module construction and built-in foam buoyancy make her one of the very few unsinkable cruising yachts ever designed . . . a reassuring thought, particularly if you sail with a family crew.”

You can see a recent Yachting Monthly video review of the Sadler 26 at https://youtube.com/watch?v=ujz1F1J7_W8

Bláthín is the sought-after, better-performing fin keel version of the yacht, drawing 1.4m. She has a detailed maintenance record and has been meticulously cared for. Her condition can only be fully appreciated by viewing. All photographs (except the three under sail) were taken in July/August 2024.

If you’re in the market for a brilliantly designed, fun, capable and fast 26-footer the Sadler 26 certainly fits the bill. If you’re also looking for one in first-class condition that has been continuously and meticulously cared for then Bláthín could be the boat for you!

She was originally purchased (VAT paid) in the UK and has been in the EU (Ireland) since 2016.

A pdf brochure of details and photos is available by email.

Specifications

Accommodation

The cabin is remarkably roomy for a boat of this size and makes full use of her generous beam for seating and storage. There is a galley with modern 2-burner stove, grill and oven as well as a very large insulated coolbox which will easily hold a few days’ supplies and keep them cold. A basin with manually operated tap has good storage underneath and there are dedicated spaces for crockery, cutlery and pans.

The saloon table (with fold-up extension) has made for very comfortable dining for our family of 5 and it also converts into a double berth which, although it might be a little tight for 2 adults, is perfect for 2 children. The sofa opposite also makes an excellent child’s berth, while the double forepeak and after quarter berth complete the sleeping options.

As well as the blackout washboards, foam blackout plugs can be positioned on the windows and overhead hatch - these also retain heat and avoid condensation on the glass on cool nights.

A Jabsco Twist ’n’ Lock toilet is connected to genuine Blakes seacocks (serviced annually).

All upholstery is in matching light blue and in pristine condition. The cabin lighting has been converted to warm LED for a warm ambience with minimal power consumption. There are plenty of handholds, including solid overhead grab rails.

The saloon area is also ideal for chartwork and navigation. A red/white gooseneck chart light is fitted above the table with generous stowage for books, charts and equipment along the cabin sides and in compartments behind the seat backs.
The VHF radio with DSC and AIS receiver also has its own integral GPS - this provides an independent backup to the position, distance, track and speed calculated by the chartplotter. The radio’s AIS output is connected to a Yakker wi-fi transmitter which outputs AIS information for display on a tablet.

Two new batteries were installed in 2023 and they can be monitored via the NASA BM-1 battery monitor at the switch panel.
A twin 12V/USB outlet allows charging of electronic devices underway, while a double 230V socket with 2 additional USB outlets can be used when shore power is connected.

There is lots of storage room available under seats and berths, plus a hanging locker opposite the heads. Interior safety equipment includes fire extinguisher, fire blanket and carbon monoxide detector.

Cosy saloon is fitted with warm LED lighting throughout

Compact galley has everything you need

Well insulated coolbox has a very large capacity

Nepture 2000 with grill and crash bar

Saloon table extends for seating around 3 sides

Table drops to create an additional berth

Forward cabin has comfortable V-berth and large overhead hatch

Snug quarter berth is excellent for use at sea

Hanging locker offers additional storage

Under-seat stowage (forward)

Under-seat stowage (aft)

Under-seat stowage (starboard)

Windows can be fitted with foam blackout inserts

Replacement Jabsco toilet with authentic Blakes seacocks

Secure battery compartment holds engine and domestic batteries (new last year) and the monitor shunt

Battery monitor, engine panel and switch panel are under the companionway hatch

Standard Horizon GX 2200 with AIS receiver, Blue Sea dual USB/Cigarette lighter 12V outlet and FM/AM/CD stereo

Construction

The distinctive hull shape with its raked bow makes for a dry and seaworthy boat.

The deck and cockpit are perfectly designed for easy and secure movement and sail handling. The foredeck is large enough to hold an inflated dinghy and the cockpit is deep and secure with excellent bracing available for the more exhilarating sails!

The cockpit locker is cavernous for a boat of this size and can swallow a huge amount of equipment.

The gelcoat is in good condition, showing only some minor cosmetic chips and localised crazing as expected on GRP boats of this vintage. The topsides were professionally polished and waxed this year and the decals replaced due to fading, so she is sparkling and looking very smart for the summer.

Keel bolts are easily accessed below the sole boards and are sound with no sign of movement or corrosion.

Wide side decks, spacious foredeck and secure teak coachroof hand rails

Freshly anti-fouled and polished, ready for launch (July 2024)

Fin keel gives great upwind performance

Deep self-draining chain locker. Combination chain/rope cable is marked at 5m intervals

Cockpit locker has dedicated stowage for lines, boat hook, deck brush and washboards. It also holds a stainless steel fuel tank with bottom drain point and shore power connection

Keel Bolts (1)

Keel Bolts (2)

Keel Bolts (3)

Equipment

Plough anchor with 8mm Grade 40 chain (new 2022) spliced to nylon rode

Deep chain locker with plenty of space for anchor, fenders etc

Solid teak coachroof grab handles

Stainless steel deck vents

Adjustable spinnaker pole track on mast

Mainsheet traveller track

Collapsible sprayhood with additional grab bar for security

Canvas spray dodgers (not currently fitted)

Cockpit cushions

Varnished tiller

Removable tiller extension

WaveFront Tiller Clutch for easy short-handed sailing

Raymarine ST1000+ tiller pilot with remote control for foredeck operation

Shore power connection in cockpit locker (with RCD and MCB protection)

Manual bilge pump

Deck harness clip-on point

Tinted Perspex washboards (with and without ventilation grille) plus additional blackout washboards for sleeping

Gas locker with bubble leak detector (system professionally renewed and certified)

Transom mounted stainless steel folding swim ladder

Raymarine Dragonfly 5M chartplotter with integrated GPS receiver

NASA Clipper depth

NASA wireless wind

Steering compass with integral light

Bow and stern navigation lights

LED Masthead light

LED deck light

Other ancillary equipment is also included (fenders, warps, winch handle, lifebuoy etc)

Shore power connection is safely tucked away in the cockpit locker

Raymarine ST1000+ tiller pilot

Remote control allows tiller pilot operation from anywhere on board

WaveFront tiller clutch

Washboard configuration for ambient ventilation...

... for dehumidifier use...

... and for sleeping

Gas locker has a bubble leak detector

Transom swim ladder

Raymarine chartplotter on coachroof

NASA Clipper depth and wind

Masthead light, side lights and stern light are COLREG-compliant

LED deck light gives useful foredeck illumination

Navigation Equipment

See above

Engine(s)

A Volvo Penta 2001 engine (9hp) is linked via a shaft drive to a folding bronze propeller. This moves the boat efficiently with a cruising speed under engine of about 5 kt and allows for easy marina handling. The oil-filled stern gland had all 3 lip seals renewed this year.

Access to engine and gearbox is excellent via removable panels at the companionway and in the cockpit locker. LED lighting installed in the engine compartment and the gearbox/shaft bearing area makes inspection and maintenance even easier. An automatic engine fire extinguisher was added recently.

The engine has been comprehensively maintained according to the manufacturer’s service schedule. Routine annual maintenance has included replacement of fuel filters, oil filter, engine oil, gearbox oil, engine anode, shaft anode, impeller (replaced on condition) as well as attention to electrical connections, alternator belt etc.

A new lift pump, starter solenoid and upgraded alternator have been fitted, while the starter motor and water pump were reconditioned.These engines were manufactured without a preheat facility so a 12V ThermoStart has now been fitted, which has transformed cold starts.

The VP2001 is a famously reliable, popular and simple engine with spares easily available. It can even be started by hand using the custom-made insert with starting handle that slots in place of the companionway steps. Several spare parts, including filters, anodes, alternator belt, injector tips and cutless bearing, are included. Engine owner and workshop manuals are also on board.

Engine (front access)

Excellent access to primary fuel filter

Engine can be manually started using a custom-made companionway insert, shown here stowed under V-berth

Folding prop for sparkling sailing performance!

Sails & Spars

All sails are in above average condition having been regularly checked, cleaned and, when necessary, professionally serviced.

- Westway mainsail with 3 reef points, draught stripes and telltales

- Kemp roller genoa with sacrificial UV strip and foam luff for optimised sail shape when reefed. Draught stripes and telltales.

- Spare Kemp genoa as above (lightly used, good condition)

- Spinnaker

- Double line mainsail reefing system. This gives all the advantages of in-cockpit reefing without the friction problems of single-line systems

- Forestay furler

- Genoa tracks with adjustable cars

- Spinnaker / whisker pole

- Continuous renewal programme for running rigging

- Sheets and halyards oversized for handling comfort

- Mainsail ‘stack-pack’ with lazyjacks and sail bag

- Standing rigging all in sound condition (inspected annually)

- 2 Lewmar 24 two-speed primary winches with Barton ‘Winchers’ for self-tailing performance

- 2 Lewmar 7 sheet winches on coachroof

- Windex at masthead

Bláthín almost home after a long trip

Goosewinged under full main and genoa

‘Piggy back’ OH deck organisers added for cockpit reefing system

Additional clutches installed to accommodate cockpit reefing system

Boom is fitted with ‘stack pack’ sail cover

Barton ‘Winchers’ allow self-tailing performance from the primary winches

Lewmar 7 sheet winches on the coachroof

Safety Equipment

Manual fire extinguishers in cabin and cockpit locker

Automatic fire extinguisher in the engine bay

Fire blanket in galley area

DSC VHF

Lifebuoy

Radar reflector

Gas bubble leak detector

Carbon monoxide detector

Jackstays

Dedicated harness attachment point in cockpit

Twin lifelines (stainless steel)

Location Map