I'm thinking of buying a 1983 21' Clipper Marine sailboat but am unable to get much feedback on the quality of construction. I enjoy restoring sailboats but I do not want to start with junk. Any advice? Thanks, Tim
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Low Cost/No Frills
A popular entry-level boat of the 70's/early 80's. The 21 was the more popular. They also made a 26 and even a 30. All were swing keel, altho some of the 26's and 30's had a fixed keel option. They also made a quarter-tonner during the IOR days. As to quality, probably similar to the Ventures of the era. Rick D.
A popular entry-level boat of the 70's/early 80's. The 21 was the more popular. They also made a 26 and even a 30. All were swing keel, altho some of the 26's and 30's had a fixed keel option. They also made a quarter-tonner during the IOR days. As to quality, probably similar to the Ventures of the era. Rick D.
Blister problems
Neighbor had a 26, sailed nicely but very bad blister problems. Check carefully.
Neighbor had a 26, sailed nicely but very bad blister problems. Check carefully.
Most have Blister Problems
I have owned three boats from the 70s and 80s (MacGregors and Gulf Coast). They all had blister problems. It appears to be common with boats from that era.
I have owned three boats from the 70s and 80s (MacGregors and Gulf Coast). They all had blister problems. It appears to be common with boats from that era.
been there
I just gave a clipper 21 away two years ago after owning it for three. The boat was picked up from an older gentleman who hadn't touched or bothered to keep the water out for more than ten years. The boats are famous for the forward bulkheads getting full of water and rotting out as well as the swing keel coming down too fast and causing damage forward of the keel pocket. I did have some fun sailing it on Long Island sound but certainly not a heavy duty boat. I knew the boat intimately because of the major bulkhead renovation so feel free to give me shout if you have any questions. There is clipper marine site if you haven't checked it out. Paul
I just gave a clipper 21 away two years ago after owning it for three. The boat was picked up from an older gentleman who hadn't touched or bothered to keep the water out for more than ten years. The boats are famous for the forward bulkheads getting full of water and rotting out as well as the swing keel coming down too fast and causing damage forward of the keel pocket. I did have some fun sailing it on Long Island sound but certainly not a heavy duty boat. I knew the boat intimately because of the major bulkhead renovation so feel free to give me shout if you have any questions. There is clipper marine site if you haven't checked it out. Paul
We had a 23' Clipper Marine
It was / is a good strong boat, fun to sail but, not very fast. For my $$ the company made a good product. Tom s/v GAIA
It was / is a good strong boat, fun to sail but, not very fast. For my $$ the company made a good product. Tom s/v GAIA
I can't give mine away.
I have a 74' CM 21 that I would love to get rid of. It's old, it shows it's age, needs some work, but it does float. Any interested parties may e-mail me at jpmofmt@comcast.net
I have a 74' CM 21 that I would love to get rid of. It's old, it shows it's age, needs some work, but it does float. Any interested parties may e-mail me at jpmofmt@comcast.net
I,ve owned both
I still own my 1970 Clipper Mk 21. I also owned a Macgregor 25 swing keel for a while. Sold the Mac after a year or so only because I got a nice price on a bigger boat. The Clipper has a slightly more solid feel to it but is solidly on the 'No Frills" side. Believe it or not in the 10 years we've owned the Clipper we've only sailed it 10 or 12 times. (Overshadowed by bigger boats.) We took it out on the bay last summer after another good clean-up on a reasonably windy day (like most every day on Barnegat Bay) and had a great sail. It responds well to trim and traveler. Even at 15 to 20 knots of wind my wife had no trouble steering. Mine has none of the bilster or bulkhead problems discussed previously, but the boat has been dyr sailed it's whole life. Story has it the previous, first owner hauled it with a Corvette. Just for fun I'm posting an ad from Yachting magazine, July 1971.
I still own my 1970 Clipper Mk 21. I also owned a Macgregor 25 swing keel for a while. Sold the Mac after a year or so only because I got a nice price on a bigger boat. The Clipper has a slightly more solid feel to it but is solidly on the 'No Frills" side. Believe it or not in the 10 years we've owned the Clipper we've only sailed it 10 or 12 times. (Overshadowed by bigger boats.) We took it out on the bay last summer after another good clean-up on a reasonably windy day (like most every day on Barnegat Bay) and had a great sail. It responds well to trim and traveler. Even at 15 to 20 knots of wind my wife had no trouble steering. Mine has none of the bilster or bulkhead problems discussed previously, but the boat has been dyr sailed it's whole life. Story has it the previous, first owner hauled it with a Corvette. Just for fun I'm posting an ad from Yachting magazine, July 1971.
Attachments
Another photo post
This ad for Macgregor was on the other side of the page from the Clipper ad in the July 1971 Yachting magazine.
This ad for Macgregor was on the other side of the page from the Clipper ad in the July 1971 Yachting magazine.
Loved and sailed our CM26 for 15 years
We owned a CM26 Flush-Deck from 1985 to 2000. We loved it and sailed it on Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee. You know it was designed by W.E.B.Crealock the designer of the Pacific Seacraft. There were many nice features on the boat and it was very solid. We took it out in some really hairy weather. The Clipper Marine web site (one of several) is: http://www.scbiz.net/jcox/acm/
We owned a CM26 Flush-Deck from 1985 to 2000. We loved it and sailed it on Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee. You know it was designed by W.E.B.Crealock the designer of the Pacific Seacraft. There were many nice features on the boat and it was very solid. We took it out in some really hairy weather. The Clipper Marine web site (one of several) is: http://www.scbiz.net/jcox/acm/
CLM 26 Hull # 550
Tim, I don't know how much you know about the clipper marine. It was designed by W.I.Bill Crealock who now designs for Pacific Seacraft. He designed this series of boats for offshore sailing. He is considered to be one of the fathers of blue-water offshore cruising. The clippers have an average capsize rating of about 1.62 for 15 Crealock designs. The boats were originally produced in Sausalito Ca. Then moved to Santa Ana in 72 or 73. The last 4 digits of the hull number tell you the month and year of manufacture. All the clippers with the exception of the Crealock 37 were from the original CLM 21's design. The 21 was the first design. I have CLM 26 #550 built Oct.73. I am having to replace the interior from years of neglect and have yet to find any delamination or blistering. If you enjoy working on boats the CLM's are worth the fix and Creakock is a great designer. Best of luck, Butch
Tim, I don't know how much you know about the clipper marine. It was designed by W.I.Bill Crealock who now designs for Pacific Seacraft. He designed this series of boats for offshore sailing. He is considered to be one of the fathers of blue-water offshore cruising. The clippers have an average capsize rating of about 1.62 for 15 Crealock designs. The boats were originally produced in Sausalito Ca. Then moved to Santa Ana in 72 or 73. The last 4 digits of the hull number tell you the month and year of manufacture. All the clippers with the exception of the Crealock 37 were from the original CLM 21's design. The 21 was the first design. I have CLM 26 #550 built Oct.73. I am having to replace the interior from years of neglect and have yet to find any delamination or blistering. If you enjoy working on boats the CLM's are worth the fix and Creakock is a great designer. Best of luck, Butch
Have sail a CM32 for 15 years
I have sailed extensively in the Channel Islands for about 15 years in my ’76 Clipper Marine 32 Aft Cabin Ketch. She has been an excellent boat for the price, handling all sorts of weather well. No blister problems at all on the hull (minor on the ruder). The keel is made of steel and has serious corrosion problems, however. The previous owner did not keep the zincs up and I have had to keep a close eye on it. Other than that, sails great, although she does not point very high and is rather sluggish, but makes up for it in being fairly rugged and stable (good for single-handed sailing).
I have sailed extensively in the Channel Islands for about 15 years in my ’76 Clipper Marine 32 Aft Cabin Ketch. She has been an excellent boat for the price, handling all sorts of weather well. No blister problems at all on the hull (minor on the ruder). The keel is made of steel and has serious corrosion problems, however. The previous owner did not keep the zincs up and I have had to keep a close eye on it. Other than that, sails great, although she does not point very high and is rather sluggish, but makes up for it in being fairly rugged and stable (good for single-handed sailing).
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