Kingfisher 30 Reviews and Adventures

(1) The following is a report from CHAY BLYTH sailing a Kingfisher 30

Position 35 40’S 27 55’E

I’ve now been at sea for 96 days, that’s over three months, having covered approximately 9,000 miles both in the North and South Atlantic.

I’ve seen all sorts of weather - the worst is probably the squalls - they seem to come from nowhere. I suggest you read and see the pictures of Sir Francis Chichester’s book about Gypsy Moth IV - the chapter about the Roaring Forties - that’s exactly what its like.

I am very impressed by the strength of Dytiscus - you really have a first class boat in the Kingfisher 30. She has taken some fantastic seas and she still comes up proud.

I have been in two hurricanes in an open rowing boat so I suppose I am critical without thinking - but here with Dytiscus I find it most difficult to criticize anything.

I’ve had waves right over the cockpit and the saloon with terrific crashes, nothing ever seems to give - she will shake as to get rid of the water then carry on.

I was very worried about the windows - I was sure they would break - now I feel I would be quite stunned if they were to break.

The thing I probably like best is two fold really - one the minimum of maintenance and the simplicity of everything. It really is a most excellent sea layout and the next is the large and deep cockpit - you feel and are secure when you are in the cockpit.

I would feel you could leave a child in it with comparative safety.

When the waves are breaking that very efficient self draining cockpit is an enormous boon.

I would say to any potential customer - if they want a floating caravan - don’t waste your time - if you want a boat for family weekend sailing or the Roaring Forties then come for a sail in a Kingfisher 30.

I wish you every success - with a design like you have you must surely succeed.

Please see below photos and comments taken from Chay and Maureen’s book ‘Innocent Aboard’

Innocent Aboard Book Cover

Chay is very lost soon after leaving the shores of England

In the tropics the cockpit was splendid for Chay's regular shave

Further South it meant oilskins on deck

Maureen keeps her safety harness clipped on

Dytiscus is a 30 foot long resin-glass sloop of the Kingfisher class

(2) ‘Devil’s Gold’ by TED FALCON-BARKER who sailed a Kingfisher 30

"Only two people know where the treasure lies, myself and the Devil, and he who lives the longest can claim it all" BLACKBEARD

Devils’s Gold is a stirring epic of today. Spanish treasure, won from the sea bottom on a Caribbean reef; a night attack on their boat, leading to the death of one of the trio on board; work among sharks, and on one occasion, a man taken before their very eyes; a winter’s cruise in the North Sea, and setting out into cold February gales across the Atlantic and all to explore dangerous reefs all in a standard thirty-foot resin glass sloop, built by Westfield Engineering of Poole in 1966.

Fitted with twin keels, she could sail comfortably in four feet of water. With the forecabin, saloon, open cockpit and stern cabin, she ensured maximum privacy for four people, and could take six at a pinch, by sleeping two extra bodies in the saloon. The 15hp diesel, with tankage for upto 1,000 miles, made her reasonably independant of sea and weather. Delivery was agreed fro April 1st 1966 and it was agreed that the yacht christened Charon would be sailed to the Mediterranean for trials. The third crew member was to join in Tangiers during January the following year; and from there Charon would cast off to Haiti, an estimated voyage of two months.

As I read the book I will update the story!

Please see below photos and comments taken from Ted Falcon-Barker’s book ‘Devil’s Gold’