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| © Yachtsnet Ltd. 2000/2024 |
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Yachtsnet's
archive of boat details and pictures
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The following information and photographs are
displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs
are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation.
No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being
identical. Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured
to indicate this in these archive details. |
Twister |
Brief Notes
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Builder |
mostly built by Uphams, Brixham,
though other builders and home builders did complete Twisters |
Twisters are
one of the absolute classic long-keel cruisers, first built
in wood in 1963. Although accommodation is modest, they are
fast and seaworthy, as well as very pretty. |
Length OA |
28' 3" (GRP hulls) or
27' 9" (wooden hulls) |
Sail Area |
Several slight variations were made to rig. Uphams quoted
425 sq ft |
Length WL |
21' 6" |
Rig |
Sloop |
Beam |
8' 1" |
Cabins |
2 |
Draught |
5' 0" (GRP hulls) or
5' 3"
(wooden) |
Berths |
4 or 5 |
Displacement |
9,968 lbs (GRP hulls) 9,856 lbs (wooden) |
Engine type |
various |
Ballast |
4,480 lbs (GRP hulls) 4,032 lbs (wooden) |
Engine bhp |
usually 6 - 10 |
Keel type |
Long keel with cutaway forefoot |
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The Twister is a Kim Holman design from 1963, the first
boat built, "Twister of Mersea", in traditional
carvel wooden construction, proving phenomenally successful
in offshore racing.
About 30 all-wood Twisters were built before the design was
modified very slightly ( six inches more length, three inches
less draught, and a slightly fuller bow ) for GRP hull construction by Tylers.
In 1964 the first of these GRP composite boats were built,
with timber coachroof and deck. In 1969 Tylers started moulding
all-GRP Twisters.
The majority of the composite and earlier GRP Twisters were completed by Uphams of Brixham, though some hulls were sold to other builders and home completers.
In the 1960s new composite Twisters sold for under £4,500, whilst by the late 1970s new all-GRP boats were around £20,000.
Prices now depend very much on condition, particularly in the case of the earlier boats with timber coachroofs.
Twisters sail beautifully, and are still sought after as
all-weather fast cruisers. Despite their moderately heavy displacement they sail surprisingly well in lighter winds. There have been a number of minor variations in rig height over the years, also a very few were buit with a significantly taller "Med rig".
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