The long shallow  keel allows them to sail well in shallow waters and protective keel banding  enables them to be launched and  sailed on to a beach without damage. The keel and runners have  stainless steel protective banding. The ballast which is encapsulated in the keel gives them better stability than a similar sized dinghy  and there is no need to sit out over the side when sailing.and these are craft that you sit inside in a secure and confortable cockpit. The absence of a protruding centre board case gives a spacious, uncluttered cockpit.

The rudder is protected by the keel and the craft is launced and retrieved with the rudder and out board engine in place all ready to use.  There is no need to hang over the stern fitting a rudders or engine, nor to drop a centre plate before you can start sailing. With a Character Boat you just launch and immediately start sailing or motor as required.

Engines

On most craft within our range the engine is situated in a well within the cockpit where it is convenient and easy to operate. Being easily driven sailing hulls, modern 2hp to 4hp./ 4 stroke engines are more than adequate to propel the craft at full speed on half throttle in tidal waters.

The craft are set up with a traditional rig with a distinctive suit of quality tan sails..The commercial background of the craft with their seaworthy hulls and full built in buoyancy has left a legacy of safety and sailing efficiency, retained in the latest generation of craft, allowing the experienced skipper to accomodate varying skill levels within his crew.

The craft have a generous sail area for good light airs performance but are all equipped as standard with 2 rows of  slab reefing for the mainsails which is easy to use afloat if the need should arise The mainsail can be reefed afloat single handed in less than two minutes, a huge safety factor.

The foresail is normally equipped with a furling drum for ease of rolling sail away when coming in to a mooring or landing. A roller reefing spar for the foresail is an option if required.

When reefed to suit conditions, the craft can be used with in winds up to force 6, with a suitably experienced crew, although most leisure sailors would not want to be out in these conditions. 

Character Boats are well balanced, properly rigged and finely tuned to give a performance which will satisfy the most experienced of sailors yet can easily be handled by the less experienced.