Does it have a Hull Identification Number engraved on the transom (usually on the upper right)? Typically those contain a 3-letter code that identifies the manufacturer.
Dang... I'm baffled. I thought it was a Princess 18, but nope. I'm impressed by the owner's faith in his stern rail though - I wouldn't have the guts to lift the boat that way.
It's definitely a FAM building by Klepper in Germany. There are Lots of these on our location Laken. It's still quite a popular second hand boat. I think the original builder has gone bust.
My suggestion would have been to check the HIN, but that has already been covered. Be aware though that it may not be correct. I checked my little sailboat's number on the US Coast Guard site because the title said it was made by Nature. The USCG site had a different manufacturer. Years later I checked it again and the manufacturer was listed as Glastech (note only one "s"). Since we are in Ohio, and Glastech is listed as a defunct Ohio boat manufacturer, I had the title corrected to reflect that. Still don't know who made it!
If there is no HIN, try looking at boat profiles for that slanted rear cabin bulkhead. Something that distinctive should help identification a lot.
If you bring the HIN to a professional sailmaker, do not be surprised if the information is in their computer. If you don't have any luck and don't have the sails [The main usually has the builder's logo on it.] you will need the sailmaker to design a suit of sails, anyway.
As far as the boom goes, if you have the main, simply get the appropriate length of aluminum spar, get the right type of gooseneck and hardware for the ends of the spar, rig it up and go sailing.
Don't worry too much about authenticity. The fact that you are reaching out for help suggests that there is no class association in your area.
I would guess that it was made by Reinell Boats in Washington State. A friend had a larger Reinell sailboat, and the cabin windows were the same as this one.
Looks like it might be a FAM, Made in Germany. Check out Igor Stopniks YouTube channel. He did a great video documenting a trip he did in Norway sailing a FAM that he had customized himself.
Does it have a Hull Identification Number engraved on the transom (usually on the upper right)? Typically those contain a 3-letter code that identifies the manufacturer.
Glad you finally became a paid subscriber, Greg. Often the comments are as interesting as the article.
Dang... I'm baffled. I thought it was a Princess 18, but nope. I'm impressed by the owner's faith in his stern rail though - I wouldn't have the guts to lift the boat that way.
I thought the same thing…
Just for fun, I had MS Copilot look at the four pictures and I asked it what the boat might be. This is what Copilot said:
MacGregor 25 (first choice)
Catalina 22
O’Day 23
Venture 24 (second choice)
And, like Greg D. said, knowing the HIN will help.
It's definitely a FAM building by Klepper in Germany. There are Lots of these on our location Laken. It's still quite a popular second hand boat. I think the original builder has gone bust.
After looking at pictures online, I'd say you are 100% correct.
Exactly, it is a Fam from Klepper/Germany.
Looks like something Bayliner would make but I couldn't find it on line.
What are the dimensions of the boat, including the length of the centerboard?
My suggestion would have been to check the HIN, but that has already been covered. Be aware though that it may not be correct. I checked my little sailboat's number on the US Coast Guard site because the title said it was made by Nature. The USCG site had a different manufacturer. Years later I checked it again and the manufacturer was listed as Glastech (note only one "s"). Since we are in Ohio, and Glastech is listed as a defunct Ohio boat manufacturer, I had the title corrected to reflect that. Still don't know who made it!
If there is no HIN, try looking at boat profiles for that slanted rear cabin bulkhead. Something that distinctive should help identification a lot.
If you bring the HIN to a professional sailmaker, do not be surprised if the information is in their computer. If you don't have any luck and don't have the sails [The main usually has the builder's logo on it.] you will need the sailmaker to design a suit of sails, anyway.
As far as the boom goes, if you have the main, simply get the appropriate length of aluminum spar, get the right type of gooseneck and hardware for the ends of the spar, rig it up and go sailing.
Don't worry too much about authenticity. The fact that you are reaching out for help suggests that there is no class association in your area.
I would guess that it was made by Reinell Boats in Washington State. A friend had a larger Reinell sailboat, and the cabin windows were the same as this one.
Looks like a Fam - which another user mentioned. This trailer sailer was built by different German companies, among others Klepper.
More than 2.500 boats were built since 1969.
Dimensions in German :-)
Länge üA: 5,40 m Länge WL: 5,10 m Breite üA: 2,05 m Freibord: 0,44 m
Tiefgang: 0,13 / 0,92 m Masthöhe: 8,00 m, Gewicht: ca. 450 kg Ballast, Kiel: 88 kg
Segelfläche: Großsegel: 10,7 m², Fock: 4,5 m²
There is a very active Fam Assiciation called: FAMAS - s. https://www.famas-deutschland.de
https://www.famas-deutschland.de/fileadmin/user_upload/gebrauchtboote/mai2025/isis_1.jpg
https://youtu.be/HvbSuS3tMZY?si=YSu4Z-zaHZdj7lmm
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/fam/
Thanks Tim. Will check it out.
Looks like it might be a FAM, Made in Germany. Check out Igor Stopniks YouTube channel. He did a great video documenting a trip he did in Norway sailing a FAM that he had customized himself.
I am from manila philippines btw…
This is Timmy. The owner of the mystery boat. I thought is was a princess 18 when I bought it… but per Princess boats it’s not.
I need to buy a used (or new) 8-9 foot boom for the boat (it was purchased without a boom) .. any suggestions?