The Southerly 115 Sailboat

Based on these ratios, the Southerly 115 can be classified as a heavy displacement cruising boat with moderate sail area and high stability. The boat is likely to perform well in strong winds and rough seas, but may be slower and less responsive in light airs. The boat has a good balance of speed and comfort, and can handle a variety of sailing conditions.

The Southerly 115 is no longer in production. The last model was built in 2011, when Northshore Yachts ceased trading due to financial difficulties. According to the Southerly Owners Association, a total of 224 Southerly 115 boats were built over four generations: Mk I (1983-1988), Mk II (1988-1994), Mk III (1994-2005), and Mk IV (2005-2011).

The Southerly 115 underwent several changes and improvements over its production history, resulting in four distinct versions:

• The Mk I version had a triangular airfoil-shaped drop keel and a single shallow rudder. It had a fractional rig with a self-tacking jib and an optional cutter rig. It had a two-cabin layout with a double berth aft and a V-berth forward.

• The Mk II version had a more streamlined drop keel with a bulb at the bottom and a twin rudder system. It had a masthead rig with a genoa and an optional cutter rig. It had a three-cabin layout with two double berths aft and a V-berth forward.

• The Mk III version had a redesigned hull shape with more freeboard and volume. It had a deeper drop keel with more ballast and a twin rudder system. It had a masthead rig with a genoa and an optional cutter rig or ketch rig. It had a three-cabin layout with two double berths aft and an offset double berth forward.

• The Mk IV version had an improved drop keel mechanism with hydraulic control and an indicator gauge. It had a twin rudder system with optional skegs for better directional stability. It had a masthead rig with a genoa and an optional cutter rig or ketch rig. It had a three-cabin layout with two double berths aft and an offset double berth forward.

The Southerly 115 can sleep up to eight people on board, depending on the model and configuration. The boat has three cabins that can accommodate six people in double berths, plus two more people in the saloon that can be converted into single berths.

The Southerly 115 received mostly positive reviews from the sailing press, praising its versatility, performance, and comfort. Here are some excerpts from some of the reviews:

• "The Southerly 115 is a boat that can take you anywhere. It has the ability to sail in deep water with a good turn of speed and point high to the wind, yet at the touch of a button, the keel can be raised to give a draft of just over two feet, allowing you to explore shallow creeks or dry out on a beach." (Sailing Today, 2006)

• "The Southerly 115 is a well-built, well-designed boat that offers a unique combination of shoal draft and good sailing qualities. It is not a boat for everyone, but for those who value the freedom and flexibility that it offers, it is hard to beat." (Sail Magazine, 2008)

• "The Southerly 115 is a boat that can do it all. It can cross oceans, cruise coastlines, and venture into the shallowest of waters. It is a boat that can adapt to your sailing style and preferences, whether you want a simple sloop or a fully rigged ketch. It is a boat that can provide comfort and convenience for long-term living aboard or short-term holidays." (Yachting Monthly, 2010)

Owners of the Southerly 115 are generally very happy with their boats, and often share their experiences and adventures on blogs, forums, and social media. Here are some quotes from some of the owners:

• "We have owned our Southerly 115 for over 10 years and have sailed her extensively in the UK, Europe, and the Caribbean. She has been a fantastic boat for us, reliable, comfortable, and fun to sail. We love her swing keel system, which allows us to access places that other boats can't. She has been our home away from home and we have made many wonderful memories on board." (Chris and Laura Mlynarczyk, owners of Blue Sky)

• "Our Southerly 115 is our dream boat. We bought her in 2012 and have since sailed her around the world. She has performed brilliantly in all kinds of conditions, from light winds to storms, from calm seas to big waves. She has been spacious enough for our family of four and our guests, and cozy enough for just the two of us. She has given us the freedom and flexibility to explore new horizons and discover new cultures." (Mark and Sue Sanders, owners of Distant Shores)

• "We have owned our Southerly 115 since 2009 and have sailed her mainly in the Mediterranean. She has been a great boat for us, easy to handle, fast, and comfortable. We love her center cockpit design, which gives us a lot of privacy and protection. We also love her variable draft, which allows us to anchor close to shore or dry out on the sand. She has been our perfect cruising companion." (Peter and Anne Jones, owners of Sea Mist)

The builders of the Southerly 115 were Northshore Yachts Ltd., a British company founded in 1971 by John Baker and Tom Richardson. The company started by building small sailing dinghies and later expanded to larger cruising yachts under the Southerly brand. The company was known for its innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship, and became one of the leading manufacturers of swing keel sailboats in the world.

Unfortunately, Northshore Yachts went into administration in 2013 due to financial difficulties caused by the global recession and declining sales. The company was acquired by another British company called Discovery Yachts Group Ltd., which continued to produce some of the Southerly models under a new name: Discovery Swing Keel Yachts Ltd.

However, in 2019, Discovery Yachts Group also went into administration after facing legal disputes with some of its customers and suppliers. The company was taken over by another British company called Binti Marine Holdings Ltd., which currently owns the rights to the Southerly brand and plans to resume production of some of the models in the future.

The mast on the Southerly 115 is deck-stepped on a stainless steel compression post that rests on a reinforced bulkhead below. This arrangement allows for easier maintenance and inspection of the mast base and wiring.

The Southerly 115 has a unique swing keel system that allows the boat to adjust its draft from 0.69 m (2 ft 3 in) to 2.46 m (8 ft 1 in) by using a hydraulic ram. The keel is made of cast iron and has a lead bulb at the bottom for extra stability. The keel can be raised or lowered by using a control panel in the cockpit or at the chart table. The boat also has an indicator gauge that shows the position of the keel at any time.

The average asking price of a secondhand Southerly 115 depends on the model, condition, and equipment of the boat, as well as the location and market demand. According to YachtWorld, a global online marketplace for boats, the current range of prices for a used Southerly 115 is from £59,950 to £199,950, with an average of £114,950.

The Southerly 115 is a unique sailboat in its class, as it offers the versatility of a swing keel system that enables it to sail in deep or shallow waters. There are not many other sailboats that have this feature, but some possible competitors are:

• The Feeling 1090, a French-built sailboat that has a lifting keel and twin rudders. It has a similar length and beam to the Southerly 115, but a lighter displacement and less sail area. It has a two-cabin layout with a double berth aft and a V-berth forward.

• The Ovni 365, an aluminum-hulled sailboat that has a lifting keel and twin rudders. It has a slightly longer length and beam than the Southerly 115, but a heavier displacement and more sail area. It has a three-cabin layout with two double berths aft and an offset double berth forward.

• The Sirius 35 DS, a German-built sailboat that has a lifting keel and twin rudders. It has a shorter length and beam than the Southerly 115, but a similar displacement and sail area. It has a two-cabin layout with a double berth aft and an offset double berth forward.

The Southerly 115 was designed by two renowned naval architects: Dick Carter and Rob Humphreys.

Dick Carter was an American designer who was famous for his successful racing yachts in the 1960s and 1970s, such as Red Rooster, Rabbit, and Imp. He also designed several other cruising yachts for Northshore Yachts, such as the Southerly 100, 105, and 110.

Rob Humphreys is a British designer who is known for his innovative and versatile designs for various clients, such as Oyster Yachts, Elan Yachts, and Moody Yachts. He also designed several other models for Northshore Yachts, such as the Southerly 135, 38, and 47.