Copland Boats Harrier 20 · Skipper Ollie · East Coast, UK
The most fun for the money!
What should a buyer know?
Check the keel box. On a lifting-keel Harrier it’s the first place to look. Elise’s needed reinforcing, so get under the boat and inspect it properly before you hand over any money.
Check the decks. They’re balsa-cored, and the core can rot if water gets in. Walk the deck and press for soft or spongy spots.
Why I bought her
Affordable, accessible and manageable. That was the whole idea. Elise cost £1,400, she lives on a trailer, and she’s small enough to handle without a crew of friends or a marina budget. Six years on, that thinking has held up.
Where she shines
She’s a lively boat to sail, with the clean lines of 1980s design. She’s hit over 9 knots through the water on a downwind run across the Thames Estuary. Not bad for a 20-footer.
Adventures
Elise has taken us up and down the East Coast, including a 170-nautical-mile round trip from Southwold to Dover and back.
The most memorable moment was crossing the North Sea. A 20ft trailer sailer has no business being out there, which is exactly what made it unforgettable. All told, she’s carried us around 3,000 miles.
Upgrades & repairs
Keel box repairs and keel bolts.
More photos
Meet the Skipper
Ollie, creator of BOATED OUT. Small boat, big adventure.
Follow Ollie’s adventuresGot a boat with a story?
Share the real costs, the highlights and the compromises. It only takes a few minutes.
Submit your log