Southerly 115 Sailboats for Sale

The design evolved through several mark versions over roughly two decades of production. The earliest Mk I boats carried a single shallow rudder matched to a triangular drop-keel profile; that rudder had a tendency to ventilate as the boat heeled, a known characteristic that led Northshore Yachts to bring in designer Rob Humphreys for a significant rework. The Mk II introduced twin rudders and a revised keel with greater depth and lift — the configuration that defines the line for most buyers today. Subsequent Mk III and Mk IV updates were largely above the waterline and changed interior arrangements and deck details rather than the sailing platform itself. If you have the choice, the twin-rudder Mk II and later marks represent a meaningful improvement over the original single-rudder design.

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin arrangements dominate what you will find on the brokerage market. The typical layout places a forward cabin with over-and-under single berths rather than the V-berth common on production boats of this era, a spacious saloon amidships, and a commodious owner's aft stateroom aft of the centre cockpit — a berth that runs close to king-size and is the boat's signature interior feature. The navigation station is roomy, with a large chart table and generous instrument panel space. The galley sits to port forward of the companionway with ample counter area, an L-shaped configuration, and a front-opening refrigeration compartment. Headroom through the saloon is adequate beneath the raised cabintop, though the swing-keel trunk running through the interior does intrude into the galley counter area and sole space; this is worth understanding before you inspect, as it is structural rather than cosmetic.

Two-cabin versions do appear occasionally but are considerably less common than the three-cabin arrangement.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats on the used market are generally well equipped by the standards of cruising sailors heading for tidal waters or extended passages. Chartplotters, radar, AIS, and autopilots are commonly fitted, reflecting the offshore-capable intentions of original and subsequent owners. Heating systems — both forced-air and solid-fuel types — appear with regularity given the boat's British origins and North Sea design brief. Bow thrusters are widely fitted across the fleet, and on the later Mk IV boats a joystick-controlled thruster was offered as factory equipment; given how the keel-up condition changes docking dynamics in a crosswind, a bow thruster is close to mandatory for single-handed or short-handed marina work. Teak decks are a frequent feature and should be examined carefully for delamination and fastener condition.

In terms of owner upgrades, biminis and dodgers are sometimes fitted — though the centre-cockpit layout and North Sea-oriented cockpit design can make installation and egress somewhat awkward, and it is worth checking the fit carefully. Furling mains and short-handed sailing packages appear frequently, reflecting the typical owner profile of a couple or solo sailor. Inverters, electric winches, spinnaker gear, and hot-water systems are less universal but surface regularly enough to be worth asking about. Life rafts are often carried and their service histories should be verified.

What to Inspect

The swing keel and its mechanical system deserve the most thorough attention on any survey. The cast-iron keel and integral grounding plate are susceptible to rust working through primer and barrier coats over time and require periodic refinishing. Inspect the keel surfaces carefully when the boat is hauled, and get the hydraulic system tested through full travel — the mechanism itself is relatively simple, but any leaks, slow response, or resistance in the pennant system are red flags. On older hulls, confirm that the keel trunk sealing and the fiberglass floor pan around the keel well are sound and uncracked.

The hull below the waterline is solid hand-laid fibreglass, while the topsides and deck are balsa-cored; probe the deck carefully for delamination and soft spots, particularly around chainplate areas, deck hardware, and hatches. Light-coloured gelcoat — particularly light-blue options — has shown a tendency to fade and craze faster than traditional white, so expect some weathering on coloured topsides.

The conventional shaft seal installed at the factory used a light-gauge bronze hose barb that becomes brittle with age — check this carefully and budget for replacement if it has not been addressed. GFCI outlets were not original equipment, so the interior electrical system may not meet current safety expectations and should be evaluated by a marine electrician, particularly if the boat has been brought to North American waters where those standards apply.

On the rig, the Seldén double-spreader aluminium mast is deck-stepped with a compression post through the cabin; inspect that post and its bearing surfaces for any rot or compression damage. The chainplates are inboard toward the cabin trunk and should be checked for signs of leaking or corrosion at their deck penetrations. The Whitlock cable-and-quadrant steering is generally considered robust, but cables, sheaves, and quadrant condition all warrant inspection on older boats. Mk I single-rudder examples deserve particular scrutiny of the rudder bearings and stock, as that design was retired for a reason.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Southerly 115 is most widely available in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, where the majority of the production fleet has always been concentrated. A secondary market exists in the Mediterranean, particularly Greece. North American inventory is thinner — boats do appear along the US East Coast and Gulf Coast, drawn by the obvious appeal of Florida's shallow cruising grounds and the Bahamas, but they are uncommon enough that patience is required and transatlantic acquisition should be considered a realistic option.

For a buyer who genuinely needs the capability — tidal harbours, drying anchorages, the Gulf Coast, the Bahamas — the Southerly 115 remains one of the few production boats in this size range that delivers genuine shoal-draft cruising without significant performance compromise. Aim for a Mk II or later with twin rudders already fitted.

Before committing, verify the following:

• Swing keel through full hydraulic travel, keel surfaces inspected for rust and barrier coat condition
• Keel trunk sealing and fiberglass pan around the keel well
• Deck coring integrity, especially around chainplates, hatches, and all deck hardware
• Shaft seal and hose barb condition
• Compression post and its bearing surfaces above and below
• Chainplate condition and deck penetrations for signs of weeping
• Electrical system review for safety compliance, including GFCI protection
• Bow thruster function and service history if fitted
• Life raft service records and certification status
• Teak deck fastener and sealant condition if fitted
• Rudder bearing condition, particularly on Mk I single-rudder examples