Make sure it has a lead keel not cast iron!

Oh and alot of enthusiasm, time and money will be needed for a cheap old boat just keep that in mind!

Well Currawongs are one of the best 30 foot yachts ever built. Built to the half ton rule they are the smallest yachts to ever win the Sydney Hobart race.
They only come with lead keels, fully encased so no leaks ever. They will not fit under a 12 metre bridge. Hulls were molded by Baker and there was no better craftsman of that era.

30 grand will get you a really good boat but not mine!

A mate had a Swanson 32. Sailed very nicely from Pittwater to Sydney in good conditions.
I understand the Swanson deck can suffer from water in the ply. Not aware of other problems.
Ramona has a Currawong, I'm sure he can sing their praises, and he knows what he is talking about.

84Sonata said..

If you were to choose between a Currawong 30 and a Swanson 32 of similar condition, what would your choice be ?
Any comments regarding differences in performance, ease of handling / single handing, maintainability ?
Thanks,

Well I bought a Currawong but I have always been a fan of Swanson 32's. I looked at a Swanson 32 a few years ago, bubble cabin version, laid deck and a twin spreader rig and one of the rare factory fit outs. It was 40 grand at the time but the same boat was on eBay for 15 a few months back with a new engine. I did not buy at the time because of the old Yanmar engine [horizontal 12hp].

The Swanson has an encased lead keel like the Currawong so there are no keel bolts to worry about. Slightly longer and nearly a foot wider they are fairly roomy. Headroom depends on which cabin they have. The bubble cabin has full in the main cabin but not forward. Later versions have the long cabin from the 36 and there are variations on these as well. My mates has an extended bubble cabin! They all have fibreglass moulded cabins and cockpits but the deck is glassed over ply. The Currawong is all 'glass.
Performance wise the Currawong is probably faster but not by much. Both are supreme ocean going vessels, easy to singlehand and will look after you.

I would go for the one with the best equipment level. Mast head furler, twin speed self tailing winches and good race history. But forget all the crap and buy from the heart.

Went the other way around..... from keel boat to trailer sailer.
How do you like the smell of fresh bird crap?
That what put me off. More cleaning than sailing. Also could not get close to beaches and the worry of a reef or sand bank (did it once ).
I keep my Farr 740 at my club (hardstand)with the mast up for about $350 a year, no poo, no barnicles, no antifouling, no worries about losing the mooring after each storm.

MatM14 said..

Interesting comments on the Swanson 32 soggy deck issue. Being the owner of one I can't say I have noticed this and she is nearly 30 years on the water. If it was a common problem I am thankful I got lucky but I am wondering what the tell tale signs would be? What should I be looking for?

If you had a laid deck, that is a laid deck over ply you may have problems with moisture getting into the ply though failed fastenings, but with glass over ply you should be trouble free. Get back to us in another 30 years!


As Fiesta mentioned above, Zeus II was the smallest boat boat to win the Sydney Hobart. It is also the only yacht to ever win designed by an amateur!

Whatever way you go try and go for a tiller rather than wheel. They are a lot easier for shorthanded. I'm currently converting my Currawong from wheel to tiller and it's a fair bit of rigmarole.

Have a look at the Cavalier 32 or 975 as they are sometimes called. A very comfortable sea boat, pretty to look at, easily single handed and can do 7 knots over the ground under headsail alone. I owned one for 5 years and wish I'd never sold it.

Hey iv got the perfect boat at 11.80 meters and just on the market! 'Look in the classifieds' but I have heard good things about the currywong. As for tiller steer! Hmmm, I just push the button on the course master and go to bed :) or cook tea, change sails and etc. anyhow its a buyers market so have fun in the hunt.