WA
1577 posts
Ladies and Gents,
My wife and I are comfortable sailors and are looking into the next size up of cruising yacht.
At 6'4" I require a fair bit of boat to feel comfortable inside, fortunately this is weighed off by having the grunt to handle a bit more boat.
As a WesterAus based sailor, I'm keen for a boat that can handle the wind and swells that come in off the Southern Indian Ocean, but can also be comfortable at anchor. Fuel, Water and fridge/freezer space will also come in to play, when I start wheedling the costs between boats.
I'm a bit of a sucker for the older lines (wish I had the money for a Swan) and have come across a couple of likely contenders in the shapes of Baltics and Coles. Boats that can sail into and handle the rougher stuff, but can also sail easily in light, close hauled airs.
While I respect that life is a journey, I'd also like to feel like I'm making progress on that journey.
So far I have been turned off little by Bene's, Farrs, Jenneau's and the like because of the higher freeboard and not quite so pleasant ride into waves
I'm not real keen on the Adams centreboard arrangement as it cramps the interior (I feel it does). But I haven't spent more than an hour on one.
Same goes for the centre cockpit, not sure why but I can't come to love them as I do stern cockpit boats.
So, I guess the key points that I'd like to offer up for your consideration:
- Yacht this size under $100K, am I dreaming?
- Fibreglass hull (teak/not teak deck, I can remove if i have to)
- Controls to cockpit
- Big Winches
- Deckhead height, the higher the better but I'm not liking the tub cabin top profile like the S&S34
- Can sail to windward comfortably
- At least one decent size double berth
- Water, Fuel, Fridge/Freezer for at least 2 weeks
And definitely a colourful spinnaker.
I realise I'm being rather particular here, but my wife has stipulated that the level of spinnaker colour is a deal breaker.
For under $100K, I'd like a boat I can sail this year, but could probably afford to cover some of the deferred maintenance.
I like the look of 70's - 90's Swans, Baltics, Coles but am I being to fussy and aiming for boats that I have to wait until I sell the house before I buy? or are there boats that have similar performance that I just haven't been exposed to?
QLD
2680 posts
G'day D3,
A question; are you a hands on type of guy that is prepared to do the maintenance yourself? Or do you prefer just handing it off to trades?
My question is aimed toward would you buy a sad and tired larger boat and be prepared to spend the nuts amount of hours on the maintenance ?
As you probably know, the purchase price is one thing, the ongoings are equally relevant.
WA
1577 posts
I'm not scared of doing grunt work maintenance and repairs. Technical stuff like rigging for insurance purposes I'll probably pay a professional.
Ideally the boat I purchase wouldn't require an immediate refit. But I'm comfortable with the idea of having to redo Rigging, Engine, sails etc within a few years of buying.
Mark Twain has just had a bit of a tidy up recently, but when I checked her out earlier this year there was a massive amount of work like toe rails and interior. Also she doesn't look all that great for two handed cruising. The amount of money and time to redo her could go towards buying one that doesn't need the work.
Free radical, how long has Anki been for sale? Had a look at her the other day but she's just outside our price range (made me very sad, because she'd almost be ideal)
Anyone know much about Farr 11.6?
I'm trying to broaden field to select from instead of just crying myself to sleep about the ones I can't afford.
NSW
218 posts
Andrew, just looked at that J Boat site. What about that J65 for a dream boat!
NSW
908 posts
I'm looking for something similar. Don't want bolt on keel or teak decks. Would like a round ender.
VIC
9 posts
IMHO you cant go past a Cole43 to fit your stated requirements.
VIC
5904 posts
fixed keel yachts easy to buy , hard to sell , same old story . limited storage options lead to low ingoing outlay ?
VIC
5904 posts
so mcnaughtical do you like the swansons ?
QLD
2680 posts
D3,
There is a Sydney/BH 41 about to come on the market in Brisbane that might tick a few boxes, damn good boats with excellent sailing manners. I think you'll find the price point suited to your budget .
I can put you in contact with the owner if it suits, hasn't been listed yet.
WA
1577 posts
Blackadder is super tempting, ticks a lot of the boxes we have set as mandatories, plus a few more.
Am I being a snob, when I have an image in my mind that a cruiser should have wheel steering rather than tiller? that is what is currently putting me off the Jarkan and Sayer.
The S&S 37 also ticks a few boxes, not completely sold on the lines, but definitely a boat to keep in mind.
I am pretty set on getting a full fibreglass/GRP boat, not keen on timber or sandwich. A Cole or Swan would do me nicely but $$$ at the moment.
Big question, size wise, am I looking in the right ball park?
I'm 6'4" and need a decent length berth to sleep in. I hear of all these people who have cruising boats under 35' but I feel I can and should go for something larger.
Longer boats look nicer, can carry more stuff, sail faster, deal with crappy conditions better.
Need more maintenance, require more grunt to sail them. (the beauty of modern technology is that I can probably handle a bigger boat more comfortably short handed now, than 30 years ago.
Thoughts?
NSW
7757 posts
Different strokes for different folks! To me the tiller steering makes them more attractive to me because I'm a windvane enthusiast.
The problem with bigger boats apart from more expensive mooring and maintenance fees is the weight of everything. Especially as you get older. Try getting a spare headsail for a 40 footer from below by yourself. Try the weight of a spinnaker pole if your going to use a conventional arrangement. I would stick to boats small enough so I can still raise the anchor by hand.
There are a lot of advantages for owning a timber composite vessel and these days the main one seems to be people are scared of them and the prices drop dramatically. Yachts over 30 foot will always have a couple of bunks long enough.
This is the opposite of what you need!
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/balmain/sail-boats/1991-van-de-stadt-34/1156441381
Dexport said..
