Hello all,

I am looking between two of these boats. My plan is to cruise around the east coast and down to Tasmania every now and then, but mostly sailing around Lake Mac and the Hawkesbury. I am not in to racing and want enough room for my kids and I neither are over 10. I plan is to eventually live aboard (shhh...don't tell government). I would be single handed much of the time till my kids get older.

The clansman is in much better shape but is a bit more. $12k more. The Cav32 could be had much lower than asking price as it looks like the engine is need of work (may need an overhaul) and the interior is in need of a refresh. The rigging on both are coming up for replacement in the next few years and the Cav needs anti fouling and a new coat of paint on her hull. The electronics on both are original and I would eventually replace them with modern equipment. Electrical is not a big deal for me as I have had to rewire military aircraft in the past. I am very handy with tools so not doubt I could handle 80% of what is required for both boats.

The beam on the cav32 is almost a half a meter wider (which would help with room down below) but the draft is almost a foot more,

Eventually I wouldn't mind getting some blue water miles under her.

Any one have experience with either one of these and its sailing capabilities? I know the Cav can handle blue water and the Clansman has travlled between NSW and Tasmania a few times, so i believe these boats are both capable sailors.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

I believe the Cav32 has an encapsulated Keel, so no keel bolts to worry about. Though I could be wrong.

have a look at the H28 great cruiser and there a few about for sale

Personally I would forget the clansman.
Very old design not a lot of room. Also 12 grand is a fare bit both need similar work put the 12 into extra work or better equipment.
Now in that 32- 35 ft mark there are a lot of boats for sail. A lot on here have blinkers and will only suggest the make of boat they have. But there are so many different boats for sail and they will give you a lot more room for the kids. They are only going to get older and require more room. Plus if you are going to live aboard things like showers become necessary. Keep looking.

My mate has a cav 32 and i have a manitou32 this would be a similar comparison. ( dont start on my choice of boat lol) the cav is huge compared to mine, you can swing two cats in it. Boat speed surprisingly similar although the manitou is a stiff boat so i tend not to reef to often. The main diference we found was that i live ON mine, as in outside in the cockpit due to the small international volume. My mate lives IN his staying down below with more room. But we both agree my manitou was better as i have a bbq and coffee maker lol. But i do like the cav32 was just out of my price range at the time. Like everything a cheap boat might not be cheap,a new engine and rerigg and youve done 15 k.

I have raced on both in Sydney Harbour. The Clansman is solid, sails well but everybody gets soaked when the wind is above 12kts or so. It is small for its length.
The Cav was roomy and sailed well. Ramona's comment about one getting knocked down is something I have heard happen to them as well. Even Kay Cottee in a Cav 37 got knocked down a few times in her round the world effort. My view is they are too tender for anything but coastal offshore work.
Why not look at the S&S34 as well, or a Mottle 33. They can both go anywhere.
If you are in Sydney I can take you for a sail on my S&S34.

SailMark said..
Cav 32/975 has a bolt on keel. They are fast, sail high to wind very well.
I suspect that they suffer from the odd knockdown because they inspire confidence and skippers therefore may be late to reduce sail plan, which really requires people on deck to change down jibs. The main is comparatively small and well controlled with the traveller at the bridgedeck.

In my experience most blue water knock downs are wave induced with the wind contributing. I believe the Cavs lack inherent stability for those sort of conditions. They rely more on form stability than on the heavy keel. I believe a steep wave overwhelms them.

SailMark said..
OK
Odd dimensions for form stability.
A steep wave will always do it for you.
I stand corrected.
Again.
Love to learn so much from this site.

I have surfed a Cav 975 on really steep short waves and never had an issue with stability, form or otherwise. At the time I admit that I thought a bit more rudder in the water might help.
No experience with a Clansman at all.

My completly unbiased opinion is that if you want the best 30 footer or 35 footer the only choice is a Lotus 9.2 or a Lotus 10.6 respectively.

Hard to find in Australia and those that own them are very reluctant to part with them. There are a few for sale in Kiwiland. Sorry, I retract that.

I can only find two Lotus yachts for sale, both being 10.6s. One in Qld and the other in Vic.

yachthub.com/list/search.html?action=search&keywords=Lotus+10.6

These guys are doing some great sailing on a Lotus 9.2 and have a heap of vids on the chube.

Doesn't work for me either Phoenix.

PhoenixStar said..

samsturdy said..
Doesn't work for me either Phoenix.

Try this one.

www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/

That add does not do her justice. No mention of the wireless remote anchor winch with rode counter, recon gear box, Polyflex coupling and stern gland, fully compliant 240 volt stuff, MPPT controller Hypalon dinghy. The list goes on and on.

I'll have to throw some money at the Cabot 36 to get her near the same standard. In fact she may never get to be as well maintained.

Yep, that one worked Phoenix. Are we expecting a name change with the new boat, From Phoenix to..........

Hi guys
I Sail a Cav32 in Newcastle.
They are a great boat. Solid, stiff and dry. I love it.
I singlehand mostly
They have circumnavigated, raced the Sydney to Hobart and drifted around Pittwater.
Sounds pretty good to me
cheers