Does anyone have any actual experience with or information they could share on Endeavour yachts, 26 or 27FT?

Meg1122 said..
Does anyone have any actual experience with or information they could share on Endeavour yachts, 26 or 27FT?

You already have a beaut Folkboat 26. Why the question??

Great boats as for sailing abilities the 26 is better than the 27 also a lot cheaper. If you want to race they are still very popular and have an active association.
A little bit dearer but more room and can be a lot better finished as most endeavor were home fitted out is a tasman 26 or a cavalier.

The key issue with some of the older boats is the state of the keel bolts and rigging. The Endeavours have bolt on keels, and i think that is why they are cheap. The best bet IMHO is the Top Hat 25. Standing headroom, encapsulated keel ballast (no bolts!) and choice of inboard or outboard. Reasonable condition boats going for circa $8,000 these days, and excellent ones for $12,000.

Meg1122 said..
Does anyone have any actual experience with or information they could share on Endeavour yachts, 26 or 27FT?

The one on eBay has the right diesel.

Meg1122 said..
Does anyone have any actual experience with or information they could share on Endeavour yachts, 26 or 27FT?

Meg,

Go here www.tophatyachts.com for all the info on Top Hats.

Top Hats can go for as low as 4K and still be in reasonable condition. There is one for sale on the site now.

All have 6' foot headroom. They were designed (1963) for the JOG in England and their conditions are worse than here.

On my present voyage up the east coast of Aus I've done over 1700nm and only once have I said "Oh S...!" and wondered why I said that after the event.
Top Hats are very sea kindly boats. I regularly sail at 5.5 to 6.5 knots in the right conditions and have had her up to 11.6 knots in one 50m spurt!!

Unlike other yachts there is always a steady turn over of Top Hats as people up size.

PM me if you need any other info.

If you want a 27 footer with a 30 foot interior,six foot headroom ,very simple sail-plan for one handed ,quality build by Internaional Marine (Carabbean ) with classy interior,including enclosed head and cheap , have a look at the Columbia 27 and use it as a benchmark.
Not an Ocean voyager though but perfect for weekends IMO.

Meg1122 said..
Thanks everyone for all the information, shall look into the Tophats for sure

Goooooooooo Meg

Yara said..

Ramona said..
I like Tophats too. The only think I have against the production 26's are the cast iron keels. My quarter tonner [M@W 26] had a bolt on lead keel and there is much less maintenance with these. Lots of choices in this size and price range and I would be considering Adams 26's, Supersonic 27's, M26 Folkboats, Contessa's etc, even boats like this one; http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yacht-macgregor-26ft-inboard-BMW-Diesel-/111742434521?hash=item1a045e3cd9
Though I don't think its a Macgregor!

The only real consideration in these small yachts is headroom. Lack of headroom will get you down after awhile.

Mcgregor did make more conventional designs before the cavernous motor boat designs. This one has even been anti-fowled so there wont be any chickens to worry about.

I think it's more likely a Hutton.

Meg1122 said..

You're thinking of the Selkie Cisco , I know we all look the same

Appy pollie loggies. My mistake. I'll have go back to the start of the thread now.

Hi Meg,
I was going to suggest a Sonata 26, this is the cruiser version of a Sonata 8, and another JOG boat design.
There is a lot of difference in the 26' to the 8m, the keel was moved and could be offered as fixed for more room downstairs, wider and larger cabin with headroom, swept spreaders, and they sail brilliantly.
But, compared to the what the guys are saying and looking at the Top Hats, even on price alone, I couldn't really justify a Sonata if cruising alone is the main priority. No inboard deisel option in a Sonata for example.
That is a lot of boat for not much money in the Top Hats... nice boats.
Ive come to realise over time that JOG made for some really nice designs....
Regards,
SB