i dont own onw or sail on one but i do race against a sonata 26 ... on lake macquarie .. id guss they pace about 5knots boat speed up wind ... althou thier cockpit would only fit 2 men comfortably .. made 3 smaller men

Hi Nate,
Just a comment about your self tacking jib issues.
Considering that you may be setting off with a crew that knows little about sailing, surely not having to worry about the jib is a good thing ?
I currently sail a 20ft catamaran with a self tacking jib, and they are awesome.

From all reports, the Sonata is quite agood Rotto boat.

Good luck
Jared

Has any one here sailed an Adams 8? Would it make an ok cruiser? It looks like prolly not with the low can and fixed keel (no good for mandurah estuary).

Nate

Cheers wormy, the topless sunbathing just sold me It sounds as though it ticks all the right boxes for an all rounder cruising yacht. Generally speaking, when im sailing, i have a mate to assist and then my wife and a couple of friends, so cab space is a big issue. Is there any info online about the jib set up, how it works etc? I'm still unsure of the technical side of how it works, i assume it just tacks by the force of the wind, then how is the jib sheeted in and out? Does this mean that you cant run a big genny overlapping the main, i assume that since it is a predominantly Main driven boat, you prolly don't have much need for over sized head sails? Cheers again guys

The jib runs across a track just in front of the mast, with a continous jib sheet through a pulley on the track the jib sheet can be adjusted from either side of the cabin on any tack. I also a had helper sheet atached which you give a bit of a flick to help it over if the wind isnt strong enough. Makes tacking on dime really easy.
As I said a overlapping jib can be used instead in light winds, it really gives the boat some good drive in 2-10 knots of breeze.
If your looking for a 2nd hand one try and find one that has had the centreboard winch replaced with a higher geared drive as the original takes about 100winds to lower and raise, most older n25's would have these replaced by now and i think the newer have a better winch anyway.
A 4 stroke outboard is good as well, in the outboard well in can get a bit 2stroke smelly and quite loud.
As with most yachts theres little quirks that every owner gets used to, centreboard pin locating, rudder raising and lowering, check all these out as some boats have had better systems put in place as the originals wern't always the best.
Happy boat hunting, and remember the next happiest day after buying a boat is the day you sell it, but lots of fun in the middle.

Can anyone suggest a similar yacht to the Sonata 8? I am looking for a 26 footer, swing/drop keel, good cab space for family cruising. Has to be under 25k too. Cheers

hi nick, spider 22 eh, ill give them a look up, i dig the adams 8 but they have a fixed keel, and wont be able to hang of my mooring unfortunately, they have bugger all head room too in the cab, but a sic yacht though, they go well, especially offshore stuff. Cheers mate

I know you prefer a drop keel boat but Sonata 8 is a bit tender unless you go with the fixed keel version or a Sonata 26 (which is more "cruisy" than the 8). The Spider 22 is not really an over nighter type of boat. I went through exactly the same search many years ago and was happy with a Cavalier 26. I was able to have some great racing on it as well as spend many nights on board. A Plus is the size of the cabin, A minus is the cockpit is a little small. If you are racing not bad for a couple or small crew. If you plan to go offshore do not get the outboard powered version as the leg comes out of the water when it is a bit bumpy outside. It is not a speed machine but are normally in the price bracket you mention and a comfy little boat.
Steve

MichaelR said...

How much draft do you need?

I have a Top Hat, full moulded keel that draws 1.4 metres. Full standing headroom and eminently ocean capable.

They're priced well too, even for well looked after examples being less than $20k mostly.

Michael

I agree. Top Hats would have to be one of the most under rated boats based on price. Designed by the venerable Capt John Illingworth they have to be to the 25ft yacht what the S&S 34 is to the mid 30ft yachts and as Michael says "eminently ocean capable".

You can spend just as much or more on buying a crap boat as on a great boat.

I believe too many people put the emphasis on accommodation rather than seaworthiness when buying a small boat. Do not make the mistake of buying a boat for your friends to go sailing with you or worse still to impress them.

99.9% of people are scared to death and hate being aboard a small boat in a seaway. No small boat is comfortable and when I say small boat I mean anything less than 100ft long.

The FIRST consideration when buying any type of boat is "seaworthiness". Comfort in a floating coffin will only be appreciated for a short time.

Let's define "seaworthiness". It starts with "design" and ends with "condition".

The Sonatas are a great design by the legendary Joe Adams whose design philosophy is the faster a hull is the safer it is especially when running before the gale.

I could be wrong but I believe the Noelex's are from the pen of Bruce Farr who also is legendary.

If you are in that size and price range another yacht worthy of consideration is the Farrier "Trailer-Tri" 680 or 720. Although of plywood construction, there are very good examples of these yachts that can be bought for $15,000 or less.

Your wife, kids, girlfriend, friends etc will appreciate the limited heeling aspect of these yachts and you will appreciate their speed.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Ain't life a bitch?? Cheers Cisco