I have a new mate in the Creek who is now single and lives aboard his Bavaria 38. He wants to do some
serious cruising. I asked him if he thought his Bavaria was a "lightweight" and he said yes and expressed
an interest in getting a heavier built boat. He doesn't want a bigger boat, just a more 'solid' one.
I told him I had seen an Island Packet at the Sydney Boat Show a couple of years ago and had been
impressed by the thickness of the hull. He said he knew of Island Packets but didn't know the availability
of them.
So I'm wondering if you guys would know of some alternative modern boats of Island Packet type build
that I could suggest he has a look at.

samsturdy said..
Thanks Phoenix, I've never heard of them, but they look a bit too 'racy' for him.
He's not a young bloke so I suppose he'd prefer comfort to speed, but thanks
for the effort.
And HG, you leave Phoenix alone. He can drool as much as he likes.

don't worry I'm drooling to Sam there a user friendly boat sam and they keep trying to focus on that
my favorite is the Hanse there a more user friendly

samsturdy said..
OK HG drool away ha. So how does the Hanse build compare with Bavaria HG. Are we talking
about a much more solidly built boat ?. He told me he prefers long keels, which the Bavaria is
but as he's not a great deal experienced in blue water sailing so I don't know whether he fully
understand if there's any appreciable difference between long and fin keels that would make
buy a long keeler over a better fin keeler.

long keeler is my choice as there more forgiving and sort of sailing on a rail line hard to get into and out of a birth but watch can be a comedy show for some

samsturdy said..
Thanks Phoenix, I've never heard of them, but they look a bit too 'racy' for him.
He's not a young bloke so I suppose he'd prefer comfort to speed, but thanks
for the effort.
And HG, you leave Phoenix alone. He can drool as much as he likes.

I went for a burn in a 54 ft version of one of these in the Med. Had 2 reclining leather armchairs in the saloon and a TV that emerged from a slot behind the dresser like a Wurlitzer rising before the opening of an act in vaudeville. Hydraulic reefing of the main, hydraulic boom control and hydraulic raising and extension and leveling of the passerelle.

Dream on.

Bit old school looking but i would like a Hans Christian if i was cruising long distance, but i wouldn't knock back most boats made in Sweden solid boats. Spent 2 weeks cruising around Denmark last year lots of them over their Razzys and malos. Hey but i'm new at this game, but they all seemed to handled the rough conditions pretty good.

Hallberg-Rassy are far from racy. Arguably the finest ocean cruising boat ever. They do hold their value compared to other boats but a new one at $500k will be had now for $200-250K.
Hans Christian are great.
Valiant 40/42 are superb, my sister has one she lives aboard. Just watch out for the later 40s as they can have hull blister problems.
Island Packet.
All are heavy, extremely robust and comfortable.
All the above would be my pick for ocean cruising.

Thanks for the response guys. It'll be nice to put some alternatives to him from people
who know their stuff.
How does a Catalina rate ?, I went aboard a 40 footer a couple of years ago and was impressed
with it's layout. Or is it a 'lightweight' too.
They are American built, and they usually build 'em right.

AshleyM said..
You'd have to consider the ubiquitous Tayana 37 if we're talking about canoe stern yachts, however I do love the Hans Christians.

Interestingly, there is a nice looking Uniflyte Valiant 40 in Sydney. The price has been slashed from $160 to $120k and still no takers, but it's a gamble for any owner, especially if she is to be taken into warmer waters. I believe there is no permanent fix for those blisters bar a full laminate peel:

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-12949642/1978-VALIANT-40/?cr=1&psq=%28%28%28Make%3DVALIANT%26Model%3D40%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

As my sister has one which I sailed down from Bundy I keep a bit of a watch on them. Blister boats will sell for under $100K depending on fitout.
Some have been reskinned and have seemingly fixed the problem, but time will tell.
There is also the view that no Valiant 40 has sunk or been irrepairably damaged due to blisters. It is cosmetic more than structural.
The blisters are believed to be a consequence of Uniflite using a fire proof/fire retardant product in the glass. I seem to recall it was only used in the outer layers.
I can say they are lovely, well made and comfortable yachts. Quite fast too, 200nm daily runs are achievable.