Hi All,
I am looking for a cheap crusing yacht (<$40k) that would be suitable for a family of four (two adults and two teenage kids) to cruise for about 6 months along the Queensland coast.

There are plenty of nice seaworthy boats (top hats, compass 28, clansman 30, etc) but which one can claim to have 4 proper berths (not including tiny v-berths)? Does a yacht exist under 30ft and under $40k that has proper sleeping arrangements for 4 people?
Luke

flyfish said...

Hi All,
I am looking for a cheap crusing yacht (<$40k) that would be suitable for a family of four (two adults and two teenage kids) to cruise for about 6 months along the Queensland coast.

There are plenty of nice seaworthy boats (top hats, compass 28, clansman 30, etc) but which one can claim to have 4 proper berths (not including tiny v-berths)? Does a yacht exist under 30ft and under $40k that has proper sleeping arrangements for 4 people?
Luke

esssentially the answer is no. There is not any 30 footer at any price that can accomodate a family of four with 2 teenagers in comfort. A 30 footer can accomodate a couple in comfort if you are both very intimate, add two teenagers and you have a recipe for disaster. There is simply not enough personal space aboard for comfort. It is not while sailing-plenty of room on deck and someone can go and have a sulk on their own up in the V berth. There will be place for 4 people (bunks) to lie down and sleep. It is all the other times and the bulk of cruising comprises of those other times when everyone is down below and every simple movement requires a chain reaction of cooperative moves from the other people to be effective. Throw in a couple of "normal" teenagers and you might stretch friendships.
I have cruised in a large volume 30 footer for over 20 years with my family of 3 boys and wife. Boys are now 26, 23 and 13. Cruising has been in blocks of 2-3 weeks at a time. It is dead easy with kids under 10. Fabulous with wife alone. Great with wife and one adult friend. Just cruised down to Tassie with the two adult boys and one partner. At present sitting on the boat in Tas with the 13 yo which is real "quality" time. Its just cruising with a pair of teenagers that is VERY hard work! You really dont want the boat to be working against you as well.

Thanks Dusty, hadn't really considered a Defiance due to cost but saw a few for sale online that are below or around the 40k mark. Nice yachts.
Frant, all valid points. Good to hear from someone out there actually doing it. Agree that the kids in cramped conditions would be a handful, perhaps I just need something with more space.

I hadn't considered the cat option due to cost but that seawind looks good although getting outside avaliable funds. Have also seen a Macro 25 online, not sure if anyone can vouch for them as suitable coastal cruisers??

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=9961406

badinfluence said...

what about an Adams 31 Centre Cockpit?? Teenagers one end,,,parents the other.

Or perhaps a trailerable...something?? Drive to where you want to cruise and minimise the time spent aboard in cramped conditions? Quality time aboard as opposed to quantity time??

Maybe an older Farrier Trailer Tri?? They're fun!!

Much wisdom in what you say. Many rate the Adams 31 better than the Mottle/Naut/Adams 33.

Great friend of mine has an Adams 31 c/cockpit that he and his girlfriend have sailed to Lord Howe, Norfolk, N.Z., and the Louisades. Also the length of the Qld coast a few times. I went to his 75th birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

The boat recently survived the Burnett River (Bundaberg) floods with half of a catermaran bouncing off it in the middle of the night.

The older Farrier Trailer Tri 680s and 720s have to be one of the ideal yachts to sail the Qld coast.

Biggest problem with them is getting someone to part with a good one.

There is an SS34 in Sydney for $39,000, down from $65,000. Its a mark 1 and looks like one of the many that have spent their lives as harbour racers. There is a UFO 34 in Queensland for $45,000 but I bet it goes for about 40.

New yacht has appeared next mooring to mine. Young bloke on his first sailing experience sailed down the coast on a ferrocement Hartley 39 RORC. Nice looking boat, $10,000!

My Currawong 30 has 8 berths but I find with even one extra onboard its crowded.



Cisco has listed the SS34 I was referring to.
The UFO is on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BOAT-SAILING-YACHT-DIESEL-SHAFT-DRIVE-/160577517376?pt=AU_Boats&hash=item25632a7740