23 footer for a young family

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Simon_

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We are looking for a safe, predictable yet responsive 23/24 footer for a young family.

Our budget is about £10k and so far top of the list is either a Hunter 23 or a Jaguar 24. We have also considered the Sadler 25 (fin) but are somewhat put off by the amount of maintenance work that many require.

The family element must come first but having sailed performance dinghies also want to make sure that the boat is reasonably fast and fun to sail when the family get left ashore!

Any ideas very welcome.
 
My Choice would be Jeanneau Tonic 23, Jaguar 23, Leisure 23SL, Pegasus 700, Gibsea 242 or a Hunter Duette.

I think you need to rank the key things in order of priority i.e. Accomodation, Speed, Stability, Low Maintenance, New rigging etc.

Cruiser racers may have had a slightly harder life than pure cruising boats but there key equipment may be more up to date and that may be high on your list. Probably best to try and make a list then see as many boats as you can. The good news is that the 1970 -1995 saw a lot of 22-25ft boats in production so there is a great choice!

Cheers

Paul
 
23' for a family

Have a look at one of these:

HomewardBound_120_09_09Medium.jpg


Safe, very seaworthy and the best accommodation for a 23' boat. :D
Oh!....by the way....she's a Newbridge Virgo Voyager.
 
If the family aspect of it is important to you you may want to consider a boat you can beach, depending on your location. Our young family now 3 and 5 have really enjoyed the times we beach the boat. This usually means bilge keel or lifting keel (not all lifting keels work well as they can need legs). We have a Hunter Delta 25 which may be slightly over your size but its a fast boat and the family realy enjoy it and we are often on the beach or anchored somewhere shallow like its mooring which is shallow and cheap! IMHO the best of family sailing and a fast boat should I want to race.
 
or halcyon clipper 27 tho 2 feet of them is bowsprit, they are slightly bigger for the money. relatively big down below, easy to manoevre, good in heavy weather. of course i'm biased...
 
Eygthene 24, a very successful quarter tonner that makes a first class cruiser/racer. The only problem is finding one that hasn't had a hard life. But spacious inside and sails very well.

Another vote for the Leisure 23sl also. We sailed ours in all sorts of heavy weather and she stood up extremely well. Fantastic accommodation for her size and kid friendly. Only drawback was light airs ability.
 
Another Leisure23SL fan

We went for a Leisure23SL as our first cruiser having sailed dinghies for a decade or so. Lovely boat, twin keels, great accomodation and the kids love her. Not a racer but you know we found little interest in doing that once the cruising itch with the kids took hold. Bought a cruising chute for light airs though, which is fun. The boats are very solidly built and last forever. Class Association very good and lots of help with spares repairs etc etc. We've updated ours quite a bit but she'll be up for sale soon (early spring probably) as we have a bigger boat to get back into action

Neil
 
When looking at a boats a couple of years ago we were quite impressed with the accomodation of the Seamaster Sailer 23, similar to a Westerly Pageant (same designer) but certainly the one we looked at had a much more comfortable feel about it, and a lot cheaper. You would have some money left over from £10,000 but that can no doubt soon be spent.
 
All so confusing

Thank you for all the advice, certainly some boats have been thrown into the mix that we hadn't previously considered.

I have to say I am a little surprised by the lack of support for my original short list of the Horizon 23, Jaguar 24 and Sadler 25.

Am I missing something or is there just a general feeling that there are "better value" boats out there?
 
IMHO your orgional list is a pretty strong start and depending on condition of the boat would be fine. Personally I'm keen on hunters so would go for the Horizon 23 out of your list first as they are on the whole designed to go well in the bilge keel foremat, and are simply constructed and easy to maintain.
 
Simon_ said:
Thank you for all the advice, certainly some boats have been thrown into the mix that we hadn't previously considered.

I have to say I am a little surprised by the lack of support for my original short list of the Horizon 23, Jaguar 24 and Sadler 25.

Am I missing something or is there just a general feeling that there are "better value" boats out there?
Click to expand...
The Sadler 25 would be very good but for £10k it will be an old boat and may well need a fair bit spent on it. A 26 would be better from the accomodation point of view and will be a newer boat but I don't think you'd find one for £10k.
 
Horizon 23 http://www.hunterassociation.org.uk/site/viewtopic.php?t=1226 close to your budget and certainly a good boat. be aware that kids grow quickly and the space will shrink rapidly with their growth.

The Jaguar 24 seems considerably smaller within for some reason.

BTW haggling on price may bring a surprise or two, I got my present boat within your budget, a Horizon 273.
 
I have a 1994 Hunter Horizon 23. I used to make Sadlers and I wanted one and I had the same budget as yourself.However after looking around all the Sadlers where old for the money. I had a look at the Horizon23 and the inside space and general modern feel was so much better than I had been looking at. She is well made and sails extremely well and always feels safe. I have two children and find the big aft cabin great for my wife and I and the other berths fine for the kids. Yes kids will grow and the boat will get smaller however if that is your budget and thats the size you want then I think they are a great boat and always get good reviews.
 
We are lucky enough to live on the coast and will predominantly be using the boat as a "day sailor" with the occasional weekend away. We anticipate keeping this boat for 3-4 years and will get something bigger (and faster) once the children are older.

With a young family (2 and 5) practicality & safety has to come first and although I have been used to sailing performance dinghies (and keel boats) it's time to be a little more sensible in my latest boat choice.

I also have come to the conclusion that simplicity is the key so I shall be looking for something with an outboard that can easily be replaced (and I can have confidence in) rather than an old diesel engine.

I have discounted the Jaguar 24 on the basis that it doesn't seem quite as nippy as others. I shall leave the Hunter 23 on the list but widen the search to include the duette, etap 23, gibsea 242 and just possibly the hunter delta. The outside bet remains a Sadler 25 but it would have to be special and keenly priced!

If anyone is selling one of these boats then please do get in touch.
 
Virgo Voyager

Another vote for the Virgo Voyager. Excellent boat, great accomodation, inboard diesel, sea loo, genuine 5 berths and a good sized cockpit.

We thoroughly enjoyed ours and only traded up to a bigger Moody as the family expanded.

Best wishes
H
 
Agreed on the Virgo Voyager. My parents had one as our first yacht, very spacious and plenty of head room for size. We used ours with a family of four and got on very well with it. I would personally go for the Fin keeled version though, they sail a lot better than the bilge keeled.
 
I have a Ruffian 23, that I'll let go for 4grand (euros).....
it was my first big boat..... she fast and very safe.... great fun, ideal for short cruising and good racer... can send on details if you pm your email address
 
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