28 to 33

[Darkmyst]

Greatings all.

Well i could do with some feedback please. Having been told my budget was to low 12 months ago, i started saving again. now im looking to purchase my future home.

Ideas are 28 to 33 max as im solo and unless i meet someone who has the same ideas, i will be single handed.

New style
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 28.1 GTE, Light boat, with great use of space. but would it handle Bluewater ?

Older
Moody 29 (I note people tend to comment that there overpriced.)
Moody 33

or possible westerly?

Other ideas greatful accepted.

I plan to buy and move onboard right away, (camp if i have to) and carry on working, saving and doing whats required. DIY is something i enjoy.

Thanks
Al

 

[phanakapan]

Don't know about the Jeanneau, but my last boat was a Moody 33 and I loved her. Only reasons for getting a (slightly) bigger boat was a) my partner wanted steel and b) the money to upgrade her for rtw sailing (windvane steering, possibly new engine) was a bit too much, our current boat came with a new engine and windvane. Others on here have Moody 33's they have sailed across the atlantic many times. Extremely comfortable to live in for 1, absolutely fine for 2, solid but capable of serious speed when needed. Easy to single hand, deep centre cockpit makes her feel safe and dry.

 

[V1701]

I lived on my first boat, a 1989 Jeanneau Sun Dream 28 for a year and then changed to a 1972 Albin Vega 27. The Jeanneau was fine to live on and singlehand, actually 29.5 feet and coincidentally is the actual boat featured in this months PBO used boat test. People do go far and wide in this size of production boat but not that many, I wouldn't set off across the Atlantic in one. I bought a more modern design as easy to sail and get in & out of a marina (beginner), comfy to live on and relatively easy to sell on (which I did in less than 2 weeks and at a significant profit as had worked on improving it). After a year I knew I could happily live aboard so got a boat more suited to my future plans (this happens a lot). Would agree that you can't go far wrong with a Moody 33 (lot of boat for the money and go anywhere) but that's quite a big boat for a first one and to singlehand as well. Be aware that a 33 foot is a smidgen over 10 metres so you could end up paying significantly extra in a marina over a sub 10 metre. Good luck with it all...

 

[multihullsailor6]

Al,
To advise you better where does your budget stand now?

I think the Medalist 33 is a GREAT looking boat and would make a good cruiser:
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi...fault&uid=default&view_records=1&ID=9671&mh=1

Another I can think of which makes best use of space is the Comet 11 or 11plus:
http://www.finot.com/bateaux/ancienbt/comet/comet11p/comet11p_pres.htm

 

[multihullsailor6]

Al,
Replied twice to your PM, my messages do not show up in my "sent" folder, have you received them?

Roger

 

[Darkmyst]

Al,
Replied twice to your PM, my messages do not show up in my "sent" folder, have you received them?

Roger

Yep, thanks.

please keep the tips coming.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Westerly Pentland or Renown. Plenty of space, sail and motor quite well, Built like a brick ****house and come complete with a shed at the stern.

Sorry, Wight Dawn is not for sale!

 

[Darkmyst]

Westerly Pentland or Renown. Plenty of space, sail and motor quite well, Built like a brick ****house and come complete with a shed at the stern.

Sorry, Wight Dawn is not for sale!

I have seen a Westerly 33 ketch. But shes Twin keel. And im unsure of how will i could single hand it.

Also slightly over budget.

But i have to agree, the garden shed would be great for storage. think of all the beer. Sorry i mean food.

 

[Allan]

I have a Westerly 33, sloop. I thought I was the only person to talk about my shed, now I know there is a club!
I single hand many hundreds of miles a year. On my boat the only sheet winches are mounted just ahead of the wheel instead of forward, near the sprayhood.
Allan

 

[multihullsailor6]

Al,
Another good design is the Carter 33, a selection can be found here:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...cyid=1005&city=&pbsint=&boatsAddedSelected=-1

She came with three different coachroof designs.
Yachtfocus.com in Holland also has one on offer.

 

[Poignard]

http://www.twister.org.uk/news/gallery.php

http://www.twister.org.uk/sales/index.php

 

[Blueboatman]

Don't discount bilgekeelers if your running budget is going to be tight after initial purchase, I would suggest.

You will never pay for a haul out again, you will always find room at the inn ( and won't need a big dinghy/outboard to get in to shore).

In times of hurricanes you can wedge it far up some ( mosquito infested but so what) creek away from hastily anchored overinsured finkeelers...

And, they tend to be cheaper to buy initially and with a good engine, motorsailing to windward is just as any other boat motorsailing to windward!

Westerlies a good starting point as said. And simple strong hull and rig, well proven.

 

[Metabarca]

Centurion 32: very solid and can be easily single-handed if the mainsail controls are brought back to the cockpit (as in my case). Has been soloed across the Atlantic in recent years. Not many were built but always a few on the market.

 

[Darkmyst]

Well, someone put a bad idea in my Head, OK, its smaller @ 27.

Albin Vega. they seem to have a big following, and a good reputation.

Ive found one, that looks a good buy. Hopefully going to have a look over the weekend.

Comments

Thanks
Al

 

[multihullsailor6]

Sailed one off Gibraltar, found her to be "tiny" on the inside. Yes, a stable and secure enough craft.

For long term cruising, even going solo, I would recommend upward of 32'. Don't forget you need space for a lot of sailing and personal items! And also do not forget that having a working holding tank is becoming more and more required by law.

 

[scoty]

Westerly

I have a westerly 31 (longbow) 1978 model with the latest inside layout,
make some enquires locally,in UK. you will find people say good things about Westerly·s.
Well worth the time and effort to take a look,good, stong, stable and sail very well

Mine is for sale but moored in a marina near Barcelona,
send e mail private if you want more info:

 

[Tranona]

And also do not forget that having a working holding tank is becoming more and more required by law.

Actually there are very few places where a holding tank is legally required. If there is legislation it is usually written in the form of a ban on discharge of waste in specific areas. So the offence (and penalty) will be for discharge, not for the absence of a holding tank. Obviously having a holding tank could enable the avoidance of discharge, but it is not the only way.

 

[Darkmyst]

I have to admit, that a bigger boat would nice nice, however the size = Price is a scary equassion.

I also conceed that any boat must be seaworty and safe. This is partly my reasoning for looking slightly smaller. Any boat from what i can see needs money right away. I priced a sail set, as example £3k for the 27 (thinking of getting the old ones severviced for spares) replace rigging wires £550, then theres Wind turbine and Sola plates, Autopilot (i think a must for solo), New batteries, you know were this is going, and before you can say rob me your 10k in.

At this point my eyes are open to the costs involved.

 

[V1701]

Just treat each boat you go to see on its merits, the larger ticket items (engine, sails, standing rigging, upholstery) should be in good order and not too old. Add basic instruments (depth, speed/log, compass, basic GPS) and that's enough to get started. If there's also a tender & outboard, plotter and tillerpilot, e.g., then you're well on your way, but a lot of stuff (solar panels, etc.) can be added later down the line. If you are seriously looking at a Vega it's going to be 40 odd years old so try to look for a reengined one with at least one good set of sails, newish standing rigging and a few "extras". Current climate no more than £10k, probably less, most of the ones currently for sale have been around all season and some of them I've seen/know a bit about. You might indeed find it a bit small for you, as you know I happily live on mine. If it is a bit small for you just have a look around, I wouldn't go too modern though, paying late 20's grand for a 15 to 20 year old 30 odd footer I don't think is a particularly cost effective way to go, because it will probably still have original engine, sails, upholstery, etc. But then if your boat's your house then you have more to spend on it. Something like this one might suit if you don't like the Vega...

 

[Darkmyst]

HI djbreeze,

Sent you a mail.