32ft family cruiser co32 or B First 31.7?

[bedouin]

When beating hard on the wind the genoa is set so that it is roughly 1.5 - 2" off the spreader tip with the sheet block positioned such that the tell-tails lift together when luffing. If blowing hard, rather than reef I somtimes put the lead position a little further aft to allow the top of the genoa some more twist spilling some wind, alternativly I feather up into the wind in the gusts.

Somtimes you can't beat a good beat into a stong wind, especially if you have somone good on the mainsail.

What I mean is where is the tip of the spreader in relation to the genoa (say the leach)?

On Bedouin with the #2 the spreader is close to the leach - so that the tightest sheeting angle is limited by the length of the spreaders

 

[sailorman]

Many of the responses above have emphasised sailing and bad weather performance, both of which are important, of course. However, in your situation there are other issues, just as important. One is foresail size and winches. You are likely to be the principal helm, leaving your wife and children to carry out many of the other activities. An older sail configuration might have a 150% genoa, which can be extremely difficult to wind in when sailing is at its best. You might consider a boat that carries more of its sail area in the main, and perhaps even a self-tacking jib.

The Co32 will carry her sail longer & will need the first reef later. the Benny Blobby will need reefing earlier & more frequent

 

[Shuggy]

Many of the responses above have emphasised sailing and bad weather performance, both of which are important, of course. However, in your situation there are other issues, just as important. One is foresail size and winches. You are likely to be the principal helm, leaving your wife and children to carry out many of the other activities. An older sail configuration might have a 150% genoa, which can be extremely difficult to wind in when sailing is at its best. You might consider a boat that carries more of its sail area in the main, and perhaps even a self-tacking jib.

I think it's what you're used to. We have a 150% overlap genoa with a foot measuring 8.5 metres, non-self-tailing winches, a wife, and 3 children aged 7 & under. Our main is tiny so that makes life relatively easy. My wife does a lot of helming while the children are clipped on, and I tend to do the grunt work - but not all of it. She also trims the genoa and can be on the winches when we go about.

For me, a boat's beauty is more important than how much room there is down below. So it would be Co32!

 

[zarathustra]

We have a 150% overlap genoa with a foot measuring 8.5 metres, non-self-tailing winches, a wife, and 3 children aged 7 & under. Our main is tiny so that makes life relatively easy. My wife does a lot of helming while the children are clipped on, and I tend to do the grunt work - but not all of it. She also trims the genoa and can be on the winches when we go about.

But wouldn't life potentially be alot easier with a fractional rig with a larger mainsail and smaller headsail, the mainsail being easier to control? Why do you prefer the larger headsail? I am looking at getting a boat similar to the OP and am leaning towards the Dehler 34, because it gets good reviews and is a fractional rig, which requires less expensive headsails, and as they are smaller they are easier to handle. I am interested to hear all points of view.

 

[Shuggy]

Why do you prefer the larger headsail?

I didn't say I did - I preferred the beautiful boat so will quite happily put up with an enormous headsail... and the bonus is that's perfectly manageable with just the two of us plus our gaggle of eager onlookers.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Look again please in conjunction with what I said. The waterline length (a better comparison by far than overall length) of both the Liz and the Co32 is the same at 24ft. That is the dimension that the interior layout has to fit within...

Up to a point. Quarter berths and forecabin vees can both extend beyond the waterline. And, of course, modern boats often get extra waterline length with sugar scoops, which give absolutely sod all usable space, inside or out.

 

[Lucky Duck]

On the other side my neighbour (in the club) has a First 31.7 which I´ve raced with him and his son. All I can say is I know wooden boats move a lot going to windward...but this one moves more ! It´s creakin and groaning all the way. Last time we were out in about 20 knts I noticed more than ever the movement of this boat and later saw the stbd bulkhead was popped out and sitting outside of it´s "Sikaflex" seal. Maybe it´s all part of the design !

That is strange, I had a First 31.7 for five seasons which I cruised quite extensively including being out in some fairly terrible conditions and I don't recognise that description at all.

Of course the First will need to be reef earlier and can become quite a handful at times but for most of the sailing I did it carried a full sail plan without undue stress.

 

[Robin]

This may be your main problem, for there is no doubt the interior layout has to fit inside the hull. It matters little what the waterline plane is
The second error is not looking at the snaps, here is the 30 footer:

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/elizabethan-30/elizabethan-30.htm

Note the heads with 6in less width than the Contessa. Note the Trotter boxes, another foot there......it all starts to add up towards....32 foot.
Not quite though, an extra 6in in the saloon and with a longer hull you can carry maximum beam further.... and hello, the Contessa has a dinette double.

I have looked at the pics, neither of which BTW are of the original layouts. I even have pics of my Liz in front of me now on the office wall. I owned cruised and raced my Liz 30 extensively and sailed and occasionally raced on a Co32 about the same time 25 years back as well so I do feel able to make a comparison, but I'm sorry if it offends. I sold the Liz in 1986 so I really have no axe to grind and if I were buying today, I wouldn't buy either boat because there are better alternatives. I used to drive a Mini Cooper S in days of yore too but just like with boats, cars have evolved and whilst I have fond memories, I wouldn't buy one now.

Have a look at the Westerly 33 in the archives and see what that gives for just a foot of extra length over a Co32 and you will see what little the LOA bears to actual size, because the W33 dwarfs the Co32.

 

[narcer]

Old Dufour / Maxi

Just to name another eg not named (I think) in the posts above is the old Dufour 31 from the late 70´s early 80´s. Mega space inside and very seakindly although no Whitbread winner. My work collegue has one and I have been well impressed with these boats. When he first bought her we were going out during the winter months in some good winds just to see what she could do and she was very comfortable in 30knts +. She has a very deep and rounded forefoot and never slams, and is very bouyant. She rides up and down like a caulk ! Well priced compared with some.

ps Sorry for that harsh description Simon14b of the old Benny. However given the choice I would be out there in a Maxi any day of the week !

 

[FlyingSpud]

Fior that money you can get a Westerly Storm.
Simples