Advice on 30-35ft yacht for Circumnavigation

Muddy Paws said:
; your understandable passion for your own boat got in the way that's all.
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No, my need to correct got in the way :)

If someone had said that a couple couldn't cruise around Britain in a Corribee, I would have said that I met a couple doing just that this summer, so it is possible. That was an example, not a attempt to suggest to the OP to go a get a Corribee btw ;)

Everyone has different standards and my point about the HR was that some people wouldn't cruise the world in anything less, but some are happy to "rough" it in a 25 footer.

It's the OP's money, it's their decision on the ratio between size and comfort and money.

Would I go RTW in my boat? Yes if I wanted to do a circumnavigation, but it's not what I want to do. It doesn't mean she's not up to the job, and as I (and others) have said in a previous post there are other make in the OPs budget
 
I would go for the largest/youngest boat you can find in your budget. That's likely to be a BenBavJen but don't rule distress sales. Being open about the boast will give you a greater choice. A lot of the boats recommended are going to be getting on, needing new engine/rigging/sails and they maybe won't be as watertight as they were when manufactured 25 years ago. Also modern boats are generally faster than older styles since they generally have a longer waterline length and better windward perfromance. The bigger the boat, the more storage and the faster it will be on passage.
 
a fair point

ytd said:
I would go for the largest/youngest boat you can find in your budget. That's likely to be a BenBavJen but don't rule distress sales. Being open about the boast will give you a greater choice. A lot of the boats recommended are going to be getting on, needing new engine/rigging/sails and they maybe won't be as watertight as they were when manufactured 25 years ago. Also modern boats are generally faster than older styles since they generally have a longer waterline length and better windward perfromance. The bigger the boat, the more storage and the faster it will be on passage.
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Though I like my boat, the above point is well made. I went looking for a type of boat with a budget and was trying to buy the biggest in good condition i could afford. ended up with an HR Rasmus, without carpets I might add. (that isn't my blog its someone else in a similar boat)

I also looked at Moodys, ex racing boats, all sorts really. The one i bought wasn't what i was looking for but made real sense once I found it.

Interestingly I don't have running hot water and it didn't have heating, it was kept but relatively simple, though it did have a liferaft, radar, autopilot, Epirb, GPS and had been prepared for ocean bashing on a budget.

In some ways the right sort of boat with a good inventory in good nick is probably you're best buy. I bought a larger boat with less mod cons and have not regretted it. I don't cross oceans in it but to me the most important factors are to feel safe and confident in my boat. Size helps with this.

I guess you just have to do the hard yards and find the best boat you can for you're money. You now have a list of some potential boats

Let us know what you find!
 
thomd said:
I am in the early stages of planning a circumnavigation via Panama and Cape of Good Hope and aiming to depart the UK in 2013. I am trying to short list suitable yachts which would fit my budget.

I would be grateful for recommendations from forum members as to which candidates they would recommend based on following.

- Length - 30 to 35 feet
- Budget approx £35k plus £10k for upgrades
- Will be living aboard for 2 to 3 years
- Sailing shorthanded and possibly single handed

The yachts I am currently considering are Contessa 32 (proven seaboat but limited accommodation), Rival 32 or 34, Rustler 31, Nicholson 31.

I would value any views on above yachts for a circumnavigation or any other models I should consider.

Thanks in advance!
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I write this in Yanina, our 1977 Warrior 35 currently in Grenada, West Indies. After 4 years in the Med we took her down to Senegal and up the Gambia river, then crossed to the Cape Verdes and from there to Trinidad in 19 days. Not the fastest time but nothing broke! A Warrior's certainly within your budget.

Have a look at www.freewebs.com/onthenose
 
Consider a Yamaha 35CS

I bought one to go Med cruising and have been delighted with it. I think it is still the best 35 footer around.Everything of high quality and plenty of accommodation. I looked at 33 footers but found them too small for comfort.
I am selling mine because I am giving up.I would not sell for any other reason. It's the best boat I've had and I wont find another like it.
Two of these have done circumnavigations with families. It was designed by the 22 man Yamaha design team. The hull shape is fast but with a very smooth ride. The engine is Yanmar 3 cylinder. The price is within your budget. The boat is on the hard in Turkey for another week. After launching and sorting things out for a day or two The plan is to sail around the Dodecanese islands and end up in Marmaris.
If you would like more info or would like to see the boat please let me know. The price is within your budget and is in good shape.
 
Opinions on Rival 34 as a Liveaboard and offshore cruiser

Well its been over a year since I posted below and all the comments I received on this forum were very useful and highly appreciated so thanks again.

Due to a number of factors I wasn't able to move ahead with a purchase last summer but I'm now in a position to do so.

I have come across a few Rival 34's for sale and wanted to get some advise on their suitability for liveaboard and also as a safe offshore cruiser?

In addition has anyone any experience on living aboard in Brighton Marina or can suggest any other possible locations for commuting to London?

Thanks in advance,



thomd said:
I am in the early stages of planning a circumnavigation via Panama and Cape of Good Hope and aiming to depart the UK in 2013. I am trying to short list suitable yachts which would fit my budget.

I would be grateful for recommendations from forum members as to which candidates they would recommend based on following.

- Length - 30 to 35 feet
- Budget approx £35k plus £10k for upgrades
- Will be living aboard for 2 to 3 years
- Sailing shorthanded and possibly single handed

The yachts I am currently considering are Contessa 32 (proven seaboat but limited accommodation), Rival 32 or 34, Rustler 31, Nicholson 31.

I would value any views on above yachts for a circumnavigation or any other models I should consider.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
 
ytd said:
I would go for the largest/youngest boat you can find in your budget. That's likely to be a BenBavJen but don't rule distress sales. Being open about the boast will give you a greater choice. A lot of the boats recommended are going to be getting on, needing new engine/rigging/sails and they maybe won't be as watertight as they were when manufactured 25 years ago. Also modern boats are generally faster than older styles since they generally have a longer waterline length and better windward perfromance. The bigger the boat, the more storage and the faster it will be on passage.
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I agree with this - even to the point of also missing out the odd word here and there, too...
 
Haven't read all the thread but how about this

http://www.networkyachtbrokers.co.uk/boats_for_sale/Nicholson_36-066736.html,

Used to be mine but wife and family wanted more space (we now have a westerly conway) but was thinking about buying her back but we have had a couple of great family trips recently. The conway is not as nice to sail but still manageable singlehanded when it starts to blow but have only been out on the low 30knts. I wouldn't contemplate something that will not look after you in a blow or at least cannot wait a little while until you can attend to its needs.

If you are looking at doing the down wind route with have you considered a cat. A friend of mine has just come back from the atlantic circuit in a heavy fine keeled 36 footer and the thing he said was tiring was the rolling at anchor. Unless you want to explore more demanding/off beat areas then my prefernce would be a fin/long keel keel with a deep rudder and 40% ballast ratio.

Happy hunting and good luck with all the decisions to be made.
 
thomd said:
Well its been over a year since I posted below and all the comments I received on this forum were very useful and highly appreciated so thanks again.

Due to a number of factors I wasn't able to move ahead with a purchase last summer but I'm now in a position to do so.

I have come across a few Rival 34's for sale and wanted to get some advise on their suitability for liveaboard and also as a safe offshore cruiser?

In addition has anyone any experience on living aboard in Brighton Marina or can suggest any other possible locations for commuting to London?

Thanks in advance,
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Having sailed a Rival 34 for 22 years, of which 11 as an owner, I have to admit to being biased.
As a safe offshore cruiser I can thoroughly recommend them. Many Rival 34's have successfully made long voyages. They have tremendous seakeeping qualities: an easy motion, stable, track well even in steep following seas, do not broach even if you try hard, keep going when things get rough. They are not the most closewinded of boats, but if you want to circumnavigate that will not be your first requirement. They are very well built and carry their age well.
Inside they are not roomy by today's standards, but work very well at sea. They have loads of stowage, more than many modern boats a couple of feet longer. A drawback is limited water tankage, you should provide extra tankage for serious long distance cruising. Many Rivals will have been updated with fridge, hot and cold running water, heating etc. You do not mention how many are going to be on board, but I would say the boat is ideal for two, is very easily handled solo, but for longer passages three or more on board might be crowded.
Have a look at the Rival Owners Association's website and forum, you will find lots of useful information and a treasure of experience.
 
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