Advice on boat models for UK/Scandi cruise requested

[Fr J Hackett]

It's there in the first post:



IMHO, this requirement combined with a preference for tiller steering suggests a very attainable old fashioned cockpit layout where you can hunker down under a sprayhood.

Did anyone mention a Co32 yet? Resale is important so that would be top of my list.

The Contessa 32 is the wettest boat I have ever sailed.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Hi all, my thinking about the "protected helm".

1. It extends the sailing days into less clement weather.
2. It makes living aboard more pleasant by protecting the entrance hatch.
3. A cockpit tent gives an extra "room" and somewhere to take of wet oillies.
4. A pilot house is a nice place to sit & look at the view in bad weather.

So a good dodger (hard or soft) or pilot house would be fine.

And yes, I do recall a bit worse weather in the UK than Australia! Still, it was pretty nice when we arrived yesterday!

Cheers

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Hi all, my thinking about the "protected helm".

1. It extends the sailing days into less clement weather.
2. It makes living aboard more pleasant by protecting the entrance hatch.
3. A cockpit tent gives an extra "room" and somewhere to take of wet oillies.
4. A pilot house is a nice place to sit & look at the view in bad weather.

So a good dodger (hard or soft) or pilot house would be fine.

And yes, I do recall a bit worse weather in the UK than Australia! Still, it was pretty nice when we arrived yesterday!

Cheers

I think there may have been a bit of confusion over the term protected helm, it seems that your "dodger" is what is generally referred to as a spray hood in the UK most boats will have them and they do protect the the hatch. I doubt you are going to find a boat in your size that can accommodate a cockpit tent whilst sailing but once moored up it would be no problem, the downside is they tend to be expensive a simple canvas over the boom is the obvious solution and one that many of the boats in your target range will likely use. I repeat what I said earlier heating should be high on your list of priorities, you won't be able to rely on shore power all the time especially in the far north.

 

[Tranona]

Hi all, my thinking about the "protected helm".

1. It extends the sailing days into less clement weather.
2. It makes living aboard more pleasant by protecting the entrance hatch.
3. A cockpit tent gives an extra "room" and somewhere to take of wet oillies.
4. A pilot house is a nice place to sit & look at the view in bad weather.

So a good dodger (hard or soft) or pilot house would be fine.

And yes, I do recall a bit worse weather in the UK than Australia! Still, it was pretty nice when we arrived yesterday!

Cheers

Sorted the weather for you today. normal service resumed for a few days.

You are right about some form of protection, but solid "dodgers" and pilot houses are rare on boats under 30' and even in larger sizes where they make more sense there are very few boats actually built with them. Most will be in the older category and few in your price range. They do exist but the choice is small. BTW regular topic for threads here. Lots of people like the idea of such boats and many builders have tried to offer them but few get enough orders to make them viable. An exception which you might find attractive is the Westerly Konsort Duo. Usually a few for sale.

In reality most of us compromise with a good canvas spray hood and an autopilot, plus you may find a boat with a full cockpit tent that builds on the sprayhood. Can look ungainly but very practical in making use of the cockpit when in harbour.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Also in the same style as the Konsort Duo are Jeanneau Espace or you might find a Moody Eclipse.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Ah, ok, Aussie "Dodger" = British "Sprayhood"

Do you say "bimini" here for a flat sun/rain protection usually mounted from the rear of the cockpit?

Yes, I had expected that a cockpit tent would only be used at anchor/mooring/berth.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That "flat sun/rain protection" canvas item is indeed a bimini. "Cockpit tent" = a fully enclosed canvas structure covering the cockpit. Usually has windows, makes an extra living area.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Ah, ok, Aussie "Dodger" = British "Sprayhood"

Do you say "bimini" here for a flat sun/rain protection usually mounted from the rear of the cockpit?

Yes, I had expected that a cockpit tent would only be used at anchor/mooring/berth.

Not much call for a bimini in the UK.

 

[Genoa]

A small cat is perfect for the Nordics... if you are in past Oslo heading south, and the baltics you get some lovely, but shallow cruising. It would also give you a bit more speed to cover some of those longer passages. Don't dismiss it!

 

[Tranona]

Ah, ok, Aussie "Dodger" = British "Sprayhood"

Do you say "bimini" here for a flat sun/rain protection usually mounted from the rear of the cockpit?

Yes, I had expected that a cockpit tent would only be used at anchor/mooring/berth.

Dodgers here are the pieces of canvas lashed to the guard rails either side of the cockpit. Rather gone out of fashion now, but almost essential on boats like that mentioned in post#41

 

[doug748]

Dodgers here are the pieces of canvas lashed to the guard rails either side of the cockpit. Rather gone out of fashion now, but almost essential on boats like that mentioned in post#41

Almost:

 

[bitbaltic]

Dodgers here are the pieces of canvas lashed to the guard rails either side of the cockpit. Rather gone out of fashion now, but almost essential on boats like that mentioned in post#41

My wife used to love them when our son was small. We even had one to cover the transom gate.

Now she is more used to sailing but we have a 15mo baby, yet the dodgers have not made a return.

I quite like that they have the boat name on them and are a tip to sailing heritage- as a kid I loved seeing all the boat names in little harbours written on their dodgers.

As a skipper I prefer to sail without, especially if I have to lace them on rather than use tie wraps.

 

[Tranona]

Almost:

Should have done a bit more checking. In several pages of images via Google only around 10 boats had dodgers, a few more had spray hoods, 4 had boom tents and one a bimini(?).

Hardy lot of owners maybe.

 

[Bristolfashion]

I know it's an old thread, but I thought I'd post where we finally ended up.

After much pondering, keel kicking and reviewing our priorities, we settled on a rather nice Sadler 29 twin Keeler - although those LM30s are lovely ..... next time!

Cheers

Bristolfashion

 

[NotBirdseye]

An old thread but worth the read. How have you found your Sadler? I've been debating between a Fulmar and a Sadler for the past few weeks XD. A Sadler seems to have more deck space (which would suit other purposes of mine) but still!

 

[Bristolfashion]

We love the Sadler - having already attended a Sadler group dinner, there seem to be a few others that think the same way.

I quite liked the Fulmar, but we found it a bit too much of a size step up from our 28' 1966 built full keel.

New rigging and engine helped the decision! She seem to sail well, is comfortable and well designed.

We elected to explore the potential of a bilge Keeler - much mud hopping to come.

 

[LittleSister]

Why would you want a boat to be able to take to the ground in Scandinavia? There is a little tide here but not that much.

Size wise most boats seem to be 28-35 feet and the harbours and marinas here in Denmark seem built to cater for that range. We were looking for around a 35 ft boat, ended up with 36 which will do.Id not want bigger.

Id also be looking for:

a fixed rubbing strake like Halbergs etc have as you’ll almost certainly be using box berths

a pushpit designed for climbing off the front of the boat - you can buy a cheap bolt on bow platform here for little money and a lot of boats fit them. Various ladder options available so you can easily climb down to the shore.

holding tank

some form of cockpit shade...or rain cover.

Sounds like the LM30 off his original list, then!

(Or the LM28 or LM32.)

 

[Scomber]

I know it's an old thread, but I thought I'd post where we finally ended up.

After much pondering, keel kicking and reviewing our priorities, we settled on a rather nice Sadler 29 twin Keeler - although those LM30s are lovely ..... next time!

Cheers

Bristolfashion

Great choice had ours 15 yrs . Charcoal heater fitted last yr. Cosy as hell!!