Advice on purchasing a blue water yacht - HR 39/40?

[NFCN]

Dear forum

10 years ago I posted asking for advice on buying a new yacht: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?99067-2007-time-to-buy-our-first-cruising-yacht&highlight=

The advice was great, and after 9 excellent years with our Moody 33, during which sons went from 4 and 6 to 13 and 15, we grew out of her and sold her. We have sailed far and wide, and she was a great apprenticeship, but now with early retirement beckoning I plan to buy a yacht to enjoy a sabbatical Atlantic Circuit in 18/19 then undertake long northern and southern European cruises. I therefore seek similar advice for different circumstances. My criteria are as follows:

- around 40ft, balancing speed and relative comfort with keeping costs down
- centre cockpit ideally, as have grown to appreciate the better accommodation and stern deck
- skeg hung rudder (am a little conventional), fin rather than bulb keel, happy with single wheel
- good quality build - have always inclined to UK and Scandinavian builders - a yacht which will hold its value in relative terms and be attractive to future buyers
- slab reefing and fully battened main (I just can't trust in-mast, although know some who do)
- 10-15 years old. Would plan to keep her for 20 years all going well...
- medium displacement - am not after a racer, as am cruising-minded, but not after a heavy displacement long keeler either
- don't need more than 3 cabins (aft, saloon, forepeak) or more than one heads
- thriving owners' association - MOA has been great

Budget £200k to include purchase and preparation.

I seem to have settled on a HR 39 or 40 (mid 2000s vintage - HR39 stopped in 2003, but a HR40 2005/6 might be in budget) but would happily have my prejudices challenged. There are some on the market with blue water spec - water maker, wind vane, solar/wind charger, sat phone / SSB etc. I would also be very happy to hear from anyone who has sailed a HR 39 or 40 of that vintage, particularly long distance.

Thank you in advance.

Nick

 

[ashtead]

Nick , I am surprised more have not offered a view. I was talking to a Moody 36 owner today and we were both looking across at a Rustler 42 tied up on the opposite pontoon. While that long keel would not be for me that or a Bowman might be on my list if I was looking. If you prefer a fin how about a Moody 41ac ? There's a second hand one for sale currently within your budget plus a 45 at slightly over both considerable newer than any HR you will find for the price and considerably more space.

 

[Goldie]

Unless you really are settled on the HR39/40, how about a Najad 420? This would fit the bill I think with plenty left in the kitty for upgrades. Much as I love the Rustler 42 (see post #2) I doubt you'd find one for your planned budget and anyway, the Rustler 42, Bowman 40/42/45 are all aft cockpit - as is the Moody 41AC also mentioned.

 

[jonic]

Hi Nick

We may have something that interests you. She is not yet being advertised, other than "under the radar" but hugely spec'd for serious long distance and live aboard cruising. Drop me a line and I'll send you some details.

Best

John

 

[shaunksb]

Why not a bigger, newer Moody then you would also have all the benefits you enjoy now.

A 42/44 would do nicely?

________________

 

[NFCN]

John Rodriguez - thank you, have sent pm.

Thank you for the advice from others. The Najad 420 ceased production in 1996 and may therefore be a little on the old side; the more recent Moodys are a touch long. Perhaps the later Moody 38 (LOA 38'5, last one 2003) might fit the bill...

 

[whiteshythe]

Dear forum

I seem to have settled on a HR 39 or 40 (mid 2000s vintage - HR39 stopped in 2003, but a HR40 2005/6 might be in budget) but would happily have my prejudices challenged. There are some on the market with blue water spec - water maker, wind vane, solar/wind charger, sat phone / SSB etc. I would also be very happy to hear from anyone who has sailed a HR 39 or 40 of that vintage, particularly long distance.

Thank you in advance.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Some of the points that made us choose a new HR39.
It was the smallest boat that had sufficient stowage and tankage for extended blue water cruising. It has space for all the goodies, generator, water maker, electric everything if required. However, with a single heads it's great for a couple, but too small for other than occasional guests. Above all it looks good and sails beautifully, but of course I am biased.

When looking at second hand examples, pay particular attention to the condition of the teak decks, and the number of engine hours. If you dismiss in mast furling you will be severely restricting your choice. The armchair version is very comfortable, but you sacrifice a sea berth and considerable stowage space.

Best of luck in your search.

Steve & Maggie.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Why not also consider an Oyster of similar size and vintage? We have had an 1984 Heritage 37 for 8 years and have been well impressed by the seaworthiness and build quality. If we were younger and contemplating blue water we would look at a 406 or a late 435, but steer clear of teak decks whatever you buy!

 

[Yngmar]

Bavaria 38/40/42 Ocean matches your list except for the absence of a skeg (not all have the deep fin keel, not all have slab reefing as both were options). Very helpful forums at http://www.bavariayacht.info/

Moody 425 - bit older, but if you can find a well kept one, age doesn't really matter much and you can keep the MOA membership

 

[johnalison]

HR39 is a very nice boat. There is something to be said for a masthead rig for blue-water sailing and it would be my preference at that size, in fact, there was a time when we thought of buying one. It does everything the 36 does but in comfort.

 

[NFCN]

Thank you all. It would still be good to hear from any other HR39 or HR40 owners on their yachts' characteristics or foibles - or others who have sailed on one or the other.

 

[Tranona]

Think you will struggle to find an HR above 37' without in mast furling. I recently did a survey of all the HRs for sale and my findings were that they were almost 100% in mast.

So you will have to either face a big bill for a new rig or accept that all previous owners are right (or wrong!) in their choice of rigs!

 

[whiteshythe]

Think you will struggle to find an HR above 37' without in mast furling. I recently did a survey of all the HRs for sale and my findings were that they were almost 100% in mast.

So you will have to either face a big bill for a new rig or accept that all previous owners are right (or wrong!) in their choice of rigs!

Hi Nick,

About 15% of HR39/40's are fitted with slab reefing. I know of a number here in the UK, but don't know if they are for sale. To find the boat you want you will probably have to look worldwide.
Happy hunting.

Steve.

 

[De.windhoos]

Have you thought at looking at Contest?
I.e. http://www.devalk.nl/en/yachtbroker...paign=Websitelink&utm_source=www.botenbank.nl

 

[matt1]

Dear forum

10 years ago I posted asking for advice on buying a new yacht: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?99067-2007-time-to-buy-our-first-cruising-yacht&highlight=


- around 40ft, balancing speed and relative comfort with keeping costs down
- centre cockpit ideally, as have grown to appreciate the better accommodation and stern deck
- skeg hung rudder (am a little conventional), fin rather than bulb keel, happy with single wheel
- good quality build - have always inclined to UK and Scandinavian builders - a yacht which will hold its value in relative terms and be attractive to future buyers
- slab reefing and fully battened main (I just can't trust in-mast, although know some who do)
- 10-15 years old. Would plan to keep her for 20 years all going well...
- medium displacement - am not after a racer, as am cruising-minded, but not after a heavy displacement long keeler either
- don't need more than 3 cabins (aft, saloon, forepeak) or more than one heads
- thriving owners' association - MOA has been great



Nick

Spooky you seem to have listed my requirements exactly! Hence my disappointment that Rassy's replacement for the 43 is a delta shaped, plumb bow, twin rudder design

There is a blog by an American couple who sailed (most of the way) round the world in a 40. I had some email exchange with them and they were very positive about the boat. There's a nice video of one doing a very long delivery from NZ to west coast US. I would think they would just about be in budget. Nice moderate design.

 

[NFCN]

Winhoos - The Contest at the link looks lovely, although I'm just a little too prejudiced to want an island stern cabin berth and in mast furling. I do know someone with a Contest and he has been delighted by it though. Thanks for posting the link - interesting yacht.

Matt 1 - do you have a link to that blog? Have had a look but can't find anything obvious.

 

[matt1]

Winhoos - The Contest at the link looks lovely, although I'm just a little too prejudiced to want an island stern cabin berth and in mast furling. I do know someone with a Contest and he has been delighted by it though. Thanks for posting the link - interesting yacht.

Matt 1 - do you have a link to that blog? Have had a look but can't find anything obvious.

Hi .... Here it is

http://www.tenayatravels.com

Nice people. I'm sure they would be happy to respond to any specific questions in relation to the 40 if you contacted them. They spoke very highly about the boat

 

[geem]

The average yacht size in the Caribbean is circa 44ft. Most are sailed by husband and wife. If you were sailing here in the caribbean with a 40 footer it would be considered on the small size. . Our 44ft boat is pretty full of gear. We can make space for visitors but it means a lot of rearranging of our kit. Liveaboards have quite different requirements to summer holiday cruisers. The kit tends to grow the more liveaboard cruising you do. The ability to buy supplies in bulk when the price is right is useful but needs good locker space. Large tankage is also very useful. There are anchorages here where we wouldnt want to make water. Sitting in an anchorage for several days on good quality tank water is nice. Being able to engine for several days due to a large fuel tank makes a difference.
A large cockpit for entertaining guests that is also protected as sea from the elements is a must for us. Tiny sprayhood that only stop spray from going down below are no good to me, i want protection from the weather and comfy cockpit cushions that are not covered in salt water due to flying spray. I also want a boat that sails exstremely well and can go well to windward. This means deep draft and a powerful rig that drives the boat in light winds as well as heavy weather. If the boat slams to windward or gripes up in a squall I have the wrong boat.
In hot weather we live in the cockpit because its a great place to be not be ause its too hot below. Excellent ventilation is a must. Portlights rather than deck hatches work for us as they can be left open when it rains.
I hope some of our priorites borne from our experience of liveaboard life help assist you in ypur choice of boat.
I am not going to mention sea keeping quailities as I think you already have than nailed. Best of look with your purchase

 

[Chalker]

An earlier Frers HR might also fit your criteria. We have now completed our RTW in a HR42F, finishing off this Cariibbean season and arriving home in summer 2017.
Not for sale!
Some breakages and repairs but to be expected after 40k miles in an older boat over four years. MUCH newer boats, Amels etc. Included had also breakages and repairs.
Very happy with our boats performance. Whole trip done two up, both now 70.
Share your view of in-mast reefing. Don't forget that many HRs (ours) have plenty of sail handling at the mast.
If you do not have electric winches, get a Milwaukee 28v right angled cordless drill and winch adaptor plus two batteries, MAGIC!!!!

Electric winches can unwind forestays (halyard wrap) and break things, the Milwaukee needs you to hold the end, so you can feel the power being exerted, just as with a winch handle. You know when the force is higher than normal.
Thats my infomercial over, just a very satisfied customer.

 

[NFCN]

More great advice, thank you. I think 40ft is about as long as I would go - it's all about compromise, and most of my sailing will be in European waters. The Tenya travels website is great but it would even better to hear direct from any HR 39 or 40 owners.