Best Budget 24' to 27' Sailboat

i went from a Seawych to an Intro 22, which was still too small but fun then to what i have now a Jeanneau Sundream 28 which is actually closer to 30ft and i love the space it has, the head impresses others with similar size boats
 
I was looking for a Westerly Centaur but then stepped aboard a Leisure 27, that was 20 years ago and I've had no regrets. It ticks all your boxes as long as your not looking for a fast boat.

It does look like a nice boat and hazardously there's one for sale here in Cardiff. :D

What would be a fast boat in this size range and with these features? Comparing the sailing qualities between the many 24-30 foot, bilge keeled, sloop/cutter rigged, GRP boats is one of the areas that I'm still at the very start of learning about. I know polar diagrams are "in theory" but I do wish more boats had them available.
 
It does look like a nice boat and hazardously there's one for sale here in Cardiff. :D

What would be a fast boat in this size range and with these features? Comparing the sailing qualities between the many 24-30 foot, bilge keel...
With a few exceptions “fast” and “bilge keel” are not often seen together in boat descriptions. Where you do get both there’s usually a premium to be paid. RM, Sadler 290, Moody S31(?). Hunter twin keel boats are good I’m told. The venerable old Westerly Fulmar is often considered one of the best to sail bilge keelers, though not “fast” in the true sense of the word, and it’s a bit out of your size range. Of all of them, RM boats and Sadler 290 are the quickest, but not cheap at all.

If you can forego the bilge keel thing, I’d agree with Chae 73, not much out there of the same length that’ll out sail a Super Seal or a Parker 27. Only 5’6” headroom in Super Seal though, a bit more in Parker 27.
 
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It does look like a nice boat and hazardously there's one for sale here in Cardiff. :D

What would be a fast boat in this size range and with these features? Comparing the sailing qualities between the many 24-30 foot, bilge keeled, sloop/cutter rigged, GRP boats is one of the areas that I'm still at the very start of learning about. I know polar diagrams are "in theory" but I do wish more boats had them available.
As has been said 'fast and bilge keel don't usually go together'. It may also be the 6' headroom and the 9' beam but is probably the 40 year old sails that I have been using. New sails are on order and it will be interesting to see what difference they make.
 
I'm not sure it's so much fast that defines good and fun to sail. Responsiveness, leeway, ability to point, weather helm, lightness of helm, quality of controls all add up to 'fun to sail'.

A boat that sails well may only be half a knot quicker than one that doesn't sail so well on paper but could make a really big difference in real world passage times.

I've had a bilge keel boat, (I started with a bilge keel Hurley) I've had a long keel boat and several fast fin Keeler's. Personally, I would always get a fast decent sailing boat from now on. One that points well.

I would go on Apollo duck and do an advanced search on 24 to 27 foot and don't rule anything out.


This looks good value to me Van de Stadt 8m Offshore for sale UK, Van de Stadt boats for sale, Van de Stadt used boat sales, Van de Stadt Sailing Yachts For Sale 1979 Van De Stadt 8m Offshore - Apollo Duck
 
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