Best fast cruiser/racer

Whitelighter

Whitelighter

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What would the panel suggest if someone were looking to buy a boat that was both suitable for cruising but could also be raced well at a club level?

The more modern the better, with a budget of up to £100k.
 
OK, maybe should add a fw thing. Would like something that is exciting to sail as well, so fast in its own right without relying on handicaps.

Though I take your point that to race well is perhaps more crew than boat
 
Twister_Ken said:
X 362
Beneteau 34.7/40.7
Dehler 36
J 105/109
Elan 37
Click to expand...

j105 is really not a dual purpose boat, very cramped inside with no table and the heads in the forecabin. And any 109 you can get for £100k will have "issues".

Other suggestions here are good, the 34.7 doesn't really have the interior of the others though.
Unless you really need the extra space I would suggest going smaller and newer, especially if campaign costs are a factor. A 37 footer's sails are not cheap, and it would be better to have a 32-34 footer with new sails than trying to make old sails last on a bigger boat.

I've raced extensively on a j105 and an élan 37, pm me with any specific questions.
 
Racer/Cruiser

Being totally biased 'cause I have had mine since the mid 90s, can only one yacht meeting this spec - the Baraccuda.

Might be getting on in years but bang up to date in concept. Buy for 50K and you have lots of lolly left for bring up to spec the inside, sails, rigging etc to your desires.

Can sail easily with SHMBO, get into shallow havens, canals and up rivers , she will look after you in 50+knots, or sail with your mates round the cans/cross channel and have a blast.

1st owner claimed 22kts when racing and held record to Ostend for several years, he did the three peaks race several years, went down to Spain, all around Scotland with family, I have seen 16kts on the clock as well as my family hols all around Friesland Islands, through Dutch canals, down to Gironde and adveraged over 12kts from Jersey with just 3 on board.
Nothing built since to match it.
 
Whitelighter said:
What would the panel suggest if someone were looking to buy a boat that was both suitable for cruising but could also be raced well at a club level?

The more modern the better, with a budget of up to £100k.
Click to expand...


Have you looked at this?

16249-Winner900_thumb.jpg

The Winner 900 seems to tick all your boxes. Goes like the clappers, and has no vices and is really comfy down below.

The press reviews have been fabulous too http://www.pbo.co.uk/magazine/50206/december-2013
 
Whitelighter said:
What would the panel suggest if someone were looking to buy a boat that was both suitable for cruising but could also be raced well at a club level?

The more modern the better, with a budget of up to £100k.
Click to expand...

A fifty foot Mobo with a pair of bus engines would get around the course quite quickly! :D:D:D
 
Whitelighter said:
OK, maybe should add a fw thing. Would like something that is exciting to sail as well, so fast in its own right without relying on handicaps.

Though I take your point that to race well is perhaps more crew than boat
Click to expand...

It depends what you mean by fast. It also depends upon what sort of accommodation you want. And what sort of cruising you want to do. An older X-332, for example, would be brilliant for Solent cruising, but not the sort of boat to buy if you want to go around the west of Ireland,

Personally, I like the X34 as a dual purpose boat. Enough accommodation and pretty competitive on handicap (I know you say you don't want that, but...)

I also really like the Pogo 10.5. Maybe edging a little towards the spartan side on accommodation, but the combination of speed and go-anywhere capability is outstanding. Trouble is the builders know it and seem to keep putting up the price without losing the waiting list.

I've raced on a fair few Beneteaus, even examples of the latest First range, and have not formed a high opinion of them. The 40.7 is probably the best racer they've produced.

As an outsider the Bavaria Match range are very cheap for what you get and not bad boats - they were a flop because the keel fell off one but the others have had their hulls strengthened.

If you want really fast and cheap and spartan accommodation, buy a ten year old or more purpose built racer. You'll never win much, but you'll have fun doing it.

Absolutely agree about the comments that crew make the difference (just look at the results in one design racing) and about the comments about sails budget. If you find something you like, ask a few owners how much they've spent on sails to race.
 
Take another look at the Dragonfly that you were making much noise about a few years ago - Club racing not that widespread but it is out there depending on location.
 
A1Sailor said:
Why resurrect a thread after 4 years? Are you selling something?
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Odd you should suggest that. You see, winneryachts.co.uk is owned by a company called "Simply Brilliant Stuff Limited" and the two directors of "Simply Brilliant Stuff Ltd" are called Gary and Morag <surname omitted> and the new poster who is so enthusiastically pushing Winner yachts is "G&M", as in "Gary and Morag". Funny coincidence, eh?

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/simply-brilliant-stuff
 
JumbleDuck said:
Odd you should suggest that. You see, winneryachts.co.uk is owned by a company called "Simply Brilliant Stuff Limited" and the two directors of "Simply Brilliant Stuff Ltd" are called Gary and Morag <surname omitted> and the new poster who is so enthusiastically pushing Winner yachts is "G&M", as in "Gary and Morag". Funny coincidence, eh? http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/simply-brilliant-stuff
Click to expand...

It just shows the power of the forum: someone says they want something - and then a year or few later, there it is on the market for them.;)
 
JumbleDuck said:
Odd you should suggest that. You see, winneryachts.co.uk is owned by a company called "Simply Brilliant Stuff Limited" and the two directors of "Simply Brilliant Stuff Ltd" are called Gary and Morag <surname omitted> and the new poster who is so enthusiastically pushing Winner yachts is "G&M", as in "Gary and Morag". Funny coincidence, eh?

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/simply-brilliant-stuff
Click to expand...

Purely coincidental, no doubt. Brilliant stuff if it isn't, though. :encouragement:
 
flaming said:
j105 is really not a dual purpose boat, very cramped inside with no table and the heads in the forecabin. And any 109 you can get for £100k will have "issues".

Other suggestions here are good, the 34.7 doesn't really have the interior of the others though.
Unless you really need the extra space I would suggest going smaller and newer, especially if campaign costs are a factor. A 37 footer's sails are not cheap, and it would be better to have a 32-34 footer with new sails than trying to make old sails last on a bigger boat.

I've raced extensively on a j105 and an élan 37, pm me with any specific questions.
Click to expand...

Given the downward presuure on used boat prices, I would be interested to know what the answer to this question would be now in 2014
 
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