best fast cruising boat for 25K ?

best fast cruising boat for 25K

Just bought an H-323 as a fast cruiser to replace my H -Boat.
Ticked the boxes for me
H-323 designed by Hans Groop , Built by Artekno OY Finland
9.8 m x 2.56m x 1.47 Wt 2900 kg
Price sub 25K
Good looking
Fast
Fractional rig
Deck stepped mast
Easily sailed short handed

N.B. H-Boat now for sale!!!!!
Swmbo complaining about size of fleet
 
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Have none of you guys sailed on a Jeanneau Attalia or a Symphonie?

Not sailed the Attalia, but they are spacious with a nice wooden interior.
While the Symphonie is just as spacious but without the same wooden interior (could be date of manufacture etc). But she handles like a Dinghy and her turn of speed is very good….borderline impressive! :D
Very responsive with the three cylinder Yanmar, impressive control from the rudder (like a Dinghy) and comes in the first three in most of the races under all conditions.

Very good choice John :)
The Attalia has bags of room, huge aft cabin nice internal finish. Mine had new upholstery and headlining throughout professionally done when I bought her. Any boats of that age which have foam backed headlining will be starting to droop by now so worth factoring in replacement costs. Now that I have a new Mainsail I'm very pleased with how she goes.
The Gibsea 312 is also a very nice boat but maybe a bit more expensive than £25K. I was actually on the hunt for a Gibsea 312 when I spotted my Attalia.

Remember if you have £25k budget don't be shy about looking at boats with an asking price a good bit more. Some people are very hopeful with prices but usually open to offers. Some say you might offend owners with silly offers but if you see a boat for sale at £35k and you only have £25k then it's not a silly offer.

Happy hunting.
 
Did anyone notice the thread has been resurrected from January 09.. Methinks the OP may have a boat by now, or has test-sailed every boat on earth. :D
 
Been looking for the same sort of thing myself...but I've found something, so I can share my thoughts with you...anyway on our list was:

Sadler 32
First 305
First 35 (older)
Ohlson 35 (too old for you and no aft cabin, mid 70's, but there is an Ohlson 38 in the canaries for 24K which I saw when I was down there a few years ago)
Older well worn Sadler 34s
Pioneer 10 (still too old and no AC, but mighty pretty)

You'll prolly have to go to about 32K to get what you want, but you might be able to get a bargain if those pesky europeans don't get to them first, bear in mind that with the £ as it is at the mo they euro crowd are effectively getting 25% off....so bargain hunting isn't as easy as one thinks....

Of course every proud yacht owner is biased but I own a beautiful Pioneer 10 which is a joy to sail. Rampion is very spacious when you consider she's a mid 1970's design and really looks after you well in a blow. But with a 6ft draft and 44% BR thats what you expect.

The Contessa 32 is a great boat but for the money and length the accom is very small - esp the fwd cabin. First 305's etc are v desirable too but as with most French production yachts tender in a blow (too frequent reefing early on for me).

The Sadler 32 or Centurion 32 would be at the top of my list.
 
Couple of pics of my Pioneer 10 this Summer

Rampionundersail.jpg


Rampionatanchor.jpg


IMG_0050.jpg
 
I think you would be very very fortunate to find a Gibsea 312 or Dehler 34 that required no major work for 25k.... in fact I think you would be fortunate to find a 312 or Dehler 34 that would be seaworthy for 25k..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OTOH... I think you could get a decent Sadler 32 for that sort of money.... or a decent Rival 32 or 34 with a bit of looking....

Good Luck!
I think he said he wanted a fast cruiser....................
 
A Westerly Fulmar would meet all your criteria except most do not have an aft cabin but do have a very reasonable and roomy quarter berth. They would probably be towards the top end of your budget but there are several for sale on the WOA website.
 
Don't know if anybody's mentioned my old boat, a Jeanneau Sunlight. It's got both space and enough pace for performance cruising. The first range by Beneteau, 305,325 would fit the bill, likewise a Sadler 32. An older design the OOD 34, makes a good cruiser.
 
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