Best value 32-36ft yacht; under £30k; to get around GB & Ireland this summ

[Jossy]

Hi all,

I’m looking to buy (or borrow/charter!) a 32-36ft cruiser to take around GB & Ireland this summer. Looking to buy for under 30k.

What models would you recommend?

We’ve been told to keep it to a 6ft keel. Perhaps a Hallberg Rassy 35 Rasmus, or Contessa 32... any other ideas?

First post on ybw - likely not the last

Thanks,
Jossy & Mike

 

[lpdsn]

I can summarise the rest of the thread. Just buy what poster x has or would like to have.

Anyway...

Chartering will be difficult. A) UK boats have to be coded so an individual can't legally charter you his boat - maybe a few getarounds that haven't been tested in the courts yet but rather you than me. B) Irish boats have an semi-equivalent passenger ferry fudge C) Chartering out boats of the size you want it is not that cost-effective so there are very few*. D) Chartering a nice new 40 footer for a good few weeks will take your whole budget.

I don't find a 2.1m draught restrictive. Yes, there are places I can't go and I can't dry out. But they're generally little places that people would only go to once in a blue moon anyway. But that doesn't mean such a boat would suit you better than a shallow draught boat.

There's a huge range of boats that could safely make that journey. All have trade offs. You seem to be keen on old slow boats - if that's your own opinion fair enough. If it's the opinion of the last person you chatted to in a club bar then better to sail on a lot more boats until you can listen to someone else's opinion and decide whether or not to retain your own.

Oh, and all posters will tell you their boats sail fast. Just some are faster than others.

*Yes you could charter a Bavaria 36 - and probably successfully make the trip (but see D) but I meant there are very few boats of the types you listed.

 

[Kelpie]

There isn't a 'best' boat- and the two you mention could scarcely be more different.

I guess there are two of you? Think about your style of sailing... Are you marina dwellers, or happy to sit at anchor? What sort of daily passage lengths are you contemplating, and are you up for longer overnight legs? Are you died in the wool sailors or are you happy to stick the engine on the minute your VMG drops below 5kt?

 

[Concerto]

Jossy

There is no simple answer to your question. Does the £30K cover just the purchase or include the improvements needed for the journey or include all costs of the trip. If the last, then think of a purchase price of about £10K which will not get you much of a boat. So explain your budget, the crews experience, the trips expected duration, interior preferences, your intended route, and expected type of harbours e.g. marina, mooring or anchor, then we will all chip in our opinions of which boat you should have.

Almost any boat of that size should be able do the trip in easy day sails in reasonable weather. It might mean waiting for weather windows, and that may increase the cost of berthing during your trip.

No matter which boat you buy, expect to spend at least £5K (possibly £20K if new sails, new standing and running rigging, electronics, auto-pilot, etc) getting it ready to make the trip. Some of this will be maintenance or replacement of worn out gear, some will be improvements needed for the trip. So try and buy the best equipped yacht in a good running condition. Once you have found it and purchased it, the hard work of preparation and testing everything will begin. Testing includes using it in all weathers to check everything works, finding things that are difficult to do and need changing/improving. Then you will be ready for your adventure. Personally I would take this season to do the testing and do the trip next year. The wait will improve your overall enjoyment of the trip.

 

[Wandering Star]

You seem to be keen on old slow boats - if that's your own opinion fair enough. If it's the opinion of the last person you chatted to in a club bar then better to sail on a lot more boats until you can listen to someone else's opinion and decide whether or not to retain your own.

I’ve never been able to understand the concept of faster being better (unless you’re a racer of course), I can only speak for myself but when I’m on passage my priorities are to sail my boat efficiently, comfortably, enjoyably and within it’s capabilities. I’m not at all bothered if someone elses boat can shave an hour off the passage time on a x-channel or a day or two off the passage time on a Transat - it genuinely doesn’t bother me, I go sailing to enjoy the sailing experience and potential speed doesnt feature in my choice of boat since when I finally arrive at my destination is rather academic.

Other people like to get there as quickly as possible even when that means a crashy crashy sail on a lightweight flyer. That doesn’t mean it’s the measure of a good boat.

 

[lpdsn]

I’ve never been able to understand the concept of faster being better (unless you’re a racer of course), I can only speak for myself but when I’m on passage my priorities are to sail my boat efficiently, comfortably, enjoyably and within it’s capabilities. I’m not at all bothered if someone elses boat can shave an hour off the passage time on a x-channel or a day or two off the passage time on a Transat - it genuinely doesn’t bother me, I go sailing to enjoy the sailing experience and potential speed doesnt feature in my choice of boat since when I finally arrive at my destination is rather academic.

Other people like to get there as quickly as possible even when that means a crashy crashy sail on a lightweight flyer. That doesn’t mean it’s the measure of a good boat.

No worries. Each to his own. I can never understand however where people who like old slow boats get their understanding of faster boats. I suspect some of them base it on an IOR quarter-tonner they once saw thirty years ago. It's perfectly possible to sail faster in comfort. You just need more sail area and more ballast and a good designer.

 

[capnsensible]

Really, it only takes a couple of days to prep the average boat for a trip like that. It's not a space shuttle. There are plenty of boats around at that price that you can more or less be off on in a week. There are shed loads of places to buy and repair things all the way round. That will be the best sea trial ever.

Not that I am more than the teensiest bit biased, but an older Moody 33 will do all you ask and give loadsa change for a nice life.

Been to Venezuela on ours!

 

[doug748]

I’ve never been able to understand the concept of faster being better (unless you’re a racer of course), I can only speak for myself but when I’m on passage my priorities are to sail my boat efficiently, comfortably, enjoyably and within it’s capabilities..

Quite so, In this case I am a bit baffled as to where these "faster" sub 30k boats are to be found. The only one that comes to mind is a Sigma 33, or an early First perhaps, nope, no rocket ships.

Best advice for the OP is to think carefully about the want to do the project in the first place. If he is convinced; spend max 25k on the best bargain he can find, make sure he is gonna like it and keep it for future use. Buying and, particularly, selling boats is a grim business.

 

[dunedin]

But this, service the engine, fit a Rocna and enjoy your trip ......
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1986/Westerly-Fulmar-32-3042928/United-Kingdom#.Wm3UyeanyhA

 

[Lucky Duck]

Or this http://www.whyboats.com/used-boat-details/used-maxi-1000-serendipity-used--fin-keel-fiberglass/id-191223959/

 

[Jossy]

OP here, thank you everyone so far!! A little bit more about us... in response to all the helpful comments above.

* Budget & timeframe to buy. Budget to buy is up to 30k, inclusive of improvements. Given our timeframe (a rush), we can’t get an overhaul / project boat. We‘ll likely only have ~4-6 weeks to put work in and test her out properly. Why the hurry to go now: we’re still young(ish), just handed our employers our resignations, we have a burning desire to learn, no mortgage, no family, no time like the present.
* Voyage. We plan on taking 3 months (mid May - mid Aug). We’re building experience - going slow to wait for weather windows & to explore new places. We are inviting friends and family to join us, calling on the experienced sailors for the most demanding legs (w coast Ireland etc.)
* What we look for in a boat. Reliability (given age), not fussed by speed but want to avoid excessive motoring, comfort for socialising. 4-6 berths.


Thanks again to everyone for all your helpful responses so far

 

[horatio_nelson]

Scanmar 33. (genuine suggestion, not just because I own one)

Absolutely ticks all your boxes.

 

[robmcg]

I’ve never been able to understand the concept of faster being better (unless you’re a racer of course), I can only speak for myself but when I’m on passage my priorities are to sail my boat efficiently, comfortably, enjoyably and within it’s capabilities. I’m not at all bothered if someone elses boat can shave an hour off the passage time on a x-channel or a day or two off the passage time on a Transat - it genuinely doesn’t bother me, I go sailing to enjoy the sailing experience and potential speed doesnt feature in my choice of boat since when I finally arrive at my destination is rather academic.

Other people like to get there as quickly as possible even when that means a crashy crashy sail on a lightweight flyer. That doesn’t mean it’s the measure of a good boat.

I totally agree. The general opinion on this forum seems to be faster is always better and those of us who sail more traditional type boats are stuck in some blinkered time warp. It just isn't so.

 

[lpdsn]

* What we look for in a boat. Reliability (given age), not fussed by speed but want to avoid excessive motoring, comfort for socialising. 4-6 berths.

Thanks again to everyone for all your helpful responses so far

You'll be very lucky to get a second-hand boat that is reliable until you make her reliable. In other words, before being sold they're often neglected for a while and then they stand in a yard for a while then a new owner buys them, who maybe doesn't understand all the quirks so doesn't manage the kit quite as well as the previous owner, so things fail. Best to assume you'll have more gear failure in the first few weeks of ownership than you would in a year or two of a boat that you've spent a few years getting well sorted. You can mitigate it a little by buying an obviously well looked after example, at maybe a premium of 10% or so, but you're still very likely to find issues.

 

[lpdsn]

I totally agree. The general opinion on this forum seems to be faster is always better and those of us who sail more traditional type boats are stuck in some blinkered time warp. It just isn't so.

That's funny. I always thought the general opinion on the forum was that anything faster than a Westerly Brick was manifestly unsafe and likely to strike those on board with paralysing fear and terror, if not complete apoplexy. Different perceptions.

 

[johnalison]

I would say that, other things being equal, your satisfaction in terms of comfort and speed will depend on the boat's waterline length. There are boats which are faster or slower than their peers, and others which are more or less comfortable, but if you have a seaman's eye, any boat that you like the look of in terms of your needs will do the job.

 

[Tranona]

OP here, thank you everyone so far!! A little bit more about us... in response to all the helpful comments above.

* Budget & timeframe to buy. Budget to buy is up to 30k, inclusive of improvements. Given our timeframe (a rush), we can’t get an overhaul / project boat. We‘ll likely only have ~4-6 weeks to put work in and test her out properly. Why the hurry to go now: we’re still young(ish), just handed our employers our resignations, we have a burning desire to learn, no mortgage, no family, no time like the present.
* Voyage. We plan on taking 3 months (mid May - mid Aug). We’re building experience - going slow to wait for weather windows & to explore new places. We are inviting friends and family to join us, calling on the experienced sailors for the most demanding legs (w coast Ireland etc.)
* What we look for in a boat. Reliability (given age), not fussed by speed but want to avoid excessive motoring, comfort for socialising. 4-6 berths.


Thanks again to everyone for all your helpful responses so far

You don't say what your experience is - that is critical to how quickly you can get up and running with confidence. Your timescale to get round both Britain and Ireland is ambitious, particularly if you intend going round the top. There is masses of information about doing the trip in books, blogs, magazines and indeed on this forum, where the subject comes up regularly.

With your budget you are not going to get a modern boat of that size and as already suggested most will require work of some sort - that is often why they are for sale. There is no best either in type or value. Any cruising boat will do the job, but to do it in your time scale you need to buy one that has good sails, good engine and reliable electronics (not necessarily the latest, but good enough for your style of navigation - back to experience again).

There are so many different ways of going round as suggested earlier, but with your timescale you will be on the end of the spectrum where you will need to sail more than being in port, and that may include long offshore passages. It is important to think through what you want to get out of the experience. While there is a sense of achievement in "going round" it is not something new - literally hundreds of people are doing it in some way or another at any one time - there are other ways of having great sailing experiences over a whole summer. So, be realistic about what you want to achieve.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

With that budget and timeline, I would choose a J92. There's a couple available at the moment.

The systems are so simple you can overhaul then before lunch and if you buy them well enough there'll be enough left for a bigger anchor, sprayhood and roller furler if necessary.

Sheet-in, hold on and off you go.

 

[Spyro]

If you want to socialise on the boat forget the Contessa. You won't find a Rassy 35 for under 30k. Now having said that there are plenty boats around that would be perfectly adequate for your trip and if you aren't looking for a particular make or model then there should be plenty to choose from. I'd be looking at modern design, with rear cabin and plenty space inside and in the cockpit and fin keel. Probably something from The Ben/Jen or Bav factories, late 80s or 90s. Don't be put off by advertised prices, most are very ambitious. You're not planning on crossing oceans so I don't see what all the talk is of getting the boat ready etc. If it has a reliable engine and decent sails and as long as it has the necessary safety gear then you're good to go.
The westerly on the link looks ok but I wouldn't go for bilge keels.

 

[Bobc]

Anything that price and budget will do it. Buy whatever takes your fancy.


Personally? Sadler 34.