boat choice suggestions please

[Birdseye]

Been round the sailing block with bilge keelers, a cat, deep fin but now in my 70s and with a dog, its clear that my days of long distance cruising are over and difficulties in keeping a constant crew make racing nothing more than casual. So I am contemplating selling the deep fin 35 footer and buying something more suitable for loocal pottering in drying waters. Budget, within reason, isnt an issue. Instead the requirements are:
1/ ability to dry out
2/ self tacking jib
3/ overnight accommodation for 2 geriatrics so likely 26 to 30 ft overall
4/ inboard diesel - had my fill of outboards
5/ reasonably modern or even new to minimise maintenance.

 

[fredrussell]

Hunter Legend? Think they have self tacking jib and bilge keels- others will confirm.

 

[westhinder]

Out of the traditional English boat-box: RM 890. Modern French twin keeler that will sail rings around most other boats of similar size that crop up in these forums

 

[mainsail1]

Out of the traditional English boat-box: RM 890. Modern French twin keeler that will sail rings around most other boats of similar size that crop up in these forums

The OP is over 70 years old..... come on!

 

[westhinder]

The OP is over 70 years old..... come on!

I missed that, but my brother in law owns an RM 890 and he is 67. It is not a racing machine, it is a nice cruiser that sails well.

 

[matt1]

The OP is over 70 years old..... come on!

Hunter Channel 31 if you want something fast, less fast (but probably still sails well) a Hunter Horizon 32 (older than the 31). Moody S31, Sadler 290

 

[E39mad]

Parker 31, Parker 275 both with lifting keels and reportedly sail well.

Southerly 32 gives the best of both worlds - deep draft performance plus it floats on "dew" but they are pricey used at around £120k.

Feeling 32 can have a lifting keel as can the Oceanis 311.

A First 285 or MGC 27 (rare but they are out there) both with lifting keel

I believe the Moody S31 bilge keel sails well.

 

[Frogmogman]

How about the new Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 with lifting keel option ?

The 30.1 comes with a self tacking jib as standard, and the reviews so far have been of a boat that sails very well. With the lift keel option and twin rudders it can take the ground too.

....or for a more left-field suggestion, how about a Malango 888 lift keel. Proper French quirkiness. By all accounts, they are brilliant fun to sail, have a self tacker, and also a dinghy garage to save all that hassle with the tender. This one has been on the market for ages at this price, so maybe an aggressive offer would be in order Vente IDB Marine Malango 888 occasion - Voilier Dériveur Intégral à La Rochelle, France | Youboat FR

 

[Brentwales]

Bilge keeled Hunter Pilot. You can stay warm and dry whilst motoring, space for 2 and a dog.

 

[BenMurphy]

Love my Hunter Horizon 27. Meets all the criteria and she's a doddle to sail.

 

[Carib]

A Sirius 310 DS with the twin keel (or indeed lift keel) option might fit the bill.. although it will cost many times the price of all the above!

 

[bitbaltic]

Think i’d look for a Sadler 290. Not sure about the self-tacking jib but as the owner of a boat designed for one (Hanse 301) I think they are overrated. A modestly overlapping Genoa is easy enough to handle on a well found fractionally rigged boat.

 

[WoodyP]

Why not think about a small motor boat?

 

[Chae_73]

Another slightly left-field choice could be a Golden Hind 31 mkii (Maurice Griffiths design). Shoal draft long keel with bilge plates so will dry out ok and float in 4' of water.

I've not sailed one but they have a reputation as being seaworthy and comfortable, and the accommodation looks pretty good. I believe they can be adapted for a self tacking job if that is essential.

 

[ashtead]

A southerly which has a self tacker,lifting keel, quality build and say a 32 ft version ?

 

[shaunksb]

Think i’d look for a Sadler 290. Not sure about the self-tacking jib but as the owner of a boat designed for one (Hanse 301) I think they are overrated. A modestly overlapping Genoa is easy enough to handle on a well found fractionally rigged boat.

^^^^^^Everything this man says^^^^^^

_______________________

 

[Birdseye]

I fancy the self tacking because winching my current boat takes a lot of effort for a man of my age

 

[ashtead]

We have a self taker , makes sailing a 41 easier than a dinghy . Add in electric winches and few activities in the cockpit once the autopilot is engaged

 

[bitbaltic]

I fancy the self tacking because winching my current boat takes a lot of effort for a man of my age

that’ll be the winches then. I upgraded the primaries on my Hanse (single speed 16s) to twin speed Harken 35.2 (apologies if the number is not correct, it’s been some years). that’s the primary winches upgraded to the point where a Genoa is easy to handle whatever the wind speed for less than the cost of a (good) self tacking sail. Forget the self tacker.

 

[cherod]

there is a Woods strider av just now for less than 10 K !!!! got everything the OP asks , and more .