Boat search:Short hop coastal cruiser that sails well -gk24 or...?

[Trevelyan]

Hi all,

Moving up from dinghies. I'm looking for a boat that I can use for short hop coastal cruising but still with reasonable sailing performance (not likely to actually race however). Must be big enough for couple plus two friends.

Budget up to £10k sensibly, although could go to £15k for the right boat. Am thinking fin keeler to keep sailing performance (unless there's an obvious bilge keeler that someone can convince me of).

Thoughts so far are GK24, Sadler 25, Sadler 26... suggestions or comments on these please!

Cheers

Trev

 

[Burnham Bob]

All good boats - have known all three as friends have owned them. However, a vote from me for something that's a little bit longer but is a great boat - I've got one! - take a look at a Trapper 500. You should find one in your price bracket but do compare the boats - you couldn't go wrong with any of them in my experience.

 

[V1701]

Albin Vega?

 

[Ubergeekian]

Westerly Jouster? Very solid, designed for JOG racing (replaced by the GK24), sparkling performance ... and very reasonably priced.

 

[vyv_cox]

We looked at a GK24 when we moved up from dinghies. Very short of headroom and we decided to go up a little in length to 27 ft so that four of us could stand up inside.

 

[wklein]

I have a tapper 400. Well built simple sensible and quick. Very underpriced for what you get.

 

[lw395]

For that money you could do worse than an Impala.
Bit basic but strong and sails well. The inboard diesel conversion on mine was quite noisy, encouraging me to sail everywhere.
The fin or bilge decision is a big one. If you have an affordable mooring for a fin, personally I would want a fin. There is no substitute for windward performance, except diesel I suppose.

 

[ianat182]

For that money a Trapper 500 or a Westerly Tiger (25ft) could fit your budget and be in good order sails and engine wise;plenty of headroom and good accomodation,Tiger similar to the Centaur. Trapper a ahapely hull and sails beautifully;accommodation as good, less headroom I think.

ianat182

 

[Trevelyan]

Thanks for suggestions all... I will take a look (and probably come back with more questions!). I have worried about the head room on the GK24, what did you go for instead vyv_cox?

I should be able to find a deep water mooring, so now thinking fin keeler unless I strumble across a particularly good bilge keeler...

Trev

 

[sighmoon]

Guy Thompson T24 - 5'10 of headroom, 5 berths and sails superbly. I used to have the slightly bigger sister, the T27. Very stiff in a blow.

This one is more expensive than others I've seen advertised:
http://www.boatshop24.com/en/sailing-boats/thompson-t24-2527439 (no connection)

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks for suggestions all... I will take a look (and probably come back with more questions!). I have worried about the head room on the GK24, what did you go for instead vyv_cox?

I should be able to find a deep water mooring, so now thinking fin keeler unless I strumble across a particularly good bilge keeler...

Trev

We did look very keenly at an Impala but eventually settled on a Challenger 27, a French boat not often found in UK. Owned her for three years, family of four, very successful choice.

Found her for sale. http://www.boatshed.com/yacht_challenger_europe-boat-41577.html

 

[richardbrennan]

I bought a new Tiger more years ago than I care to remember. YM had just done a group test on boats of this size and it came out on top. The T24, I also seem to remember, did well too. They are excellent boats and, like most earlier Westerleys, built like a battle ship. I would check the WOA website to see what is available.

 

[robmcg]

Trapper 500 would fit your bill nicely and I just happen to have one for sale.......what a coincidence!!!!!!!!

 

[Cspirit]

T 24 - lovely boat. Sailed beautifully. Did a Channel crossing Needles to Cherbourg in well under 9 hours, so fast a and very seaworthy. However: (a) a very wet boat with an exposed cockpit and (b) a wooden deck on a GRP hull, so a major maintenance issue here. Sold it and bought a Tiger. Good boat, but does not sail as well as the T24.

 

[Chris Davison]

Cruiser racer.

If the budget stretches then go for an MG 27 or better still an Impala. However i have always loved the GK24. Good club racer and a stiff little cruising boat, practical interior. Standing headroom is a little tight. I suggest sitting down.....

 

[pugwash60]

Sonata?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Some good Twisters available.
see link below...
S.

 

[Tom Price]

[QUOTE ]Guy Thompson T24 - 5'10 of headroom, 5 berths and sails superbly.

A superb little boat which served me well from Bradwell to Bosham BUT the composite construction needs expert DIY and the petrol engine was a PITA.

 

[seumask]

My 2 pence worth is a Hunter delta mide size brother to the Impala, I have one and it sails very very well usually with the complication / usefulness of a lifiting keel. Here is one in your price range with a fixed keel.
http://essex.boatshed.com/hunter_delta_25-boat-113076.html

 

[PeterGibbs]

Hi all,

Moving up from dinghies. I'm looking for a boat that I can use for short hop coastal cruising but still with reasonable sailing performance (not likely to actually race however). Must be big enough for couple plus two friends.

Budget up to £10k sensibly, although could go to £15k for the right boat. Am thinking fin keeler to keep sailing performance (unless there's an obvious bilge keeler that someone can convince me of).

Thoughts so far are GK24, Sadler 25, Sadler 26... suggestions or comments on these please!

Cheers

Trev

The Westerly's are solid and forgiving, but from the tone of your spec you want the Sadler - very responsive.

PWG