boats and budgets

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halyardmonkey.

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Dear Forumites

I have had some really valuable info from you guys over the past year, most of which I have taken up enthusiastically with good results. And so once again and entrust my sailing future into you hands.....

I am now getting dangerously close to having enough money to consider a boat purchase, I have gained enough experience to perhaps sail the said boat without maiming myself and others and still further I can have a mooring close to home on the thames priced very reasonibly. The big question is what to buy?

I have up to 15k for a yacht and would like it for cruising and club racing- although the racing is for fun and skill development rather than for medals and silverware. I of course have the crazy idea, as many will recognise, of adventure on the high sea, with an atlantic circuit being one of my longer term goals............. Are there boats out there that fit my criteria and budget..... If so, what would you buy if it were you money to spend?

Any thoughts are really wecolme..........

P.S, I have a eye for more classic lines......

H.M
 
Ooh I love boat shopping with other people's money :)
What boats have you sailed on, or seen, or been aboard?

FYI I spent a significant amount less than your budget on my own boat, an Albin Vega, which also had a brand new engine in it. These boats have done Atlantic circuits (just ask 'Webcraft'). Good reputation as a safe, sturdy boat with masses of stowage and a good turn of speed. Not as close-winded as something more racy, but on the other hand a closer-winded fin-keeler might be 'twitchier' to sail.
Other boats I considered at the same time were the Halcyon 27, Sadler 25, Trapper 500, Trapper 28, Hunter Impala, etc. I don't think any of these are 'bad' boats, but some would have been faster and maybe twitchier than the Vega.

There are loads of good boats out there within budget. One pitfall would be to see low-priced bigger boats (which are worn out, hence the price) and get unrealistic expectations about what size of baot you can afford. Keep it small, simple, and look for something that has been well loved.
 
Yeah, most of those I have considered, especially the impala and trappers. To date I have been regularly sailing on a van de stadt 34, a SJ35 (amazing boat) and an intro 22 for local races all of which have there merits. I wouldn't want a boat as big as the first two and not as small as the last- I woul like to able to get around in reasonible time I think, so something not too slow...... Something not too small if I ever want to get my girlfriend on the thing......
 
Sounds like you just need to get out and look at some boats then. IMHO it's not like buying a car, where you might narrow down to a specific model. It's rather more like buying a house, not least because of the age of the thing (just a thought, my boat is older than my house!) which means that over time many different alterations and upgrades will have been made (or, just as importantly, not been made, e.g. if it has 40yr old rigging and engine).

Perhaps the only narrowing down needed at thing stage is to weigh up your priorities and rule out some of the extremes- e.g. it sounds like you don't want a motorsailer, and maybe you'd rather have a racy fin-keel job than a heavier long keel type. Shame, as the classic lines tend to have classic keels under them a lot of the time.
Do you have length or draft constraints at your mooring or sailing area? Height constraints?
What about layout- you mention a gf so is a usable double berth essential? Maybe that's asking too much information :D
 
Actually, I do quite like long keels too-

We have a really nice nice twister 30 or 31 (not sure) in the club and up river a bit there is a rather nice halmatic at that find myself looking at from time to time- both of which I really like- the twister in particular has embarrised us a few times on handicap, so I know they sail well actually they sail better than there handicap! The only problem I think is their price...... But certainly could see myself with one of those- Hmmmmm......... just had a nice image of sailing away on one of those......

We deep water moorings, the only contraint seems to be a limit of around 36' long..........
 
Don't buy the biggest you can afford but the smallest you can live on.

Big choice and fun to shop around but I would go for a Vega. Not the most inspiring and with reverse sheer not to everyone' s taste. My first boat but I would have another one anyday.
 
halyardmonkey. said:
Actually, I do quite like long keels too-

We have a really nice nice twister 30 or 31 (not sure) in the club and up river a bit there is a rather nice halmatic at that find myself looking at from time to time- both of which I really like- the twister in particular has embarrised us a few times on handicap, so I know they sail well actually they sail better than there handicap! The only problem I think is their price...... But certainly could see myself with one of those- Hmmmmm......... just had a nice image of sailing away on one of those......

We deep water moorings, the only contraint seems to be a limit of around 36' long..........
Click to expand...

IIRC Twister is 28ft, but the Rustler 31 is her bigger sister. Also second the Shipman 28 and Liz 30. Other suggestions for cruising & club racing: Liz 29 (long keel, same designer as Twister & Rustler 31), UFO 31, Oyster 26, Contessa 28, Nicholson 29.
 
Being a prospective buyer myself with limited experience I've no intention of expressing a view on what type of boat you should buy, but - what a gift the internet is! Instant access to a range of opinions within a tiny fraction of the time it would have taken 15 years ago.

The research I've done to date reveals two things. One, there are certain boats out there which people get very defensive about when subjected to criticism. I liken this to the way in which car owners would defend models like the Morris Marina, Austin Allegro, Mini Metro, etc - had the internet existed when BL/Austin Rover were producing these cars they would have gone bust a lot sooner than they did. As it was, many of these cars were still around when they had simply become a laughing stock, but of course their owners couldn't admit to themselves that they had bought a turkey. I don't think you can liken the boat industry to cars, but there are some similarities.

Two - there are definately names/designs which emerge with consistently good reviews, some of which have been mentioned already. For example I have yet to come across anyone with a bad word for the Albin Vega.

The internet is such a powerful medium these days, you really do need to buy something that emerges from the "ether" with a lot of credit, simply because unless you are very lucky and find your perfect boat first time, one day you will have to sell it.

For good measure, without prejudice, so to speak, two other bits of advice I have been given recently. First, only spend two thirds of your budget on the boat, as you will need the other third for mods/repair/fitting out etc etc, that's certainly what happens when you buy a house... The other one is to buy a boat you can afford not to use.
 
There is a SHE 27 over on the boats for sale section for £3995. Cheap because she has osmosis. Under offer though. Another very pretty allrounder and with your budget she could have come up very nicely.
 
Performance- wise the Mustang 30 is an excellent possibility, always up with, or one of the leaders when racing. Accomodation is definitely secondary to the performance though for a weekend with a race included could be just the ticket.
Designed by Hardley in the IOW and we have two in our club membership. Do quite well in the RTIR too.

ianat182
 
Personally I'd think the mustang a bit too race oriented for the OP's needs.

I'd certainly go along with the Vega & Trapper 500/501, with the latter it may be worth considering a twin keeler, opens up a lot of options and easier to sell on, racing under handicap - they still sail pretty well if not rocket-like.

Another one to consider might be the Carter 30.

Fin keel, racing pedigree but now considered a cruiser / racer. Good interior - but bunks can be cramped, check any boat by lying down in bunks, the best way.

Check engine & saildrive gaiter condition, also deck fitting backing pads difficult to access; best for someone slightly handy at DIY. Fast & seaworthy, looks good too. American design, usually built in Poland.

Just a thought.
 
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How about an MG Spring 25, fast, especially downwind, great accomodation for a 25 footer and an active group of owners who both race and cruise, Oh and yes mines for sale!!! Only reason for sale is the growing family. All the same fantastic boats and I'm sure what ever I get the sailing will not be as much fun.
 
Club race and cruise.

You cant go wrong with an impala, a laser 28 or an mg27. All fast comfy cruisers that are formidable racing boats under PY or IRC. 15K should get you any of these. The other advantage is they are small enough to fit on most swinging moorings and can be towed if you find one with a trailer. Not usefull most of the year but if you know a man with a field or better still a barn, that winter storage bill will tumble. Chris.:D
 
The She 31 is (IMHO) the one of the most beautiful boats ever built, and available within budget. They are reputed to be very seaworthy, but the accommodation is very cramped,.

All things considered, I would second an Albin Ballad.
 
I bought an Albin Vega last year and I think it is excellent, there is a decent amount of space below decks, a pretty decent cockpit and looks good under sail. It would be well within budget (around £7-£10K) and you could spend some money on some upgrades, rather than blow all your budget and be stuck with what the boat came with. I bought mine as a family cruiser and when my daughter is a little older than 13months we'll be off across the channel and further as holiday time allows. There are a number that have completed circumnavigations so the Atlantic circuit should be fine. I have heard good things about the Albin Ballad although not sailed one but they are supposed to be similar to the Vega just a bit bigger.

The Vega's do suffer from mast compression, but it is fairly easily repaired with a stainless plate (available from the owners association) for a little over a hundred quid and very easy to fit yourself (my surveyor estimated £2-3K for the repairs!)
 
Take a look at the Pioneer 9 or 10, lovely lines, well behaved and in the price bracket. Most 9s will leave you with change to prepare it the way you want - something to be considered what ever you buy.

Yoda
 
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