Budget Yacht choice

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andya24

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Evening.
I’m looking for a unicorn I know. I just wondered if anyone had some outside choices.
I’m upgrading from a sabre 27. And I’d like something moderate to heavy with enough room for comfort at anchor. My dream boat is a Hans Christian 47 to give an idea. There is no way I could afford such a boat, I couldn’t afford to varnish it never mind buy one!
But what else gives that little ship feeling on a budget? I’m drawn to something like a Nicholson 32 or the like, but the compromise is the old school narrow beam. Comfortable underway but restrictive at anchor. Anyone got any outside choices? Sub 20k budget. Thanks
 
Golden Hind 31. Well in budget for a reasonable one 2 or 3 currently for sale, unfortunately for you not mine but could be next year! My first serious sailing was in a Sabre 27 from Waldringfield and across the North Sea to Holland. Many moons ago when they were new!
 
The problem with recommendations is that they ignore all the fabulous but un-famous boats out there.

Condition has to be the main factor at this (my) end of the market - just needing a new suit of sails makes a bargain a money pit.

Opportunism wins every time - an open mind as to what would suit you and ready cash to close a deal.
 
There are some very cheap older, larger boats around at the moment. If you search apolloduck:
  • UK
  • £12,500 - £35,000
  • 33 feet to 55 feet
Then change the sort order to “long to short”. If you don’t mind an old fashioned style there are some pretty decent choices at budget prices.
 
andya24 said:
Evening.
I’m looking for a unicorn I know. I just wondered if anyone had some outside choices.
I’m upgrading from a sabre 27. And I’d like something moderate to heavy with enough room for comfort at anchor. My dream boat is a Hans Christian 47 to give an idea. There is no way I could afford such a boat, I couldn’t afford to varnish it never mind buy one!
But what else gives that little ship feeling on a budget? I’m drawn to something like a Nicholson 32 or the like, but the compromise is the old school narrow beam. Comfortable underway but restrictive at anchor. Anyone got any outside choices? Sub 20k budget. Thanks
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Unfortunately. age makes no difference to parking charges. It's the same for both old and new. Hence the modern drift to wider beam and open plan. The builders are only responding to demand. Doesn't have to be a bad thing though. Only a tiny percentage cross oceans.
 
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Thanks everyone. We are very lucky to have so much choice. Oh to be rich enough to have a boat for every occasion. Il look into some of these idea. Thanks
 
I’m told that old Westerly have life left in them -I guess initially it would worth considering if you want centre or aft cockpit and the type of keel preferred. To my mind this rather turns on intended type of sailing and maintenance budget . I think don’t get to hung up on particular brands but look at what offers newest engine/sails etc within the heavy field . There is stuff on utube that gives more names of unknown blue water sailboats for example with brands perhaps not common in uk.
 
ridgy said:
Fulmar. With respect to Tranonas usual excellent advice, he has something of a blind spot with GH31s.
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Indeed - but the request was for an "outside choice" whereas the others offered so far are predictable and mainstream! However the GH outsold both Halmatics and Rivals although not the Fulmar.
 
Nic 32's good, if looking at long keel Halmatic 30 as mentioned or Elizabethan 31. Alternatively slightly newer gets a (long) fin and Skeg, slightly better performance but mainly broader beam and more accommodation. Rival, Moody, Westerly.
Some I'm not as familiar with are Warrior, Colvic Countess, plus others will add. Motor sailors? Neptune/ Neptunion, Colvic Watson?? Moody Halberdier/ Cavalier.
Horses for courses, depends on your priorities.
Look at many and decide but discount none - at the right price / condition.
 
A bigger boat is always tempting, but it's an unfortunate, but largely accurate rule of thumb that running costs, even without marina fees, tend to go up with the square (cube :eek:?) of the length. Bigger sails, thicker wire in the standing rigging, heavier lines - sheets, halyards, mooring lines, bigger winches, bigger engine, more antifoul, the list goes on.

After a good few years of sailing on a small budget, I would suggest that the way to shop for a boat is not to look the the biggest one you can afford (another description is money pit), but the smallest that will do what you want which, obviously, has to include a necessary degree of comfort.
 
andya24 said:
Thanks everyone. We are very lucky to have so much choice. Oh to be rich enough to have a boat for every occasion. Il look into some of these idea. Thanks
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Here is an unusual late version of the Mariholm 32:

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/marieholm-33-for-sale/716398

Not much history with it and looking a bit unloved but well equipped - if you can put up with a linear galley. In the present market I see it at 14k or even less, so you would have to play a longer game to secure it.

.
 
andya24 said:
Evening.
I’m looking for a unicorn I know. I just wondered if anyone had some outside choices.
I’m upgrading from a sabre 27. And I’d like something moderate to heavy with enough room for comfort at anchor. My dream boat is a Hans Christian 47 to give an idea. There is no way I could afford such a boat, I couldn’t afford to varnish it never mind buy one!
But what else gives that little ship feeling on a budget? I’m drawn to something like a Nicholson 32 or the like, but the compromise is the old school narrow beam. Comfortable underway but restrictive at anchor. Anyone got any outside choices? Sub 20k budget. Thanks
Click to expand...
You could get a well looked after, top condition, rival 32 for that money. Go anywhere yacht.
 
Gotta weight up what is important to you; sailing? Visiting places? Having a nice pad in the marina? Drifting along in an evening, feeling alive mid channel in a F6? Nothing is a bargain if it doesn’t fit the aspirations.
 
Your first consideration is where are you going to keep your new boat as this can restrict your choices. If it is in a marina then the rates change at 10 metres length overall. That means a hull length of 9.5 to 9.7 metres to allow for overhangs like pulpit and davits. If on a swinging mooring this is much less of a consideration.

I agree you should be looking for a boat that sits in the water rather than floats on the water. Most boats designed before the early 90's should suit. Personally I like a good performance under sail, so boats like the Nich 32 is very dated compared to boats influenced by the racing rule change from RORC to IOR rating rules. Fin keels started to dominate along with wider beam, making yachts sail faster, easier to handle and have better accommodation below.

If length is not a problem then consider a Trapper 700, Legend 34, Super Sovereign 35, Westerly Discus or 33, Moody 346. Staying under the 10 metre length, the choice is wide but the best one has been mention before and is the Westerly Fulmar. That is what I own and can definitely say it would fit your requirements. The internal volume is greater than Sigma 33, Sadler 32 and 34, Rival 32 and 34, let alone the Nich 32.

Remember the cardinal rules of buying second hand, condition, condition, condition. Find the best boat in the best condition and you will enjoy sailing her. If you like to work on a boat, then you could look at those you could improve. I fall into this category and have renovated a tired Fulmar to almost new condition, but it has cost a lot. If you can wait I expect she will go on the market in 7 to 8 years time.

To see what can be done with time and money have a look at the links in my signature.
 
Earlier today I scrolled past a Nic 38, asking £6k. Had a complete rerig in 2017. Biggest downside would be the teak deck.

Ten years ago that might have been a £30k boat!
 
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