Buying a small yacht

ashtead said:
You might want to look at a small hunter legend if comfort is important on a newer boat with bilge keels . The finish isn’t to everyoneS taste but they have the bilge version around the 30ft level and enough space for 2 adults and two non teen children and are newer than your moody no doubt. Active owners Club for legends as well
Click to expand...
Lovely looking boats

Hunter Legend 33 Bilge For Sale, 10.21m, 2004
 
Personally imho from years of sailing different small boats a wheelhouse makes life much more fun,you are able to see what activity is going on instead of in a cave,a place to sit and read ,sheltered from the weather,hot and cold,Probably a minimum of 30 foot,old freeware fisher or such like
 
GrantD said:
Beautiful

But a thought

Bilge keelers are good for taking the ground, on small boats in SE England it seems like a no brainer

But does that still apply at 34ft plus?

Or not?
Click to expand...

It's towards the upper limit of where bilge keels make sense. The structural loads become more difficult to manage on larger boats. And with a bigger boat you will likely have deeper draft, so the benefits of being able to dry out become less attractive.
 
Wansworth said:
In some smaller canals you have to watch it with bilge keels as sides are slopy.
Click to expand...

Those are probably the canals where you can’t get a fin keeler in.

I have a twin keel 30 footer. Worried about those before I completed sale, but happy I went ahead. Glad I bought 30 foot, too, when returning to cruising . My late wife was not a sailor so French Canals appealed. 1.2m depth makes a difference.

Buy a boat which, when you see it, you think “I want that one”. Hopefully it will have a good engine in it, too. Reason is ok, but desire is better.
 
Once you start looking at this keel issue at a larger size southerly is the way to go . Lots to like about a southerly 42 apart from the price I suspect if the hunter appeals. Don’t know if any cheap older southerly son market at say 11m though. Some good vids on distant shores might be of interest .
 
Other lift keels are available- e.g. my Deb 33 has draft of less than 1.2m with the keel up, and beaching legs for drying out. There's not many about but substantially cheaper than a Southerly. And (shameless plug) mine is coming on the market very soon!
 
Twin keels have advantages on Scottish West coast, too, despite what some here say. You can go inside moorings, anchor and partially dry out when there's not much space or deeper water is all that's available.
 
Kelpie said:
Other lift keels are available- e.g. my Deb 33 has draft of less than 1.2m with the keel up, and beaching legs for drying out. There's not many about but substantially cheaper than a Southerly. And (shameless plug) mine is coming on the market very soon!
Click to expand...
How much ?
 
I would say after buying a boat you need to have a good mechanical mind. ou don't want to be paying someone to do jobs that can be done yourself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

P
Suggest a Yacht please
2 3 4
Replies
73
Views
2K
Greenheart
Greenheart

Share this page

Top