Change of boat - suggestions please..family cruiser required!

Fimacca

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Looking to upgrade from my Jag 25 to something with better handling and more space below. And the wife suggested an upgrade after a nice sunny trip to Dartmouth for 4 days last week! (so best I get on to it before she changes her mind !)

Looked briefly at moody 31 and Hunter horizon 30. The Hunter looked lighter than the Moody. I want something robust, but not too old. 1986 ish onwards. (may be a difficult balance...)

Size can go to about 34 feet. Money, perhaps 30k.

Any suggestions ?
 

robertj

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You're spoilt for choice really. Moody 336 westerly fulmer ate a good quality cruiser or even the Sadler range of thoughts
 

E39mad

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Mg 335 - many were raced but there are those that are purely cruised particularly the winged keel versions. Fast but very controllable. Self tacking jib makes upwind work a doddle.
 

roblpm

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Looking to upgrade from my Jag 25 to something with better handling and more space below. And the wife suggested an upgrade after a nice sunny trip to Dartmouth for 4 days last week! (so best I get on to it before she changes her mind !)

Looked briefly at moody 31 and Hunter horizon 30. The Hunter looked lighter than the Moody. I want something robust, but not too old. 1986 ish onwards. (may be a difficult balance...)

Size can go to about 34 feet. Money, perhaps 30k.

Any suggestions ?

When I was looking a couple of years ago I saw lots of manky old boats!!

Let your wife choose (within reason).

I ended up with something slightly different but the only other boat that I saw that didn't smell of diesel and damp was an immaculate moody 31 mk 2.
 

jordanbasset

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Last edited:

garvellachs

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Less than ten years old and used only in fresh water - the Irish Bav looks great value to me!

Perhaps a little different to what you were thinking of and a little over budget, but for the year think it represents good value, probably get some money off the price as well - think your wife may like it
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2003/Bavaria-32-Mk-ll-2799148/Ipswich/United-Kingdom#.VcRCCvnR_IV

This one is in Ireland but looks very good
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2006/Bavaria-30-Cruiser-2482942/Ireland#.VcRGwvnR_IU
 

Fimacca

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thank you all for suggestions. there are so many options, I need to get her indoors out and about looking at a few (and hide the price) . racing - not for me - but I like a good turn of speed to make me grin leaning well over (but not when the kids are on board). I like the french style, but the older british tank build quality too for those rolling waves we had recently on the south coast
cabin layouts below are surprisingly similar on most models this size.............
HR352's - yummy........
Storm is nice
Mg 335 look fast
Anything else I should consider not mentioned ?
Many hours of searching to do!
 

Seven Spades

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I would take a serious look at an early 2000's Bavaria 32. They actually sail quite well and for a cruising boat they will tick most boxes. I know most people here will suggest a solid heavy boat but that is not always the correct answer it really depends upon how you are going to use the boat. If you are looking for a good value cruising boat , well built and with plenty of accommodation then the Bavaria is going to be hard to beat.


This one looks like a cracker.

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2002/Bavaria-32-2708647/United-Kingdom#.VcfaS3ieMvE
 

jordanbasset

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I would take a serious look at an early 2000's Bavaria 32. They actually sail quite well and for a cruising boat they will tick most boxes. I know most people here will suggest a solid heavy boat but that is not always the correct answer it really depends upon how you are going to use the boat. If you are looking for a good value cruising boat , well built and with plenty of accommodation then the Bavaria is going to be hard to beat.


This one looks like a cracker.

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2002/Bavaria-32-2708647/United-Kingdom#.VcfaS3ieMvE

If those pictures are up to date she looks immalculate, 12 months mooring cost included as well at Port Solent
 

Tomaret

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If you work your way through the website you can download a survey done for sale. It will save a wasted trip to look at a boat if it has serious flaws. If you buy the boat, you pay for the survey.

Some will say not to trust the survey, but it's the way the Dutch do things, and I bought and sold (6 years later) a €1 mln house on this basis knowing exactly what I was buying and selling.
 

SigmaJon

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If you work your way through the website you can download a survey done for sale. It will save a wasted trip to look at a boat if it has serious flaws. If you buy the boat, you pay for the survey. .

I looked at this boat and I know this overlaps with the discussion in the 'boat prices' but why is it half the price of the similar boats advertised in the UK? Is there something wrong with it? I shall take your advice and read the survey.
 

Tomaret

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Yes I though that the offer was very good. It looks like hassle free sailing.

Watching the boats queuing to get through the lock on Satruday evening I'm not sure I'd describe Port Solent as hassle free, but then nowhere is in Portsmouth Harbour - what you gain from lock free access at Clarence, Gosport and Hasler you can lose in the traffic if you have to drive to and from the M27. I have a midstream mooring at Wicor, so no traffic hassles, no queuing for the lock, but I have to get my tender out to get to and from the boat. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose. Sunsail might have the only hassle free berths in the harbour if you don't live locally.

In Port Solent if the berth is sublet by a resident, rather than on the south side, you have to consider where it is. Trying to swing out of the last berth in a dead end against the wind can be a challenge.
 

Seven Spades

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Watching the boats queuing to get through the lock on Satruday evening I'm not sure I'd describe Port Solent as hassle free, but then nowhere is in Portsmouth Harbour - what you gain from lock free access at Clarence, Gosport and Hasler you can lose in the traffic if you have to drive to and from the M27. I have a midstream mooring at Wicor, so no traffic hassles, no queuing for the lock, but I have to get my tender out to get to and from the boat. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose. Sunsail might have the only hassle free berths in the harbour if you don't live locally.

In Port Solent if the berth is sublet by a resident, rather than on the south side, you have to consider where it is. Trying to swing out of the last berth in a dead end against the wind can be a challenge.


I was referring to the boats condition which is immaculate. The free morning for a year even if somewhat inconvenient is a real saving, I can't see the point of giving up the free mooring to pay to be on a swinging mooring and all that entails.
 
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