Cruiser / Racer recommendations

CPD

CPD

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If you were in the market for a used cruiser/racer, budget approx £40k, what would you look at and why ?. My knowledge is limited however have sailed a Sigma 33 and 40. Apart from the 33, any other suggestions ?.

Many Thanks and a Happy New Year to everyone !!
 
Interesting exercise! I looked on yachtworld and picked out a few that seem to fit the bill.

Anything by Dehler - always quick and competitive, although the newer the better.
Sigma 33, 36, 362, or a "fixer" 38. Better accomodation than many in this price range. 38s are still competitive in the right hands, no recent experience against the others though.
X-99. Very quick boats - more on the racer side and can be made to rate very well indeed on IRC with a bit of tweaking.
X332 seems just out of budget, which is a shame, ditto ELan 333.....
Beneteau first 31.7. Seem OK under IRC, nothing special though.
Benetau 27.7 - Simply unable to sail to their rating, avoid.
Older Beneteaus will be fast but don't seem all that well treated under IRC, certainly haven't seen a competitve one recently.
J92 - IRC weapon in the right competitions, and planing at 15+ knots is fun. Plus very active J race callendar with some OD racing Not going to win any awards for interior comfort though...


If however it's winning that's more important than cruising then there is a Corby 25 for sail here which would put you at the front of the fleet quite easily. Zero accomodation though.
 
I would budget for £30k and spend the rest on sails and decent kit. A racer is not a racer unless it has the right equipment.....

Have you looked at the Jeanneau One Design? 35 foot They were set up for shorthanded.

Ninjod in Burnham is one you can look at that is single handed racing. Water ballast and everything.

You will get one for under £30k. Spend the rest getting it competitive.
 
Looks nice, but you will not be picking up race wins in that boat.

And with that pinched IOR style stern she'll be a real handfull downwind in the stronger breeze.

For a slightly older boat with better accomodation this is my pick of what's on yachtword at the moment - seems very well kitted out and with lots of sails, if it must be more recent but with reasonable accomodation then a 31.7 will probably come in under budget with some haggling, and if you're prepared to slum it a little in terms of accomodation then a J92 is the best bet.
 
Have a look at an early 90s Dehler 34. Several hundred made, quick, wheel steering, good build quality, easy to single hand/sail 2 up, choice of accomodation options, great sailing and easy to handle under power. Accomodation on the small side but otherwise worth a look. Should get a good one for 40K.
 
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I would budget for £30k and spend the rest on sails and decent kit. A racer is not a racer unless it has the right equipment.....


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I agree

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Have you looked at the Jeanneau One Design? 35 foot They were set up for shorthanded.


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It all depends on how serious Alan is about his racing.
If the race is all that matters - by all means.

If, however he's looking for a boat to 'keep' afterwards (something he can take the family out in) maybe the Jen One is a bit OTT.
 
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It all depends on how serious Alan is about his racing.
If the race is all that matters - by all means.

If, however he's looking for a boat to 'keep' afterwards (something he can take the family out in) maybe the Jen One is a bit OTT.

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Will, great point that I should have raised myself. This will actually be the case. Something that will race competitively, but also be comfy enough for the gang at a more leisurely pace.

Dehler is a name that pops up. Any reason not to ?? (apart from they have gone under ?)
 
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It all depends on how serious Alan is about his racing.
If the race is all that matters - by all means.

If, however he's looking for a boat to 'keep' afterwards (something he can take the family out in) maybe the Jen One is a bit OTT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Will, great point that I should have raised myself. This will actually be the case. Something that will race competitively, but also be comfy enough for the gang at a more leisurely pace.

Dehler is a name that pops up. Any reason not to ?? (apart from they have gone under ?)
 
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Dehler is a name that pops up. Any reason not to ?? (apart from they have gone under ?)

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Not that I've heard.
 
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?? That happened how ????????

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Looks like you're giving us two fingers -
or was it the same one twice?
 
I'd agree. For a cruiser that can be raced well at that sort of price range the old Dehler 34s are well worth looking at.

They may not be that close winded but I reckon their IRC handicap more than compensates for that.
 
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Looks nice, but you will not be picking up race wins in that boat.

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We raced a 22 year old cruiser / racer a few years back and trouble finding a spot to put our drinks on the table on presentation night.

Thanks to a realistic handicapper.

Avagoodnewyear......
 
G'day Alan,

Buying a boat is no diferent to buying a second hand car.

The first thing you need to do is make a list of things like, location you will store it, local conditions like depth and tides, how many needed to sail her, how many do you want to take with you, will you do day trips only or extended cruising, should it be tender or stiff in a blow, what is needed below deck, cooking, bunks, engine type, fuel type, instruments, rig configuration, construction material, fibreglass, timber, steel, aluminium, composite, keel type and clearance, cockpit space and shade.

The list is almost endless, any boat is a collection of compromises in my book and you select what you live with and what you can't, only then will you end up with a boat that you will enjoy.

The best advice I can offer is do the list, then look for the best fit. But most important DO NOT RUSH. He who waits gets the best boat at the best price.

Avagoodnewyear......
 
Ninjod has cost Paul an absolute fortune to get up to a decent and reliable condition. The same will probably apply to most JODs.

I quite agree that if you want to race competitively then £30k must be the limit on purchase price because sails, electronics and tweeky bits will cost at least another £10k.
 
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