Day sailer re-think...

[grumpy_o_g]

If I were in your position I'd ask for recommendations of boatyards to wonder around that may hold such boats for sale. Then spend a happy couple of days doing just that and come back with specific models and ask about them.

 

[ossian72]

Good thinking grumpy_o_g - a few boats do seem to stand out from replies... so need to go and see them!

 

[Boathook]

Hawk 20 with the cuddy?

 

[FairweatherDave]

I was in your position (family) thinking trailer sailer a few years back. I went for a Jeanneau Sun 2000 before a Centaur. And now a Konsort. My focus here is on your budget and expectations. The capital cost for the boat is one thing, but is not as significant as you think. Available time is a massive issue, maintenance and how much you expect to do, and winter storage/?club membership etc etc. The Sun 2000 required absolutely minimal maintenance, modern boat, little to go wrong, significantly unpleasant to antifoul through the trailer but otherwise easy, outboard to take away to service. Then there's the trailering and launching, some good threads on here about that. As a boat it was great inside the harbour, going to the beach, basically a huge space to sleep in all together and no privacy for the portapotti..........Then we switched to the Centaur, stability, luxury caravanning, enjoyable but not so exciting to sail and serious commitment to maintenance of an older more complex boat, winter storage etc etc. If I had the storage space for a trailer sailer I might still have one for the ease of maintenance. And go for a summer mooring. Chichester is great. Go either route but a more modern trailer sailer has a more controllable impact on your life perhaps!

 

[ossian72]

Thanks Dave, that’s great advice!

 

[rwoofer]

I was in your position (family) thinking trailer sailer a few years back. I went for a Jeanneau Sun 2000 before a Centaur. And now a Konsort. My focus here is on your budget and expectations. The capital cost for the boat is one thing, but is not as significant as you think. Available time is a massive issue, maintenance and how much you expect to do, and winter storage/?club membership etc etc. The Sun 2000 required absolutely minimal maintenance, modern boat, little to go wrong, significantly unpleasant to antifoul through the trailer but otherwise easy, outboard to take away to service. Then there's the trailering and launching, some good threads on here about that. As a boat it was great inside the harbour, going to the beach, basically a huge space to sleep in all together and no privacy for the portapotti..........Then we switched to the Centaur, stability, luxury caravanning, enjoyable but not so exciting to sail and serious commitment to maintenance of an older more complex boat, winter storage etc etc. If I had the storage space for a trailer sailer I might still have one for the ease of maintenance. And go for a summer mooring. Chichester is great. Go either route but a more modern trailer sailer has a more controllable impact on your life perhaps!

I would say the lack of maintenance is the reason I've kept my Sun 2000 longer than any other boat I've owned. It is such a simple boat, that it takes a great weight off your shoulders. I learnt the hard way, by going all the way up to a Moody 44, that maintenance and associated costs can take much of the enjoyment out of boating. The Sun2000 takes you back to the basics...

 

[biscuit]

+1 for Sadler 26, ticks most of the boxes, if you can find one.
I dont think you will find a Seal 26 , but there are plenty of decent Centaurs at that price.
Good luck.

 

[crewman]

If you can find a Hawk 20 for £5k you will, be doing well. The dayboats start at about £10k and the cuddy version is newer and more expensive. Very nice boat.