Bru
Active member
How about a Newbridge, or a Snapdragon,
Has this chap personally upset you in some way ?!!!
You know, pretty much the same thought crossed my mind but I decided not to comment
Deciding on a sailing boat.
- Thread starter Steveba
- Start date
You know, pretty much the same thought crossed my mind but I decided not to comment
ProDave
Active member
I know it's the wrong end of the country but a guy in our club has a Foxcub 18 bilge keel with outboard and trailer for £1,600
Ex-SolentBoy
Member
£6k to sleep five and safely cross the channel.
I would be very interested to see links to a few boats for sale that match these criteria.
I would be very interested to see links to a few boats for sale that match these criteria.
Seajet
...
I was thinking the same thing; if the OP manages that, a lot of us have got it very expensively wrong !
Bru
Active member
Two minutes on Apolloduck ...
Westerly Pageant 23 £6000 http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=176057
Atalanta/Macwester 28 £6000 http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=215431
Leisure 23 £3250 http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=218092
Don't see why any of the above wouldn't fit the bill
OK, none of them are truly pretty boats but all are practical, seaworthy and fit the OP's criteria
It doesn't have to be big and/or expensive to get the job done
Seajet
...
So how does a Pageant or Leisure 23 sleep 5 then ?!
yodave
New member
Ahh... you see; this thread is heading relentlessly towards Macwesters
Not because they're the best sailing boats out there [even I have to admit that objectively they are not], but because they offer a robust, practical, and affordable family-centric solution for East coast cruising.
It does sound as though the OP might be thinking more along the lines of a trailer-sailer, however I agree with the comment about mooring being more sensible. There's just much less of a hurdle when your boat is already in the water - so you extract more usage from your investment. Shop around and find a club that you like, is accessible [closer is better], and cost-effective.
We wanted a nice place to spend time with our family, both in terms of our club and boat. We found our club first, and then set about sourcing a boat that was fit for purpose ...and met our requirements in terms of internal space and budget. There are obviously alternatives, but 26/27/28 ft Macwesters are there or there abouts.
Not because they're the best sailing boats out there [even I have to admit that objectively they are not], but because they offer a robust, practical, and affordable family-centric solution for East coast cruising.
It does sound as though the OP might be thinking more along the lines of a trailer-sailer, however I agree with the comment about mooring being more sensible. There's just much less of a hurdle when your boat is already in the water - so you extract more usage from your investment. Shop around and find a club that you like, is accessible [closer is better], and cost-effective.
We wanted a nice place to spend time with our family, both in terms of our club and boat. We found our club first, and then set about sourcing a boat that was fit for purpose ...and met our requirements in terms of internal space and budget. There are obviously alternatives, but 26/27/28 ft Macwesters are there or there abouts.
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Bru
Active member
Look at the layout diag on the Pageant advert
Two in the v-berth, two on the dinette double (drop the table) and 1 in the quarter berth
Leisure 23 is basically the same although I'll admit that the dinette double is more of a one-and-a-half in that case
Cosy I grant you but "do-able", especially if 3 of the 5 are kids rather than adults.
yodave
New member
Stumbled across this on my google meandering:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/macwester-26-family-cruiser/90180781#gallery-item-full-1
Can't quite make sense of the keel configuration from the photos ...they look non-standard to me, so that would be one of my first questions. There's also not much detail on the interior or the mechanicals other than she needs a bit of work to complete.
Might be an easy project for the OP over the winter.
EDIT: Please note, that although the boat on the link is advertised as a '26', it looks more like a 'Rowan 22' to me now that additional photographs are available.
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/macwester-26-family-cruiser/90180781#gallery-item-full-1
Can't quite make sense of the keel configuration from the photos ...they look non-standard to me, so that would be one of my first questions. There's also not much detail on the interior or the mechanicals other than she needs a bit of work to complete.
Might be an easy project for the OP over the winter.
EDIT: Please note, that although the boat on the link is advertised as a '26', it looks more like a 'Rowan 22' to me now that additional photographs are available.
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Seajet
...
Agree re. the bilge keels, need some serious looking at.
This boat probably has potential for a solid cruiser, but I can't help thinking
A, It will work out expensive to really fit her out
B, An inboard engine - as would seem to be required - can be a money pit to fit and maintain
C, As the OP is currently inexperienced he may not really have the background to fit out a boat
While this looks an interesting project for someone and I wish the seller all the best, I can't help thinking in the current financial climate a secondhand boat, sorted and equipped, is probably the way to go for the OP, though as always the budget may require flexing upwards a bit !
This boat probably has potential for a solid cruiser, but I can't help thinking
A, It will work out expensive to really fit her out
B, An inboard engine - as would seem to be required - can be a money pit to fit and maintain
C, As the OP is currently inexperienced he may not really have the background to fit out a boat
While this looks an interesting project for someone and I wish the seller all the best, I can't help thinking in the current financial climate a secondhand boat, sorted and equipped, is probably the way to go for the OP, though as always the budget may require flexing upwards a bit !
William_H
Active member
What kind of boat to buy
Ah what a question. You may never find the answer. Indeed a recent post suggested buying multiple sail boats because each different size will serve a different purpose.
I gather that many on this forum have a larger boat in the water that serves as a holiday house in that they drive several hours to the boat and camp on it for the weekend. That requires of course a suitable place to keep it.
The trailer sailer concept is good. I reckon about 30 mins to rig and launch my 21fterr and similar to recover. However I find it easier to keep it on a swing mooring. My sailing has deteriorated into Sunday racing. I had alway intended to be a cruiser. I have only slept one night on it in the past 20 years. Yet it gets about 30 outings per year. (races). I have to say I have settled with this boat after 32 years but am still not sure I should not have a bigger boat for ocean voyages.
I spoke to a friend on Sunday. He bought a Ketch and spent several years going around the world with his wife. I asked if he ever had the urge to depart again. No way says he. He never wants to see open ocean again. He now has a 24ft sheltered water cruiser.
Problem with TS is that it can be a bit too easy to postpone a weekend or trip. But then again TS can be a bit small and light for long voyages in rough conditions. But others have wonderful trips to far away places camping for several weeks. I have 2 different friends who have towed their TS 20000km or so around Oz over several months. (and loved it).
I guess you have a dream or a vision of what you want. You can only start at one end to act it out and see where it takes you. good luck olewill
Ah what a question. You may never find the answer. Indeed a recent post suggested buying multiple sail boats because each different size will serve a different purpose.
I gather that many on this forum have a larger boat in the water that serves as a holiday house in that they drive several hours to the boat and camp on it for the weekend. That requires of course a suitable place to keep it.
The trailer sailer concept is good. I reckon about 30 mins to rig and launch my 21fterr and similar to recover. However I find it easier to keep it on a swing mooring. My sailing has deteriorated into Sunday racing. I had alway intended to be a cruiser. I have only slept one night on it in the past 20 years. Yet it gets about 30 outings per year. (races). I have to say I have settled with this boat after 32 years but am still not sure I should not have a bigger boat for ocean voyages.
I spoke to a friend on Sunday. He bought a Ketch and spent several years going around the world with his wife. I asked if he ever had the urge to depart again. No way says he. He never wants to see open ocean again. He now has a 24ft sheltered water cruiser.
Problem with TS is that it can be a bit too easy to postpone a weekend or trip. But then again TS can be a bit small and light for long voyages in rough conditions. But others have wonderful trips to far away places camping for several weeks. I have 2 different friends who have towed their TS 20000km or so around Oz over several months. (and loved it).
I guess you have a dream or a vision of what you want. You can only start at one end to act it out and see where it takes you. good luck olewill
yodave
New member
Seajet: Apologies. I didn't realise that there was no engine.
That simply doesn't stack-up for me any more; I had thought that it might be a case of a few simple DIY tasks inside. If it needs an engine and a lots of work to the interior ...then I agree that the OP should probably look elsewhere.
That simply doesn't stack-up for me any more; I had thought that it might be a case of a few simple DIY tasks inside. If it needs an engine and a lots of work to the interior ...then I agree that the OP should probably look elsewhere.
maby
Active member
I bet that most people with trailer sailers go a lot further that people with deep keeled blue-water capable boats! Why? Well, all boats are constrained by their speed. Our boat is capable of crossing deep water, but my holiday entitlement is not! Next summer we'll be lucky to make it past the Solent; if we could haul her out and pull her across country, we would be sailing round the Med!
Yacht Yogi
New member
Just buy what seduces you
I think this thread has well and truly confused our intrepid OP.
My final suggestion is: Just buy what takes your fancy on impulse. Sail it for a bit and if you find you might prefer something else then sell it again and go buy that other boat. Provided you are an average price negotiator and avoid brokerage fees then you shouldn't loose out.
You are just choosing a small pleasure boat after all, not a new wife!
Have fun.
I think this thread has well and truly confused our intrepid OP.
My final suggestion is: Just buy what takes your fancy on impulse. Sail it for a bit and if you find you might prefer something else then sell it again and go buy that other boat. Provided you are an average price negotiator and avoid brokerage fees then you shouldn't loose out.
You are just choosing a small pleasure boat after all, not a new wife!
Have fun.
Bru
Active member
But surely finding the right new boat is MUCH more important than finding a new wife?
(Hope the DLW doesn't read this
)
floebs
New member
Couldnt agree more!! I recently bought my first boat - after not really too much looking - she is a 27 ft, long keel, sleeps five (at a push) is moored and ready to roll - altho, needs the inevitable 'prettying up' - I paid 3k!
There are boats out there, in the price + size you are looking for.
I second Yacht Yogi... dont get too hung up about getting the 'right' boat now, I love my new boat, but I already know I'll be upsizing her in a couple of years, once I've learnt all I can learn from her!
MrCramp
Member
I am too busy to search out a boat at the moment but my lad bought a Westerly Tiger (6 berth, good engine) for £4750 two years ago. It has a fin keel and sails very well indeed. It will go across the channel no problem at all, and much further afield as well.
Macwesters are good value for money if you can find a good one. They don't sail as well as some but they are well built and have loads of room for a family.
Good Luck with your search.
Macwesters are good value for money if you can find a good one. They don't sail as well as some but they are well built and have loads of room for a family.
Good Luck with your search.
Pete7
Active member
Ahh... you see; this thread is heading relentlessly towards Macwesters
In that case, there is a 28 Atlanta Fin keel on Boatshed for £5k with a newish Beta diesel engine.
http://www.boatshed.com/atlanta_28-boat-131573.html
For the money and a good clean could be just the thing.
Pete
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Steveba
New member
Some good points made, Thank you, keep them coming.
I'm not ready to buy just yet but just considering the options. I looked over a couple of 26ft Westerly Centaurs this week, I liked the layout on these, the fact that they had 2 quarterberths plus a single in the main cabin and a good sized cockpit.
My wife is going to come and take a look at a few boats next time we get a spare weekend so will try and see a few more designs and then we will be in a better position to decide wether we are going to go for the 26/27 ft type options with room for us all on board or start with a small trailer sailer for a year or 2 and get a few holiday charters before going larger.
Main thing is although I'm very keen I'm not sure if the rest of the family will want to be going away quite so often as i do so i could well end up going away on my own sometimes.
I'm not ready to buy just yet but just considering the options. I looked over a couple of 26ft Westerly Centaurs this week, I liked the layout on these, the fact that they had 2 quarterberths plus a single in the main cabin and a good sized cockpit.
My wife is going to come and take a look at a few boats next time we get a spare weekend so will try and see a few more designs and then we will be in a better position to decide wether we are going to go for the 26/27 ft type options with room for us all on board or start with a small trailer sailer for a year or 2 and get a few holiday charters before going larger.
Main thing is although I'm very keen I'm not sure if the rest of the family will want to be going away quite so often as i do so i could well end up going away on my own sometimes.
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