Dilemma - which fast cruiser?

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andyorr

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Going 50/50 with a mate and we both want a fast cruiser. He wants older British e.g. Oyster 41. I want to keep a more open mind. So far I think our choices boil down to Oyster 41, Sigma 362 or 38, Beneteau First c38', Jeanneau Sun Fast c38' and their ilk. My priority is good sea keeping, ease of handling and comfort (my wife will be sailing and she's more concerned with these things!) with quick pasage making.
What are your thoughts on the choices? Our budget is 40k ish.
 
Is that £40k each?

Better make sure you both agree on the boat if the partnership is to work, but I guess you know that already.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is that £40k each?

Better make sure you both agree on the boat if the partnership is to work, but I guess you know that already.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sellers of sigma 362s would be delighted if it was. Ditto the bendytoys
 
If that's the shortlist, and you can find a good one for that price, then the sigma 38 has to be the stand out contender.
 
Budget is 40k in total. Seen an Oyster 41 for 49k in Cardiff. I like the look of the Sigma 38 I must say. However, there is a Contrast 36 on south coast. Looks like a Najad but half the price. Swedish built. Looks quality. Quick as well. Too much choice! Aaaaaarrrrgh!
 
Yes, far too much choice. However, once you have sorted the main criteria the list shrinks dramatically! One of the key factors is age which means some of the otherwise desirable by way of style, pedigree or whatever will be 20-30 years old whereas you could get an AWB 10-15 years old. Then key cost items like new engines might come into play that will easily eat up a big chunk of your budget.

Just to give you an example I have been thinking of selling my 2001 Bav 37 and buying an older "quality" boat. Budget around £45-50k. Just about every boat I looked at had a mental shopping list of at least £10k to bring it up to the same standard as my Bav - more if it had teak decks to refurbish. And very little of that re-furb money would really add much to sales value.

So my view would be to go for condition and equipment even if it means compromise in other areas - probably more so with a partnership as many of the arguments stem from on going expenditure rather than capital cost.
 
There's an Oyster 41 down at Hamble Point. It's been for sale for eons. Full on fractional rig, in-line spreaders, runners. checkstays, the lot. Make an offer and they'll probably bite your hand off.

Sigma 38s at that price will have been very hard used by the offshore sailing school brigade, also they are rather peculiar to steer. I find they tend to "wobble"!

My 2p worth.
 
I would not cruise in any thing with less than about 40% ballast ratio. My old Nic 36 would do the job and well under your budget! Also if the boat is old enough egine etc might have been changed and you do need a good surveyor.
Good luck.
 
Rather sweeping statement. If true means that thousands of people who cruise all round the world in yachts with less than 40% ballast ratio are wrong, or not actually cruising or risking themselves - or what?

Also means that many of the world's major boatbuilders are wrong in designing making and selling boats with less than 40% ballast ratio!

Think the answer may lie in establishing the year when somebody spent their hard earned cash on a new Nic 36!
 
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