First boat advice ?

[RMF1970]

I’m looking for some advice on a good first boat to purchase.

My main criteria are that
(a) it needs to be very stable (my wife isn’t keen on heeling the boat over in a breeze!)
(b) it must be fairly simple to sail & forgiving if (or rather ‘when’) I make a mistake
(c) it must be less than 2’6” draft
(d) it needs decent accommodation

I’ve only got limited experience sailing a 14’6” dinghy but want to move up to something larger, preferably around 19 feet (to keep mooring costs down) with an emphasis on ‘easy to sail’ rather than ‘fast’ !! My budget is £5,000.

I recently had a look at a Newbridge Navigator which seems to meet all my accommodation requirements, but I haven’t had chance to sail one yet so am unsure whether it would be suitable.

Can anyone offer any advice on how the Newbridge sails, or recommend any other similar boats ? All advice welcome !!

Thanks.


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[ex-Gladys]

Corribee? May be a tad bigger than you are looking for (21') but they have good reviews

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[AndrewB]

If you don't mind an oldish boat, a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kyoa.co.uk/k20technical.htm>Kingfisher 20</A> (or 20 plus) would fit very comfortably in that specification. Good form stability, very forgiving, but all monohulls tip!

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[kilkerr1]

Blimey - someone beat me to it!

I'm seconding the Kingfisher 20 or 20+. We've got a 20+ and are deeply in love with her. Would fulfill all your needs by the sounds of t'ings, which would seem to match our own, and they're built like proverbial brick s**thouses. Pics of my boat Santa Teresa on our silly website Kingfisher Yacht Owners Association also v helpful, as AndrewB has mentioned.

Nice one for sale Boats-for-sale.com another for sale, with nice pic. Enter 'kingfisher' into the 'Make or model' box and press search, she'll be last on the list.

Go on. You know you want to.

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings</A>

 

[Talbot]

How about a multihull,

You could purchase a Wharram Tiki 21 (or if you are lucky even a 26) for that price. Yes the accomodation is sparse, but you dont heel over, it draws slightly less water than a whellie boot, and is a lot of fun to sail. They have made some pretty long distance cruises, so worth at least a look /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

This link gives you an example <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.multihulls.uk.com/wharram/t21swales.htm> here</A>

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[Bladerunner]

There's a nice looking Newbridge Navigator for sale on the Eastern Yachts website for £3750.

Never sailed on one but it is well under your budget of £5000.

<hr width=100% size=1> Bladerunner - Hung like Einstein. Brains like a donkey

 

[sailorman]

"Pandora"
23ft van de Stadt design, sail very well + reasonable accomodation.
engine o/b in well on the "international" version.
u might get a "Sonata" for that budget or a "Seal 22"
the "Corribee" will be quite slow by to days standards
good luck + happy sailing


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[ex-Gladys]

Would agree that a Snottie is a nice boat but most of them have been raced hard and show the signs thereof....

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[Romeo]

I love the pandora which is a bit of a snip secondhand. However just from looking at them I think draft may be a bit more than 2' 6" (although you can get a lifting keel version. Simlarly the sonata may be a bit deep, but a hunter medinas about the same thing but with a lifting keel and can be within your budget.

R

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