First boat recommendations...

[EdEssery]

After years of dithering, I'm going to take the plunge and buy a yacht. My intentions are something between 26' and 32', budget of maximum £20,000 to get up and running, GRP for low maintenance. Based between Southampton & Chichester for Solent weekend sailing with occasional forays cross Channel and down to the West Country.

I will mainly cruise but might want to do the occasional race (RTI, Cowes Week [for fun]). For this reason I really want a single, fixed keel.

I'm thinking Contessa 28, Gib'Sea 76, Jeanneau Fantasia 27.

What does the panel think? Anything strongly for or against the above? Any other contenders I should seriously consider.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[lezgar]

This is our second season in our boat. I was looking something diferent to you. I went a sailing boat for weekends for a couple with a small child and charter two weeks a year in hotter climates. I am not interested in races. I found a nice 1989 Virgo Voyager for half of your budget and we are very happy with her. Is cheap to maintain, well build, have very good accommodation, sail ok and we have no problems in two years. We sail in England all year around and last year we chartered in de British Virgin Island and this year in Greece.

 

[andrewhopkins]

Keep something back

No particular boat recommendation but I'd suggest you go to the used boat show which runs at the same time as the Soton boat show (i think its at Hamble, Port Solent or Lymington).

Spend £15,000 and keep the rest to bring it up to the level you want or tidy it up e.g New mooring ropes, New electronics, new charts, new fenders, new rigging ? (Insurers dont like rigging over 10 years old), New sails (an old boat with new sails looks and sails fantastic, new upholstery, etc

 

[iangrant]

Try www.boats-for-sale.com I did a quick search to find 25 boats between 15000 and 20000. Best bet I would say out of that lot would be the westerly griffon. OK probably a bilge keeler but thats better around Chichester!

Good luck - Use a good surveyor!

Ian

 

[billmacfarlane]

You sound as if you need a good all round boat that you can both cruise and race. The boats you mention would do the trick though having sailed a Fantasia , I found it a bit on the tender side. Here's another couple to add to your list and should keep you within budget. From the French side try the First 28 , a boat you can both cruise and race. From the British side try the Westerly GK29, though that might push your budget or a Trapper 28. The Westerly Griffon while making a good cruiser would be a depressing boat to race- you'd get fed up seeing the sterns of the rest of the fleet. The Used Boat Show will let you see a lot of different styles and types of boats in the one area. Good luck.

 

[ChrisJ]

Hi, Ed.
Do the family agree with this idea of getting wet??

When we started cruising, we also had the intention of doing 2 or 3 races a year - but in 12 years it has never happened.

I would have thought that you would do better to get a more comfortable cruiser (Westerly Griffon, Centaur, Konsort, First 28), and take that wherever you want - which might mean bilge keels so you can sit upright in the middle of nowhere (if those places still exist in the Solent).

Then, when the racing bug hits you again, live on board for the week / weekend, and keep the Flying 15 (or similar) for racing.

Cheers,

Chris Jordan
Bungay Girl
Westerly Konsort
+
Enterprise 22705 for racing purposes

 

[billmacfarlane]

You can sit upright in the Solent

It's called the Brambles !!!!!

 

[davel]

Re: You can sit upright in the Solent

Wouldn't recommend it - it's far too crowded these days !

 

[Guest]

We bought a Trapper 501 (28'), fin keel, 4 years ago for Solent, Channel, occasional trip to West Country, occasional fun club racing - she's a good sea boat, interior well thought out - no wasted space. Also, about your budget. The Trapper 500 is earlier version, same hull but different keel, rudder and interior, and cheaper. Good luck - buying a boat is best thing we ever did (but we both love sailing!).

 

[johndf]

I had a Gibsea 76 a few years ago. I was generally very well pleased with her, although some would complain that she is not as rugged as a Westerly or Moody, and perhaps has a bit more lively motion in a seaway .

I found there was a lot of room when compared to other similar priced boats, with a noce lot of space for our family of four (two of whom were under six).

 

[derekgillard]

I have just done the same exersise it took 6 months BUT in the end it was down to a Maxi 84 or a Sadler 29

I bought the Sadler a bit over £20,000 but well worth it.

Good luck