first boat

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roberth

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I am about to buy my first boat.
I have very limited experience in the world of bigger boats, but I am very keen to learn. I have Day Skipper practical, theory is about equivalent to Day Skipper level and I shall soon take Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.
I realise there is no substitute for real experience - miles under the keel rather than ticket collecting - hence the reason for buying, rather then chartering for a week or two a year.
I want a boat that will be kind to a beginner and crew, but that we can also grow into, so it needs a reasonable performance too. (I have access to a friendly Yachmaster for first few outings!)
I am considering a Hustler 30, Trapper 501, Seamaster 29, Westerly Longbow (I have been warned that the Centaur will seem too pedestrian after a few months??) Hurley30/90, Nova 27, Jaguar 27/28. Perhaps Verle 900, Macwester, and has anyone any info on Everitt 29?
Budget up to £20,000. Looking to sail south coast, probably Chichester westwards. I don't mind doing some cosmetic work, bit I am not looking for a big project at this stage.
Can anyone out there offer me the benefit of their experience? - and how to go about getting a mooring/berth?
Thanks in advance
Robert

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You might also look at the Parker Super Seal 27 and the MGC 27, two of the nicest sailing boats I've had the pleasure of.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.
 
You need to be more specific about want you want. Looks to me you want
Good performance,
sea-kindly
But then what? how many will go on it, SWMBO/ Kids or solo, or hairyar..s..d mates?
Hustler and Trapper might be ok. Macwester (I have one ) are motor sailers really. Everitt are light and tender but most go very well . Seamaster is towards macwester/Centuar style. How old are you? 21 year old wants different than a 45 year old. Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".
 
I was worried about the word count! Mostly SWMBO and/or grown-up kids - max 2 at a time! Occasional boys outings also.
I am a young 47 still sailing an Enterprise.
Thanks for replies so far - MGC 27 looks interesting.
RobertH

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An Enterprise sailor will appreciate the MG or the Parker. I think he may get a little bored in some of the others! Lifeless tillers. I learned in Enterprises, taught me the finer points that quite a lot of yachties just don't get. I'm an even younger 47 year old!

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by boatless on 16/03/2004 13:42 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
As someone says below, the MGC 27 goes well if you're thinking about racing and gets good reports as an all rounder. If you're looking for something possibly a bit more sea-kindly, the UFO 31 is in your range too: quicker than most of the others you've mentioned and with an easy motion in a seaway. Some UFOs were home completed so the fitout quality will be variable, but being Holman & Pye designed and Colvic moulded, they've a decent pedigree. There's a 1980 moulded, 2001 first launched (!) boat with only 40 hours on the engine asking £18500 at http://www.boats-for-sale.com/. Another one, looks good, with OTT BMC diesel for £13900, inc. dinghy, outboard, lots of sails.

However... is 20k your real limit? For a few k more, say 6, you're getting into Sadler and Contessa 32s and Moody and Sigma 33s. (Eleven years ago, I was that soldier!) Look on it as, perhaps not quite an investment, but simply money tied up! You'll get it back when you sell it. Sort of.

My feeling is that at about 32/33 feet, 4 or 5 tons displacement, simple rig and simple construction, you'll get a boat that is small enough to be easy to handle, but big enough to forgive your mistakes if you get caught out in bad conditions.

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If you are looking at the MG then you should be looking at Everitt boats. My mate has one, a Highlander, 28ft, lifting keel and it goes very well indeed.
One problem when you start looking if you are not careful is that all the boats you like seem to be over your budget. Whatever you buy I would mentally assume you will spend £5K during the first 2 years with bits you need to replace or add to. It would appear boats are priced at the top end of expected selling price so I would normally bid 25% below asking price. Good luck. Paul
PS Where are you going to sail it? Will you be on East Coast in shallow water, or want a drying mooring?

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".
 
I am surprised that nobody here mentions anything other than UK boats. I believe you get a) more boat for your money and b) better prices for a given kind of boat if you buy say in France.

Look for example at a First 29. Wonderful stiff little sea boat.

When I was at the same stage as you I was thinking of a 28 footer. I was convinced then to go for 30' as the two feet made all the difference for comfort on board. Full standing headroom is a must for cruising and in anything smaller, this normally restricts you to being under the hatch.

John



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I can echo Pete's last comments as they fit in with my views as we were looking for our first boat.

The key thing is to understand what you want out the boat, how long you plan to keep it (remember its easy to buy a boat, difficult to sell). Larger boats tend to be quicker, and more forgiving (sweeping statement I know, there are exceptions), but more expensive to buy and maintain. Having said that, the right one could last you a life time...

Personally, I would consider the Contessa 32, Sadler 29, She 31, Centurion 32 /forums/images/icons/smile.gif, most any of the well built boats from the early/mid 70's in the region of 30 foot. These all turn up at "just" over the £20K area from time to time. It's not that newer designs are not as good, just my preference (I think that these are pretty).

Jeff.

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Everitt 29. Sunsail had a load of them in the Turkish clubs a few years back as daysailers. I loved them they were cracking boats .. however if it is one of those be careful as they will have had a hard life!

<hr width=100% size=1>.. got an udder rudder, brudder?
 
Assuming that you want something that wo'nt bore the pants off you then go for a boat with racing based pedigree. Your suggestions of Trapper 501, Seamaster 29 & Everitt 29 all look good bets. The Hustler 30 I believe comes in 2 versions, the earlier Holman design & later SJ 30 which usually has a runner backstay rig ,which can be a pain for cruising.
I of course endorse the suggestion of the UFO 31 as I have one, but the shoal draft of Superseal is very tempting, and they certainly sail.
Other boats to consider are GK29, Albin Ballad, Nicholson 30 half tonner & Carter 30.
That's probably too much choice but whatever you choose will become your pride & joy.
Dan

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