First time buyer - yacht?

I'd join with the Achilles recommendation We had one for 3 years, sailed it on great days sails, also all along the west coast of UK as far as Ardnamurchan and E coast of Ireland. Great boat, always sailed better than me. Always safe, even if you are near the action - generally good value and a cracking sail on any day. Learn to reef though. Get a Mk2, check the chain plates especially. And buy good waterproofs.
 
A colleague has a Hunter 701 that I have been on a few times. Not as racy as my boat but very good at looking after you on a rough day. Adequate cabin but large cockpit which is good when you have more people on board.
 
Another vote for the Achilles; we have one, its a great boat to sail, but accomodation is limited. Depends what you want to do with it. The Achilles is a boat to sail, and spend a weekend on, its not a floating caravan.

There is a very good website, and also a group on Flickr which can give a good deal of technical input. There are plenty of photos of inside and out.
 
Firstly, I'm assuming that your budget of 4-5k is Sterling, yes? It's just that you mention you're in Waterford. Whatever your budget, if you're willing to get the ferry over to Wales there can be much better deals to be had.

Anyway I have a Corribee, and it gets my vote. She's new to me, and I only have her in the water a month or so, but I'm only down the road in Dungarvan.
Currently there are eight Corribees in Dungarvan, of varying vintages, all with very approachable and helpful owners, so if you're ever down this way, and want a nose around have a look out.
 
Seconded, great little boats! Not huge inside, but very seaworthy, and some creditable passages under their belts.
 
Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, (and I'm not adding to the 'which boat' suggestions) but don't forget to add availability, type and cost of a mooring into your plans and budget... where you keep your boat can affect the type of boat you buy and how much money you will have to spend.
 
That's true. It might be no harm in giving WHSC in Dunmore East a ring. Their moorings don't dry out, but I don't know about availability. There's also the Marina in the city (that's assuming you're based in the city).
 
Try not to fall in love with one particular class of boat. Just keep looking to see what is available, get to know typical price/condition/model bands. Then you will recognise a bargain when you see it.

All you then have to do is be SURE you know why it is a bargain!
 
We own a Leisure 20 and if you read what is written about them by owners and not spectators they are a great little boat.

Personally too small to cross the channel, we find ours ideal for the solent and surrounding, have sailed her for 14 hours along the coast non stop) easy to sail single handed with quite reasonable cabin space (i'm 6ft3) and whilst I can't stand up, I can sit down/move around/sleep quite comfortably in all berths. (I think i'd struggle to find a 20 ish footer i could stand up in!)

We are very fond of ours but are also concidering trading up to a 26ft boat so we can venture further (x channel etc...) but we'll also end up spending for than 5k on something suitable. by the time you've fitted it out (they rarely come with all you require) this can add quickly to your budget.

Personally I'd up your budget a little for a NICE suitable bigger, or spend less and enjoy the inshore series of boats available as this is what you;l probably be using it for most anyway!
 
Nothing against any previous suggestions, but just to offer another...

An Etap 22 (or even a 23 if someone's desperate for a sale) could be worth a look. Lifting keel and unsinkable. The foam also provides a bit of cabin insulation.
 
Cant belive the good old Eventide hasnt got a mention,i have one, a 24 foot version and i love it ,standing head room,easy to sail will take you any where,floats like a duck in rough stuff,and only 2ft 6 inches under the water,takes the ground easily if you get caught out and it only cost 3 grand,ok its made out of wood but so what, i have had a few bigger faster plastic boats but none can compare with the comfort down below,last year we sailed from S.Wales to Ireland and back no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
The latest Practical Boat Owner mag (June 08) has a very comprehensive and complimentary article about the Elizabethan 23 in the £4000 to £7000 range. Other boats suggested were the Golif, Pandora and Westerly Jouster.

No practical experience myself of any of these but the magazine article may be worth a look.

catseven
 
My first boat was a Westerly GK24 and I can't recommend them highly enough. small enough to sail single handed or large enough for 4-5. there is no standing headroom but there is loads of space inside.

Westerly build quality (though as old boots) but still a fun, fast boat for her size.

take a look at www.GK24.org

I have sold my GK now to get something bigger bit still miss it!
 
There are so many, I have a Macwester 26 which ticks all the boxes, not fast but a good seaboat and well within price. More modern with a better layout and a better sailer is the Leisure 23 or 23SL, which is the more modern looking version. Also try Seamaster 23 lift keel and Vivacity 24 bilge keel. In the current economic climate all should be within budget and there are enough to pick and choose a good one.

From Watford the eastcoast is your nearest sea, which is handy as a half tide berth can be had for about £100 pa. That's why bilge and lifting keels are worth the money!
 
See my post titled 10.2 knots for what an Achilles can do.

We were the only boat in our class (C4) who braved the conditions yesterday and had a most amazing sail. Very wet but very fast.
 
Another vote for the Leisure brand. We have traded up from the 23 to the 27 and are extremely happy with their boats. A leisure 17 from Dun Laoghaire did a DL-holyhead crossing a few years ago and there have been a few Wales - Kilmore Quay crossing by other L17's. There is a Norwegian Leisure 22 currently circumnavigating, (http://www.valkyrien.tk/). Our 23 did us proud and sailed in some pretty hairy conditions up from Arklow to DL one time. Plus the 22/23 must be the roomiest boat in that length down below.

Plus the biggest advantage we found was that when we came to sell her, we got the full asking price and the interest level in the boat was very high, they are a well known make for budget cruising sailors in Ireland.
 
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