First Yacht

[Guest]

Hi,

I am still trying to buy my first yacht. First boat fell down on survey.

I'm coming into this from dinghies and have a swinging mooring in Poole.

I want something responsive and light - but seaworthy, that I can sail single handed - but have enough accomadation for 4 for a week-end.

I'm seeing a MG Spring this weekend - and I'm still very keen on the Etap 28i - but they are quite a bit more money.

I'd be most interested in any suggestions - advice.

Get there in the end.....

Jono

 

[jonic]

Step this way sir.........................

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[claymore]

Hunter Delta, Bolero, Ruffian.

Sans Signature

 

[jonic]

eh?

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[tony_brighton]

if you want something older but sporty try a Westerly GK
(24 - no headroom but cheap)
(29 - headroom but more cash)

How much do you want to spend?

 

[david_e]

What is your budget?

 

[Guest]

May I suggest that you invest the vast sum of about a fiver and buy a copy of "The Good Yacht Guide". Sailing yachts up to 27 feet. It is full of listings of second hand boats from about £1k to £35k.
It gives dimensions and basic details of engines, accomodation, headroom, no. of births. Usually a small picture(elevation and sometimes plan view) and a bit about performance.
I found it very helpful in refining my requirements and making comparisons. There are also guides for big stuff and motor sailors.

The address is Marine Bureau
The Oast House
Wittersham
Tenterden
Kent
TN30 7EA
tel/Fax 01797 270181
www.goodyachtguide.fsnet.com
Happy hunting, Regards, Rod.
p.s. I have no stake in the outfit, just find that was worthwhile spending my fiver

 

[bigmart]

My advice would be First consider the type of sailing that you want, or like to do.

Do you like to race or is performance important to you?

Alternatively do you like to search out quiet anchorages and secluded places. ?

The choice of fin keel, lifting keel or bilge keel will often help to make the decision for you.

You can't go creek crawling in a fin keeler.

For example in Poole harbour I like to visit Wareham & the small anchorage just to the east of the Arne Peninsular.

Most of the harbours outside Poole are OK for deep keeled boats with exception of Christchurch & Keyhaven.

I think you should do some serious soul searching before you make your choice.

 

[Guest]

Well,

Up to approx £25,000. So the Etap is a little more - but the MG Spring fits in very well.

I've read reports on a lot of boats - as far as sailing I like the way the Etap handles - and it has a lot fo accomodation etc. The Spring is similar - but a bit smaller and about 10K cheaper!

Both the Etap and Spring have shallow fins so they are more suited to the Poole area.

I'm just trying to make my mind up - it's a big decision for me.

Thanks for your interest.

regards,

Jono

 

[Guest]

Hi thanks for your reply.

I want something repsonsive - light and easy to sail single handed.
I'm not planning on racing - just weekend cruising. But I want something that I can go further afield as I get more experience.

I'm sure they'll be days when creek crawling will be it - but I guess I want to get out there in a breeze and sail.

the MG Spring and Etap both have shallow fins - the SPring has a Wiing keel and twin rudders.

My budget is up to about £25000. I have swinging mooring.

Thanks for your interest -like to know what you think.

Regards, Jono

 

[Guest]

I have seriously considered a GK24 - bit put off by the headroom and accomodation. But they get reports for performance.

Budget is up to about £25,000 - but I'm happy to spend less!

I'm going to be doing a fair bit of sinbgle handed sailing so i thinkGK29 might be ab bit much.

What do you think?

regards,

Jono

 

[Guest]

Are these recommendations. Don;t know them? What sort of boats are they?

Jono

 

[Guest]

Yea very nice - a bit too much green for me!

Jono

 

[Guest]

e-boat, there ain't no more fun for your money (for a dinghy sailor)

 

[bigmart]

I have no experience of either of the boats you mention.

As I recall the Spring is really a racing boat & has a reputation for being a little tender and tippy in a breeze. The Etap always has the unsinkable tag but from what I have seen the accomodation seems limited.

I would not presume that just because you are a dinghy sailor that you want a light weight round the cans racer. When you first get caught out in heavy weather you might be pleased to have chosen something more solid.

Have you considered the offerings from Moody & Westerly

 

[hlb]

Well, Much as we'd like to. We can not answer the question. Only you can. Now I used to have a National Osprey. But most of the time, found ourselves wanting to cruise with two kids, wife and a dog, and visit places. Now the Osprey did it. But not without upsetting the coffee at times. So we needed some thing different. Now we've got a supper boat in a supper place. But 310 miles away. Thats the choice.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Strathglass]

Your choice is very wide but if you wish to sail single handed unless you stay very near the shore you should avoid fast light displacement boats. Those include:-
E-boat which is very tender in a blow ( I have sailed one single handed often but only in an estuary )
Spring 25 In a sea the internal doors swing open due to flexing of the hull. They are also quite tender but less so then an E-boat. A funny thing about sailing one is the effect of the twin rudders. No feeling of weather helm even when well heeled until you loose grip completely. ( Sailed in one from Ireland to the Clyde four up )
Unless you intend to race forget craft with similar features to those above.
Another type of craft are the older designs of fairly seaworthy craft with long keels. The most quoted one is the Contessa. This tends to be used as a stability reference but this only applies to a craft without all the normal cruising fittings such as roller reefing added. Certainly very seaworthy boats but quite wet in a sea. I think they tend to be over priced because of the stability hype.
There are similar craft with better pricing such as the Pioneer 10, Nichelson? 32 and Elizabethian 31 But remember that they are old boats and will require continuous upkeep.
The in between craft may offer you a better compromise
I would include in those small fin or bilge keel yachts such as Sadler 25/26, Jaguar 27, British Hunters even the GK24 all of them are nice to sail and easy to handle.
There are many many more craft out there but you make your choice and pay your money. Remember to look at berthing costs as they can be very significent depending on where it the country you live.
Best of luck
Iain

 

[tgpg]

We have just bought an Oyster 26 after looking at lots and lots (almost to the point of boredom but not quite) of boats around that size but a smaller budget (15K) - certainly have no regrets at all although it is early days, far ahead of others we looked including the Ruffian which was lovely but a lot smaller

Afraid do not know if the Oyster would suit your conditions though!

 

[DanTribe]

Hi
Have you considered a Super Seal.They are quick and responsive,have fair accomodation,and shoal draught ability.Can also just about be legally towed by family car I believe.

 

[billmacfarlane]

If you want something light and responsive but can cruise yourself , you don't want a tender boat or one that is too big. Bearing in mind you are in Poole , try to look at some of the British Hunter range. They've got bilge keels and the sailing performance is all right. Someone has already mentioned the Super Seal which is another one to look at. From France try the First 285 with lifting keel and twin rudders but be aware of the comants re the feel of sailing a boat with twin rudders. Lastly have a look at the Sadler 26 , nice sailing manners , but it'll need a thorough survey.