Fisher 34

[Victoria Sponge]

We're considering going down to The Hamble to have a look at a Fisher 34. Anyone got any helpful comments please.

 

[alant]

We're considering going down to The Hamble to have a look at a Fisher 34. Anyone got any helpful comments please.

Unless its got a bow thruster, don't keep it in a marina.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Unless its got a bow thruster, don't keep it in a marina.

Cheers! We're reconsidering already, more on size though. We're thinking about a 37 now. They look very sturdy and great sea going boats, which is what we're hoping to move on to.

 

[sarabande]

amazing boats. You will never be disappointed in how they look after you, and how much room there is down below. With good sails, they can go pretty well to windward, but you need to tweek.

Envy ! Envy !

 

[Liz_I]

Not good sailing boats, except well off the wind and then only if there is enough of it. Great for motoring and definitely Northern water vessels.

 

[Robin]

Do you want to sail or motor? Sorry but anyone who enjoys proper sailing will be disappointed, although as a means of going motorboating yet retaining a modicum of sailing cred they will work, but without the maneuverability advantages of twin engines. The sails will help reduce the fuel costs and save buying stabilisers though.

 

[Cantata]

To what's already been said, I would add that they roll. You can get a strange motion in a cross-sea, they roll slowly as the wave pushes against it, then snap back upright as the wave passes. I spent a week on a 34 last year, very enjoyable but had a few bruises from this rolling.
Tough as old boots, though. Much stronger than you are. Actually sail surprisingly well but not an upwind performer, obviously.

 

[Colvic Watson]

The Fisher 37 is widely regarded as the best Fisher for sailing, some of the others were under canvassed. We have a Colvic Watson 34 and are pleased with its sailing ability. We came to it via a cruising cat so we were used to ignoring winds closer than 45 degrees - so it was a pleasant surprise to make respectable progress at 35 degrees, though she really shines when we get winds from 50 degrees plus. There are many, many compensations for the inevitable reduction in sailing ability beacuse you cant get the comfort, displacement and safety we have with super fast speed - but contrary to what some have said, a good motor sailer sails very well. Hardly surprising since we have a large sail area. On the other hand, a bad motor sailer, a bad cruiser racer or a bad catamaran all sail badly.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

The Fisher 37 is widely regarded as the best Fisher for sailing, some of the others were under canvassed. We have a Colvic Watson 34 and are pleased with its sailing ability. We came to it via a cruising cat so we were used to ignoring winds closer than 45 degrees - so it was a pleasant surprise to make respectable progress at 35 degrees, though she really shines when we get winds from 50 degrees plus. There are many, many compensations for the inevitable reduction in sailing ability beacuse you cant get the comfort, displacement and safety we have with super fast speed - but contrary to what some have said, a good motor sailer sails very well. Hardly surprising since we have a large sail area. On the other hand, a bad motor sailer, a bad cruiser racer or a bad catamaran all sail badly.

Thanks very much for that information.

 

[Robin]

Don't be suckered into thinking it sails well. It might do relative to another similar style of tub but relative to your current boat it will be a dog. In light winds you will be motoring, in medium winds motor sailing, upwind motoring with a steadying sail, downwind motoring again. In f5-6 on a beam reach you might get a few miles in with the engine off. But then it does have windscreen wipers if it is raining.

There must be a dozen better boats than this style that would fit the bill! What are you looking for exactly in terms of personal priorities and budget, maybe then we can suggest something.

 

[E39mad]

The Fisher 37 is widely regarded as the best Fisher for sailing, some of the others were under canvassed. We have a Colvic Watson 34 and are pleased with its sailing ability. We came to it via a cruising cat so we were used to ignoring winds closer than 45 degrees - so it was a pleasant surprise to make respectable progress at 35 degrees, though she really shines when we get winds from 50 degrees plus. There are many, many compensations for the inevitable reduction in sailing ability beacuse you cant get the comfort, displacement and safety we have with super fast speed - but contrary to what some have said, a good motor sailer sails very well. Hardly surprising since we have a large sail area. On the other hand, a bad motor sailer, a bad cruiser racer or a bad catamaran all sail badly.

Not exactly true - the 34 is regarded as the best sailing hull of the Fisher range and has the finest bow entry of the range. The 37 has more canvas on the later boats but with the bowsprit in cutter/ketch set up it is 42'6" long!

A 34 sloop MkIII version with the longitunidal galley providing larger heads and master cabin fwd from 1996 onwards is the one to go for if possible. The sloop sails better and has double doors to the rear cockpit as there is no mizzen to get in the way. The later 34's also had a slightly taller rig thus aiding sailing capabilities.

Heavy boats and not close winded but the 34 sails better than most people expect it too!

 

[Victoria Sponge]

I suppose we're looking for a motor sailer, as we're fed up of sailing in the driving rain and wind. We'd like something that sails as we don't want to go down the mobo route, so a motor sailer seems like the best compromise.

A Fisher seemed to be a heavy sea worthy boat.

We think our Benny would probably go for about £70,000, hopefully, so that's our budged.

 

[Bajansailor]

Or in other words, you would like to get a boat that sails well, but has weather protection in the form of a wheelhouse or deck saloon, and has reasonable oomph under power?

Apart from Fishers, you could also consider a Vancouver 34 Pilot - http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1994/Vancouver-34-Pilot-2391778/Largs/United-Kingdom
But this is the cheapest of 3 currently on Yachtworld, and she is GBP 80k.

Or perhaps a Moody Eclipse 33?
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/199...39/Port-Solent-near-Portsmouth/United-Kingdom
This one is GBP 60k.
However she is 20 years old, still with her original Volvo 2003 engine, which hopefully still has a lot of life left in it.
If you do a search on Yachtworld there are a few other Eclipse 33s on there.

Or a Voyager 35, deck saloon version of the Warrior / Challenger 35?
http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=544&mi=9655

More info about Voyagers here - http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/voyager 35/voyager-35.htm

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Thanks very much for all advice and suggestions.

 

[mcanderson]

STOP!!

I have a the same boat as you and we spent a winter next to a Fisher 34. Just don't do it! Simply too far apart to compare fairly. A balmy 18 here today and I know which one I would rather be one ... and it's french, white and not at all average. Stand fast for the usual supposed AWB bashing to kick in.

Stay where you are.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Don't be suckered into thinking it sails well. It might do relative to another similar style of tub but relative to your current boat it will be a dog. In light winds you will be motoring, in medium winds motor sailing, upwind motoring with a steadying sail, downwind motoring again. In f5-6 on a beam reach you might get a few miles in with the engine off. But then it does have windscreen wipers if it is raining.

There must be a dozen better boats than this style that would fit the bill! What are you looking for exactly in terms of personal priorities and budget, maybe then we can suggest something.

There's nothing quite like a comment from someone with an open mind

 

[E39mad]

Thanks very much for all advice and suggestions.

Fisher's primary steering position is in the wheelhouse - the other boats mentioned it is in the cockpit - nothing wrong with either ... depends what you want and here are some more for the mix:

Seastream 34
Southerly 115
Jeanneau Espace 1100

Of all the ones mentioned the Moody, Jeanneau and Vancouver are the better sailing boats.

 

[RobF]

PBO have done a recent test of Motor Sailers. Reading between the lines, the Westerly Riviera seemed to come out on top. There are some nice ones currently for sale and easily within your budget. Nauticats are also very nice and will also be 'just' in budget. Good luck

 

[Robin]

There's nothing quite like a comment from someone with an open mind

That is with an open mind. A closed one might have me believing that they can sail well enough to want to do so!

I'm not saying they are a horrible boat and indeed they have a kind of attractive look about them, just that they are really a single engine displacement speed mobo with occasional wind assistance. If that is what is required then they are a good choice, but If the OP on the other hand wants a boat that can sail but also offers a dry steering position inside there are other options as have been mentioned.

Most people like to sail in pleasant weather and moderate winds and when the wind is too strong they will try to avoid being at sea. The favoured range of wind strengths therefore falls between say F2/3 and F5. F1/2 generally is too light unless the boat is slippery with plenty of sail area. F6 and up becomes unpleasant, especially going up wind. So the average Joe and Joanne in the average boat will be looking for a nice sunny day with wind more than F2 but less than F5 which narrows the ideal days down to a few each summer because they will either be motoring in <f3, motoring if going upwind or even dead downwind and will stay at home if >F5. Buy a big heavy motorsailer like a Fisher and the usable range sans moteur will be between F4 and F5 on a beam reach. Ironically when the Fisher would perhaps come into it's own, say F6 bashing into wind and rain under engine (under sail wouldn't work) most owners will chose to stay at home anyway.

Just my tuppence worth.

How about something like a Malo 34 or similar, with a fixed windscreen and radar arch thingy over the cockpit which has a canvas top between it and the windscreen? Stick the pilot on and sit in the dry under the covers. At least it would sail.

 

[Coaster]

I wonder how many of the commentators in this thread have spent much time helming at an internal steering position? From my limited experience I'd say that the outlook from the internal helms of most of the boats mentioned would be abysmal. At least the Fisher has a proper wheelhouse.

We spent four years with a (very) small motor cruiser. It only had an internal helm. During the daytime, in good weather, the outlook was good. But in rain (despite wipers), at night (with light reflecting off the glass) and whenever there was much condensation, the view was so restricted that one of us often had to stay outside as a hazard spotter. I am quite certain that boats such as a Moody Eclipse 33 will be far worse in respect of these problems.

RobF mentions the recent PBO article. Despite the title this piece actually deals primarily with sailing boats, not motor sailors. Of course, much depends on an individual's definition of a motor sailor, which has been discussed previously in these forums. My own definition, which is clearly not accepted by everyone here, is a boat that can make good progress, in adverse conditions, under either sail or motor.

The PBO article only mentions performance under sail. Quite obviously performance under engine must, by definition, be a significant part of a motor sailor's characteristics. The absence of such comment makes a mockery of the PBO article's title, as does the failure to discuss Fishers and Covic Watsons etc.

Having spent time on both motor and sailing boats, a few years ago we were ready to change boats. We were initially of the opinion that a Fisher 30 would be the right boat but quickly realised it was too small so looked seriously at the Fisher 34. Our thought process took about 12 months, considering and rejecting various alternatives.

For us the right boat turned out to be a Westerly Seahawk, the hull of which is used for the Riviera. It's an Ed Dubois hull that seems to sail OK. As important for us is the engine and prop, which we uprated. We regard the boat as a motor sailor. With a small, secure centre cockpit and a substantial sprayhood, the helm has pretty good shelter in adverse weather.

Good luck with your search for the right boat.