Great cruising boat suggestions.

[Tranona]

You really would be better off making your own mind up. This is an invitation to total confusion.

Second that. With that sort of budget you can only buy an old boat, so for the proposed use getting a boat that is well prepared and equipped is far more important to the success of the venture than the specific model.

As is obvious already the list of potentials is huge, and recommendations mostly based on personal preferences so not a lot of help, although it does reflect the fact that people use a wide variety of boats for the job.

It terms of availability (rather than dreams) that budget leads to 1980's Moody or Westerly centre cockpit boats such as 376 and Oceanquest. Not only have this type of boat been used successfully by many, but there is always a good choice on the market. However the usual word of caution that they are 30 years old or more so be prepared for significant expenditure over the purchase cost to get them up to standard for the voyage.

 

[Sybarite]

H

Many thanks, we are looking around £60-£70k. Vancouvers are out as we don't want a long keel. 36ft is the maximum as there may be some single handing invovled. Starlights have been added to the list. One reason for the original list is the weight, we believe this is a big factor in comfort at sea. We are not fans of in-mast furling or sugar scoop sterns and prefer shaft drive and wheel steering.
Allan

Apart from the 36' the Amel Sharki ticks a lot of the boxes (39'). This range is specifically designed so that physical strength is not needed: powered reefing, winches, bowthruster ; emphasis on longevity and minimalizing maintenance (no wood on deck), high quality components and complete inventory from new.

 

[doug748]

Many thanks, we are looking around £60-£70k. Vancouvers are out as we don't want a long keel. 36ft is the maximum as there may be some single handing invovled. Starlights have been added to the list. One reason for the original list is the weight, we believe this is a big factor in comfort at sea. We are not fans of in-mast furling or sugar scoop sterns and prefer shaft drive and wheel steering.
Allan

Sounds a sensible wish list for the proposed outing. Be prepared for a glut of ideas that bear no relation to it

A Wauquiez Centurian 36 would be a good buy, tho there might be better hunting on the other side of the channel. Quality build, lead keel, comfy interior, handy displacement. A modern'ish boat without being daft.
6ft 10in draft though, which could be a consideration depending where you will be spending your time on the other side.

 

[E39mad]

Many thanks, we are looking around £60-£70k. Vancouvers are out as we don't want a long keel. 36ft is the maximum as there may be some single handing invovled. Starlights have been added to the list. One reason for the original list is the weight, we believe this is a big factor in comfort at sea. We are not fans of in-mast furling or sugar scoop sterns and prefer shaft drive and wheel steering.
Allan

The Vancouver 36 is a long fin and skeg hung rudder unlike the 27/28/32/34 models which are full length bar the forefoot being cut out. The V36 is a large boat for its type and size and has an encapsulated keel which I personally would seek out for piece of mind. It is more akin to a Bowman 40 whereas the V34 is similar to the Rustler 36/Rival 36/Tradewind 35 in terms of internal volume and displacement.

A late 1980's Swan 36 would be a good "modern" design if you can find one. Different style of boat but quality all the same.

 

[geem]

Sounds a sensible wish list for the proposed outing. Be prepared for a glut of ideas that bear no relation to it

A Wauquiez Centurian 36 would be a good buy, tho there might be better hunting on the other side of the channel. Quality build, lead keel, comfy interior, handy displacement. A modern'ish boat without being daft.
6ft 10in draft though, which could be a consideration depending where you will be spending your time on the other side.

A good recommendation. I have always thought they would make a handy ocean cruiser. I wouldn't be put off by the deep draft. We cruise with 7 ft 2in draft and don't find it a handicap even after the previous boat being a catamaran.

 

[Tim Good]

If you can find a good Endurance 37 you probably wouldn't go wrong but then you said you didn't want long keel.

The difference between 36 and 40 and 45ft in terms of single handing I don't think is significant. I'd sooner single hand a 45 ft with bow thruster than a 36 without.

I feel once you really know a boat then size is not a big issue in terms of managing it on your own.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

The difference between 36 and 40 and 45ft in terms of single handing I don't think is significant. I'd sooner single hand a 45 ft with bow thruster than a 36 without.

I feel once you really know a boat then size is not a big issue in terms of managing it on your own.

Some things may be no more difficult as you say.

If you have to haul the main up it generally seems to get harder the bigger the sail in my experience. ??
Same applies to one or two other jobs if I recall correctly.

S.

 

[Allan]

Some things may be no more difficult as you say.

If you have to haul the main up it generally seems to get harder the bigger the sail in my experience. ??
Same applies to one or two other jobs if I recall correctly.

S.

I agree 100%. I also wonder why couples need such large boats? 36 feet seems plenty for me in every way. I have to say, each to their own. We have chosen less than 36 feet and the other details listed above.
Allan

 

[geem]

I agree 100%. I also wonder why couples need such large boats? 36 feet seems plenty for me in every way. I have to say, each to their own. We have chosen less than 36 feet and the other details listed above.
Allan

We have a 44 footer and no problem hauling up the fully battened main by hand. The wife gets the main to within the last metre by hand then uses the winch. Having reefing etc at mast makes things like hauling the main up easy and a lot less line about. I am not fond of a cockpit full of rope.
We like the space of the larger boat. We have lots of deck locker space for diving gear, inflatable paddle boards, kayaks etc. In addition we carry a rib and large engine that allows us to anchor in the best anchorages but still go into town. The larger boat allows these luxuries that you simply cannot accommodate on a smaller boat. It's horses for courses and we all have different ideas of what live aboard life is all about. The extra size of the boat is little problem if you spend months at anchor instead of parking in a marina. It only becomes an issue when you haul out and have yard fees then I wish I had a 36ft boat!
For me the benefits of the bigger boat out way the disadvantages

 

[Sybarite]

We have a 44 footer and no problem hauling up the fully battened main by hand. The wife gets the main to within the last metre by hand then uses the winch. Having reefing etc at mast makes things like hauling the main up easy and a lot less line about. I am not fond of a cockpit full of rope.
We like the space of the larger boat. We have lots of deck locker space for diving gear, inflatable paddle boards, kayaks etc. In addition we carry a rib and large engine that allows us to anchor in the best anchorages but still go into town. The larger boat allows these luxuries that you simply cannot accommodate on a smaller boat. It's horses for courses and we all have different ideas of what live aboard life is all about. The extra size of the boat is little problem if you spend months at anchor instead of parking in a marina. It only becomes an issue when you haul out and have yard fees then I wish I had a 36ft boat!
For me the benefits of the bigger boat out way the disadvantages

Hence the Sharki. (Review in French)

http://www.forum-voiliers-amel.net/dossiers/article_essai_Sharki.pdf
http://dougle.heoblog.com/index.php?

 

[RupertW]

I haven't crossed an ocean in a monohull but am unlikely to be able to afford a catamaran in the future which I have found to be the ideal sort of boat to cruise downwind and lie at anchor on - and pretty good for days and days upwind too as the lack of heeling keeps the cruising pleasant.

But with a limited budget we went for bigger and relatively modern - 42ft 1999 Jeanneau. A bigger boat has a much more stable and less tiring platform for hoisting sails although it isn't as easy as my old 24 footer obviously.

Unless you are planning to sail the very cold bits then practicality and enjoyment would dictate a cheap modern boat. However sailing is not a rational thing and some people put a "wow" factor above comfortable sailing, others must beat everybody in impromptu races, others simply have a self image of rufti-tufti sailor and require a boat that matches it.

One thing I'm not convinced about is that there are any particular safety issues with one type versus another. With so few boats having significant accidents, except by human error, then I don't think the stats are there either way.

 

[Sybarite]

Hence the Sharki. (Review in French)

http://www.forum-voiliers-amel.net/dossiers/article_essai_Sharki.pdf
http://dougle.heoblog.com/index.php?
Http://dougle.heoblog.com/index.php?post/2012/06/11/Bilan-de-la-transat-retour

 

[Allan]

Someone suggested earlier that there may be a glut of unsuitable suggestions. Hopefully the thread may go back to the subject soon.
Allan

 

[Tranona]

Someone suggested earlier that there may be a glut of unsuitable suggestions. Hopefully the thread may go back to the subject soon.
Allan

Surprised you expected any different. Nobody can choose a boat for you, and many of the suggestions unsurprisingly reflect what the poster would buy rather than what you might consider ideal. There is a vast range of possible boats, even on your limited budget, capable of meeting your requirements, but the choice partly depends on your own personal views and part on what is available within your budget.

Much better to draw up your own shortlist and then ask for comments on what to look for when buying that type of boat.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Someone suggested earlier that there may be a glut of unsuitable suggestions. Hopefully the thread may go back to the subject soon.
Allan

can't help feeling that although I'm a long keel man, if I was in your position then I would seriously consider something like this. Really a 36 but named as 37.
Reportedly in excellent condition and can therefore be added to, thus totally suiting your needs and not eventually overstretching your budget?

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sloops-for-sale/jeanneau-sun-odyssey/105600#rHYVg67xkuCKdHIg.97

or if you are more easily persuaded to drop concerns about a long keeler then something like this?

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/giles-38/giles-38.htm

S.

 

[Allan]

Surprised you expected any different. Nobody can choose a boat for you, and many of the suggestions unsurprisingly reflect what the poster would buy rather than what you might consider ideal. There is a vast range of possible boats, even on your limited budget, capable of meeting your requirements, but the choice partly depends on your own personal views and part on what is available within your budget.

Much better to draw up your own shortlist and then ask for comments on what to look for when buying that type of boat.

I'm not sure I expected all posts would be on topic, I'm not that unrealistic! I'm quite happy to read people writing posts that are not related my original question. It's a little "chicken and egg", the premise of this thread is aimed at forming a shortlist.
Allan

 

[Tranona]

I'm not sure I expected all posts would be on topic, I'm not that unrealistic! I'm quite happy to read people writing posts that are not related my original question. It's a little "chicken and egg", the premise of this thread is aimed at forming a shortlist.
Allan

Well, you have a pretty good start from the suggestions made so far, which all seem to be suitable, although when you brought in your budget many of them would not be possibles.

The reality is that just about any modern 36' cruising boat is perfectly capable of doing what you want to do. Your challenge will be finding a boat that is ready to do it within your limited budget. The success of such projects is more to do with the way the boat is prepared and the capability of the crew than the actual boat itself.

You have already indicated you like the idea of HRs etc - but your budget rules out most of then except for the 352 already suggested. These are however "small" boats compared with more recent designs but well suited to the task and plenty around to choose from. However, they are not the best value and the Moodys/Westerlys I suggested give more (and probably newer) boat for the money. Your choice may also depend on whether you want a ready to go boat or are prepared to pay less for the boat and do work to bring it up to standard, or whether you are restricting yourself to the UK or prepared to buy in Europe..

As you can only buy a boat that is for sale, why not put your criteria into the search box on www.yachtworld.com ? You will then have a better idea of what is available rather than just what others think is suitable.

 

[michael_w]

Oyster Heritage. 37' Holman and Pye long fin and skeg.

Here's mine anchored in McNaughton's Cove, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

For what she looks like underway see this month's Yachting World.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

HR's tend to have teak decks.

Old HR's with worn teak decks...... hmmmm.....??

S.

 

[Allan]

HR's tend to have teak decks.

Old HR's with worn teak decks...... hmmmm.....??

S.

I have to admit to thinking exactly the same! It was also mentioned on here recently. At least one of the boats we have viewed would have been ruled out on those grounds. I also seen an oceanquest with the same fault.
Allan