grp but classic lines - suggestions please

K

kggkgg

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I know I'll get told to search but If someone could narrow my seach options first please!

In the close season I plan to buy my first yacht. As someone who has come the dinghy route and chartered yachts for the last 10 years my knowledge of different 'big boat' classes is very limited ney non existant.

If someone could throw some suggestions at me I will happily use the search engine to drill down.

What I am looking for is 35-40' second hand (dont mind how old if in good sailing condition). GRP hull is essential but better (ie more classic) lines than the AWB, pref with teak decks - that sort of thing? I guess I'm looking at a budget of £50k if that makes sense.

Can anyone throw some yacht classes at me that might be worth considering , i can then research further .

thanks for your help
bigk
 
I know of a very nice and extensively equipped Beneteau Oceanis 390 with an asking price in that sort of range. There is the added benefit that she has already been delivered to the Caribbean for you.
 
The suggestion of a vancouver 32 is a good one, lots of space packed into shorter boat resulting in lower berthing costs, but you'll be pressed to find anything in decent nick for less than £60K or I suspect you'll have to spend quite a bit kitting her out. Know of someone looking to sell their vancouver 274, but I realise from your post you've set your sights on much larger. The suggestion therefore of the Nick is also a good one. What about a Sadler 32 or 34? Thinking about your 'shopping list' looks like you want it all! space; teak decks; sound hull; lovely lines, something will have to give, guess you're the only one who can answer that. To help you consider, think how many people will sail, where you intend to sail, i.e. offshore or coast hop, what kind of sail plan you fancy and is your mind set only on grp (I'm thinking steel - if you can maintain).

Look forward to hearing what others suggest...
 
Or how about HR 312 - there's currently one for sale for just under £50K, 20 odd years old mind, but more or less fits your list, less a few feet of course!
 
Thanks keep them coming this is great info.

btw this boat is not for the pacific trip ,its to be based in Solent for UK / France sailing or possibly down to the med. Most likley crew size is 3-5 but sometimes just the two of us.

might consider steel, but I'm into low maintenance sailing.

bigK
 
Low maintenance?

With respect, I do not think that bare teak decks on a GRP hull are a "low maintenance" item.

Generally speaking, if you want a boat that looks like a boat, you will want an older design, but as a GRP boat ages her maintenance requirements rise, so that, by the age of, approximately, 25, there is no difference between GRP and wood.

This is because all the boat's systems - spars, sails, rig, steering, engine, plumbing, electrics, windlass, cushions, winches, electronics - you name it - are ageing.
 
Well steel and teak decks both have their benefits, but equally both can keep you busy. With steel you can get a lot of boat compared to grp, but from knowledge of a friend's steel boat, it sure helps if you're handy with the welding!

Contessa 32 or 34?

OR

Slightly different tack, but given your wish list what about a Scanmar 33 or 35; appreciating they're not quite got the lines, but having owned a 35 before, there's loads of space, fast sailors, lovely interiors, swedish built and in my opinion offer a lot of boat compared with what else £50K will buy you.
 
Re: Low maintenance?

Ok so maybe the teak decks becomes optional. I suppose I feel ok about maintenance above the water line but not below hence reluctance for wood hull.

Its useful to hear your opinions so keep them coming.
bigK
 
Obviously I am biased, but I think that the Biscay 36 has rather attractive lines, particularly the sloop version, which in part explains why I own one. If I knew how to post a picture I would.

By today's standards rather small inside for a 36ft boat, but then almost all the old designs are.

As for teak decks, I'm not so sure about them in the tropics because they make the boat hotter, but then my boat is in England and I don't know what problems other people are refering to.
 
took a look at some pics of Contessa 32s which look quite pretty, however my other half aided by her offspring are demanding 'nothing too old like your car' and must have the same luxuries as the Bav 38 we chartered 2 years ago (twin heads!!) . Think I'm in for a battle here!

bigK
 
A battle indeed!

Seriously, take a wander around, see what in reality £50K buys you, but I doubt it'll be teak decks and twin heads, if you know what I mean. Reading between the lines what you want is a boat that left at anchor makes you think 'wow' isn't she lovely, but you also want comfort and home comforts - join the club! Hence my earlier suggestions and why I compromised with a vancouver and we sold her (didn't plan in foreseeable future to gp world grinding.) So what do you think of the Scanmar?
 
I'm in total agreement (as an owner I would be!) with AOWYN that the Biscay 36 fits the bill nicely. The snag could be in finding one. Have you considered the handling limitations of a hull shape like this? If you plan to be marina based, especially if space is limited, then something a little more manouvreable under power, especially astern, might be worth considering. I'm not singling the Biscay 36 out as worse than any other of the genre - the same applies to most long keels. Nic 35, Vancouver 32 both good ideas, what about a She 36 or an old Swan 36/37 perhaps? Other thoughts would include Holman & Pye Super Sovereign, Barbican 35, Bowman 36 or Elizabethan 33/35. Smaller than you're looking for I suspect, but your budget would get a very nice Barbican 30 (nee Halmatic 30) which for its size, boasts very respectable accommodation. Much depends on your priorities vis-a-vis performance, accommodation and aesthetics. Bear in mind also, that for a given amount of accommodation, you'll be mugged for a lot more in mooring fees as the boat will need to be significantly longer than an AWB. Good luck in your search.
 
yes I will take a look probably when the weather turns cooler. I will take this thread with me.

I took a look at some of the suggestions (at least pics on the web) and I like the look of the HR312 (looks much bigger than 30') but it will be too small for the wife i fear. Contessa 34 maybe (i like the look of the 32 and the class is obviously very active which is a bonus but again it will bomb on size) . Need to investigate the others. Swan 36 sounds nice but really for £50k I cant believe it.

thanks and keep it coming, hopefully this helps others too.
bigK
 
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