HELP Just bought a sadly neglected UFO 34,

It really boils down to an attitude of mind. If you do not mind the bits that do not work, the running rigging with UV & blocks that make everything hard to operate, winches that are stiff with worn pawls, electrics that are at best intermittent etc etc then fair enough. Not everyone minds that. Some people get a thrill from getting that worn wind indicator working again or finding cushion covers for the upholstery on the cheap.
Not everyone can afford the initial expense of a new or nearly new yacht & there is no shame in that. In fact there has to be more pride in avoiding the temptation to go out & get a ridiculous loan that one cannot afford just to look neat & trim.
If the OP is happy with his purchase & is happy to spend a bit as he goes perhaps we should not be so quick to put him down.
I pointed out some things about the helm & it being a wet boat but I have to stress it was all great fun & i really enjoyed sailing the UFO 34. In fact I nearly bought a UFO 31 on the strength of it.
So I wish the OP all the luck in the world with his purchase. Perhaps he can get some decent sails & a few gung ho mates & try a couple of races. Should have a great age allowance.
As for cruising--- the cockpit is great for being seasick in. I am 6ft 6 & can recall being stretched out full length on the lee seat in a puddle of water all the way from Ostend, whilst the rest of the crew ate my sandwiches, ginger snaps & beer. I could just raise my head , chuck over the side & collapse again to the cheers of all aboard. Cannot do that on my boat, seats are too short.
 
Daydream believer said:
It really boils down to an attitude of mind. If you do not mind the bits that do not work, the running rigging with UV & blocks that make everything hard to operate, winches that are stiff with worn pawls, electrics that are at best intermittent etc etc then fair enough. Not everyone minds that. Some people get a thrill from getting that worn wind indicator working again or finding cushion covers for the upholstery on the cheap.
Not everyone can afford the initial expense of a new or nearly new yacht & there is no shame in that. In fact there has to be more pride in avoiding the temptation to go out & get a ridiculous loan that one cannot afford just to look neat & trim.
If the OP is happy with his purchase & is happy to spend a bit as he goes perhaps we should not be so quick to put him down.
I pointed out some things about the helm & it being a wet boat but I have to stress it was all great fun & i really enjoyed sailing the UFO 34. In fact I nearly bought a UFO 31 on the strength of it.
So I wish the OP all the luck in the world with his purchase. Perhaps he can get some decent sails & a few gung ho mates & try a couple of races. Should have a great age allowance.
As for cruising--- the cockpit is great for being seasick in. I am 6ft 6 & can recall being stretched out full length on the lee seat in a puddle of water all the way from Ostend, whilst the rest of the crew ate my sandwiches, ginger snaps & beer. I could just raise my head , chuck over the side & collapse again to the cheers of all aboard. Cannot do that on my boat, seats are too short.
Click to expand...

A rough trip & a sail back from Oostende having consumed peanuts earlier is also best avoided aboard an S&S 34
 
I always think a new boat is like a new house, you have to live in it for a couple of years before you know what it needs and how you'd like to have it.

Enjoy her for a while first, and see what you need as you go.
 
John Powell said:
I'm based near Cannes France, Just bought a UFO 34 in a rather sorry state, I'm looking for anyone whose brains I can pick about electrics, plumbing, wheel steering conversion, interior layout, & general maintenance.
Click to expand...

Good man. Interest in these boats is picking up. Ignore the usual white noise, you have a potentially fine boat there. Though I do, personally, like a tiller ;-).

Further to post 14, you may not be thinking tackling Icelandic gales but if you would like to see the account mentioned, give me PM (personal message) with your address and I will send a photocopy.

Happy sailing.
 
doug748 said:
Good man. Interest in these boats is picking up. Ignore the usual white noise, you have a potentially fine boat there. Though I do, personally, like a tiller ;-).

Further to post 14, you may not be thinking tackling Icelandic gales but if you would like to see the account mentioned, give me PM (personal message) with your address and I will send a photocopy.

Happy sailing.
Click to expand...

Evening all,
I'd just like to thank everyone for their interest, there have been some fascinating insights & opinions.
I'm satisfied that I've bought a boat which will work for us, we like to sail hard, so performance & handling within a price range we can afford is important. As a family, we're pretty handy at DIY, so upgrading is coming on well at minimal expense (so far!)
In spite of the caveats, I'm still going to convert to wheel steering, at the moment I'm trying to find a way of getting a 2nd hand set up over from New York.
We crewed a UFO34 for a few years in the Irish Sea, it could be wet & uncomfortable, in the Med, I hope it will be a bit more leisurely, nevertheless, we anticipate doing passages to Corsica & beyond, so a good sea boat is essential.
We've got a fair amount of gear, so I'm looking forward to trying it all out.
All further comment more than welcome
Cheers
John P
 
>Ooof! £60 seems steep. Would probably pay for itself the first time you really needed to use it though.

Agree it is not cheap but it's well worth the money because of the detail that it goes into, as I said you will be able to fix everything.
 
£40.49 inc postage from the same page. Or if you can make do with the 2015 edition from about £20 ABE books and elsewhere.
I found it a heavy read and I did an OND in technology yonks ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top