Help with choosing boat

[Fbrogaard]

I’m torn between the Bianca commander 31 and Bandholm 30. What’s the pros and cons of the fin keel vs full keel? I’ll be using the boat as a live aboard, however an important criteria is the ability to do blue water passages, as I plan to do that in the future.
Thank you very much!

 

[Rappey]

Long keel advantages, usually a hull shape that is smoother through seas, has great directional stability , often wheel steered and the autopilot gets an easy life.
Ability to run over lobster pot markers without snagging . Protected rudder and propellor.
They don't get upset when fully laden.
Disadvantages, Large turning circle, slower to react, very hit and miss in reverse.
Not racing machines.

Fin, manourverability, more engaging while sailing , good upwind performance. Usually faster than a long keel as less drag on keel and hull shape.
More vunerable propellor and rudder .

 

[Stemar]

I suspect either of those could be tricky going astern, but the Bandholm has the prop aft of the rudder, which will make slow speed manoeuvring interesting in both directions.

 

[sur-la-mer]

Bandholm looks like a big Albin Vega (which people say benefits from a transom mounted rudder), Bianca looks a bit like a Contessa 32, which ought to give some comparisons (shoot me down if I am being too loose but just referring to commonly known boats). Both have really high Bal/Disp ratios.

How did you get to narrowing it down to those two? Thinking of going to Sweden/Baltic to buy one on the cheap? How much of your money can we spend, and where are you going to keep/live on it? Where are you planning on going and how much time have you got to get there? (Liveaboard and deep sea kind of have different requirements/priorities and the latter specialist preparation, eg light and ventilation versus water tightness).

For me it'd be more a question of whether I wanted to have boat that sounded like it went to a tanning salons regularly, waxed, and wore white high heels.

 

[IAmCharlieC]

Get a Twister 28!

 

[sur-la-mer]

May be another question to ask is whether you really, really, really are going to go blue water sailing on it because there are better things with more room to liveaboard on.

 

[V1701]

Really good posts above, both boats have high comfort ratios as well, the long keeler slightly higher and yes would be more comfortable in heavier weather. Personally I like long keelers but either of those boats would be capable of long passages so all things being equal I'd choose the one that feels right...

 

[sur-la-mer]

Thank you.

For me it'd be more a question of whether I wanted to have boat that sounded like it went to a tanning salons regularly, waxed, and wore white high heels.

In case it's not obvious, that's the Bianca. I'd go for the one that came from where vikings did. Bandholm is in northern Lolland.

Designers the Olsen twins, sorry brothers, who built them there are heroes of mine. I like their older boats, but they are for sailing.

Both boats are actually Danish, so I'm really curious how the OP picked them.

The Bianca is actually a Commander 31, which sounds better. The LWL is only 22', which is more typical for a 25' boat though you're paying for a 31' boat, hence re-asking what and why. Add to those questions, how long are you going to spend in a marina, and how long at sea? I like smaller cockpits but you'd want the opposite if it was going to be living space.

 

[doug748]

I have enjoyed looking over these boats on Sailboatdata.

I personally dislike wheels on small boats esp for singlehanding and note the Bianca is blessed with one. The Bandholm would be much nicer to dry out alongside a wall.

For an even sportier choice check out the Bianca Blue Dane 32.

 

[Rappey]

I personally dislike wheels on small boats esp

I saw a sailing boat yesterday around 24ft - With a wheel ! it looked rather out of place.

 

[sur-la-mer]

Another good question is, when are you thinking of going blue water sailing?

There are only always going to be more, cheaper boats on the market. If living aboard is to save money on renting bricks, then choose something small/cheaper really save money, then buy big when you want to leave.

In a marina or yard you tend to pay by the foot, so if you going for 30', then better to have something squarer with more headroom. As in a houseboat. If all you need is a tent to rough it, then go smaller, pay less fees.

There are a few places left when you can still live in a sea shanty hut. If you're in the know, there's a few places you'll pick up a near free boat you could live in. Could you really do the prep work on a boat as you lived in it? (Honest question, I don't think it will be so much fun).