How Far Would You Go In a Hurley 24 ???

[Chrissie]

Ps, I have an open plan boat, my heads are in the forward section, ensuite as it were, no doors, and it's not a problem, for smells and privacy, if I have a crew, they or me would be at the helm anyway.

 

[ProDave]

Ps, I have an open plan boat, my heads are in the forward section, ensuite as it were, no doors, and it's not a problem, for smells and privacy, if I have a crew, they or me would be at the helm anyway.

Fine during the day, when as you say they will all be on deck.

But at night? No privacy in the cabin? mixed sex crew? Not very good is it?

If you re using the forward cabin, are you happy for others to use the heads in the night? are they happy to do so?

Self contained heads for me I'm afraid, and that was the deciding factor to buy our little boat, that unusually for such a small boat it has a (very very small) self contained heads.

 

[doug748]

On the heads point.
I would be tempted to buy a cut price thunderbox from Lidl and put it as far forward in the hull as possible and then place a bulkhead with sliding door/curtain a working distance in front of it. The area around the throne can then be used as stowage for sails and the like. This set up would give you grand extra room in the cabin and keep it cosy. It is not popular with builders because they like to boast an extra double berth for marketing reasons.
I like the Hurley, I am sure it would take you happily on all your projected trips. One step at a time though.

 

[Gelmaster]

Are there any current sailors out there who are taking little boats on mammoth trips?? I would love to here about your adventures!!
By the way....what do you guys class as a little boat?
ps one step at a time.............absolutely!

1) Dreams,vision, talk & planning
2)Finance to purchase
3)Get out there!!

I wonder how many people have given up, and not reached the goal.
Hope i won't be a statistic too.

 

[Chrissie]

I am on the first day of a 500/600 mile single handed holiday on my boat, but at 26 ft contessa, I guess I dont think of her as a little boat, but by the time I've spent all that time not being able to stand up, she might feel smaller.

 

[Tranona]

Are there any current sailors out there who are taking little boats on mammoth trips?? I would love to here about your adventures!!
By the way....what do you guys class as a little boat?
ps one step at a time.............absolutely!

1) Dreams,vision, talk & planning
2)Finance to purchase
3)Get out there!!

I wonder how many people have given up, and not reached the goal.
Hope i won't be a statistic too.

This is a well trod path and many people do it every year. There was even a long feature article recently in one of the mags covering the various alternate routes and the sorts of preparation you need.

The original Hurley 24 was built to do the Round Britain race - just about escaping the receivers when the original Hurley went bust. The actual boat was featured in a PBO review a few years ago.

There are few barriers to sailing round the UK except motivation and time (and of course money).

Buy your boat, learn to sail it, increase your horizons progressively and at some point you will know you can do it - although to be honest there are many much more capable boats for the job than the one you have in mind, particularly if you value comfort, bit of speed and reliability.

 

[Bru]

On the heads point.
I would be tempted to buy a cut price thunderbox from Lidl and put it as far forward in the hull as possible and then place a bulkhead with sliding door/curtain a working distance in front of it. The area around the throne can then be used as stowage for sails and the like. This set up would give you grand extra room in the cabin and keep it cosy. It is not popular with builders because they like to boast an extra double berth for marketing reasons..

And is very nearly an exact decription of the somewhat unusual layout of the Islander 23 - excepting only that the forward berths project down either side of the heads compartment forming, as it were, quarter berths

It's, as you say, a rare layout but IMO infinitely superior to the usual V-berth forwards which on boats of the size of Brigantia, and larger for that matter, is rarely really comfortable as a double - Jane and I were less than comfortable in the forward v-berth of a Moody 28 last year for example

 

[Gelmaster]

This is a well trod path and many people do it every year. There was even a long feature article recently in one of the mags covering the various alternate routes and the sorts of preparation you need.

The original Hurley 24 was built to do the Round Britain race - just about escaping the receivers when the original Hurley went bust. The actual boat was featured in a PBO review a few years ago.

There are few barriers to sailing round the UK except motivation and time (and of course money).

Buy your boat, learn to sail it, increase your horizons progressively and at some point you will know you can do it - although to be honest there are many much more capable boats for the job than the one you have in mind, particularly if you value comfort, bit of speed and reliability.

Solid advice Tranona, but, in the 24' bilge class, have you a specific vessel in mind which has more advantages over the Hurley ?
Also, what other barriers would i expect to come up against sailing around the UK?
Thank you

 

[Gelmaster]

I am on the first day of a 500/600 mile single handed holiday on my boat, but at 26 ft contessa, I guess I dont think of her as a little boat, but by the time I've spent all that time not being able to stand up, she might feel smaller.

I will check out the contessa 26 !
Are you sailing a fin or bilge ?
Headroom for me isn't a priority as I am only 5'7 with a good pair of shoes!
Have you a destination in mind for your solo adventure, and how much time have you allowed yourself for your mission?

Chwarae teg (fair play)

 

[Tranona]

Solid advice Tranona, but, in the 24' bilge class, have you a specific vessel in mind which has more advantages over the Hurley ?
Also, what other barriers would i expect to come up against sailing around the UK?
Thank you

As I said the boat is perfectly capable, but they are old, cramped and a bit short on performance in bilge keel form. You will only know if you are confident in it when you have a couple of year's experience. The only advantage of bilge keels is the ability to dry out which might be an advantage on the odd occasion in some harbours or to do underwater maintenance.

As alternatives, more traditional shaped boats such as the Contessa 26, Vega, Pioneer 8, Nich 26 as examples - long keel heavy displacement (and usualy cheap) seem to be preferred for single handed because they are more comfortable at sea and generally go better to windward - but maybe less comfortable in harbour, but can be dried out leaning against a harbour wall.

As to the barriers - boredom, tiredness, adverse weather, holed up for days on end waiting for good weather, giving up a substantial part of your life (and possibly wealth) just to say you have done it. Many people do it as a charity fund raising exercise to give it purpose, others spread it over years leaving their boats over winter and starting again the next spring, making it an extended cruise.

TBH there are many more ways of getting enjoyment out of cruising than setting yourself a very specific goal.

 

[Gelmaster]

There seem to be quite a few RYA courses available!
Which one would be the obvious choice for me to attend to start off, and should i just buy a boat, fumble around with it for a few months, or pre take a course first?