Hurley 22 or Sonata? Any other suggestions sub £5k?

[Seajet]

You may not fancy the Sonata as you already have your dream boat, but I am not aware of any particular failure points in terms of the fittings (including the rudder). Mine certainly saw heavy weather, and the Medway boats see many miles under their keels in all sorts of conditions - racing is always a good method or weeding out problems.

Which is why A22's did a lot of racing on the East Coast and on the Clyde for a start, then 3 raced across in the forerunner to the Jester on separate occasions; the first, ' Anderson Affair ' suffered a rudder failure as it was held on by peened over copper fastenings - it was a traditional old yard - so after that the rudders were made pretty bulletproof - when I saw Sonata and Medina gudgeons I was horrified.

Another A22 is ready to go on the next Jester, I don't see any Sonata's - Happy New Year !

 

[Pye_End]

Another A22 is ready to go on the next Jester, I don't see any Sonata's - Happy New Year !

Have a look at 2008 - Jester Azores Challenge.

Next Jester is Baltimore.

 

[PeteCooper]

As you have decided on a Sonata then this looks worth a look:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hunter-So...4a15845&pid=100033&rk=1&rkt=8&sd=132059801049

Nothing to do with me - but I saw it and remembered this thread.

 

[PeterR]

Another vote for Sonatas. I had one for twenty years. Raced it hard at first and then cruised for approx 8,000 miles. Took it across the channel several times once in a force 7 when everyone else was staying put or catching the ferry - not comfortable but no problems. The only real problem is a propensity to break masts. However that only happens if you fly spinnakers in a lot of wind. There is a design weakness in that the rig is more or less in line with the mast which isn't great on a fractional mast when sailing downwind in heavy weather - especially with the kite up. You need to rig running backstays if you want to be sure of keeping the mast in place if you cruise seriously.

 

[Daydream believer]

Our club- Stone Sailing club- Has a repossessed re engined bilge keel Cobra up for sale very soon. ( Owner refuses to pay any bills & has been served with all the legal papers etc & has said he wants shot of it ) Looks tatty on the outside because it was left on a mooring for 3 years. But I am told it is fairly good inside. Will probably go for peanuts.
Just watch the website or email the secretary for details

 

[langstonelayabout]

E Boats can sink, but I am not aware of any Sonatas that have done so in similar conditions. I have sailed and liked both. Also consider a Ruffian 23. We had a H22 racing at our club for years. I am sure is was seaworthy but soooooooo slow! The race officers hated waiting for it to cross the line whilst the rest of the competitors were in the pub!

A surprising update: With the exception of the Etap designs, all boats can sink.

Stop being so negative about a couple of over enthusiastic racers in the 1970s.

The first thing I did when I bought my old E-Boat was to remove the foam buoyancy fitted by a previous owner and actually close the companion way when sailing on a bumpy day.

 

[langstonelayabout]

And a friend is looking for a person to make a silly offer on a Pegasus 700 (masthead, fin keel) if anyone is interested?

 

[Motor_Sailor]

If you're looking for a Sonata, the Class Association has a 'Boats for Sale' page on their website.

http://sonata.org.uk/boats-for-sale/

There is also information on what to look for when buying a boat.

All the Sonatas are now getting on a bit, so can now be found in a wide range of condition. However the range of their asking price is no where near as wide as their varying condition should dictate. The upper price limit is kept low by (amongst other boats) the Hunter 707 now occupying the £6000 upwards price band. So the best value (and best resale value) is to buy the most comprehensively equipped and cosseted racing boat you can find. You can't upgrade a minger for the difference in price with a good boat.

Don't worry unduly about the mast integrity. This was much more common about 20 years ago. It was discovered that Proctor fitted the combined forestay and halyard box by apparently chopping the access hole in the mast with a fire axe. Or at least by a YTS kid forced to work there against his wishes. Either way, if the forstay fitting was removed and all the stress risers were smoothed out, the mosts became very much more stable. Admittedly it didn't cure it completely as the shrouds are still inline with the mast, (and I think one came down in this year's RTIR), but things have improved.

If you want the same hull, with the same cockpit mounted outboard as a MK2 Sonata, but with a far beefier rig, then think about the Hunter Duette. I've seen nice ones go for less than £5000, but you can only get them as twin keelers.

 

[oldsalt]

A surprising update: With the exception of the Etap designs, all boats can sink.

Stop being so negative about a couple of over enthusiastic racers in the 1970s.

The first thing I did when I bought my old E-Boat was to remove the foam buoyancy fitted by a previous owner and actually close the companion way when sailing on a bumpy day.

Wow! I have raced E Boats and Sonatas for many years. The threat and happening of a sinking/capsize was very real in an E Boat broach. A Sonata would not do so in similar circumstances. I like both classes a lot, but I would prefer a Sonata (or its derivatives) for cruising or offshore. Nothing negative meant. The Hurley was never a racer and fufilled a different role.