Ideal boats

[andymcp]

Now that I've sold my own, I am enjoying the occasional browse of brokers listings and 'what recommendations' threads in here, and for once don't have to let practicality get in the way of what I would like to sail/try/own.

Without throwing away budgetary concerns, I've found that there are a lot of boats I've either always fancied, would love to try, or simply aspire to. I'm ignoring new boats for the moment because I know exactly which of those I'd buy.

Always fancied: Moody 346 (no idea why, I just love them, and come over all jealous whenever I see one), Moody 36 (because we had a third kid, and it has the extra nav berth to keep the saloon free ), Twister (because SWMBO wouldn't like it so I don't need as many berths).

Would love to try: X-332, frankly any She (they're just beautiful - always wondered if they sail like they look), Oyster 406, any 1990+ Grand Soleil.

Aspire to: Oyster 45/485 - that's how I'd love to see the world.

Anyone else got boats that have always caught their eye?

 

[jonic]

With money no object I really like this one but I'm pretty pleased with my own moody 38.

 

[Seajet]

Andymcp,

can't help with most of your suggestions, but suspect you're on the right lines with a She ( 36 ).

I remember a painting in Redcliffe YC on the River Frome of 'Lorelei' in the 1979 Fastnet, where she and her crew did so well saving lives...

There was an inscription by her owner, presumably a member, on the lines of ' I'd trust her in anything, she'll never let me down '.

You don't get any better than that !

Her story is mentioned in the bible, 'Heavy Weather Sailing'...

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Second Seajet's point. The She 36 is a truly wonderful boat to sail and handles the rough stuff like a dream. Sailed over 3,000nm in one and its still the boat i'd trust more than anything else i've ever sailed.

 

[jonic]

Second Seajet's point. The She 36 is a truly wonderful boat to sail and handles the rough stuff like a dream.

I'd agree with that too, and very pretty lines.

 

[V1701]

I've only had my Vega since March and love it but I wish someone would buy these two so I could stop obsessing...
Rival 38
De Vries Lentsch Steel ketch...

 

[Seajet]

Second Seajet's point. The She 36 is a truly wonderful boat to sail and handles the rough stuff like a dream. Sailed over 3,000nm in one and its still the boat i'd trust more than anything else i've ever sailed.

She can't be a good design though, she doesn't have treble aft cabins and a cockpit 'stage' Elton John would be proud of !...

 

[jwilson]

Second Seajet's point. The She 36 is a truly wonderful boat to sail and handles the rough stuff like a dream. Sailed over 3,000nm in one and its still the boat i'd trust more than anything else i've ever sailed.

Agree about the sweet handling of a She 36. Anyone who has only ever sailed a modern round-up-in-a-gust AWB should sail one for a while. Quite a few similar era cruiser racers are nearly as nice to helm, though most will like the She have genoa-heavy rigs.

The older Swans are also fabulous boats to handle, and I have done quite some miles on an X-372 that was also a good handling boat, unless stupidly hard pressed.