If you were going to sail around the world on a sub 40ft yacht, what would you pick?

[Kukri]

I guess the correct answer should be the Laurent Giles Wanderer III.

“It’s been done a few times”

 

[cueball]

Starlight 39 or Prout snowgoose if I had all the time in the world

 

[nortada]

Lie down until the feeling went away.

 

[Praxinoscope]

We went in a steel boat, a Roberts 38, and never regretted it. We ran aground many times, basically because we were prepared to take risks in atolls and other shallow areas which were avoided by others, specially fin-keeled GRP yachts. This opened up some interesting and unusual cruising grounds to us.

This yacht was set up for just two people with a massive amount of storage. And we needed it - crossing the Pacific, we carried 6 months worth of some foods and 800 litres of water.

The Tradewind 35 had been on my list of possibles, but was rejected on the grounds of less storage and because it was rather heavy to steer.

If you want a Roberts steel yacht then you could always try salvaging ‘Zane Spray’ , which belonged to my old friend Dave Sinnet-Jones. It sunk in the Irish Sea a few years ago.

 

[doris]

Alubat Ovni 395....

Triple cabin version with forecabin as stowage.

Deffo a vote for this one.
Or maybe a Bowman 40 if going for plastic. I think its an inch or two under 40ft.

 

[mbroom]

If you want a Roberts steel yacht then you could always try salvaging ‘Zane Spray’ , which belonged to my old friend Dave Sinnet-Jones. It sunk in the Irish Sea a few years ago.

Dont tell Brent Swain!

 

[AndrewB]

If you want a Roberts steel yacht then you could always try salvaging ‘Zane Spray’ , which belonged to my old friend Dave Sinnet-Jones. It sunk in the Irish Sea a few years ago.

Some of Roberts' designs were rubbish. But if it sank, that's more likely down to the builders. Many were built by amateurs and left a lot to be desired, specially when they tried to make modifications.

 

[robmcg]

Great for the sailing part of a circumnavigation, but as most time will be spent at anchor, the accommodation is a bit sparse. Lack of a double berth/V berth would put off most couples wanting to do a grand tour.

They pretty much all have a double v berth in the front. Ours also has a very large double conversion in the saloon which can be handy but alas no double aft cabin.

 

[TQA]

It is worth noting that after owning wooden boats Eric Hiscock who knew a thing or to about boats chose steel for his last boat.

It was not an unqualified success but I think that may have been down to the yard who built her and some of the equipement fitted.

 

[Tradewinds]

Sorry, his last boat was wood. Built by Ray Roberts in Whangerei NZ. Had a few problems with the transom rake IIRC.

It is worth noting that after owning wooden boats Eric Hiscock who knew a thing or to about boats chose steel for his last boat.

It was not an unqualified success but I think that may have been down to the yard who built her and some of the equipement fitted.

 

[TQA]

Sorry, his last boat was wood. Built by Ray Roberts in Whangerei NZ. Had a few problems with the transom rake IIRC.

I believe that Eric Hiscock died on board Wanderer V in Whangarei, New Zealand in 1986. Was there another Wander built as a liveaboard cruising boat?

 

[Tradewinds]

I don't think it was built as a 'world-girdler'. They had settled in NZ to some extent. Also, he was quite old by then. As you said, reading his books, he wasn't very enamoured with the steel boat. I stayed in Ray Roberts yard for a few months and was able to look at their visitor's book. Quite thrilling to see Hiscock's entry/comments. However, I got the feeling that not everybody were 'Eric Hiscockophiles' in Whangerei . I'm fairly sure that one of the mags - YM probably - did an article about the building of the boat way back when.

I believe that Eric Hiscock died on board Wanderer V in Whangarei, New Zealand in 1986. Was there another Wander built as a liveaboard cruising boat?

 

[sailorman]

I have to agree, but then you would expect that.
A couple of tweaks: more water tankage and solar/wind charging, but basically she has what it takes.
A Dutch couple circumnavigated successfully in a Starlight 39. They spent 7 or 8 years and did not have any complaints about the boat.

Shane Acton did it in a very modest yacht

 

[Tranona]

Some of Roberts' designs were rubbish. But if it sank, that's more likely down to the builders. Many were built by amateurs and left a lot to be desired, specially when they tried to make modifications.

The boat in question was one of the Spray related designs and built on a very limited budget so had some of the characteristics you describe. builder was an interesting character, but bottom of the Irish Sea is probably as good a place as any for it to end up.

 

[Brent Swain]

Some of Roberts' designs were rubbish. But if it sank, that's more likely down to the builders. Many were built by amateurs and left a lot to be desired, specially when they tried to make modifications.

In his latest book, Roberts said he designs his skegs to fall off if they hit anything. Great debate on that on metalboatsociety.org. No material is immune to such foolishness. Certainly not any form of plastic.

 

[bbg]

In his latest book, Roberts said he designs his skegs to fall off if they hit anything. Great debate on that on metalboatsociety.org. No material is immune to such foolishness. Certainly not any form of plastic.

Steel is a form of plastic.

 

[eddystone]

You don't say anything about budget - if infinite what about a Sirius 40 - certainly infinite storage

 

[Kelpie]

Steel is a form of plastic.

is GRP an elastic then?
(I am not a materials scientist...)

 

[TSB240]

This is a beauty.. If I had 85K I would be making an offer today.

http://www.partnershipyachtbrokers.co.uk/boat_details.php?boat_id=101

Oh its a Bruce Roberts

Oh its GRP

Oh it has done both circumnavigation and transatlantic without being dragged off a reef.

Damn its 45 foot long forgot it had to be sub 40!

The owner says:

'As regards my sailing in Magenta Sky, I have sailed extensively in the Irish Sea and the Western Isles in her; circumnavigated Ireland; circumnavigated Scotland via the Orkneys; crossed the Bay of Biscay 4 times; and completed an Atlantic Circuit via Madeira, Antigua, Nevis and St Kitts, The British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Azores, and Eire. For what it is worth I navigated the vast majority of the Atlantic Circuit using celestial navigation. The worst conditions I have experienced in her were 47 knots of wind with very confused 5 metre waves due to repeated enormous depressions passing through at 800 miles per day! We sailed downwind with about 1 metre of yankee out. She was very comfortable, I a little less so... The bottom line on it is that she is a great blue water cruiser, very seaworthy and with extraordinary stowage (I have never used it all!)'

 

[KellysEye]

>Sorry, his last boat was wood. Built by Ray Roberts in Whangerei NZ.

I read his book and this is what he wrote. This is the story of Susan and Eric Hiscocks last voyage in the steel ketch Wanderer IV.