I'm considering Rival 34 (skeg) or Nicholson 35- 36 (long keel) ?

No indeed, but it stops the tiller slamming hard over in astern, which is a real problem if you are really going backwards as opposed to just putting the engine astern for a “ kick”.

All boats behave differently, but this has not been my experience.
Going astern, I face aft (somewhat crouched so I can reach the engine controls), with the tiller between my legs.
I find this works well for me.
 
Slow is pro when manoeuvering. If you use lots of revs in astern with my old boat you just went to starboard rather violently. The new boat's prop goes the other way which I keep on forgetting!
 
I sailed a North Atlantic Circuit solo in a Rival 32 (see sig) I was taught to reverse her in Antigua by an expert. Worked well. Then I had to sell her and, five years later bought another R32. No worries I thought. Well how wrong can I be; still trying to work out what are all the influences are for sometimes does exactly what I want and other times the complete opposite. Just have pan A, B and C up your sleeve :-)

another way to Med moor is to drop the anchor and then take a floating line ashore by dinghy!

BTW not sure if extra length of R34 but I find the forepeak bunk a little short in the R32.
 
When we were considering buying one I was given to understand that the extra 2' was nothing more than an extension to the lazarette, the rest, including LWL is identical.
Yes a bit more overhang is all. Perish the thought, but maybe it was just marketing?
 
There's a bit more to it that that (having owned both)... the hull shape was re-worked on the R34 to give enhanced sailing and helming characteristics, there is indeed much more room in the cockpit (both seating and storage), below decks there is a little more room in the galley area, and finally the quality of fit out is invariably better on the R34, partly because more were supplier completed.
 
Hello every one. Im looking for long keel or skeg yacht for single sailing . Size 34-36 foot. I'm considering Rival 34 (skeg) or Nicholson 35- 36 (long keel) hull composite wooden deck. Price around 30 000 GBP. I would like to sail by her Greece from Portsmouth next year. I'm looking forward for some advice which boat will be better . Regards
With £30,000 you can buy something more up to date design and more suitable for the Med; wider cockpit, wider beam, perhaps equipped with gadgets for the Med etc. At the moment I am in Greece for few months, you will not see Rivals, Nics and the like here, there is a reason for it. Welcome to the forum and hope you find the right boat for your adventures.
 
You're meant to hold the wheel or tiller firmly when making way astern. Just FYI :)

I thank you for imparting this Useful Knowledge …? and I think I can take it that you haven’t had the tiller throw you across the cockpit … yet? ?

If you have to reverse any distance at a speed which gives steerage way astern, as opposed to just making a short sternboard out of or into a finger pontoon marina berth, etc. the pressure on one side of the rudder increases geometrically as you put the rudder further over, and there may well come a point at which you cannot hold it and force it back.

That’s all I meant. ?
 
At the moment I am in Greece for few months, you will not see Rivals, Nics and the like here, there is a reason for it. ...

That’s not true. I suspect the reason is just fewer numbers and globally distributed. I am a member of the Rival Owners Association and there are quite a few Rivals in the Med. On our FB page someone has just bought a 34 in Corfu, Greece and they are asking for advice. Many in other hot climates as well, Mexico, Florida, California etc.

The fact of the matter is that these older boats are just as suited to sailing anywhere as any other style of sailing yacht.

If the OP wants a Rival 34 they can be purchased for very low cost. At 34’ and some DIY skills they can be upgraded for a reasonable price, assuming the boat does not have integrity issues that need to be addressed. But, buyer beware, as the risk of upgrade price escalation is high.

They do need enhanced air flow to keep the cabin cool in form of wind scoops or dorade funnels. Many of Rivals that have been in warm climates have louvred doors fitted at the heads as the originals were solid ply, but that is more likely in the larger models.

So far this year I have seen a few 34’s offered for sale from £3k to £15k, don’t know what the actual sold fir price was.
 
If you have to reverse any distance at a speed which gives steerage way astern, as opposed to just making a short sternboard out of or into a finger pontoon marina berth, etc. the pressure on one side of the rudder increases geometrically as you put the rudder further over, and there may well come a point at which you cannot hold it and force it back.

Even when reversing some distance, you should do it in bursts.
 
I see that Duncan Kent seems to agree with me:

“Like all long-keelers the Nicholson 32 was awful going astern under power.

The trick was to build up a little speed some way off where you wanted to end up and then knock it out of gear using the speed through the water to steer.

Too much speed, though, and the tiller would be ripped out of your hands!

Nicholson 32: an ocean-going pedigree that lasts - Yachting Monthly
 
I see that Duncan Kent seems to agree with me:

“Like all long-keelers the Nicholson 32 was awful going astern under power.

The trick was to build up a little speed some way off where you wanted to end up and then knock it out of gear using the speed through the water to steer.

Too much speed, though, and the tiller would be ripped out of your hands!”

Nicholson 32: an ocean-going pedigree that lasts - Yachting Monthly

Seems he agrees with me too. ;):cool:
 
Hi everyone. Thank you very much gays . I very appreciate all tips. Yesterday I went to Dublin to see Nicholson 36 , beautiful boat, but to much to do . I mean it is very rare inside, modern boats look much better and more cosy. Therefore I'm going to buy Rival 34 . This Rival you can see on apollo duck is Long keel version and it is in great condition and windvane fitted.
Hi Gary Fox I was thinking about classic wooden and exactly the same I went to see in Portsmouth. On classic wooden boat website yacht is still for sale. I love this boat but there is not enough head room and small inside. Also it needs much more attention and maintenance. I'm Polish. I don't really like this modern fin Meg type boats , I like this heavy long keel boats or long fin and skeg and deep safe cockpit . I am going to sail also on Atlantic and Baltic Sea to Gdańsk in Poland. So I think it is a good choice. I do not really understand what you meant: 'Rivals all have a very bad, low, waterline length '

Hi V1701
Yes I'm looking for tablet to use Navionics for navigation and this is another question which one will be the best choice?
 
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