It's getting serious!

[benw]

Looking at next yacht options and realise the yachts listed are poles apart in some regards but have unique sales points for a growing family of 5 with a Labrador.
Rival 38 which if the exchange rate is favourable comes into range. Having been on one solid dependable go any where any conditions type of yacht. Aft cabin arrangement suits us with growing teenage daughters who can have a bit of privacy. Easy to sail home as on near continent.
Sigma 38 for cruising, again great fast passage maker but a bit scary re running back stays and all this race tuning big 6 ft 8 keel but great accommodation and fit out re instruments. West coast Scotland.

Both need some form of updating but nothing too scary.
Is the Sigma as good and manageable a cruiser as is reported? Will the Rival be a pinch by comparison for size?

OR

Do I just sit it out and see what becomes available Later in the year or by next season?
Not a great deal of quality about at present.

Any experiences of options above and thoughts welcomed. Money from Sadler 32 sale now in and banked so can move very quickly but don't want to catch a cold!
Ben

 

[lenseman]

It is not the time to buy as the sun is out and everyone will be looking to buy which will keep the prices up or at worse, the yacht you set your sights on will have been sold or under offer.

It might be best you study form and see what you require and check the fine details of the type of yacht and then start looking/bidding in earnest in the dark depths of next winter.

 

[lenseman]

and borrowed from a friends blog:

http://www.windtraveler.net/2012/05/top-10-tuesdays-10-things-to-remember.html

 

[MoodySabre]

They did a cruising version of the Sigma 33 (a C suffix) which has a less powerful rig and probably hasn't been thrashed.

 

[MoodySabre]

It is not the time to buy as the sun is out

The price of my boat went up at least £5k today

 

[Bru]

The price of my boat went up at least £5k today

If I spend a few more thousand on her, the priceof mine might go up TO £5k

 

[benw]

The 33 is too small really for now and plans for bigger travels.
We have now sat in and looked at 36, 362 and 38. The 38 fulfills a large number of the wish list.
Recent upgrades include over £3 k on new sails, £3 k on Garmin HD radar and 12" plotter, new tack tick inst, engine overhaul. A lot of money spent recently.

We have also been looking at a Moody 336S which gives a lot too.

 

[xyachtdave]

The Sigma 38 was top of our list when looking, unfortunately there was little around at that time that wasn't completely trashed. (think T boned in a race and nearly sunk)

I wouldn't be put off by the runners, unless you are over canvassed in big breeze the timing of pulling them on is not that critical.

They will give the kids/crew a job and if occasionally you really can't be bothered with them she will fly with a genoa and the runners left on.

A proper boat IMO.

 

[wingdiver]

Do you want accommodation in preference to performance.
We are biased of course and our needs are different to many but there are some cracking Dutch motorsailers with decent performance - 40ft, 6-7kts but no hairy scary racing issues - running backstays, tippy etc
Several folks who have been on board Mermaid said the family loved the idea of a pilothouse for when it's a bit miserable outside when sailing or moored as you are still connected to the outside world plus the volume of a boat that is 44 ft long and 14.5ft in the beam is enormous.
Try Dutch sites http://www.botentekoop.nl/ or http://www.boten.nl/ plus Apollo Duck and ybw with filters for the countries you are prepared to visit.
Don't be put off by something further afield. We looked in the UK, Holland, France, Belgium and Spain before hitting Italy and buying Mermaid from a marina between Venice and Trieste in the Northern Adriatic. You can get most boats transported by road from the Med or Adriatic/Ionian etc by http://www.vandewetering.nl/gb/index.html
There are loads of cracking boats in the Med for sale by people who dreamt of sailing off into the sunset and ended up not liking it.

 

[benw]

We have to have a yacht that will be safe and look after us in a blow offshore.
Surfing into Oostende last year in a rising f6 was great fun partly because our Sadler was solid as a rock. A good level of eqpt is also important as this kit is expensive and if we can save on some refit expenditure that would be good. I know this can all be added but crossing the West and Nth Hinder in fog it is so reassuring to have AIS or radar. Both of which are fitted on the Sigma.
Heh Ho I am off to Scotland tomorrow so hopefully what greets me will be worth it.

 

[dt4134]

The big No.1 on a Sigma 38 is hard work if you're not a seasoned racing trimmer (and a good workout even if you are), but you can always use a smaller headsail when you're cruising.

Accommodation favours berths over storage, but you can stow a lot behind the lee cloths in the pilot berths.

The Sigmas do give you a sense of confidence in heavy weather.

 

[benw]

Thanks for this.
We plan to cruise and will be using the cruising sails for sure. However a brand new set of race sails are there ready for the chance to go for it. Wondering whether I would off load racing sails for a set of new cruising sails.
decisions!