Jester Challange Boats

[Judders]

Suggestions?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not thinking of signing up anytime soon but I was pondering, in a cold friday kind of a way, what the good options would be for a low budget entry? Contessa 26 is obviously the first that springs to mind but I was wondering what other thoughts people had and what the requirements might be?

A good self steering gear is clearly top of the list (or very near at least). None of these electrical efforts, but something that will still work after the batteries have died.

 

[purplerobbie]

Albin Vega

Rob

 

[Gwylan]

2012 looms and an AZAB, not that I've thought about this at all....Nic 32, Dufour Arpege or a Saddler 32
Just think that anything smaller is just going to be too wet and too exciting to consider - for me.
Maybe an Achilles 24 - 'cause I know, trust and love them.

 

[purplerobbie]

Its supposed to be less than 30ft.
But the rival i have would be a nice boat to do it in.
And yes the nich 32

Rob

 

[michael_w]

Mini Transat!

Choice of Pogos here scroll down a bit.

 

[TigaWave]

Mustang 30?

 

[co256]

Could I ask, what is your idea of "a low budget entry?" ???

 

[Athene V30]

I plan to be on the start and hopefully finsih line for JAC2012 in my Phillipa 27 - 70s designed by Robert Clarke
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and just fitted a second hand Sea Feather [image]

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Others to think about - Cutlass 27 / Halcyon 27. CPD on this forum completed the JAC2008 in a bilge keeled Westerly Centaur including weathering a couple of gales on the way.
I am only planning to do the challenge as I want to see the sun - hopefully the Azores will be warm!

 

[Fascadale]

Invicta 26
Basic, solid, cheap
Long Keel, transom hung rudder, encapsulated ballast

 

[snowleopard]

How about a folkboat? Cover the cockpit over, put a spray hood over a hatch and replace the rig with a chinese lugsail. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Goldie]

"between 20 and 30 feet (including multi-hulls) but marginally larger vessels - clearly compatible with the Jester and Corinthian spirit - acceptable by invitation of the other skippers" is the entry criteria. So if an invitation could be wangled, Contessa 32 or Centurion 32. If not, then Halmatic 30, Carter 30, Elizabethan, Hustler 30, Pioneer 9 and Kings Cruiser 29....... loads to choose from!

 

[Poignard]

Well I am not thinking of entering the Jester Challenge but if I was I would be quite happy to do it in my Twister. The only major alteration I would make would be to revert to hank-on headsails and I would buy a trysail, a storm jib and fit mast steps. As far as possible, I would also try and make sure I wasn't dependent on anything I couldn't repair or didn't have at least two of.

 

[Racecruiser]

Mustang 30?

Great boat - quick and well mannered although I would say that as I own one! I know one or two have done well in AZAB races.

Don't think I'll be doing the Jester challenge however.

 

[Judders]

Okay, design wise we're up with the usual suspects, but what is it that we're looking for? Why are they the usual suspects?

Why shouldn't I do it in my Feeling 720 with an electric autohel? Afterall, she's a damned sight quicker!

 

[huggy1]

warsash one design.

 

[Athene V30]

My view is you need a boat / rig that is solid enough to take an atlantic gale or two for a couple of days - if I can keep some sail up to keep making some progress then all the better. Still have to test myself (in this boat) in anything above a F6 but it seems unseamanlike to set off to sea in a gale!

Light winds from astern will be my downfall as I am not a great spinnaker fan and don't know how the wind vane will cope.

I do have 2 x TP10 autopilots too BUT they need electrikery - a resource in short supply. Tricolour will have led bulb. GPS will only be on when need it and intend to get back into astro by then as well. Dont think i will be short of food or water - planning on taking 4 weeks supplies just in case!

No reason you can't do it in a Feeling 720 - if you have confidence in the boat.

 

[Dyflin]

Dockrell 27 or a sadler 29 if you had the money.

 

[absit_omen]

I entered the first Challenge in my unmodified Vertue. After much heart searching en route from the Humber to Plymouth I decided that beating and fighting prevailing current was unfair on the old girl and that I was not sufficiently confident to deal with any major disaster in mid-Atlantic.

I now believe that to do the trip safely, reasonably comfortably and within about 60 days you need to modify something considerably - not unlike the second Jester. Inbuilt (foam) buoyancy, bullet proof self-steering, an astrodome and a junk rig handled from inside the saloon would be pre-requisites IMO.

 

[halcyon]

If you want a Halcyon 27 for the event, you need this one, already done the Atlantic circuit, and found the UK again.

It interesting the amount of mods done by the pevious owner, from a standard boat. But then it must be same for any standard boat, like the windows are now fitted to the outside and bolted through the cabin side. Also the cockpit is reduced in size by making a large lazzerette, and 2 x 4 inch diameter straight through cockpit drains.

Brian

 

[Twister_Ken]

Makes that radar scanner look big, dunnit?