Max 20k budget - what boat ?

Going another direction? :) Lightweight boat, french style. Check the deck. If she did heavier work at sea, when deck gets weakened and flexing some leaks may show; look at windows. Cored decks and leaks... well, you know.
Not to mention keel mount area, these boats have a bit of draft, groundings won't do them any good.
 
I'm not going to argue with someone who did 50.000 nm on an Attalia but I have direct knolwedge of the Jeanneau Rush that was being built at the same time that although well built are nonetheless quite light.They seem to last well but they're definitely not overbuilt.I'd think the Attalia would have similar scantlings.
 
Found a nice UFO 34 - not quite the aft cabin solution but I can work on that.
Used to sail one of these years ago and remember them being safe, stiff and fast upwind.
A very different animal to the lightweight French offerings.
Its a Oyster/Landamores build as well rather than a home completion job.
 
Javelin said:
Found a nice UFO 34 - not quite the aft cabin solution but I can work on that.
Used to sail one of these years ago and remember them being safe, stiff and fast upwind.
A very different animal to the lightweight French offerings.
Its a Oyster/Landamores build as well rather than a home completion job.
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If you are looking at a UFO34 doesn't that put you in Sigma 33 territory. Certainly some about well below £20k.
 
On that basis, and these were some boats I had considered when moving up from my Jaguar 27, if you can find one look also at a Feeling 286. Really pleased with mine for coastal cruising. Fast and roomy, and stands to her canvas better than some may suggest...
With previous owner mine had crossed the channel frequently. The 286 in particular has some nice design touches , not seen on most other Feelings

(MASSIVE double aft for a boat of this size and I am 6' 4". Kelt comes close, but Feeling has more head room by far on inner berth)

Javelin said:
Ok the goal posts have shifted a little....
The guys at work think I've been a little hasty on a blanket ban on French boats.
tbh we've had issues with just as many UK built boats, it's just we keep seeing an awful Sunfast 36 which we (I) hate working on.

Added to this the mrs really likes the idea of an aft double cabin so we don't have to make/remake beds every morning and the kids, if they come with us, can be chucked up forward.



So my hit list has changed somewhat and I feel somewhat chastened.
Any advice on the following would be great.

1. Jouet 920
2. GibSea 90
3. Kelt 9m
4. Jeanneau Attalia or Arcadia
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yes you're both right on closer inspection.
Saw the teak decks and started to salivate as it looks almost Swan-like.

Ok back to reality,
Fav at the moment is a UFO34 and a Waquiez Gladiateur 33 has just caught my eye
 
I have an 86 Attalia very happy with it. No problems structurally apart from the solid ply rudder which had a bit of rot, easily cut out and repaired with epoxy. I also replace the bottom rudder bearing. The previous owner replaced the headlining and all interior upholstery. On a boat that age if it's original will be showing its age. Any I've seen fr sale seem well priced a d you get a lot of boat for the money.
 
Then look for seaworthy kinds, as you started.
Not specially sharp bow, bow sides not flat, bottom not flat, not so beamy bulging out midship as in some IOR/RORC racers (better to have side line going about straight, not a bulge with pinched ends), good skeg for rudder (having some area), keel with around 1 aspect ratio (something shaped like contessa, contest, hustler 30 - bit longer than deep). Draft inside some 5 feet.
And safe stability characteristics.
Ballast ratio not so important, it's just that lightweight racing hull gets proportionally more weight in keel, not much use from it when it's finkeel starting just below water so much of ballast is high.
For seaworthy boat you want bigger displacement and high AVS, say over 140 degrees - not just 'mandatory minimum' about 110-120.
Hull shell should be stiff, and deck too - which is sometimes a problem when they make it light and full of flat areas.

Also prepare for higher price on such well-founded boats... and bargain over it. Buyers for heavier boats are few and far between
Then again old Contests - someone had put here a 'mark II' of the one I like, the older seaworthy kind but fast, may be found cheaply and high quality boat; don't know this 'modernized deck mould though. Stability and behaviour good, plenty of lead encapsulated low down - ever worried about keel bolts? no more. Designed to Lloyd rule.
Hustler 30 - not so roomy a boat but seaworthy, nicely balanced hull shape, sailing well and no problem to find inside 20k. For weekends and occasional holidays big enough. http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats/sailing-boats/hustler/30/ http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/boat_details.php?boat_id=207 http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/boat_details.php?boat_id=222
Or even Carter, this was a racer and budget boat but built to our rule, similar as Lloyd, at least strength and stability were meeting the criteria required. Originally meant for North Sea.

You may also look for Westerly Longbow (heard good opinion on seaworthiness, many should be on market); even Halberg-rassy Rasmus or Nab 35 - those have room, seaworthiness, in price bracket. Maybe Rasmus not so easy - but market is tough, just discuss the price.
 
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Seajet said:
I don't think the Contessa 28 is a rocket ship, but I can't see her being slow !

I have noticed PY's can be very distorted unless it's a big racing class with lots of data.

The Sadler 29 is a good fast passage maker, and will keep going.

NealB,

I recognise that boat,

like the spec' although she 'only' has a sensible engine ( my Carter 30 had a 13hp and it was fine ); nowadays one would probably expect a turbo 36hp with a 3 blade folder, and why not throw in a bow thruster ! :rolleyes:

Andy
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I know that boat too - I work with her owner. She's a cracking boat with lots of new and very good kit on board. He's very fussy and won't tolerate shoddy so everything about her is good. She's not a 'rocket ship' but she's no slouch either and she's been ruffling quite a few feathers in the Royal Southampton series.
 
Javelin said:
Apart from requiring new sails and standing rigging, with a cursory glance can you seen any other issues with this Contessa 34
http://dartmouth.boatshed.com/contessa_34_ood-boat-151164.html
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Low price reflects an unloved design with significant construction problems when new. Carp engine and probably 10k+ basic expenditure to bring it up to reasonable spec. When boats have a low asking price there is a reason and you have to decide if it represents value for you.
 
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