More advice required!

[mrplastic]

I am definitely going to get me a new boat, one way or another! So many questions, so little time.....

First of all, I don't have a huge amount of experience with yachts, had one recently but never had time to use it so bought another powerboat. However, my situation has improved greatly and I am determined to make the most of it!

So I am going to get another yacht, my lovely lady knows what she wants from a yacht and it's got little to do with how it actually sails! So looking for some focused advice on options.

My last boat had slab reefing, but I like the idea of in mast furling and electric winches (I have a old injury that can be aggravated by manual winches) any advice? I hear stories about too much weight in the mast on a beamy boat is not good and in a heavy sea could make things worse.

Keels, my cruising area at the moment is East Coast which is fairly shallow water, so bilge keels seem the right option, however my old instructor tells me his local sailing school boats all have deep fin and his boats have never encountered a problem with grounding and the like.....

How about a lifting keel? one option I am exploring is a Southerly 35RS...

Are aft cockpits really that much drier than a centre cockpit design and are CC's really that difficult to get around?

In the end I know it's about personal choice, but I want to be able to make an informed personal choice and ask the right questions at Southampton.

No doubt I'll think of something else, but that's a start and don't forget you're helping to get another stinky off the water /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks

CLP

 

[PhilipH]

If you are doing coastal cruising and maybe the odd trip across the North Sea/Channel then in-mast is fine as you will be able to avoid weather where a lot of weight aloft is a problem.

I would go for lifting keel rather than bilge because it gives you better sailing performance up wind whilst still being able to take the ground.

The centre cockpit/aft cockpit issue usually revolves around whether you want a large double cabin aft. However, there are other considerations, such as on a boat at 40ft and under the centre cockpit tends to be quite small. Also, some people don't like to be as high up as in a centre cockpit. You can keep dry in both centre and aft with a sprayhood

If you have a bad back then have electric winches - anything to get you sailing, and don't forget the electric anchor windlass.

Best to get out on different types and have a look at many.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Much like buying a home, you'll go aboard a prospective boat and know that she is the one for you.

 

[photodog]

When I got back on the water in the UK we got a powerboat, as my wife had never sailed etc. Anyways, after a few years decided that the time was ripe to get out of the powerboat and into a sailboat, and of course as you are dicovering the choice is bewildering.
We decided to charter yachts instead for several years, This gave us the opportunity to sail loads of different boats, and find out through experience what suited us, and what didnt.
And the things which I thought were important at first, I discovered were not important afterall!!

To put it in perspective, in 4years we sailed...

Jeuneau 36, 37, 40, 45
Bene 311, 361
Gibsea 33
Bavaria 32,34,36,37,38
Elan 333
Dufour 30,32,36
Prima38

we sailed inmast, lift keel, deep keel, fully battened, part battened, tiller, wheel, etc etc.
(We also got to sail in the Caribean, Scotland, the UK, Etc..)

I highly recommend this!

I note that you have been thinking Legend, as well as Southerly.

These two boats probably could not be further apart on the scale!

When you are at the boat show, take the time to look careful at as many boats as you can. If you start with the Expensive ones, In particular I would say Malo, Halberg Rassy, Najad, Southerly, and then work down into the middle range, Dufour, X-Boats, and then work your way down into the bigger producers, such as Benetaue, Jeunaue, Bavaria, Hanse, Catalina, and then Legend, I think that you will get a feel for build quality, and were you might like to be, and how much it will cost!

Then you really need to think about how you will use the boat!!

Thats probably a start.

We ended up with a boat totally different from what we thought we wanted at the beggining! ve
Have Fun!

Rmember though, you need a mooring/birth BEFORE you get the boat!!

 

[Evadne]

I kept my long fin keel boat (4' 2" draught) at Maylandsea on the Blackwater for a year, and I never had any problem running aground at all. In fact I managed it on almost every trip and got really quite good at it. If I were based there permanently I'd opt for bilge keels or a lifting keel.

Dryness in an aft cockpit is relative. High freeboard, generous beam and light displacement probably contribute more. I have none and when she goes through the waves, they end up in the cockpit. Personally I think it's a small price to pay for seaworthiness and sweet lines, but you may think otherwise.

Good luck, hope you find a boat you like.

 

[Salty John]

It depends very largely on the type of sailing you will be doing. If you will be marina bound mainly, and the longest trip an overnighter in settled weather, you will attracted by the accomodation and facilities of a broad beamed, high freeboard model from the mass producers. If you plan long voyages beyond the validity of accurate weather reporting, perhaps spending your time in remote anchorages, you will probably pay more attention to seaworthyness, a seakindly motion, strength and durabilty.
For east coast pottering draft is a big issue, so a more specialised model, like the Southerly you are considering, comes into its own.
Define your requirements and then look at lots of boats that appear to suit. Like any project: Measure three times, cut once!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Fin keels really aren't a big problem on the east coast..... we draw 1.75m, and have little or no problems....

Saying that, the Southerly lift keel does seem to receive a lot of praise, and I gather performs remarkably well upwind, not something that all lifting keels can claim.... and would be a very good choice for an east coast boat, allowing you to reach further up the creeks and also dry out....

As for the inmast furling.... we have it on a boat new to us just 4 months ago... its the first time we've had it, and I am a convert..... ignore the doom mongers that talk about weight aloft.... that is far offest in my mind by the ease and safety of reefing quickly..... but be aware that an in mast main will never perform to the same level as a slab main by the very nature of its enforced leech shape....

I personally don't like CC's.... I don't think they look right on anything below about 50'.... I also would be worried about the raised height making the motion less comfortable, but then again, lots of people have them, and seem very happy with them, and they do have those fabulous aft cabins!

 

[SwedishLass]

In my MAB having a lift keel (well two of them actually) drawing 1.8m down, 0.5 up and a centre cockpit. I can recommend the lift option. you can get to those peaceful anchorages that others do not. Yes it is easy to sail on the East coast with generous dangly bits but it is your choice of final destination that gets you thinking. If I wish to sail and anchor with keels fully down often you are often looking for holes and of course the rule of twelfths. One advantage of the Southerly is the generous grounding plate which gives you a little more margin of safety when settling on harder surfaces. (My hull is only about 10mm ply) and better stability when the keel is part up.
I like the centre cockpit for ease of single handing, easy reefing, access to mast, all lines, centre of pivot when mooring etc. but I can understand the issues with a high centre cockpit. I find the motion of a centre cockpit much easier, as to wet, you are closer to the action! Very much dependent on the boat, I have this masochistic pleasure in picking seaweed out of the eyebrows but I know others with cc who virtually sail in carpet slippers. The aft cabin is an island of privacy and having a double berth 6'6 by 7' in a 26 footer is a luxury.
Cannot comment on in mast reefing other than watching a friend trying to re-enact the Hoffnung brick sketch when lowering one from the barn roof. I find the roller boom works for me apart from the lack of a kicker (I have a claw but gap too small to fit purchase). Fairey Atalanta

 

[Sailfree]

Agree with all that you say but would also suggest they look at the Arcona and Finngulf both quality boats IMHO but slightly cheaper than the Swedish/X boats .

If lifting keel is a priority then don't forget to have a good look at the French aluminium boats like Ovni!

 

[mrplastic]

Thank you all very much for your views, I know I am looking at two completely different boats and although in my mind legends tick a lot of boxes, I'll probably go for the Southerly 35RS.

Thanks again

CLP

 

[Mudplugger]

Why are you not out SAILING!!!

 

[SwedishLass]

Why are you not out SAILING!!!

--------------------

Had a quick 3 day Trimble down the creek.



Now surveyed for son's uni project. Moorings accurate to a few mm and still bearing no relation to the published map, another acboa plan that only works in execution mode.

Time you were out instead of playing with all those wires trying to seal the smoke in!