My ideal 30 foot yacht

[dunedin]

Why is a self tacking jib needed on a 30 footer ?

We used to regularly short tack a 36 footer with 140% Genoa by using technique rather than muscle to avoid winching more than the last single turn or so.
And the current trend for small self tacker which then needs an asymmetric to go downwind seems a LOT harder work than a bigger conventional genoa

I you found the ideal boat otherwise, but couldn't tack a small genoa manually, an electric winch might be a better modification to avoid reducing performance

 

[Daydream believer]

That's a bit harsh on the Vancouver I think. Sure, definitely built for cruising but they are by no means "terribly" slow.

I own one, so I do know.

Have to admit ( I hate doing this) Seajet does have a point. I once sailed in company with a Vancouver over 50 miles ( bigger than my hanse 311 - think it was about 34) & got fed up going back for it
Cannot imagine why anyone would want such a slow boat,

As for Dunedin's question about why have a self tacker. ( Ok my boat is a foot longer than the suggested 30 ft in his post) Have you tried one? better up wind in a blow than a part furled genny & i quite like it for single handed sailing. Short tacking up the River Crouch I would expect to out tack a genoa rigged boat with ease. I take the point about a downwind sail being handy but once hoisted would really get the boat moving, not that I miss it as the mainsail is fairly big .I certainly would not go back to a boat without an ST.

 

[Lucky Duck]

My personal preference is for a 105% (ish) jib which sheets inside the side stays. it's easy to tack and offers more control and sail area than a self tacker.

 

[Tranona]

Cannot imagine why anyone would want such a slow boat,

Perhaps because they have different priorities from you (and Seajet), but perhaps it is you lacking imagination!. Would be terrible if we all liked the same thing. What a boring world it would be.

 

[Concerto]

An older boat that might almost fit the bill is the old Moody 29. It has the largest loo compartment you will ever see. A tad slow by modern standards.

 

[doug748]

Perhaps because they have different priorities from you (and Seajet), but perhaps it is you lacking imagination!. Would be terrible if we all liked the same thing. What a boring world it would be.

Just so.

About four hours ago I struck up a response in support of Babylon. Then I decided not to post it, I didn't need Seajet on the case etc. This is it as far as I got:


"…....It always grates when any boat is dismissed with a couple of thoughtless words.

Some commentators on these pages (and I am not speaking particularly of Seajet) seem to exist in a state of arrested personality development. They miss a lot. The fundamental struggle seems to be in grasping that other people have different priorities to themselves. What the child development psychologists call the egocentric stage. They don't get that the complexity of boats cannot be summed up in a throwaway phrase: fast, slow, too light, too heavy, old, new......"

For what it's worth.

If any other dull sod tells me his boat is fast and the other blokes is slow, like it is a really interesting, penetrating and incisive comment - my head will be done in.

 

[rotrax]

Have a look at an Island Packet 320. There is one currently for sale. 75K IIRC.
Self tacking staysail, not jib, and a combined shower heads but high quality build, long keel with a fully supported rudder. Just over 30 feet though.
Like the Vancouver, not fast but well built and very seaworthy.
First Mate and I might downsize to one in the future-our current boat, a larger Island Packet-is a bit too big for our clubs marina.
Worth a look-after all, choosing boats normally requires some compromise.

 

[Spyro]

I have that in my Huzar 30.

Do you count a shower in the heads compartment as a separate shower?

 

[Seajet]

My Carter 30 had a separate shower, as long as one didn't mind cold water and a foot pump - it was a bit like being a Morris Dancer

 

[AliM]

If you have a lot of spare cash for the new boat, have a look at the Sirius 310. There are lots of possible layouts, and your spec is certainly one of them. There are several of the older 32's on the market, usually in Germany, or you can have a semi custom new one. I am biased, of course!

I agree with the self tacker argument - yesterday, tacking into the Crouch in 30+ knots on the nose, would have been even more horrible if we had had to winch in the jib each tack!

 

[[2574]]

If any other dull sod tells me his boat is fast and the other blokes is slow, like it is a really interesting, penetrating and incisive comment - my head will be done in.

Like folk who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.......

 

[doris]

Sadler 290 gets close, but rarely for sale. Go up a size and Southerly 32, but you need to consider lift keel and twin rudders. HR 310 for recent build or older 31 meet most, but not self tacking.

New GT 30 is Stephen Jones' update of the 290 that improves it across the board. Would be my benchmark were I looki for a 30 footer.

 

[eddystone]

New GT 30 is Stephen Jones' update of the 290 that improves it across the board. Would be my benchmark were I looki for a 30 footer.

I would agree but doubt whether it will ever be built; I would guess a one off build by Landamores or whoever GT use to be £200K+, comparing to JR charges for a new Contessa 32. Possibly a bit rich for a 30 footer without retro/classic brand identity in todays market.

 

[Slowtack]

I have heard it said that the ideal 30 footer is a 33 footer

 

[Tranona]

I have heard it said that the ideal 30 footer is a 33 footer

Have to agree as just looking to buy in that range and particularly with new boats it is significant step up in space and capability. Just like last time I bought when i first went for a 34 but got upsold to a 37 - helped by special deal which shrunk the price difference and a long waiting list for the 34.

 

[rotrax]

I have heard it said that the ideal 30 footer is a 33 footer

Probably very true..........................

 

[doris]

I would agree but doubt whether it will ever be built; I would guess a one off build by Landamores or whoever GT use to be £200K+, comparing to JR charges for a new Contessa 32. Possibly a bit rich for a 30 footer without retro/classic brand identity in todays market.

Last thing I heard was a sub £150k price tag. Compared with the price of the S290 at the end, pretty much the same in real terms.

 

[TSB240]

I am going to follow the well know forum phenomenon of recommending the boat you have....

No shower or hot water.

But we tick most of the other boxes

Hanse 291/301.

I wont mention how fast it is just to say I am very happy to cruise in company with smaller or bigger boats!

Forget it if you are 6 foot 6... But that would probably apply to any boat!

Not unhappy with German build and finish other than the faded blue water and coach roof line.

 

[Tranona]

Last thing I heard was a sub £150k price tag. Compared with the price of the S290 at the end, pretty much the same in real terms.

That still puts it in the same territory as a Mystery 35 or an HR 310.

 

[doug748]

The GT 30 seems a substantial beast with nearly 5000lbs of lead keel:

http://gtyachts.com/files/GT30_GA.pdf

I would be surprised if it could be produced cheaply in the UK.