My "perfect" boat.

Allan

Allan

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My \"perfect\" boat.

All boats are a compromise! With that in mind I have started a list of what would make my ideal boat. When I move aboard I will living on the rental income from my house (~£1000/month). So lots of anchoring! I plan to start by sailing the Welsh coast, east coast of Ireland and south west of England.

28-30 feet.
Steel.
Strong rig (prefer ketch).
Good anchors.
Reliable engine.
Suitable for single handing.
Must take to the ground.
Aft cabin.
Full headroom (I'm 6ft).
Heating, preferably stove.
Shower.

I am interested in hearing what people think, my budget for buying the boat is restricted to £20000.
Allan
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

All looks pretty sound to me, with maybe two exceptions?

Aft Cabin, Why. you are talking about single handing, what do you want an aft cabin for? also, having an aft cabin usually means wheel steering? more complication that is necessary. also, harder to fit a windvane should you fancy one, and you probably will in the end /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif In that boat length the aft cabin will also steal room from the main accomodation.

Steel, well yes it's strong, depending on who and how it was built, but (IMHO), not particularly user friendly when it comes to maintenance. Better Ferro than steel methinks.

You may have trouble fitting in a shower and a stove though? I would go for the stove, and stink and be warm! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

I like the idea of cabin that I can use for sleeping only. I don't want to sleep in the saloon and forward cabins always seem too small. I would prefer a design something like a Colvic Countess 33. With access from the saloon to the aft cabin.
One of the reasons for steel is that as a maintenance man it is something I'm comfortable with. Ferro is OK but the size I want is a bit small, it is even marginal for steel.
Allan
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

No problem what your discribings a 9 ton hillyard!or seadog. you can find both for that much ones wood the other plastic!But still alright.
I wouldent go for steel as it rusts around the waterline and the metal can get very thin!There also VERY hot in the sun and cold in the cold when compared with wood or even plastic,Also free showers in autum and spring with condensation!!!
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

For a change I'm going to agree with most of what Smiffy has to say. The bit I'd question is the use of anything other than GRP or wood on a craft of this size. Both steel and ferro are perfectly good building materials but don't really come into their own until you get above about 40'.

The problem is that they are too heavy and whilst will make a bomb proof boat it will sail like a dog in anything less than gale and then at 30' you probably wouldn't want to be out in gale that long.

Your budget of £20000 will buy you a bullet proof GRP boat like a Rival 32 (OK I'm biased) and others of that ilk.
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

Yes, well right now I'm trying not to compromise too much. One thing I forgot (sorry) is the need for it to take to the ground. This something I can't compromise on, I will be spending some time near Smiffy!
Allan
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

[ QUOTE ]
For a change I'm going to agree with most of what Smiffy has to say. The bit I'd question is the use of anything other than GRP or wood on a craft of this size. Both steel and ferro are perfectly good building materials but don't really come into their own until you get above about 40'.

The problem is that they are too heavy and whilst will make a bomb proof boat it will sail like a dog in anything less than gale and then at 30' you probably wouldn't want to be out in gale that long.

Your budget of £20000 will buy you a bullet proof GRP boat like a Rival 32 (OK I'm biased) and others of that ilk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh you cruel, cruel man! waddya mean for a change! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I agree, (we will have to stop doing this, people will begin to talk).....But I had the impression that he had really got his heart set on bombproof! (who's after him I wonder)? Anyway, yes everything you mentioned is valid, my own preference would be for wood or GRP, just for ease of looking after, and Alan, bilge keels are always a good idea, regardless of what the string twitchers and (the round the cans I can get more out of this bitch) merchants might say /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif For a live aboard I think that they are a godsend (take cover Smiffy, you is about to blasted), but being from the Brizzle channel, we know why, dunnus ma bird?

Oh and Alan, not to close huh? not to close /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

Apart from the steel bit, there are loads of 1970s boats that would fit the bill. A Westerly Berwick springs to mind, not a boat I have ever yearned for but perfectly adequate for coastal liveaboard cruising , close to bomb proof by virtue of massive scantlings.
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

Don't worry Smiffy, I want to get away from people, not get closer! Another reason for wanting steel is that I plan to do a lot more miles sailing and I have seen two containers floating free so far!
Allan
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

[ QUOTE ]
Don't worry Smiffy, I want to get away from people, not get closer! Another reason for wanting steel is that I plan to do a lot more miles sailing and I have seen two containers floating free so far!
Allan

[/ QUOTE ]

I aint worried mate! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif loads of quiet spots to hide in down here. Just out of interest, where did you spot those containers? Also, being a nosey old Git! what's got you thinking along these lines?

Charlie.
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

The containers were when I lived and sailed in France. One was off Brest, the other was near the Minquies and recovered by French fishing boat.
Thinking along what lines? If it's the sailing away thing, then I just fancy a change. Kids grown-up, morgage paid-up and I'm fed-up. Seems like plenty of reasons to me.
Allan
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

If you're prepared to take to the ground on legs, then I'd personally recommend the Tom Thumb 24 or 26.. I know you said 28 feet, but the TT26 is nearly 24 feet on the waterline, which is only a little bit shy of many 28 footers. They've got plenty of beam resulting in a tardis like effect inside.

As for speed, our TT24 moves along nicely in F2/3, but does really go comfortable in F4 and above.

As for cold and condensation on steel boats, thats what insulation is for... we have yet to get ours done, trying to find a competetive spray foam quote.

Some details at:
http://www.bruceroberts.com/public/HTML/descriptions/TomThumb26_description.htm
http://www.bruceroberts.com.au/sail/tt24.htm

Only big problem is.. finding one for sale !
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

[ QUOTE ]
The containers were when I lived and sailed in France. One was off Brest, the other was near the Minquies and recovered by French fishing boat.
Thinking along what lines? If it's the sailing away thing, then I just fancy a change. Kids grown-up, morgage paid-up and I'm fed-up. Seems like plenty of reasons to me.
Allan

[/ QUOTE ]

Seems like plenty of reasons to me too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Good luck with it, and keep us informed of your progress, if you need any info, on finding a quiet backwater down this way, give me a shout.

Charlie.
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

There certainly aren't very many steel boats 30 feet or less and there aren't many ketches that size either - it could be a tough hunt.

Although we own a steel ketch I'd go along with others suggesting a solid (old) GRP boat, if you stick with that size.

If you do go steel, don't belive the nonsense about them rusting round the water line - steel boats rust from the inside out, not the outside in. The surveyor must check thoroughly around the anchor locker, stern gland and anywhere else water can get in. Then just keep the boat dry (including no condensation, whch is not easy in the UK).
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

what do you mean by " steel only comes in to it's own after 40ft .........sorry (and this is not very lady like) but thats a load of bo**ocks, as a professional boat builder I can assure you that steel is without doubt the most cost effective boat building material as well as the strongest !!

I've built 7ft 6inch tenders in 2mm steel that are far better then wood or GRP and will out live wood or GRP 10 fold.

it is also one of, if not the cheapest materials to maintain as well !!

it is also the simplist and quickiest to repair if you do have a mishap !! which is most unlikely.

my own 33ft riptide (steel) only cost me £1200 for the steel to fabricate hull, deck and coach roof, as well as push pit pulpit and stantions, a further £600 for grit blasting and a really good epoxy paint system ....you just carn't beat steel.

to build the same in GRP you would be looking at £17/1800 just for the resin and matt then on top of that there are other bits and bobs like solvent, talc and fillers, then there would be the cost of the mold, also you can build a steel hull and deck quicker then you can build a mold for a GRP hull alone, and you can build steel out side!

As for wood........ well.....lets be realistic the cost is off the planet.....you could save money using ply, which is a good material but not in the same league as steel.

Regards Rachel
 
Re: My \"perfect\" boat.

yep I have...... I only bought the steel for her 9 months ago ....and the price per ton has actually dropped maginally last month.
 
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