New Boat Buy...Hunter(Legend), Catalina, Bavaria, Beneteau

[amirault]

First Post.

Looking to buy a new boat for more space and comfort as we age. We will say so-long to a Tanzer 8.5m and am looking at the Hunter 31, Catalina 309/320, Bavaria 31, and the Beneteau 323. The list is limited by dealer availability. We currently sail the Ottawa River but will retire to Canada's Great Lakes.

I am sure each of the boats on this list has its detractors and boosters and both are right in their opinions; but I believe all manufacturers make design/cost/performance decisions that the buyers are then forced to live with or choose amongst.

I would like opinion and advice on what to look for and stay away from within this list. Please keep the responses polite in keeping with my delicate Canadian sensibilities.

OH......it needs to be able to race. The Tanzer has been in gusts to 35 knots and 45 degrees heel in waves 1-1.5 m. The confined water of the river yields close chop in high wind rather than longer swell.

Of course, this may not be the correct forum for the request. If I'm in error, someone please correct and redirect me.

Brian

 

[PIGLETSDREAM]

Welcome to the forum Mr or Mrs Canadian Person. Being a Trapper owner I feel that you should look at the C&C range of which there is a very good owners web site individualy listing all the types.
With regard to the list you have offered, the question to you is other than racing, what else are you going to do and how many are you, Kids, dogs etc. Extended stays on board. Are you going to be self sufficient or in a marina. All the boats you have listed will do a job to a greater or lesser extent, but what is the job.

 

[StugeronSteve]

As a benny owner I may be biased, but the 323 shares the same hull as its predecessor, the 311, which was designed for the "First" range of cruiser racers. With its longer keel etc. I see no reason why the 323 shouldn't also be a fast and capable cruiser.

 

[amirault]

Name's Brian.

I club race the Tanzer Thursday nights (when the river's not covered with ice as it is now) with three experienced now and former boat owners and no spouse. The rest of the time she cruises.

My spouse is heel-averse and sees out boat as a cottage that's all waterfront. We sail as a couple; the boy only going out when we shouldn't (fearlessness of youth). We get away from the city on the weekends and gently sail about with meals on the hook watching the other boats go by and spending single and double overnights weather permitting. We have a slip at a sail club with a service dock, but no power or water at any slip.

The retirement plan is to move the boat to bigger water at a full service marina and to spend time seeing the Great Lakes. The expectation is that trips will not be longer than two weeks and we will never be far from a marina if necessary but hope to spend the evenings on the hook in sheltered water by rugged shores.

As my spouse is growing less mobile, I'm looking at through transom boats. These will allow her easier access to boat/dock as well as boat/water and boat /dinghy.

Brian

 

[peteandthira]

I can't speak for the smaller legend, but I have a 36 and I don't think you can beat it for comfort having seen all the others. She is wider than the Bavs, so possibly slower, and mine is a lead fin keel so is probably more stable than the bilge keeler versions. Worth a look if comfort is high on the list.

Pops

 

[simonfraser]

hm, lean averse, cottage, catalac 8m ??

 

[PeteCooper]

With the best will in the world a Catalac 8m is not designed for racing!