New boat on the horizon, possibly....?

[eddystone]

Back from spectacular 2 weeks in Antigua and Barbuda in chartered 40ft', I had to go and take my Sadler 32 to be lifted out for quick Spring hull scrub and anode change plus a few other bits and bobs. Even I felt it seems a bit cramped after Jeanneau 419 (and 389 previous charter) although I'm less bothered about lack of fridge, shower, hot water and separate stern cabin and heads. I've previously warded off suggestions of ripping out the hanging locker to install a shower. Still that forward cabin.... Mutterings from SWMBO about liquidating some assets to buy something more to her taste, even if swim platform seems a bit pointless to me in UK. However, if this is more than a passing phase, then I have to accept that she who plays the piper calls the tune. In practical terms any boat would be single-handed 40-50% of the time. I've said that if we had more than 35ft I wouldn't feel comfortable single-handing and she finds it difficult to believe that a modern 33/34ft boat would be substantially more spacious than said S32, but a trip to SBS in September should prove my point.

A 20 year old HR 34 or an even older Starlight 35 (if you could find one) would appeal to me but not I think the paymaster or my rapidly decreasing enthusiasm for maintenance. I think a few years old Hanse 345/348 would fit the bill - any other suggestions?

 

[[70521]]

I find a Gib'Sea 96 10.1m (33ft in old money) ideal for single handing. She has a fridge that I never use and a shower that I never use. Come to think of it not much different to your Sadler 32.

 

[dankilb]

Buy the big Jen (BenBav). We did a few years back and have never looked back.

‘Boat money isn’t real money’ and I don’t actually agree that size disproportionately increases the expense. At least with a bigger boat (we’re 41’Jen) you fell like you’re investing in something you’d actively want to spend time in and money on.

That said, previous family boat was a Westerly Berwick, and that looked after us exceptionally for three decades.

Question is: do you want a bigger (volume) cruiser? (Don’t know why a small HR is in contention -cramped IMHO- I’d keep the Sadler and overtake the Rassey on all pints of sail!)

 

[[70521]]

(Don’t know why a small HR is in contention -cramped IMHO- I’d keep the Sadler and overtake the Rassey on all pints of sail!)

I like this concept. ?

 

[Whiterose]

Westerly Seahawk 35 ?..in Med?

 

[dunedin]

That’s the danger of going chartering.

(But my vote would be with her, not you. Space, separate cabins, fridge, hot shower etc all improve quality of life on board, and don’t inhibit sailong performance. Also, budget might be an issue, but with properly designed & setup boat with below deck ram autopilot and bow thruster, singlehanding a modern 35-40 footer is probably easier than your current boat so your suggested 35 foot limit is probably not relevant)

 

[Neeves]

Single handing a 38' cat is easy - go for the bigger yacht.

The only issue is coming alongside - its not more difficult than a smaller yacht except it is further from the toe rail to the pontoon and much further from the toe rail of a recent yacht than an older yacht.

Maintenance is no different, you still have exactly the same kit. Sails obviously cost more and antifouling takes a bit longer. On the bigger yacht you will live as if in an inner city apartment (but with glorious views) whereas the smaller older yacht is a bit like camping. You will use a quilt rather than sleeping bags and use fresh meat rather than tins.

Jonathan

 

[Tranona]

You will have to join the queue as that sector is the highest demand and shortest supply. I guess you are talking £40-60k. Potentially the largest numbers available are Bavaria, Beneteau and Jeanneau in the 32-36 size range. The smaller Hanses never sold very well here so you might have difficulty finding one. As dunedin says absolute size is not really a limiting factor from the handling point of view and there is arguably more choice in the 35-40' range.

As for suggestions - this is one of Bavarias bestnetworkyachtbrokerskent.co.uk/boats_for_sale/Bavaria_Crusier_34-38441.html/ and this shows what a capable boat it is mjambo.de

Good luck with your search

 

[westernman]

Back from spectacular 2 weeks in Antigua and Barbuda in chartered 40ft', I had to go and take my Sadler 32 to be lifted out for quick Spring hull scrub and anode change plus a few other bits and bobs. Even I felt it seems a bit cramped after Jeanneau 419 (and 389 previous charter) although I'm less bothered about lack of fridge, shower, hot water and separate stern cabin and heads. I've previously warded off suggestions of ripping out the hanging locker to install a shower. Still that forward cabin.... Mutterings from SWMBO about liquidating some assets to buy something more to her taste, even if swim platform seems a bit pointless to me in UK. However, if this is more than a passing phase, then I have to accept that she who plays the piper calls the tune. In practical terms any boat would be single-handed 40-50% of the time. I've said that if we had more than 35ft I wouldn't feel comfortable single-handing and she finds it difficult to believe that a modern 33/34ft boat would be substantially more spacious than said S32, but a trip to SBS in September should prove my point.

A 20 year old HR 34 or an even older Starlight 35 (if you could find one) would appeal to me but not I think the paymaster or my rapidly decreasing enthusiasm for maintenance. I think a few years old Hanse 345/348 would fit the bill - any other suggestions?

You can easily single hand a lot more than 35ft if it is set up properly.

How about this 246ft single hander:-



Alain Colas' Club Méditerranée.

 

[RJJ]

Dufour 34 would be my choice.

 

[Concerto]

You can easily single hand a lot more than 35ft if it is set up properly.

How about this 246ft single hander:-

View attachment 135972

Alain Colas' Club Méditerranée.

But he never berthed it in a marina on his own!

 

[Neeves]

Most marinas I can think of would not take a 246' yacht - he'ed need to anchor off, much easier (until he came to refuel ).

Jonathan

 

[westernman]

Most marinas I can think of would not take a 246' yacht - he'ed need to anchor off, much easier (until he came to refuel ).

Jonathan

With the marina fee's for a boat that size, most marina's will send out a couple of tug boats to manoevre the boat into the right place and send marineros on board to handle the lines to the bouys at the front and the stern lines.

Big advantage is that you don't actually have to do anything. The marina staff will do it all for you.

 

[V1701]

I don't know where you berth or would berth if you change boats but keeping under 12m might make quite a difference. Single handing won't be an issue once you've done it a few times and set the boat up right but if the amenities on offer are better she might well come with you more often. Consider yourself fortunate that your partner is on side, many have partners who aren't or would vehemently oppose spending more money on a newer or bigger boat...

 

[Neeves]

With the marina fee's for a boat that size, most marina's will send out a couple of tug boats to manoevre the boat into the right place and send marineros on board to handle the lines to the bouys at the front and the stern lines.

Big advantage is that you don't actually have to do anything. The marina staff will do it all for you.

No need for an ICC then

Sorry, could not resist.

Jonathan

 

[doug748]

Back from spectacular 2 weeks in Antigua and Barbuda in chartered 40ft', I had to go and take my Sadler 32 to be lifted out for quick Spring hull scrub and anode change plus a few other bits and bobs. Even I felt it seems a bit cramped after Jeanneau 419 (and 389 previous charter) although I'm less bothered about lack of fridge, shower, hot water and separate stern cabin and heads. I've previously warded off suggestions of ripping out the hanging locker to install a shower. Still that forward cabin.... Mutterings from SWMBO about liquidating some assets to buy something more to her taste, even if swim platform seems a bit pointless to me in UK. However, if this is more than a passing phase, then I have to accept that she who plays the piper calls the tune. In practical terms any boat would be single-handed 40-50% of the time. I've said that if we had more than 35ft I wouldn't feel comfortable single-handing and she finds it difficult to believe that a modern 33/34ft boat would be substantially more spacious than said S32, but a trip to SBS in September should prove my point.

A 20 year old HR 34 or an even older Starlight 35 (if you could find one) would appeal to me but not I think the paymaster or my rapidly decreasing enthusiasm for maintenance. I think a few years old Hanse 345/348 would fit the bill - any other suggestions?

You have to play a very cool hand here or you will end up with some dodgy accommodation platform designed for Mediterranean sunbathers. In this respect the Southampton Boat Show could be a mistake.

The only way to retrieve the situation is to say you fancy a racing boat. Take her around some of the minimal facilities offered by the faster varieties and look enthusiastic............................... "Yes" "Great" "Headroom not important" "Get to Spain in two days" etc etc.
Look glum when she moans.

................later drop into the conversation: " Whilst we are here, might as well look at this used Rassy 34 up the road"







Say grudgingly: "Well it is a improvement on the Sadler, I suppose I could get used to it" Bam, she's hooked. Stick with me brother or you will end up sailing a Boudin Blanc.

.

 

[eddystone]

You can easily single hand a lot more than 35ft if it is set up properly.

How about this 246ft single hander:-

View attachment 135972

Alain Colas' Club Méditerranée.

What that needs is a device like that on an International Canoe, but adapted to fly from bow to stern instead of sideways, or a mobility scooter

 

[eddystone]

You have to play a very cool hand here or you will end up with some dodgy accommodation platform designed for Mediterranean sunbathers. In this respect the Southampton Boat Show could be a mistake.

The only way to retrieve the situation is to say you fancy a racing boat. Take her around some of the minimal facilities offered by the faster varieties and look enthusiastic............................... "Yes" "Great" "Headroom not important" "Get to Spain in two days" etc etc.
Look glum when she moans.

................later drop into the conversation: " Whilst we are here, might as well look at this used Rassy 34 up the road"



View attachment 135981



Say grudgingly: "Well it is a improvement on the Sadler, I suppose I could get used to it" Bam, she's hooked. Stick with me brother or you will end up sailing a Boudin Blanc.

.

I'm afraid she's ahead of (my?) the game here. She knows that style of boat (not impressed with Rustler 42, which is one of my fave boats) and doesn't like. Think I contributed to my own doom by saying on holiday that this made the Sadler seem like the Flying Fifteen with a lid.

Regarding budget, who knows? She understands the problem of selling an 35 year old boat for a price not reflective of what has been spent over the years (engine with c200 hours, Featherstream, new Eber, sails in much better condition than any charter boat, c.£700 worth of anchors at current prices, new Stackpack etc etc.), and buying a 20 year old one which needs new engine, prop, sails, standing/running rigging, better anchors, new cabin heater etc., etc.

 

[dunedin]

What that needs is a device like that on an International Canoe, but adapted to fly from bow to stern instead of sideways, or a mobility scooter

I think M Colas used a bicycle on deck to get around

 

[Tranona]

, and buying a 20 year old one which needs new engine, prop, sails, standing/running rigging, better anchors, new cabin heater etc., etc.

I think you will be surprised by 20 year old boats compared with 1980's boats bought at that age. One of the reasons why I bought my first Bavaria in 2001 was that the 10-15 year old boats at the time were so poor and needed so much work even though typically they were asking only 20% or so less than a fully equipped new boat!. You will find early 2000s boats far better put together and equipped from new than older boats - proper electrics and other systems, windlasses, good electronics, water, showers, fridge charger, sail handling and deck gear and so on. you may also find many of the smaller ones are only one or 2 owners as the major market in the UK in that period (and later) was "retiree" purchases, therefore final boat and not a stepping stone. My 37 which had a hard life as a charter boat for 7 years needed less than £10k spent on it at 15 years to get it ready to go back to the Med, and a fair chunk of that was replacement of a damaged toerail.

Worth looking here Bavaria Yacht Info - Index as most members own boats built between late 90s and 2010 so you will get an idea of the issues they raise. Relatively large numbers of boats (not just Bavarias) were sold in the UK in this period and in normal times there is a good choice. Now of course supply has dried up and prices are rising, but this could change if the omens abiut a recession are right!