New Boat Options

[ShaunG]

After trawling around SIBS yesterday looking for a new boat in the cruiser/racer catagory about 35ft in length with a 100k budget i came away a little dissapointed.

I am not sure about the new dark floor/light interior colouring, it does not look like it will last at all to me (all looks a bit MFI/Ikea)

The layout of all the systems seems pretty poor, I work on boats all the time and what should be a simple job such as replacing a heads outlet hose appeared to be a major undertaking.

The above was the case on nearly everything we looked at, the build quality and access to essential systems in our opinion very poor.

I am suprised at the change of quality on some of the 2008 boats, shorlty after SIBS i looked at 2005 version of 1 of the boats I had looked at at SIBS. Woodwork build was much better although access to systems was still poor.

The only boat that we actually liked was the Archamabult A35, more racer/cruiser than cruiser/racer. We seem to be prepared to sacrifice the internal woodwork for practicality and longevity, and the access to systems is excellent.

Any views on the A35 would be appreciated, or if someone could point me in the direction of an alternative it would be appreciated.

Please bear in mind the budget and spec above, we do like to go fast and we are hoping to race a bit more, if we go for the A35 does any one fancy crewing?

Cheers

ShaunG

 

[flaming]

I've not heard of that boat before, but it looks rather fun! Reminds me a little bit of the Kerrs. Have you considered them?

The fact that you are considering that sort of boat leads me to assume that you are committed to the handicap style of racing, not OD. Have you looked at the X35 and 34 though? They're a little bit more towards the cruiser/racer end of the spectrum. And the 35 certainly should be a good One Design in a few years here - it already is in holland.

And when you splash something like that, let me know, I'd love a sail!

 

[ShaunG]

Thanks Flaming,

It looks as though i am going to be commited to handicap racing. I did look at the x35 and x34 but ruled them out on cost, I went to SIBS to look at the Elan 340 and First 34.7 but was taken with how sensible the A35 was. The A35 just seemed great value at sub 100k compared to a Kerr or Farr ( i had not considered them before and have spent all day looking on the web for them).

It seems that there is about a 5 month waiting list for the A35 since they won the commodores cup, but should i order you are more than welcome to come along

 

[TigaWave]

I'd have one of these, theres one for sale for less than your budget in Ireland. I raced one a few years ago, goes like a train! all be it a slightly wet one.

A Fast 42 from FastYachts.co.za

 

[flaming]

I race regularly on an Elan 37, and a lot of the crew also race a 340. It's a very competitive boat that seems very well sorted. On deck at least, I haven't been below on one.

Have raced against 34.7s and they seem to struggle to sail to their rating. Most of them seem to have ditched the A-sail off a sprit option and just gone with the conventional kite.

Another option may be the Jboats. A second hand 105 comes in well under £100k, and there's plenty of OD racing. A 109 might push the budget but is a bit more of a true dual purpose boat and really good OD racing.

 

[Nick_Pam]

Have you thought about the Dehler 36??

We had a 37CR and it went like a witch!!
Now winning races in the Bay of Roses under new ownership...

 

[photodog]

Did you look at the Finngulf 33?

looks about £100k which is a bit cheaper than the x34, but fairly simular to that and the Elan 340 in terms of length and layout, but a bit less extreme in the stern, and quite conventional down below. Looks very stiff, keel stepped mast, big 19/20th rig, excellent setup in the cockpit. I was very impressed and would have bought one on the spot!

If you thought the elan was a bit too modern down below, this may be just the ticket....

 

[Neraida]

Its a monster, and really along the lines of a baby Farr or Corby etc. Lots of people will try and warn you off, as they are scared /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. They're (Archambault's generally) are winning all over the place!!

Buy one, never look back except to see where the rest of the field have gone!

 

[dt4134]

Not sailed an A35 but they do seem to have a favourable IRC handicap.

Or maybe the ones I've seen have just been sailed better...

 

[moondancer]

The A40, the 35s big sister, won boat of the year in France in 2005. Very nice boats but more race than cruiser. I like the Grand Surprise 28 a lot. One of many French boats that doesn't get enough of a showing over here.

You could always try a Malbec 360.

 

[Duffer]

Dufour 34 another obvious alternative to those mentioned - not as racy as the Archambault