New (different not brand new) boat conundrum

[monkfish24]

I'm considering a new boat... it probably won't be until the end of this year.

I currently own a Seawolf 26 and really enjoy it, it sails well, is small enough to handle on my own and I've spent this winter putting in a lot of work in updating it. I have owned it for 7/8 years and it was previously half owned with my father. He has now bought a boat that more fits his needs (a really nice catalina capri 26). I am in a quandary as to wether I should carry on with the seawolf, fit her out for solo sailing and spend my 6 months off a year trying to get out and solo sailing as many different far flung destinations as my guts will take me from Falmouth. I have been professionally yachting for 3-4 years now and have been sailing for nearly 20 years! (scary to say when your only 30!) and have moved from sail to motor boats as I found that sailing for a living was ruining my hobby and the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was sailing. Now I've stopped sailing, my want to sail for a hobby has sky rocketed.

I know a long keeler, more specifically a Rustler 31 will take on almost any weather, I'm fairly confident my SW26 will but I've never tried. I have been looking at Rustler 31s and I can see there is quite a price range. I'd be happy to take on a 5k Rustler and strip and rebuild to my liking almost as much as I'd be happy to sail one ready to go.

Whats the panels thoughts on this? Take the sw26 solo sailing and fit her out for the task or would a Rustler 31 be more suited to being a true go anywhere boat?

The seawolf has had and needs a lot of work.
My recent modifications this year are:

Fitted split charge relay
I have a BM1 Bluetooth battery monitor to fit,
Webasto Air top 2000 diesel heater,
Removed a bunk and rebuilt the port cockpit locker to now be a deep cockpit locker and gas locker.
Refitted the calorifier (it is a twin loop calorifier, I plan to use the second loop to fit a small air heater for heating the cabin when in the marina on mains and when the engine is up to temp)
New floorboards,
Just bought a boom tent that needs a little resizing.

What it does need,
Rig set up for solo sailing
New forestay and furler (the one fitted is knackered and has probably been on the boat since new build)
the interior needs stripping out and rebuilding at some point, for now I am just putting in some vinyl wrap to update it a bit.

Should I stick with what I know or look at going towards the Rustler 31? It's not much bigger, is well known for being safe in heavy winds but the seawolf is no lightweight either.

 

[Topcat47]

If you've get a £5k rustler, you have a lot of work ahead of you and you won't know the full extent for ages. At least you know what the SW needs. I"m sure cosmetically, the interior might be "worn" but a lot an be done quite quickly and economically to brighten that up. I've never seen any vinyl wrap kits for the interior of a yacht. That could be interesting. You need to know you have enough space inside to store provisions and fuel for any really extended passage, but that ought to be fine in a 26'er (I know it would be in mine). After all Shane Acton managed a trans-Atlantic trip in a 22'er.

My experience with single handing is that sailing is relatively easy. Things get "sweaty" when you are coming alongside somewhere new. Your old stamping ground shouldn't hold any real surprises. The other problem is always meeting with other vessels an the high seas (or in my case out of sight of land). Keeping a good look-out when your on your own is essential. I remember crossing from Pompey to Cherbourg one time. With nothing in sight, I went below for a dump. When I came back on deck, there was the slab side of a large container vessel less than 800 yards away in front of me. Those big B^&&£$s can get a move on when they want to. I'd keep your SeaWolf, were it my decision. If you really think it too small, perhaps a 31 isn't a big enough step.

 

[LadyInBed]

I sail solo 99% of the time. My advice is stick with what you know till you have either outgrown it or you don't think it's up to doing the voyages you are ready to do.
For 16 years I sailed a 22 footer around N Brittany and took it through the canals to the Med a couple of times. Only when I wanted to cross Biscay did I change to a 33 footer.

 

[monkfish24]

Thank you for your wise words.

I think really I don't want a new boat, I was more worried about sea keeping qualities. As you point out Topcat, it's not about the size of your boat!

I am more than happy to spend time and money on the boat, they are known for being good well built boats. Any money I do spend on it will obviously make my sailing easier and be used by me.

 

[Seajet]

I know the Seawolf 26, a friend I've sailed thousands of miles with and would trust in any sailing conditions anywhere has a twin keel one.

They may not be the ultimate, but if you're anything like me we could go on the most expensive Hallberg Rassey at a show and immediately spot things to change or extras to fit.

I love traditional boats - BUT a £5K Rustler doesn't turn me on, it makes my toes curl wondering what are all the snags to make her so cheap !

The SeaWolf is also a great deal handier at close quarters, probably faster in some conditions, and especially if a twin keeler would be infinitely more versatile for places to go.

Plus a 26 footer's rig and sails are more economical than a 30 footer's and so on.

You may have guessed I'm saying keep the boat you know - and BTW, Have Fun ! :encouragement:

 

[Yellow Ballad]

A friend has a Rustler 31 and although I don't know what he paid for it i'm sure it was multiples of 5k! I know it's nice to have a good sea worthy hull but I recon you'll spend more time getting it sorted then you would sailing. The Seawolf doesn't look a bad boat and people have gone solo sailing in smaller stuff (think Roger Taylor/Jesters etc), bigger means more to handle/berth.

I would say stick with what you know and sink 5k into a well sorted Seawolf.

Good luck.