Newbie seeking advice - Victoria 30 v Halmatic 30 v Nicholson 31

[jwilson]

The Nicholson 31 "feels" much bigger than the Barbican or Victoria 30, even though it is only a foot longer and six inches more beam. In my view it is a much better boat overall than the older Nic 32, though any of these boats could take you almost anywhere. If you do want a long-keeler add the Rustler 31 to the mix as well as various others such as GRP Twisters, Trintella 29, etc.

How much sailing have you done? Often new buyers try to buy the a first boat that will do everything - and it leads them down the small but heavy long-keel road. For the learning to cruise stage which may take a few years almost any older boat will do: don't discount 1970s/80s fin and skeg cruiser-racers such as Hustler 30, She 31/32 UFO27/31 Westerly GK29, Rival 31/32.

EDIT - Just realised how old the original post was .... !

 

[biscuit]

I have owned a Vic 30 (mistakenly sold for an unsatisfying AWB), and now have a late model Mk2 Halmatic 30.
I've had several charters with a Nic. 32, but never sailed a 31.
I really like this style of boat, for short handed sailing, mainly with my wife, mostly for coastal passages on the West Coast of Scotland.
The Victoria is a class act, beautifully made, and comfortable.
The quarter berth and forward facing chart table is fine, but at the expense of cockpit locker space.
The gas bottle arrangement in the lazarette is unsatisfactory, so I opted for, and was happy with an Origo.
It was significantly easier to control in reverse than the Halmatic, which is totally unpredictable.
Sailing from a swinging mooring, as I do, this isn't a problem, but could be a significant consideration from a tight marina berth.
Sailing, I prefer the handling qualities of the Halmatic, which sails beautifully.
All Long keelers are directionally stable: great when on the wind, but need increasing tiller pressure when sailing off wind in heavy weather (this is entirely separate to weather helm, which can also play a part). I find the Halmatic far easier in this respect. There were times sailing the Victoria when hand steering a long passage would have been impossible. This was one of the reasons that I sold the boat. A wind vane would be really useful.
The Hal 30 has nice manners (going forward), comfortable and really easy to handle. The chart table arrangement works well, there is ample locker space and very roomy heads for a boat of this size.
The Barbican 30 is a "luxe" version of the H30, even prettier outside and in. I couldn't find one when I was looking, but I think they are worth searching for.
Good luck !

 

[wotayottie]

There are relatively few on the market at any given time so you might have to wait


Does that mean that they are more difficult to sell or is it due to popularity that they don't come up that often

Yes they are more difficult to sell. Most boats are family boats and women view the as floating caravans which should have decent bedrooms. Its the romantic men in the main who dream of derring do and far away anchorages. So it follows that most boat purchases are of bendytoytype boats with double aft cabins, big cockpits etc. The sort of older more pokey boats you mentioned in the first post have a smaller market

 

[KellysEye]

Nicholson 31 here: http://www.ancasta.com/boats-for-sale/nicholson-31-28386/

Victoria 30s here: http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/category/type/Victoria

Halmatic 30s here: http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=725&mi=7814

 

[doug748]

I've just been rereading this old thread.
(I'm beginning to think about my "next boat")
Did the OP, Peejaysea, ever buy a boat and if so what?

Just curious

I can reveal that PEEJAYSEE purchased a 36 foot Dutch steel boat about two years ago.