practical size of yacht for myself and wife to sail

Flica said:
Two can handle anything up to 72'. So size is non-critical from a handling point of view.
However it becomes increasingly significant when you're looking for a permanaent berth.
Median cruiser lengths have increased significantly during the last 10 years - formerly 34' was considered ample, now 54' is commonplace.
The trouble is that berths and marinas have not kept up with this extension.
So where you intend to keep the boat and to sail is important. In most places berths up to 34' are readily available - beyond that availability drops and prices escalate.
Ideally, with 2 other couples in mind, a 3 cabin boat is ideal - setting your loa at about 37'.
I sail by myself, occasionally with my wife, and or friends -seldom more than 4. My 31' is ideal from that point of view. One in luxury, 2 in comfort, 4 needs considerable social skills and 6 exist in bitter enmity.
GRP is the boatbuilding material of choice, but many swear by aluminium. Steel needs meticulous mainenance and a wooden boat, in the Med, has to be an unending labour of love.

Rather than leaping into a purchase, I'd suggest a few charter holidays, to check if you like the lifestyle, the cruising areas you like the most and the sort of boat size at which you're most comfortable.
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thanks. I'm planing on doing a couple of charters to get experience. It i great info about berth size. It sounds like i should be looking at the 37' size - it will be with my adult children so some squeeze is okay :)
 
rickit2004 said:
Im taking a pragmatic approach,work out what size and type of boat is practical, do a couple of charters and then worry about a berth. it would be somewhere within 2/3 hours of Manchester or Liverpool.
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The two many areas are Spain and Greece. Both are well served by air from Manchester and Liverpool. Spain is shorter flying time but is generally much more expensive to keep a boat and the cruising is somewhat limited as there are fewer anchorages and more marinas. On the other hand it is more of a year round destination, although sailing not so common in winter.

Greece (and Turkey) are very different with far less marina life and much more rustic tourism. Seasonal May- November although possible to live aboard all year round. Flights are longer and in some eplaces mainly charter rather than scheduled.

The Ionian (Corfu or Levkas) are good places to charter as sailing is easier and there is a good choice of boats and operators, many UK owned. You might try a flotilla first as you usually need qualifications to charter bareboat.

Croatia is the coming place particularly since it joined the EU but is more expensive than Greece. Great choice of cruising grounds though.
 
rickit2004 said:
the advice seems to be centring on 37' to 50' in GRP.
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Yes, I think that's where you ought to be looking. For reasons which will become very clear when you charter, be wary of ex charter boats! There are plenty of boats in this size and quality can be an issue as you won't want to be replacing everything in sight and (espescially) out of sight!

Try to do a couple of charters and then make a list of not less than ten boats and go to see them. Its a buyer's market, more or less, at present.

The Mercedes of boats in this class go under the brand name Hallberg-Rassy and the Rolls'Royces go under the name of Swan.
You are unlikely to find these offered for charter. However, look at a couple of these and you will be able to judge quality in other brands.
 
One of the features of the Med, so I am told, is that the sun shines a lot. It is hard to keep cool and comfortable smaller boats, so the extra stowage and ability to control one's comfort and sport a Bimini means that something in the 45' plus range becomes desirable. The alternative is to bum around in a Centaur, tying up to fishing boats and doing it on the cheap. It's the boats in between that I don't fancy there.
 
One reason to avoid Hallbergs and Swans is they tend to come with teak decks. You want to avoid teak decks in the Med. To understand why walk barefoot on a teak deck after it has been cooking in the mid day sun. White GRP is cooler.

Dark colored hulls are to be avoided too unless you spend all your time in marinas with the AC running. White GRP is cooler.
 
rickit2004 said:
Im taking a pragmatic approach,work out what size and type of boat is practical, do a couple of charters and then worry about a berth. it would be somewhere within 2/3 hours of Manchester or Liverpool.
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Have you looked at the cost of berths and winter hard standing? Cost is directly linked to length and there's a hell of a difference between 37 & 50 ft, same applies to replacement gear/sails and of course insurance which is based on value. Algarve is 3 hrs from Manchester & Liverpool, often around £25 each way, with marinas and living costs far less than UK and year round sailing.
 
If you want a top notch boat Minns Rolls Royce and the pockets are deep enough look at an Oyster, you can even charter.
 
The Benny 46 with three cabins was like the one we rented in Greece a few years back. Three couples with a heads and shower each. The two aft were 'cozy' but comfy enough. That left the saloon free for comunional activaty. Sailing was fine with two who knew how to. No bow thruster, but would have been an asset if we had used tight harbours, which we did, but managed without.
Interestingly, I understand that it cost new, in pounds, back in 2003? about what they are asking in euro now.
DW
 
When I wanted a boat for Turkey based cruising, my original plan was to buy someting in the 39 to 42 foot range. I actually bought a well equipped Jeanneau 45.2 and have not regretted the choice. It sails well and can be handled single handed. It has enough space and enough ventillation to be comfortable with guests. IMHO it is a better boat than the 45 which replaced it as the latter has smaller forward cabins and no foward lazerette..
 
Whiterose said:
Buy a share in boat .Yachtfractions very good.Choose your area cots etc .
Recommended
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While Chris Hawes and Yacht Fractions are to be recommended if you want to go down that route, sharing a boat is not for everyone. Many syndicates end in tears. There is also the alternative of buying a share in a managed charter boat, or even the whole boat, but again not for everyone.
 
One thing not mention ed is budget v usage. If you can afford say £15,000 but only use it one day a year are you happy. Alternatively how about £20, 000 but using it for 3 months. Likewise how often do you need 3 cabins?

I sailed a 38' back from Spain in short hops single handed and i would not worry about doing the same in current 43'.

If like most of us you have to balance budget with value think about how often you will have 3 couples on board and for how long - we pay for our friends and relatives.

I ended up with a 4 cabin deck saloon , 2 heads and with convertible saloon table will sleep 10 but realistically is comfortable for 3 couples, and we can sail it happily with just the 2 of us.

With fold up mountain bikes and other gear on board we effectively write off 2 cabins on summer cruises.

I would endorse others views about GRP production boat as being cost effective option.

Most production boats are excellent value for money but older ones are more heavily built - not necessarily better but possibly more durable long term.

In you position I would look at 42 to 46 Bavarias and Jeanneaus in excellent condition.

Neither fetch a ppremium on the second-hand market as so many sold. So many sold as they are good durable boats that survive well the heavier use of the charter market.
 
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