Recommend a boat to my Missus

[Magaz97]

I vowed never to do this, because I thought I knew my own mind. Well apparently I dont. My Missus obviously knows my mind, but she is not letting on!

I would like some recommendations for a new boat, based upon the below list of requirements-

I currently have an Invicta 26, which I am happy to sail in most conditions, single handed. It is basic, but she is mine and does what I need.

WANTS - HER.
Nice Galley area
Seperate Heads (with shower if possible)
Hot and cold water
Good seating in saloon
AWB looks (modernish interior)

WANTS - HIS.
Decent navigation area
6ft + headroom
Decent deck gear (lines to cockpit?)

Looking for something in the 30' + bracket with a budget of about 25 - 30k
Sailing on North East coast, cruising mainly.

I have looked at Sigma 33's but was wondering if this is too much boat (too sporty or not?)

Any ideas or recommendations welcome. Even better if you are in the North East and have something to show me and Mrs. Magaz

Thanks in advance

 

[Quandary]

I raced a Sigma 33 but every summer my wife and I went cruising in her, we also did a few two handed passage races. A very easy boat to handle and very secure, tough rig and good gear, I could not recommend anything better and well within your budget so you can afford a more recent lightly raced one. Tiller steered too, they hold their value. I sold mine in 96, she is now back on the market for the first time since for more than I got for her, with the only change in the sail wardrobe.
Lots of others will be recommended and you will have the 33 being slagged off by people who never owned one.
Worth looking for self tailing winches, they were an optional extra so not all have them.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Hello, we have a Benny 323. This boat would fit all your SWMBO's requirements. It's a modern comfortable boat with hot and cold water, a fridge a cooker and well designed galley. The double bunk is very roomy and comfortable. There are older models of a Benny, 311 which is very similar to the 323. I particularly like the heads on a Beneteau and I've not seen a boat with such roomy heads as ours. The previous post concentrates more on the things you might be looking for rather than a SWMBo's list.

 

[Quandary]

. The previous post concentrates more on the things you might be looking for rather than a SWMBo's list.

Very true, I was adressing the OPs worry about handling the boat he mentioned, its not a problem, the cosmetic stuff is always evident from inspection and he may be forced to go for comfort, I have had to learn to compromise a bit recently myself..

 

[Silent Lady]

Beneteau 323

As has already been said the 323 ticks a lot of boxes. The lift keel version is lively and can be fun in a blow. Chart table has its uses but I tend to use the saloon table with a Yeoman Plotter and separate GPS. The twin rudders on the lift keel version mean you have no prop wash so you need to do some planning. Kick to port in reverse so waste of time trying to go to starboard unless you put it in neutral or fit a bow thruster which makes it far easier. I'm 6'1 and don't have any problems below decks. Lack of storage has been mentioned in some reports but you can find room. There is usually just the two of us on board + Meg the dog so we use the forepeak for kit and keep the aft cabin clear of junk.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We had a Sigma 33 which we had two suits of sails for. One was laminate and used for racing and the other was a slightly cut down set which we cruised with.

I have nothing but praise for the boat - well mannered and so long as you are not sailing on the edge - with lots of canvas and a group of hairy backsided crew on the rail, comfortable and easy in motion and sailability. In cruising mode just reef early and take your time, she will still point high and be a pleasure to sail.

I have seen Sigma 33's with showers fitted into the heads. We fitted hot and cold water to ours for the galley only.

The only reason we sold it was that the children were getting to be big teenagers and we needed more room for them to bring their friends sailing with us. Sigma 33's have crossed the Atlantic and sailed all over the world. If you ever get fed up with the antics of some modern fat backsided boats, spend a few hours sailing a 33 and regain your sense of joy in sailing.

Have I waxed lyrical enough yet?

I expect there are other boats that will fit your needs. We have a friend who sails an Excalibar and swears by it - but its 36 foot long.

 

[doug748]

How about a Sadler 34......

WANTS - HER.
Nice Galley area, Yep
Seperate Heads (with shower if possible), Yep..just about
Hot and cold water, Yo
Good seating in saloon, Nice
AWB looks (modernish interior), Smart looker, though no AWB
Beige 70s trim

WANTS - HIS.
Decent navigation area, Yes
6ft + headroom, Check
Decent deck gear (lines to cockpit?) , Easy
25 - 30k , Yep

Perhaps more your sort of boat, tho.

 

[Martin_J]

Magaz

I was in a similar boat (ok, situation!) as you a few years back. Wanting to go bigger and more spacious than my wonderful but aging GK24....

My wants were like yours but the opposing wants were the modern, easy to clean, hot/cold water, showers etc... Same budget as you - Sigma 33 or a more modern lighter AWB.

In the end I went for the 1997 Jeanneau.. I think going that way will help with getting SWMBO more into enjoying the more pleasurable aspects of sailing... At 29 foot the loads, lines and sails were all considerably lighter and more manageable than the 33' as well.

Whatever you choose.. make sure the engine is good - You end up doing a lot more motoring with guests than you would normally expect. They will often have deadlines to be back.. and I know you will not!

As you can see from my profile - I wanted something bigger and heavier eventually - but the 29' was so much easier to take out single handed... although once out of harbour the 38' is okay.

One last thing - if you do change - keeps a few spare £££s for equipment.. you might in the end give a lot away when you sell, since kit for the new boat will all be bigger.

Enjoy.. and see you shortly in the South Altantic in Sailonline ybw_mjm

 

[dt4134]

For easy family sailing on a Sigma 33 with a SWMBO who maybe doesn't want to take too much of a part in the sailing you might have to look again at the reefing arrangements, which are at the mast. The other thing you could do is downsize the headsail a little for easier tacking.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I think the Sigma 33 is a wonderful boat... a joy to sail, well thought out, and very seaworthy.

BUT..... I do think their reputation causes them to be overpriced.

Unless i've read the OP wrong, Mrs Magaz is looking for modern styling and facilities, in which case the Benny 323 would be an excellent choice, as would a number of the early 2000's Bavarias or Jeanneaus... all make excellent comfortable cruisers... and plenty to choose from.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

My wife still sails with me but after 4 boats I've come to the conclusion that her boat requirements and mine are poles apart. Trying to find a compromise is the route to madness - and to both parties being dissatisfied.

My wife wants a nice comfortable floating home / caravan. All mod cons. Lots of room. Double bed. Walk in shower. Kitchen not galley. And its got to be light down below and to float level.

I want something that sails well to windward and to it's racing handicap. It has to have a small secure cockpit and a solid masthead rig. It has to be small enough down below for you to have plenty of handholds ( ie not be like an Island Packet) withing reach. And so on.

So my advice is to let her have the house she wants and you buy the boat and car you want. Boys toys. Womens nests.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Hello, we have a Benny 323. This boat would fit all your SWMBO's requirements. It's a modern comfortable boat with hot and cold water, a fridge a cooker and well designed galley. The double bunk is very roomy and comfortable. There are older models of a Benny, 311 which is very similar to the 323. I particularly like the heads on a Beneteau and I've not seen a boat with such roomy heads as ours. The previous post concentrates more on the things you might be looking for rather than a SWMBo's list.

Sadly I suspect that the 323 will be outside the OP original budget of £25-£30k although there was an ex-charter 311 mentioned in another thread which IIRC was about £35k.

I would be tempted to look at the older generation of Beneteau Firsts such as the 285/305/325 which came with a range of keel options.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Sadly I suspect that the 323 will be outside the OP original budget of £25-£30k although there was an ex-charter 311 mentioned in another thread which IIRC was about £35k.

I would be tempted to look at the older generation of Beneteau Firsts such as the 285/305/325 which came with a range of keel options.

Yes, that's why I mentioned the 311.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

My wife still sails with me but after 4 boats I've come to the conclusion that her boat requirements and mine are poles apart. Trying to find a compromise is the route to madness - and to both parties being dissatisfied.

My wife wants a nice comfortable floating home / caravan. All mod cons. Lots of room. Double bed. Walk in shower. Kitchen not galley. And its got to be light down below and to float level.

I want something that sails well to windward and to it's racing handicap. It has to have a small secure cockpit and a solid masthead rig. It has to be small enough down below for you to have plenty of handholds ( ie not be like an Island Packet) withing reach. And so on.

So my advice is to let her have the house she wants and you buy the boat and car you want. Boys toys. Womens nests.

I feel so lucky that me and my other half are both happy with our boat. I love being on the boat as much as he does. We spend a lot of time on our boat and it means we spend quality time together as a couple.

 

[fastjedi]

Sigma 33 would be a fantastic choice. Finding a good one may be a challenge though?
There should be a few Moody 31's within budget. Again, finding a good one within budget could be tricky.

If you fancy something more modern, Dufour 30 Classic, Bavaria 30 (late 80's / early 90's Bavaria's were amazing boats if you can find one), Jeanneau Sunlight 30 (too flighty?), Feeling 286, Hanse 301 (Many don't have hot water) should fall within budget. I can only comment on the Dufour 30 Classic from first hand experience. It is a very capable allrounder.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I feel so lucky that me and my other half are both happy with our boat. I love being on the boat as much as he does. We spend a lot of time on our boat and it means we spend quality time together as a couple.

He is lucky, as indeed am I!

Looking round our club, I reckon that no more than 10 to 20% of wives regularly sail with their husbands for a variety of reasons. One common one is "heeling" but you can add in a dislike of camping, and the fear / discomfort factor from HWMBO overdoing the macho man bit in strong winds.

You love "being on the boat" but do you actually love the same bits he does? Or does he love the sailing and you love the caravanning bit - for want of a better way of putting it?

 

[Ubergeekian]

Lots of others will be recommended and you will have the 33 being slagged off by people who never owned one.

I did a delivery trip from Plymouth to the Clyde in a well known Sigma 33 - it had just won the nationals - and thought it was a lovely boat. A wee bit disconcerting that the head door wouldn't close, but the owner was a firm believer in rig tension!

Not really my taste in appearance, but they do seem to be remarkably good boats and remarkably good value for money.

 

[Spyro]

SWMBO will definitely prefer a more modern AWB above the Sigma. I was in a similar situation to you 2 years ago I had a Trapper 300 so wanted more space I ended up with 1986 Jeanneau Attalia which I'm well pleased with. It was a good bit cheaper than your budget. The previous owner had all upholstery and internal headlining replaced professionally. If I was looking to spend 25-30k now I would be looking at a Jeanneau sunlight 30/31 Gibsea 312, benny oceanis 320. or Moody31. Almost identical layout to my Attalia. Bags of space and big aft cabin, separate heads and nav station with a large saloon area for entertaining.
The difficulty is finding one that has been well looked after as the age you will be looking at will now have droopy headlining and tired upholstery.

 

[prv]

Looking round our club, I reckon that no more than 10 to 20% of wives regularly sail with their husbands

I spoke to my mum the other day, and at one point she was being smug at how, after several decades, she'd finally been successful in persuading my dad to get a boat.

We don't normally sail together, but the last time we did, she and I were on deck doing the sailing while dad sat below reading the paper, drinking beer, and eating flapjacks.

He always wants to put the engine on, she always wants to sail. She is much better on the helm when sailing, although to be fair he's always been very good at the close-quarters marina stuff.

I suppose my parents are unusual

Pete

 

[Victoria Sponge]

He is lucky, as indeed am I!

Looking round our club, I reckon that no more than 10 to 20% of wives regularly sail with their husbands for a variety of reasons. One common one is "heeling" but you can add in a dislike of camping, and the fear / discomfort factor from HWMBO overdoing the macho man bit in strong winds.

You love "being on the boat" but do you actually love the same bits he does? Or does he love the sailing and you love the caravanning bit - for want of a better way of putting it?

It's a fair question! We've noticed the same as you, that so many wives aren't interested. However, I enjoy the sailing as much as he does. I never get scared, the heeling is just part of the sailing and doesn't bother me at all. If anything HWMBO is more cautious than I am. I just love everything about being on the water. The planning, getting up early to catch the tide, seeing the sun rise over the water, seeing seals, a porpoise, having just the 'right' wind for a decent sail, watching all the other craft at sea, feeling the wind on your face, and then arriving at your destination. We've sailed in March and December. Of course, I'm really lucky that we have a comfortable boat. I can cook a decent meal, we have hot water for a wash, a comfortable bunk to sleep in and it's lovely and cosy on a cold evening after a long sail! We lost a halyard up the mast last season, so it was me who went up the mast to retrieve it. HWMBO said I was very brave, but to be honest it wasn't bravery as I wasn't scared.