Recommend a boat to my Missus

[AliM]

As another lady sailor, I endorse everything she says. My partner and I both enjoy the same things, the actual sailing, anchoring in creeks, the wildlife, the puzzles of pilotage. We are similarly wimpish, in that we would make similar decisions on when/whether to sail, or reef etc. Having said that, we sail all year round, and sail regularly across the North Sea, and have a reputation at our boatyard for going out in all weathers, so not that wimpish!

I know that the majority of the people on these forums are men whose wives do not like sailing, but there are lots of exceptions, and if a bit of a compromise allows you to enjoy sailing together as a couple, then it's worth all that.

To the OP, why ask us? - go and look at a few boats with your wife and if possible have a sail on the best candidates (a used boat show is an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast!). Then come to a decision which suits you both. You may be surprised with what she likes and dislikes. Having a major say in the decision will be the most important thing!

 

[john_morris_uk]

As another lady sailor, I endorse everything she says. My partner and I both enjoy the same things, the actual sailing, anchoring in creeks, the wildlife, the puzzles of pilotage. We are similarly wimpish, in that we would make similar decisions on when/whether to sail, or reef etc. Having said that, we sail all year round, and sail regularly across the North Sea, and have a reputation at our boatyard for going out in all weathers, so not that wimpish!

I know that the majority of the people on these forums are men whose wives do not like sailing, but there are lots of exceptions, and if a bit of a compromise allows you to enjoy sailing together as a couple, then it's worth all that.

To the OP, why ask us? - go and look at a few boats with your wife and if possible have a sail on the best candidates (a used boat show is an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast!). Then come to a decision which suits you both. You may be surprised with what she likes and dislikes. Having a major say in the decision will be the most important thing!

+1 seems to the the code for I agree. We listed our requirements together and chose the new boat together - same as we have done for the last couple of boats. It makes for a happy marriage - but we hve friends with reasonable, sane partners who just don't like the sailing thing. We are very lucky that we both enjoy sailing. Mind you SWMBO would tell some horror stories about me learning to skipper a yacht if you give her half a chance. Its a miracle we are still married - but that was all a long time ago now, and I don't want to drift the thread.

I meant to add that I agree that a Sadler 34 is a nice boat as well - and has better accomodation than a Sigma 33?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

i'm another lucky soul who has a partner that enjoys being on the boat as much as I do.

As Alim said above, its about considered compromise.

As for boat buying... well... if it wasn't a mutual decision, then it wouldn't say much about our relationship would it!

 

[Victoria Sponge]

i'm another lucky soul who has a partner that enjoys being on the boat as much as I do.

As Alim said above, its about considered compromise.

As for boat buying... well... if it wasn't a mutual decision, then it wouldn't say much about our relationship would it!

Spot on Morgana!

 

[Magaz97]

Thanks very much for the input. Some interesting food for thought. Unfortunately, North Shields does not have a great abundance of used boats for sale, although Hartlepool is just down the road, which does have a better, if somewhat over priced range.

I was looking to put a short list together, and have show SWMBO a number of your suggestions, which so far have mostly gone down well.

Strange, she seems more attracted to the Benny and the Gib'Sea, where I still like the Sigma.

Although to be fair, I would still go for a Benny / Jenny or Gib'Sea if the right boat came along.

Next move is to find some to view and take SWMBO along.

Thanks again.

Tony

 

[jordanbasset]

Have you considered a Bavaria 300, 320, would probably get one for around £30,000.

 

[25931]

Could you be happy with a catamaran ?
The ladies are usually impressed by the stability and the space inside and out - great for sunbathing.

 

[Quandary]

I am a bit puzzled by the ladies above who say they sail a lot but have ' never been scared' and can cope with anything. I can't recall ever sailing with anyone who has never been scared and I would worry about it if I did, and only about two guys (both male) who actually enjoyed having to climb a mast at sea. I would only go up in harbour now unless it can be avoided and I still find it hard to work with both hands free 15m. above the deck, but I suppose I must have too much imagination. For myself, most of the scariest stuff was at night when navigating close to shore in strong winds in the days before GPS or waking to the knowledge that the anchor was dragging. The scary moments are real adventures though, but best enjoyed in hindsight, and of course I only admit to the feeling once it is well over. As we have got older we have made greater efforts to avoid them. I do not regret the experiences but there are some that I know my wife would have preferred never to have enjoyed at all.

 

[LeonF]

I moved up to a Sigma 33 from a Fantasie 19 after doing a sailing course on a Sigma 38.The sailing is wonderful, a lovely cushioned ride, but you may find it a bit of a handful. Mine had a stackpack main and furling genoa and was out of class. Can be heavy downwind I found, and depending on what engine you have you might have to continue sailing into a headwind rather than motoring. Storage can be limited, and the forepeak bunks are high from the days when sails were stored beneath. I also found the single starboard cockpit locker meant I had to hang the fenders on the pushpit. Can you find a Sigma 33C, the cruising version? I have never been onboard one but rumoured to be more docile. I also never had the seven people there are bunks for on board.
Gearing down to the Vic 26 I find there is more storage, easier to handle, OK not as fast, but a doddle to helm. You can sometimes find a decent Vic 30 for your budget. Ok, not so pretty but how about something like a Hunter Horizon 30 ?
Best advice a surveyor gave me was don't set your heart on a particular boat, but look at things in your price range, you may find something unexpected.

 

[Kelpie]

How does a Westerly Storm compare to a Sigma 33? Not that I've sailed either of them, but I daydream of one day getting a slightly larger boat...

By the way I just asked SWMBO, out of all the boats we've sailed on (this includes a 42ft Jeanneau, a Challnge 67, and various classic yachts), which is her favourite- and the answer was "our Vega, of course!"

Like many posting here, I consider myself lucky to have a SWMBO who enjoys sailing as much as I do. It was at her behest that we bought a yacht in the first place. But I have kept my Wayfarer so that me and my mates can go and scare ourselves silly occasionally. I have yet to talk her round to enjoying that experience...

 

[Victoria Sponge]

I am a bit puzzled by the ladies above who say they sail a lot but have ' never been scared' and can cope with anything. I can't recall ever sailing with anyone who has never been scared and I would worry about it if I did, and only about two guys (both male) who actually enjoyed having to climb a mast at sea. I would only go up in harbour now unless it can be avoided and I still find it hard to work with both hands free 15m. above the deck, but I suppose I must have too much imagination. For myself, most of the scariest stuff was at night when navigating close to shore in strong winds in the days before GPS or waking to the knowledge that the anchor was dragging. The scary moments are real adventures though, but best enjoyed in hindsight, and of course I only admit to the feeling once it is well over. As we have got older we have made greater efforts to avoid them. I do not regret the experiences but there are some that I know my wife would have preferred never to have enjoyed at all.

I went up the mast in a marina. It was a job that had to be done, so I did it. I did sort of enjoy the thrill if I'm honest and I experienced a degree of satisfaction from a job well done.

We haven't done the scary stuff that you've done i.e. navigating at night in strong winds etc. I suppose we're into lots of planning, safe passages and a relaxed experience. My other half is very safety conscious and that's why I feel so safe with him.

I suppose it all depends on your character and life experiences as to what scares you. I have no fear of roller coasters, and when the kids were younger I went on all the rides with them in Florida and Alton Towers. I've also ridden horses for most of my life. They can be very unpredictable and uncontrollable. They bite, kick and buck and, when you fall off, it's a long way down!

 

[AliM]

I am a bit puzzled by the ladies above who say they sail a lot but have ' never been scared' and can cope with anything. I can't recall ever sailing with anyone who has never been scared and I would worry about it if I did, .

I certainly get scared! Despite those (reasonably rare) occasions, I enjoy sailing as much as my partner does (and he gets scared too, sometimes at the same time as me.) So far we've coped, but that's no guarantee we will in the future.

25931: Please don't patronise us!

 

[LeonF]

How does a Westerly Storm compare to a Sigma 33? Not that I've sailed either of them, but I daydream of one day getting a slightly larger boat...

By the way I just asked SWMBO, out of all the boats we've sailed on (this includes a 42ft Jeanneau, a Challnge 67, and various classic yachts), which is her favourite- and the answer was "our Vega, of course!"

Like many posting here, I consider myself lucky to have a SWMBO who enjoys sailing as much as I do. It was at her behest that we bought a yacht in the first place. But I have kept my Wayfarer so that me and my mates can go and scare ourselves silly occasionally. I have yet to talk her round to enjoying that experience...

How do you manage the going astern in the Vega ? A lovely boat and I once almost bought one. Bright and airy below. All these comments about fainthearted ladies who won't sail.. There some who do and some who don't, just like blokes. I sometimes sail with an exceptional 81 year old, who will scale down a ladder and helm for hours, and is a serious threat when racing, and she is female as well!

 

[LeonF]

She might like something like this... spacious heads, remember looking at one when they cost a lot more.http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/brokerage-boats/searchfullspecs.php?DocumentID=2273790

 

[LeonF]

I went up the mast in a marina. It was a job that had to be done, so I did it. I did sort of enjoy the thrill if I'm honest and I experienced a degree of satisfaction from a job well done.

We haven't done the scary stuff that you've done i.e. navigating at night in strong winds etc. I suppose we're into lots of planning, safe passages and a relaxed experience. My other half is very safety conscious and that's why I feel so safe with him.

I suppose it all depends on your character and life experiences as to what scares you. I have no fear of roller coasters, and when the kids were younger I went on all the rides with them in Florida and Alton Towers. I've also ridden horses for most of my life. They can be very unpredictable and uncontrollable. They bite, kick and buck and, when you fall off, it's a long way down!

Your profile says you are a retired nurse, and I've found that they are usually a different breed...I'ver sailed with quite a few.

 

[Quandary]

I certainly get scared! Despite those (reasonably rare) occasions, I enjoy sailing as much as my partner does (and he gets scared too, sometimes at the same time as me.) So far we've coped, but that's no guarantee we will in the future.

25931: Please don't patronise us!

I hope I have not been patronising towards anyone.
The point I am trying to make is that it is not unusual to be scared occasionally, if you do not you have to lead a very sheltered life, with little opportunity for excitement. It takes more to frighten some people than others and it is usually much easier for the person in control to cope with than his or her crew. When we raced competitively every week some of the regular crew were female and generally did not feel the same need to avoid showing their concerns as some of the macho young guys. As skipper I could discuss the response to risky situations more usefully with someone who admitted to feeling concerned than a guy that purported to be frightened by nothing. I was happy to leave my female 'pit man' in charge when I went down for a sleep. On board now I watch for signs of concern or worry in my crew and try to address them by action rather than placatory words but at the same time try to exude total confidence in most situations, even if I do not always feel it.

 

[Tom Price]

SIGMA 33 et al

[QUOTE=LeonF "Something like this..."

That must be one of the very few fin keel Merlins built!

I shared a Sigma 33, racing round the cans and cruising South Brittany. And learned what broaching meant!
I can't count the number of time rounding the Needles and hoisting the kite: girls needed to use that forward heads and ended up with feet in the air as we broached all standing! No sir, NOT a kindly boat.

Have often sailed a Storm - now that IS comfortable, but no slouch.

But the $64000 issue is about His and Hers I had a dutiful partner who 'endured' my sort of sailing - she left and has not stepped on a boat since. Far better to scrounge a regular 48-hour pass and do your own thing IMHO.

 

[Kelpie]

How do you manage the going astern in the Vega ? A lovely boat and I once almost bought one. Bright and airy below. All these comments about fainthearted ladies who won't sail.. There some who do and some who don't, just like blokes. I sometimes sail with an exceptional 81 year old, who will scale down a ladder and helm for hours, and is a serious threat when racing, and she is female as well!

To be honest I don't find astern much more trouble than going ahead, although you have to be careful and get the boat in the right speed range- too slow and you lack steerage, too fast and the tiller will snatch. Going ahead you can go as fast as you like but still have a minimum speed of about 1.5kt to get good control. Compared to a long keeler they will actually spin around pretty quickly once you get the turn started, if you are brave enough to get the speed on.
I will often warp the boat around, and find this much easier than with a heavier, longer keeled boat. But in the main, I avoid pontoons since they are expensive and full of potential for embaressment...

Your 81yr old crew sounds pretty exceptional- that sort of thing gives hope to us all!

 

[Quandary]

I raced our Sigma 33 for years against other Sigmas and in handicap classes against all sorts, yes we did broach her sometimes particularly in the early days but in winds when most of the competition had long got their kites down. They are a boat that can be driven very hard safely. When we went cruising with my wife and two children we still used the big spinnaker but rarely in more than 15- 18 kts. if in doubt we used the heavier reacher, we never broached or allowed any such situation to develop.
Regarding the question about the Storm, the Sigma will be a bit faster and handle extreme conditions a wee bit better, however the Storm being regarded as slightly more sedentary will probably have led a much easier life. Choosing between them as a cruiser it just comes down to which one you like better, the Sigma may be slightly more durable and have better gear and sails, (as standard they came with pole, two spinnakers, three headsails, two anchors etc) but they needed to be tougher, they are raced harder than anything else because the numbers made allowed one design classes every where. They were so popular for very good reasons. There are still Sigma 33OODs about that have never been seriously raced but they are sold at a premium, the masthead version was a poor imitation which I would recommend avoiding, (the Storm would be a lot better than one of these), and very few sailors bought them. The OOD 34 introduced at the same time had the blessing of the ORC but the Sigma was so much better that it was massively outsold. Its a shame there is nothing like the Sigma 33 made today, David Thomas really knew what he was about.

 

[Tom Price]

Brace yourself facing aft with feet well apart and a grip like iron,- for THAT is what you want, the moment when you're going fast enough astern to know that you have control and can steer backwards anywhere you like - round an S bend if you have to - reducing throttle suitably.

Long-keelers impossible in reverse? No - you need room of course, after that no probs.