Retired and fit - looking for a boat. Advice?

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neptis

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I’m retiring but fit and looking for a boat. Sailed dinghy’s as a kid, as an adult crewed on trips around the UK and chartered flotilla yachts in the med. So fairly basic experience and very limited time. Now I have time and funds will not be a constraint. I want something that I can sail around the UK for starters with my partner (equivalent skill). Not seen anything new that appeals – but I could get hold of something like a Westerly Centaur or LM 28 and tidy it up.
Any thoughts on what I should look for?
 
You say sail around UK to start with, if it was me I would decide what I wanted to do after that.
Then I could look at boats suitable for both.
An idea of price range and how long you intend to stay on the boat at any one time would help.
 
jaguar 27? Loads about, cheap as chips up to some quite tidy examples. Will last you until decide you have outgrown it without being too big to start with, and probably very familiar to you if you have chartered in the med.
Practical Boat Owner did a recent feature on them, which was fairly praising.
buying the best example you can afford of your chosen model and spending your time sailing it instead of fixing it is Sage advice i should have taken
 
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I was surprised to see the words "funds are not a constraint" and "something like a Westerly Centaur" in the same paragraph. I would have suggested something like a Sadler 29 or Moody 31.

The first boat I ever looked at with a view to buying was a Centaur, but it was tired, grubby and full of stuff. I decided not to do a second viewing with the wife.
 
It is not easy to compare a Westerly Centaur with a LM28. The LM is bigger, better overall build quality, sails better and its a motor sailer with an enclosure. The price also reflects those differences. But all depends what you are prepared to pay as there a numerous boats around that fit all tastes and pockets. Have a look at as many boats as possible and very quickly you will know which one is for you. My personal advice is to get a boat that is ready to sail straight away, don't get a project boat or a boat that needs a "bit" of work. Enjoy your retirement.
 
We need an idea of budget before recommending specific boats, even then focusing in on specific makes/models is often unhelpful. Especially true at the moment as there is a dearth of used boats. Future plans may also be limited by us Brits now being subject to Schengen visa rules so we can't bum around the Med so easily any more...
 
Never Grumble said:
I was surprised to see the words "funds are not a constraint" and "something like a Westerly Centaur" in the same paragraph. I would have suggested something like a Sadler 29 or Moody 31.

The first boat I ever looked at with a view to buying was a Centaur, but it was tired, grubby and full of stuff. I decided not to do a second viewing with the wife.
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Yes. Put that in to provoke, but I like the idea of ‘solid and basic’.
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
It is not easy to compare a Westerly Centaur with a LM28. The LM is bigger, better overall build quality, sails better and its a motor sailer with an enclosure. The price also reflects those differences. But all depends what you are prepared to pay as there a numerous boats around that fit all tastes and pockets. Have a look at as many boats as possible and very quickly you will know which one is for you. My personal advice is to get a boat that is ready to sail straight away, don't get a project boat or a boat that needs a "bit" of work. Enjoy your retirement.
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That’s great advice. As soon as I’m able to I will look. Thanks.
 
V1701 said:
We need an idea of budget before recommending specific boats, even then focusing in on specific makes/models is often unhelpful. Especially true at the moment as there is a dearth of used boats. Future plans may also be limited by us Brits now being subject to Schengen visa rules so we can't bum around the Med so easily any more...
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Can get dual UK / EU nationality which helps.
Budget probably under 50k to start but if the advice is get a centaur / fulmar and re- engine and re / rig. Then it’s all in range.
 
Budget is all here plus where you plan to keep your vessel following completion of your trip and also if you plan to park up on the trip and catch the train home home and return in a few weeks time as intended stop off points might influence choice. There are a number of books on sailing around including one visiting each shipping area which might influence your choice . Good luck in your search and your adventures and do continue to keep us updated with any opportunities you spot as I’m sure many grey beards on this forum might know of vessels you suggest. Also be aware most makes have active owners associations which contain helpful information if you want to join for modest investment . Also utube of course offers many insights into vessels so for a centaur an ex bbc cameraman created long and detailed accounts of his voyages in that very make for example.
 
Robih said:
If funds are "not a constraint" how about a Spirit 65?

Spirit Classic 65 | Racing Yachts | Spirit Yachts
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It sounds quite big to sail short handed.
Dellquay13 said:
jaguar 27? Loads about, cheap as chips up to some quite tidy examples. Will last you until decide you have outgrown it without being too big to start with, and probably very familiar to you if you have chartered in the med.
Practical Boat Owner did a recent feature on them, which was fairly praising.
buying the best example you can afford of your chosen model and spending your time sailing it instead of fixing it is Sage advice i should have taken
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Yes that’s on my list. I was fairly unimpressed with what was on offer in Greece and Croatia. As an ex. dinghy sailor I found the in-mast reefing (which was near universal) a little irritating.
 
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