Retirement boat - for coastal cruising

[Vid]

Despite the gloom of these days there's no reason not to look ahead and I'm hoping to be able to retire in about five years time before I hit 60. One of my retirement plans is to spend my summers gradually cruising the coasts of Western Europe and then into the Med. Working out what I need now gives me time to budget and save (boat fund currently stands at £50k) if I can find the right boat. I've been sailing for 35 years, got my Yachtmaster about 10 years ago and have owned an Achilles 24 for about 12 years and mainly sail on the east and south coasts.

The idea is to do this sort of route over 10-15 years: start off with the Dutch canals coast, Frisian Islands and then through the Kiel canal into the Baltic, then a couple of seasons in Denmark and Sweden, before following the Norwegian coast up to Lofoten. A crossing from Norway to Shetland, then down the west of Scotland, through the Irish Sea then the Scillies, Brittany, French Atlantic coast then across Biscay, down the Spanish and Portuguese coasts before going into the Med for a few years, eventually coming back via the French canals to the UK to put up my sailing boots. Probably using it for 3 months then leaving her somewhere for the rest of the year. I'm not really a bluewater cruiser so not looking to go across the Atlantic, but, who knows, the Azores could be worth a trip.

My requirements are, in no particular order: able to sleep six and be crewed by two; able to go through the French canals, so max draft 1.5m, a deck saloon/inside helm would be nice or at least a well-protected cockpit, easy rig to manage, no more than, say 36ft/11m so I can get into all harbours and not pay excessive marina fees. I like the idea of having the option of drying out in some of those places so lift keel and bilge keelers are of interest but I could make a fin keel work if I had it.

Current thoughts are for something like the Southerly 110/35RS, Moody Eclipse, Moody 346, but also thinking of Hallberg Rassy Rasmus/352/ 36 (or Najad/Malo equivalents), depending on what the boat fund buys me in 2025.

What else should I have on my list? Something more modern?

 

[Stemar]

No idea if the budget would get one in a few years, or if one would suit in other ways, but I quite like the lift keel version of this

RM1070

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Congratulations .... get yourself a recent production AWB IMO.

Cheap as chips, tons available everywhere ... plenty of space, no vices, light and airy, swim platform for those hot days in the sunshine, not much to go wrong and what does is easily accessible and replaceable. I want to enjoy my retirement, not spend it contorted into a hot, sweaty space, up to my elbows in bilge water, oil or worse, the contents of the heads.

 

[Old Harry]

Despite the gloom of these days there's no reason not to look ahead and I'm hoping to be able to retire in about five years time before I hit 60. One of my retirement plans is to spend my summers gradually cruising the coasts of Western Europe and then into the Med. Working out what I need now gives me time to budget and save (boat fund currently stands at £50k) if I can find the right boat. I've been sailing for 35 years, got my Yachtmaster about 10 years ago and have owned an Achilles 24 for about 12 years and mainly sail on the east and south coasts.

The idea is to do this sort of route over 10-15 years: start off with the Dutch canals coast, Frisian Islands and then through the Kiel canal into the Baltic, then a couple of seasons in Denmark and Sweden, before following the Norwegian coast up to Lofoten. A crossing from Norway to Shetland, then down the west of Scotland, through the Irish Sea then the Scillies, Brittany, French Atlantic coast then across Biscay, down the Spanish and Portuguese coasts before going into the Med for a few years, eventually coming back via the French canals to the UK to put up my sailing boots. Probably using it for 3 months then leaving her somewhere for the rest of the year. I'm not really a bluewater cruiser so not looking to go across the Atlantic, but, who knows, the Azores could be worth a trip.

My requirements are, in no particular order: able to sleep six and be crewed by two; able to go through the French canals, so max draft 1.5m, a deck saloon/inside helm would be nice or at least a well-protected cockpit, easy rig to manage, no more than, say 36ft/11m so I can get into all harbours and not pay excessive marina fees. I like the idea of having the option of drying out in some of those places so lift keel and bilge keelers are of interest but I could make a fin keel work if I had it.

Current thoughts are for something like the Southerly 110/35RS, Moody Eclipse, Moody 346, but also thinking of Hallberg Rassy Rasmus/352/ 36 (or Najad/Malo equivalents), depending on what the boat fund buys me in 2025.

What else should I have on my list? Something more modern?

How will these plans fit into the 90 days in 180 EU rules

 

[RupertW]

I would consider buying twice so you can get the perfect boat for Northern sailing then sell it to get the perfect boat for Med and warm water sailing. In my opinion those are two very different requirements.

Either type of boat can of course cope in each place but a lovely covered steering area and cosy interior would be so hot in the Med and my big stern cockpit with ice bucket and dining table and multiple cabins with fans lots of little opening hatches would not get a lot of evening use in the Baltic.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

How will these plans fit into the 90 days in 180 EU rules

Carefully .... it works today for all the Australians and Americans I meet in the Med, they just choose their destinations with care or arrange time away from the boat visiting non-schengen countries. Not as carefree as it was for Brits, but still possible.

 

[ryanroberts]

Sirius make nice looking small deck saloon / dual helm boats (for a lot of money). Think you need the 35 for a 6 berth

 

[johnalison]

The HR36 is a very well tried and tested boat. It is comfortable and will take you through any weather. It is not a boat for me - I have a 34 - but I have been on several and admired them for their qualities. The draft is a little more than you say, but not excessive, and the masthead rig is relatively simple. It is not so good to windward as my 34 but has a decent performance as a cruising boat. It may not be within your budget but you won't lose much by buying one. Other makes are also available.

 

[Graham376]

My requirements are, in no particular order: able to sleep six and be crewed by two; able to go through the French canals, so max draft 1.5m, a deck saloon/inside helm would be nice or at least a well-protected cockpit, easy rig to manage, no more than, say 36ft/11m so I can get into all harbours and not pay excessive marina fees. I like the idea of having the option of drying out in some of those places so lift keel and bilge keelers are of interest but I could make a fin keel work if I had it.

Current thoughts are for something like the Southerly 110/35RS, Moody Eclipse, Moody 346, but also thinking of Hallberg Rassy Rasmus/352/ 36 (or Najad/Malo equivalents), depending on what the boat fund buys me in 2025.

What else should I have on my list? Something more modern?

Looking at the Moody models, you would need the Scheel keel versions (4'6") to do the canals. Having had both, I would suggest the 376 (or 37) is better suited than the 346, more space and twin heads. For Med use, I wouldn't consider anything with timber decks due to heat and £40k cost of replacement when time expired.

 

[Frogmogman]

No idea if the budget would get one in a few years, or if one would suit in other ways, but I quite like the lift keel version of this

RM1070

Unlikely that a 1070 will fall that far in the time, as they are quite sought after second hand, but an RM 1050 might fit the bill. The visibility from the saloon is great, the autopilot is a built in one, which could no doubt be made to work from the nav table with a remote control. I love the loft style of RM yachts; nice and airy and modern. I like the technical room they have abaft the heads.

OK, the 1050 wasn't available with the lift keel, but the sailing performance of RM boats is very good; the plywood-epoxy construction is light and strong, the bilge keels work well, upwind performance being very close to the single keel versions. Draft is modest, and they take the ground well. The twin keel is well proven (the RM lift keel has been problematic, with a couple of them sinking).

Occasion 2006 RM Yachts RM 1050 BIQUILLE - Annonces du Bateau

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Southerly 110 any time; the swing keel is very convenient

 

[E39mad]

A lifting keel of some sort would be extremely handy for tidal coasts and the French Canals. Other than the Southerly 110 already mentioned a later built 115 would also fit the bill although is centre cockpit/aft cabin rather than aft cockpit of the 110. The French produce some good aluminium lift keelers such as Ovni/Allures. The Feeling range can also have lift keels that can dry out and they do a 36:

2005 Alliaura FEELING 36 DI Sail New and Used Boats for Sale

 

[Resolution]

I would consider buying twice so you can get the perfect boat for Northern sailing then sell it to get the perfect boat for Med and warm water sailing. In my opinion those are two very different requirements.

Either type of boat can of course cope in each place but a lovely covered steering area and cosy interior would be so hot in the Med and my big stern cockpit with ice bucket and dining table and multiple cabins with fans lots of little opening hatches would not get a lot of evening use in the Baltic.

I second Rupert's comment. Also in the heat of the Med you really need more space . If you want to have up to six on board you really need over 40 ft length on a monohull.

 

[Pete7]

MJ Sailing have a Aluminium yacht with lift keel for sale about that budget in Plymouth and the Solent shortly. They did a YT video of the boat recently which might be worth watching.

mj sailing - Google Search

 

[duncan99210]

I’d go with baggywrinkle in that a reasonably recent AWB is the best option.
Also, look very closely at the 6 berths bit. We had that as a requirement when we were boat hunting but it’s bit of an illusion. It was put in because of family visits: one daughter promptly had a third child, whilst the other two kids have never shown any interest in visiting en familie. Turns out the second aft cabin is a necessity because that’s where all the extended cruising kit lives... But with hindsight we could have bought a two cabin version of our boat which would have arguably been a better choice.
Don‘t limit yourselves too much by looking for space reducing options like lifting keels. Most places you’re likely to go you won’t notice the limitations imposed by a normal fin keel. Only real problem is the French canals: we looked at that option and decided not to build that limitation into the equation.

 

[Graham376]

I second Rupert's comment. Also in the heat of the Med you really need more space . If you want to have up to six on board you really need over 40 ft length on a monohull.

Our 376 is 38-40ft (depending on where measured) and with twin heads is ideal for 2 or 4 living aboard but I wouldn't want 6 or 7 who we have berths for, just too crowded particularly when hot, it was 33 below decks yesterday.

P.S. Don't encourage visitors, they can ruin your summer cruising. Most want to know well in advance where you will be on a certain date to suit their holidays and cheap flights so, having fallen into the trap in early days, we now just say phone us to find out where we are and see if you can get a flight.

 

[Laminar Flow]

For coastal cruising I think shallow draft is a desirable feature, not just for canal work. With deep draft you can kiss large parts of the Baltic, southern Denmark p.e., Holland and even Brittany good bye. It may ban you outright from many drying harbours and it can severely reduce your tidal window for entering ports, rivers and bays, even if they could still float you at low tide.

1.5m is absolute max for the French canals and 1.2m is better and even with that I managed to hit bottom several times. Twin or bilge keels are not ideal for canal work as the keels protruding sideways from the hull will restrict the boat's ability to go alongside the shallowing canal or river bank. On our current boat we use legs on a long keel with a 1.35m draft. A very practical and serviceable solution for drying out if we need to.

I agree with the above poster and I think the Southerly 115 is a great boat for the type of trip you are planning. A friend of ours had one. His home waters are Holland, but he has sailed her up to Norway and the Lofoten islands, Sweden and Denmark a couple of times and through some nasty blows as well. The boat's layout is convivial and will sleep six if you have to. The trunk for the lifting keel does not interfere with the internal layout.

For Northern waters I recommend a solid roof over your helm station. That will not only extend your sailing season, but add greatly to your cruising enjoyment while providing a dry perch to survey your place of arrival. In the south it will keep the sun from burning a hole through your emerging bald spot.

For extended cruising I would look at getting something with a more liberal displacement to carry all the gear, tools and supplies you will be needing, as well as your wife's precious collection of pebbles and beach rocks, shells etc. Trust me.

 

[Halo]

Whatever you decide I would get it 2/3 years before you retire to get used to it and make the mods you require before setting off.

 

[RupertW]

Whatever you decide I would get it 2/3 years before you retire to get used to it and make the mods you require before setting off.

I agree with the first part but with houses and boats I like to use them unmodified for a year or two so that I can understand why previous owners did their weird modifications and also to get a real feel for what is most urgent to change.

And then make the changes as you go - we have never taken our boat back to the UK so it’s ten years of stuff from local chandleries, boatyards, IKEAs and via EasyJet.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Looking at the Moody models, you would need the Scheel keel versions (4'6") to do the canals. Having had both, I would suggest the 376 (or 37) is better suited than the 346, more space and twin heads. For Med use, I wouldn't consider anything with timber decks due to heat and £40k cost of replacement when time expired.

Wow £40k replacement for a wooden deck under 40ft?