Sailboats with good stowage?

[SaraM]

One boat I've seen that seems interesting is the Finnsailer 35 - motorsailer. I can't find very much about its sailing properties and was wondering if any of you know much about it? It has the space we would like, but I have no idea if it sails well.

 

[maby]

British Hunters seem to be pretty well equipped as far as space goes - have a look for a Channel 30-something.

Our second boat was a Hunter Ranger 265 - around 26 foot. When we replaced it with a Jeanneau SO33i, we emptied the Hunter into my wife's 4x4, left everything in the car for a couple of weeks till we got the keys to the new boat, then set about unloading the car into the boat - it wouldn't all fit! As pointed out above, priorities have shifted in recent years and manufacturers are trying to maximise living space at the expense of storage.

Looking for a 30 to 33 footer at less than £30k will definitely put you at the lower end of the market, so modern trends really will not apply.

 

[JomsViking]

When looking at boats, think about the existing Spaces that may be converted to usable stowage. On two of the boats I've owned we changed a Sea berth into stowage. It's typically not that hard and can be done with hand tools and still look great. The highest cost item will be the teak and/or mahogany needed (plywood and massive for the edges). If you can't find matching Wood and grain due to ageing (or whatever) consider a contrasting Wood or colour, as this often actually improves the look. We totally changed the look of an old Danish design by replacing the green formica on horizontal surfaces with White and paint the (very dark) interior White, leaving trim etc (re)varnished - the boat actually sold way above average for that type of boat 3-4 years later. Don't change the layout significantly though, that requires way more skills, time, and money
Guess my point is that you may find that a cheap and lovely Vessel can be transformed into what you need with a modest outlay.
+Don't skimp on the Wood...

Here's another possibility: http://bianca27.net/B27_Idegalleri_files/page22-1088-full.html

 

[SaraM]

Guess my point is that you may find that a cheap and lovely Vessel can be transformed into what you need with a modest outlay.
+Don't skimp on the Wood...

Here's another possibility: http://bianca27.net/B27_Idegalleri_files/page22-1088-full.html

That does look lovely.

 

[Tranona]

One boat I've seen that seems interesting is the Finnsailer 35 - motorsailer. I can't find very much about its sailing properties and was wondering if any of you know much about it? It has the space we would like, but I have no idea if it sails well.

The name describes it well. On the motor end of the motorsailer spectrum. Relatively easy with older boats to distinguish such boats by looking at the size of the engine and the amount of sail area in relation to the displacement. Heavy displacement, big engines, limited sails (often ketches) and once you get above 33' or so wheelhouses are usually indicators that progress depends more on engine use than wind power. They clearly have advantages for some people and are popular with liveaboards because the tend to have more undercover accommodation.

 

[SaraM]

once you get above 33' or so wheelhouses are usually indicators that progress depends more on engine use than wind power. They clearly have advantages for some people and are popular with liveaboards because the tend to have more undercover accommodation.

We do want more sailing than motoring, so it's probably not for us. Pity, because the accommodation did look immense.

 

[Laurin]

http://m.yachtworld.com/mobile/boats/1982/Contest-32-Cs-2343280/Plymouth/United-Kingdom

We paid significantly more for ours 2 1/2 years ago and are very happy. LOTS of stowage.

 

[Tranona]

We do want more sailing than motoring, so it's probably not for us. Pity, because the accommodation did look immense.

That is part of the trade off. More common in older boats with short waterlines and relatively narrow beam, accommodation is secondary to "looks" and arguably sailing performance. If you want more accommodation in a given length you need more volume - so bigger hull, heavier displacement bigger engine, less sailing capability. Some boats manage the compromise well, but realistically there is not much you can do until you get to 35' or so. Hence the success of boats like the Moodys and Westerlys of that size and up. You can see the step change when you move from a Moody 33 to, say a 376. However these boats are well above your current budget and older cheaper boats of similar length tend not to have the same volume - back to short waterlines and narrow beams.

 

[25931]

Hi,

Having recently become fond of sailing my husband and I are looking to buy our first boat in the 30-33 foot range. The idea is to spend a week or three at a time when work allows, travelling around, building miles and gaining experience to see if a move up to a bluewater boat and long term living aboard is for us.

One of the problems I have though is that the boats we have been looking at in our budget (£15k - £28k range depending on condition) all seem to have zero storage capabilities - to the extent that for a longer trip we would be living out of a bag on the sofa... I can do without an onboard shower, but I would very much like somewhere to hide my smalls / have a small pantry.

My questions, then, are these: which boats are known for good stowage? Is our budget unreasonable, and should we just accept that our bags are going to be all over the place?

Our Snowgoose meets your requirements - including price. You can see her in Holihead without commitment.

 

[FullCircle]

http://m.yachtworld.com/mobile/boats/1982/Contest-32-Cs-2343280/Plymouth/United-Kingdom

We paid significantly more for ours 2 1/2 years ago and are very happy. LOTS of stowage.

Seconded, very large accommodation, and it sails well.