Shortlisting first yacht

[Vid]

Here's another one of those perennial questions: which boat should I get.

I'm looking for a smallish (ie 26 to 30ft) yacht, capable of short coastal/cross-channel cruising. I wouldn't set off if there's forecast poor conditions but I want something that can handle them if they occur when I'm at sea. I'd like something with good performance too. I know the interior space is limited, but that's a compromise I can accept - I probably wouldn't have more than 3 crew at the most. Oh, and a proper sea toilet is essential, I don't like the idea of chemical loos under forecabin berths.

I don't want to spend a lot - around the £10k to £15k region, depending on condition (ie v.good for £15k). I would probably keep it in the Medway as that's closest to home, so trips to E Anglia and over to the continent possible.

Potential candidates researched so far include the Albin Vega and Contessa 26. I was recently sailing in Sweden and saw a lot of Marieholm 26's there which looked lovely but they seem to be rare here and I don't know if they'd fit into my budget. Yachts such as Vertues and Sadler 26's seem to be £20k and over so out of my range. I'm not keen on bilge keels - the idea of spending a night on mud rather than water does not appeal, so I've ruled out Westerly Centaurs.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks

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[Twister_Ken]

You could add the Hustler 25.5. The smaller UFO - was it 27'? There's a Van de Stadt 28 footer, the name of which I can't remember. The Stella if you don't mind wood. Hunter Impala. Verl 27. Mirage 28. Cobra 850(?).

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Ohdrat]

Also the Invcita 26, which is a Van de Stadt design very similar to CO26 - I looked at both the CO26 and Invicta 26.. a slightly bigger Van de Stadt which is probably what Ken is thinking off (see above) is the Pioner. I would get an idea of the sort of hull shape and size you want and then just go and see everything that fits.. whether it's well known or not.. another boat to look at is the Varne 27..

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[graham]

I have allways been impressed with the Albin Vega.A good one with a replacement engine would fit your budget.

Also the Westerly Tiger could be worth a look .Ive never sailed one but they come recommended as good performance sturdy built fin keel ,.

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[webcraft]

The Vega's a great boat, and you should get a good one with lots of goodies within your budget. There's substantially more room below that in a Co26

Check out the Vega Asociation's website for more info

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[Scillypete]

Halcyon 27 should also fit the bill, visit the oycoa website for info on them they will be within the budget, www.oycoa.org.uk/ six foot standing headroom in the saloon is a real boon as well.

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[stevebirch2002]

Hi
I am obviously biased but having sailed a fair few yachts I dont think you can better the Albin Vega in teh price range you are looking at. It will take anything you throw at her and easy to sail, balancced, sea-kindly, easy to work on, great Owners Association, plenty in The Medway already. For the top end of your budget you would get one with a new engine and kitted out tops. Many have circumnavigated without mishap. If you can go up to about £30K then look at the HR Monsun 31, a larger well built classic.

Regards Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[GeorgeP]

I recommend the Trapper 500. It's 28 feet, proper sea boat (my old one coped with gales and did several cross channel passages), sleeps 6 in theory (so 4 in practice), and is within your price range.

I don't know how much Helios is going for, but you can find it <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.trapper.8m.com/custom2.html> here </A>. Click on boats for sale. Reppartee is now sold.

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[jzaat]

I can surely recommend a Marieholm 26
Have sailed one for years all around the North Sea, will weather anything , has a good turn of speed, handles like a dream but limited accomodation below.
You will probably find a good selection in Holland ( try www.botenbank.nl) in the indicated range.
Another Van der Stadt 27? footer was de Bries ( in Holland) I think she was sold as Offshore 8M in UK.

Jeroen

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[Ohdrat]

Re: Offshore 8m

my one misgiving about this design is the relatively bluff bow.. this adversely affects the designs performance in a heading sea.. I prefer fine bows personally but others may prefer the increased space below. This is also the case with the Halcyon Clipper which is not to be confused with the finer bowed Halcyon 27 mentioned above..

For some indication of boat performance/feel this web site is very useful to feed the data into ...<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html>http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html</A>

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[dickh]

How about the Jaguar 27? Lots around at prices from 10k to 15k, both fin and bilge keel. I have regularly sailed the Thames Estuary and across to the Continent several times and never had a moments doubt about her ability to survive heavy weather. I've been out in a f7 and the boat was happier than me and my crew!
see the website [url://http:/pages.unisonfree.net/paul.absolon/]http://http:/pages.unisonfree.net/paul.absolon/[/url]
Lots in the Thames Area - you'll be very welcome.(Oh, and they sail better than a Contessa 28!)

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by dickh on 10/09/2003 09:29 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jzaat]

Re: Offshore 8m

Agree, wasn't his best design, but still offered a lot of room ( at the time) down below. Not a bad sailor too, although no match for Marieholm 26 ;-)

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[pegasos]

Albin Vega was my first boat. Since then I have had a Westerly Konsort, a Vertue and a Hallberg Rassy 36. Although each boat has had significant strengths and advantages over the Vega none of these have been as much fun to sail. Seems like a decent one for sale on the Albin Vega website. They hold their value well, I sold mine for 25% more than I paid.
Good luck.
PS Do not expect to go astern unless the rudder has been modified and is now aft of the prop. The original engineering is bizarre to say the least!

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[Indalo]

The Mirage 26 could be worth looking at - sturdy & seaworthy, and fairly roomy below on a par with Centaur etc - though not sure if they were made with fin keels.

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