Sigma 36 - Liverpool/Cumbria/NYorks areas

[suffolklass]

Hi all,

We're on the hunt for a new boat. Sold our old one to upsize (family of 5) and originally considering Fulmars, because we wanted something big enough for a family which is enjoyable to sail for extended holidays in Scotland (we're clearly not gentlemen, we quite enjoy going to windward). They're still definitely on the list, but the budget may be able to stretch a tad further and get us something with an aft cabin (luxury, being able to put the kids and us all in separate spaces!)

There are several 30-35ft boats we've looked into, Moody 31, Sadler 34, Jeanneau Melody, Westerly Discus etc (we're still on the older cheaper end of the market, sub £30k purchase price), still the Fulmar despite the quarterberth, but one wild card which has come up a couple of times is the Sigma 36. I get that it was originally designed towards racing, but the space inside looks interesting for the price they sell for (all the ones we've seen have been sub £30k). The layout is... unconventional... and I know there's no door on the aft cabin, but it feels as if it could potentially offer some good options for our rowdy crew with all the berths available. And the sailing performance would be another plus in our book!

Just wondering, a bit cheekily, if anyone has one of these in either Liverpool area or on the N Yorkshire coast that we could take a look at? Despite the username we're bang in the middle between NW and NE coasts. The 36s on the market at the moment are in Scotland and Lymington, so both a bit far given our reservations about the boat, we'd love to have a look at one first before adding it to our shortlist.

Failing that, any opinions, positive or negative, appreciated. It's only one on a long list of options, but it's the one we know least about!

 

[ridgy]

Can't help you with the Sigma but a Westerly Storm can be had for similar money to a Fulmar, is slightly bigger, faster, and has modern layout with proper aft cabin and aft heads:

Westerly Storm for sale UK, Westerly boats for sale, Westerly used boat sales, Westerly Sailing Yachts For Sale Westerly Storm OD - Apollo Duck

 

[suffolklass]

Can't help you with the Sigma but a Westerly Storm can be had for similar money to a Fulmar, is slightly bigger, faster, and has modern layout with proper aft cabin and aft heads:

Westerly Storm for sale UK, Westerly boats for sale, Westerly used boat sales, Westerly Sailing Yachts For Sale Westerly Storm OD - Apollo Duck

Thanks, and yes - Westerly Storm is on our list!

 

[doug748]

There is a Sadler 34 available locally to Plymouth for 12 grand, crinkly around the edges but not a basket case. You would have to be quick.

 

[Blueboatman]

Ooh I like them even with the unsinkable foam..
A big bilge keeler would pay for itself in mooring options in some locations too!

Sigma 36 nice but, raced hard and put away wet? Still probably better an than unloved and unmaintained ‘ family cruiser’ perhaps?
Iirc there is quite clever use of aft space on the Sigma. And they’re beamy inside .
Did they offer a masthead and fractional rig on the 36 like the 38?

 

[Goldie]

[QUOTE="Blueboatman, post: 8567040, member: 14572"
Did they offer a masthead and fractional rig on the 36 like the 38?[/QUOTE]

I’m not 100%, but I don’t think so. For the choice, I think you’d have to look at a Sigma 362 - same hull, different deck moulding and (imho) a better interior for cruising.

 

[Blueboatman]

Ah that makes sense..

 

[Mike Bryon]

Masthead version with wheel steering and aft cabin (with door) and heads is the sigma 362. One or two for sale at moment I believe. Usually priced below 30K.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

The 36 also came with a masthead option. I sailed the masthead version on the Clyde for some years.

 

[doris]

Ooh I like them even with the unsinkable foam..
A big bilge keeler would pay for itself in mooring options in some locations too!

Sigma 36 nice but, raced hard and put away wet? Still probably better an than unloved and unmaintained ‘ family cruiser’ perhaps?
Iirc there is quite clever use of aft space on the Sigma. And they’re beamy inside .
Did they offer a masthead and fractional rig on the 36 like the 38?

There was never a masthead 38. The 362 was masthead, same hull as a 36 but different coach roof and layout. Much better boat for cruising than a 36 and also very quick. Check the integrity of the toe rails, if it doesn’t leak they’re brilliant boats of their day.
Perfect the OP’s needs, and usually plenty around.

 

[Blueboatman]

I’ve never sailed a Sigma but I’ve been overtaken by one or two over the years with a cheery grin, seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 

[suffolklass]

There was never a masthead 38. The 362 was masthead, same hull as a 36 but different coach roof and layout. Much better boat for cruising than a 36 and also very quick. Check the integrity of the toe rails, if it doesn’t leak they’re brilliant boats of their day.
Perfect the OP’s needs, and usually plenty around

Two on the market at the moment for wildly different prices - £29,950 (with original 1980s engine) and £37,500. My suspicion is that once we've factored in the inevitable extra expenditures, the 362 would be too expensive for us! They do look perfect though.

 

[suffolklass]

There is a Sadler 34 available locally to Plymouth for 12 grand, crinkly around the edges but not a basket case. You would have to be quick.

I did see that one but unfortunately we just don't want a boat with osmosis (I know there's a lot of debate about this, but that's where we've come down on it).

 

[doug748]

I did see that one but unfortunately we just don't want a boat with osmosis (I know there's a lot of debate about this, but that's where we've come down on it).

Yes, makes it longer search. With 40 year old boats often the choice is "osmosis", " high moisture readings" or a hull that has been "retreated".

 

[doris]

Two on the market at the moment for wildly different prices - £29,950 (with original 1980s engine) and £37,500. My suspicion is that once we've factored in the inevitable extra expenditures, the 362 would be too expensive for us! They do look perfect though.

Market is your way at the moment. Don’t necessarily believe asking prices cos there’s a lot of boats offered at the moment. I’m glad I’m not selling right now.

 

[suffolklass]

Yes, makes it longer search. With 40 year old boats often the choice is "osmosis", " high moisture readings" or a hull that has been "retreated".

I know, it's a difficult one! I know it's a buyer's market but it doesn't seem to make finding the right boat any easier!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I would recommend learning about osmosis / hydrolysation as you could be ignoring very serviceable boats that will take you anywhere. Osmosis/ hydrolysation is not the big deal that it used to be, especially if high moisture readings are the only sign. High moisture readings do not always translate into osmotic blisters. After 40 years many old hulls below the waterline will show high moisture readings that will never dry out however long the boat is laid up on the hard.

https://montymariner.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Osmosis-handbook-9a.pdf.

 

[suffolklass]

I would recommend learning about osmosis / hydrolysation as you could be ignoring very serviceable boats that will take you anywhere. Osmosis/ hydrolysation is not the big deal that it used to be, especially if high moisture readings are the only sign. High moisture readings do not always translate into osmotic blisters. After 40 years many old hulls below the waterline will show high moisture readings that will never dry out however long the boat is laid up on the hard.

https://montymariner.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Osmosis-handbook-9a.pdf.

It has osmotic blistering. I understand that everyone has different opinions, but we'd rather avoid that.

 

[JamesDavis]

We have just purchased a Sigma 36 so I've learnt a lot in the last few months. They would make superb cruising boats along the lines of a Sweden 36 but a fraction of the cost. I think because they are old racing boats they have a very limited market. A 40 year old racing boat would generally have gone through a few refits and some ambitious owners may have spent a fortune upgrading everything for a big race so there's the potential to find an old hull with a newish engine, newish sails, etc etc. There are also some very tired boats out there which would only suit a dreamer. Suffolklass, PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Birdseye]

I did see that one but unfortunately we just don't want a boat with osmosis (I know there's a lot of debate about this, but that's where we've come down on it).

Reality is that you are unlikely to find a boat of the era you are considering that doesnt have some osmosis. Dont believe a seller who tells you that his old boat doesnt have the issue.