Sigma 362. Any Opinions?

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I would be interested to know if those who had 36s for their first boat have ever picked up moorings under sail, anchored single handed, and beat to windward in strong winds. All perfectly feasible in a Sigma, but maybe not for a novice in a large boat.

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Yes we gradually learnt all those skills. Could do it in a dinghy and slowly learnt on a 36'. Just be sensible about the learning curve.

Same as driving really - you pass the test - but may not be able to do everything - like drive on motorways without a bit of practice so you don't start with the M25 at rush hour!!
 
I am a little late adding on to this thread, but I have a Sigma 362 and love her. My first boat, and I have had nothing but pleasure from her. I bought her 5 years ago and generally keep her in Oban, although 2 years ago I sailed her down to the south coast for the 2007 Fastnet. The weather was pretty blowy during the race (F9), but the boat was fantastic- never out of control or pressured. We retired early (like 80% of the crews) because of widespread sea-sickness, and a forecast for F 8 headwinds all the way to the rock rather than anything to do with the boat. After the race I cruised her across the channel to Brittany with my mother and my wife and we spent last summer enjoying south Brittany. I am bringing her back from the Arve to Edinburgh this summer. I single hand or 2 hand the boat quite comfortably (new auto-pilot 2 years ago and have just put on self tailing primaries). The boat is big enough to be pretty bomb proof in bad weather, fast (Oban-Southampton, 670 miles in 5 1/4 days) and comfortable, and yet small enough not to need powered systems (windlasses, winches etc) or have problems getting into small French or Scottish harbours. What more could you possibly want?
 
Just rediscovered this thread, and, after 3 years of owning a 362,felt qualified to endorse what Richard, above, says, though I've not been as adventurous as he was.
She is my first keelboat, has a fine comfortable layout for cruising with up to four friends, a fine turn of speed, and with all controls led aft, is very easy and safe, for two to handle.
She is remarkably competent upwind, and very dry to sail, while not having the high slab sided freeboard of later 90s boats.

She is a fin keel version, with a deep keel, which I like, and I suppose this also contributes to her stability at anchor.

Ticks all my boxes.
 
i own a sigma 362 and happily sail it single handed. We have picked up moorings under sail out of choice and when engine problems. i have picked up on my own as well.

Over the years I have owned old wooden boats and a Grinde.
 
Acquired a 1985 Sigma 362 earlier this year and absolutely love it. It was well looked after and I knew the history and maintenance record for the boat. It was my first owned boat - although I've been sailing for 10 years or so and I've sailed with many other people on varying sized yachts, charted (as skipper) much bigger boats myself and acquired my Coastal YM. I see comments about your first boat at 36 ft being too big but it is in essence down to your background / experience / training and what you feel comfortable with, IMHO.

The Sigma is a delight to sail - great and very well-balanced rig, points very well. She goes well, even in light airs and the cockpit feels safe. Felt very comfortable with her in rough weather (we had a F6-7 going across the Channel earlier this year with fairly large swell). Ensure that it is set up with 3 reefs. Handles really well under both sail and engine.

We have it set up for reefing at the mast, rather than all lines coming back to the cockpit, works for us. I've not yet single-handed - building up to that, but frequently sailed 2-up, very easily.

Accommodation below is great, well-laid out, good galley with everything to hand.

Based on the East Coast (Burnham) - if your friend wanted to pop by to have a look and an idea. Will be coming out of the water in November though....
 
For the record my friend did part of a delivery with me including a 26-hour leg from Alderney to l'Aberwrac'h. I think this finally put him off offshore sailing. Last I heard he had a 21 footer on Windermere. We didn't see any 362s when we eventually changed our boat so we now have a Scanyacht 391.
 
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