Sigma 362 or westerly storm 33

Teko

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If you had a choice of either, given they are asking the same money and in very similar conditions where would you spend your money?

I 'think' I'd like a wheel, the storm is tiller steered, I'd be sailing mainly single/short handed. I want 2 separate cabins for when the kids are aboard and live aboard ability for myself a few weeks at a time.
 

richardbrennan

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I think the Sigma will give you significantly more space, although I do not speak from first hand experience. Storm owners seem to love them, but I understand they suffer from a heavy helm when overpressed. There's a Storm up the pontoon from me that's been to Australia and back, so they are pretty tough ships.
 

Bobc

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No idea. Some people get fixated on some models. It's a bit of the "Halberg Rassy" syndrome.

Don't get me wrong, the Storm is a good boat, but I would pay £10k more for the Sigma.
 

fredrussell

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I haven’t sailed on either of them but I single-hand most of the time and am a big fan of the humble tiller. The ability to tuck it between your legs to keep head to wind whilst you hoist the main, the fact that you always know exactly the rudder position, no wheel to step past when attending the winches short tacking up a channel, and so on.

The other day I picked up a mooring near me in 25 kts of breeze and with a fair bit of tide running. It was one of those situations where you had to make a lot of quick steering changes to stop the bow getting blown round at the crucial moment. I then watched a wheel-steered boat attempt to do the same on the next buoy over. After 5 attempts he gave up. He just couldn’t make the necessary fast steering changes.

If both boats had a tiller I’d pick the Sigma in a flash, but if you’re going to be single handing a lot, don’t discount the benefits of a tiller.
 

doug748

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If you had a choice of either, given they are asking the same money and in very similar conditions where would you spend your money?

I 'think' I'd like a wheel, the storm is tiller steered, I'd be sailing mainly single/short handed. I want 2 separate cabins for when the kids are aboard and live aboard ability for myself a few weeks at a time.


I like the Sigma better but think the Storm is an easier proposition for singlehanding, mind you I prefer the tiller. Bung a low offer at both and let the Fates decide.
 

E39mad

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The alternative, is a button with "AUTO" written on it. I use it all the time.

Indeed and single-handed means you can actually leave the cockpit without worrying about a tiller going in any direction. Horses for courses!!

Edit...I'd have the Sigma
 
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doris

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If you had a choice of either, given they are asking the same money and in very similar conditions where would you spend your money?

I 'think' I'd like a wheel, the storm is tiller steered, I'd be sailing mainly single/short handed. I want 2 separate cabins for when the kids are aboard and live aboard ability for myself a few weeks at a time.
If they really are in the same condition the Sigma is a much better boat, one of David Thomas' great designs, had one for five years, loved it. Check the plate under the mast and for toerail leaks which are almost impossible to fix.
 

TLouth7

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A couple of thoughts:

Sigmas are designed for biggish racing crews, they do not have the amount of stowage you would get with a similar size newer yacht. In fact the displacement of the Storm is nearly as big, so she may have as much interior space.

You will pay more for berthing with the extra three feet of Sigma, over the period of ownership this could add up to many thousands of pounds.

The Sigma's primary winches and traveller are well forward. This does not lend itself to shorthanded sailing. You basically need a dedicated helmsperson, and the other person has to do everything else. I can't comment on the Storm in this regard.

Both yachts are masthead rigged. My experience of the masthead rigged Sigma 33C is that you have to reef earlier than fractional rigged boats. The inability to bend the mast means that you cannot flatten the main effectively. This is not a problem with a crew but is tough when two up.

If you can find one at the right price then a nineties or 2000s yacht could well have more space below in the same length, a better cockpit layout for short handing, a 19/20 rig with powerful backstay adjustment, a smaller genoa overlap that is easier to short tack.

Good luck with your search!
 

Bobc

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A couple of thoughts:

Sigmas are designed for biggish racing crews, they do not have the amount of stowage you would get with a similar size newer yacht. In fact the displacement of the Storm is nearly as big, so she may have as much interior space.

You will pay more for berthing with the extra three feet of Sigma, over the period of ownership this could add up to many thousands of pounds.

The Sigma's primary winches and traveller are well forward. This does not lend itself to shorthanded sailing. You basically need a dedicated helmsperson, and the other person has to do everything else. I can't comment on the Storm in this regard.

Both yachts are masthead rigged. My experience of the masthead rigged Sigma 33C is that you have to reef earlier than fractional rigged boats. The inability to bend the mast means that you cannot flatten the main effectively. This is not a problem with a crew but is tough when two up.

If you can find one at the right price then a nineties or 2000s yacht could well have more space below in the same length, a better cockpit layout for short handing, a 19/20 rig with powerful backstay adjustment, a smaller genoa overlap that is easier to short tack.

Good luck with your search!
The 362 is a very different beast to the 33 or 38. Designed much more as a fast cruiser for a couple or family. They have a massive cockpit locker for stowage, as big as anything on a Storm.

As far as the extra mooring cost is concerned, less than 10% more. So an overnight stay cost £33 instead of £30. It's hardly a deal-breaker is it?

Reefing, again the 362 is very different from a 33c. They can stand up to quite a lot of breeze before reefing, but if cruising one, reefing early will keep the boat flatter and easier to handle, and it will still be quicker that a Storm with full rig up.
 

TLouth7

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The 362 is a very different beast to the 33 or 38. Designed much more as a fast cruiser for a couple or family. They have a massive cockpit locker for stowage, as big as anything on a Storm.

As far as the extra mooring cost is concerned, less than 10% more. So an overnight stay cost £33 instead of £30. It's hardly a deal-breaker is it?

Reefing, again the 362 is very different from a 33c. They can stand up to quite a lot of breeze before reefing, but if cruising one, reefing early will keep the boat flatter and easier to handle, and it will still be quicker that a Storm with full rig up.
I bow to your more detailed knowledge of the 362. The 33 also has a large cockpit locker, what it lacks is accessible stowage in the galley and saloon, for example a modern yacht of the same size would probably have a locker in the quarter berth for clothes. Partly this is a result of the greater volume of modern cruisers of a given length/displacement.

By the way I wasn't suggesting that the Storm would be better than the Sigma, rather pointing out potential shortcomings of both.
 
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