Sigma 362 to Fisher 34

[E39mad]

Must be some reason why Fishers motor everywhere, what can it be?
I would love to have an opportunity to take up your offer, but since it is so unlikely I will have to keep my cash in my pocket, shame, I fancy a new vhf.

With all due respect you are missing some extremely important factors relating to the OP's desire to consider a Fisher 34. The 34 was the last Fisher designed and is well known as the best sailing hull of the range. The sloop rigged boats (an option later on in their production life) have a much taller double spreader mast and are much better sailing boats for it. Some of the older Fishers particularly the 1970's one's can be under rigged and tend to be the less efficient ketches.

Here is a second video of 34 sloop not motoring :

 

[Lucky Duck]

I was trying to see if that was 20+ knots true or apparent and the realised the wind display is showing the wind coming from the starboard side but the boat appears to be on port tack!

As a result I would be inclined to treat the rest of the instrument readings with some scepticism.

 

[scottie]

Sorry, but that is nonsense. I have a 36ft deck saloon ketch, with two helms, one inside and one outside, with normal Morse type cable controls. Each gear and engine controls can be used at any time, without "locking one in neutral". When operating one, the other one moves also. I'm sure that's standard for any boat with two helming positions.

Only in USA ie single function
european style is single lever usually which rely on a positive Neutral location to change control being used
both of above refering to mech control and each system has their advantages

 

[NormanS]

Only in USA ie single function
european style is single lever usually which rely on a positive Neutral location to change control being used
both of above refering to mech control and each system has their advantages

Well, mine is certainly not an American boat, and I don't have to lock or change anything when changing helm position. I accept that other systems may be different.
Are you really suggesting that if you are motoring from inside, and want to helm from the outside position, you first have to stop and go into neutral, before changing position?

 

[scottie]

Well, mine is certainly not an American boat, and I don't have to lock or change anything when changing helm position. I accept that other systems may be different.
Are you really suggesting that if you are motoring from inside, and want to helm from the outside position, you first have to stop and go into neutral, before changing position?

Yes that’s how it works with dual function controls it’s also considered a safety function that you don’t have the boat travelling with out being under control but thats means you can’t lock the auto pilot and slow speed
single function however means someone can work the controls and over ride the helmsman or inadvertently take over

 

[ashtead]

No southerly to sell I’m afraid Dancrane but interested in others views on them around the 38 to 42 size and they seemed a somewhat more sailable choice than a Fisher ilk.

 

[Laminar Flow]

I was trying to see if that was 20+ knots true or apparent and the realised the wind display is showing the wind coming from the starboard side but the boat appears to be on port tack!

As a result I would be inclined to treat the rest of the instrument readings with some scepticism.

We will do 7kts + easily in much less than 20kts on a reach. We do 6kts at 60degr. in 8kts true with 10 degr. heel or less.

The windgauge is obviously not working properly in the vid and my wife would love to know where they are sailing in 20kts of wind with water that flat.

 

[Laminar Flow]

No southerly to sell I’m afraid Dancrane but interested in others views on them around the 38 to 42 size and they seemed a somewhat more sailable choice than a Fisher ilk.

A Dutch friend of ours had a 10.60(?). He sailed it extensively, up to Norway and the Baltic. The previous owner had apparently raced it on the Isselmeer. His major complaint was that the boat was too soft to set up the forestay properly which prevented him from reefing /furling his head sail due to the luff sagging in heavy weather. No amount of "professional help was able to get that in grip. He loved the shallow draft and the layout.
He has sailed on our tub as well and was suitably impressed. He admitted that he never achieved the kinds of speeds we do with our old girl; I like to think he was not just being polite.

 

[Lucky Duck]

We will do 7kts + easily in much less than 20kts on a reach. We do 6kts at 60degr. in 8kts true with 10 degr. heel or less.

The windgauge is obviously not working properly in the vig and my wife would love to know where they are sailing in 20kts of wind with water that flat.

I'm sure you do but based on personal experience and reading some of the claimed speeds on these forums many boats logs are in need of calibration..

 

[Laminar Flow]

I'm sure you do but based on personal experience and reading some of the claimed speeds on these forums many boats logs are in need of calibration..

Rest assured, my instruments were carefully calibrated in the Dutch canals, +/- 0.1kts.

I've been obsessive enough about documenting and quantifying the improvements I made to our boat, in particular because of some of the negative and ridiculously misinformed commentary I received from the self-styled experts on various brand specific fora. Long on opinion, short on facts.

If YBW made it more accessible, I'd be happy to post some footage in support of my comments.

 

[ashtead]

Brand Forum and fora I believe ?

 

[johnalison]

Rest assured, my instrument were carefully calibrated in the Dutch canals, +/- 0.1kts.

It can't always be assumed that there is no current in Dutch canals. I have found up to 0.5 kn in some sections. Also, the shallow water can induce over-reading. A log calibrated in open water can over-read by about 3/4 knots in a shallow canal, and it can be quite revealing watching the disconnect between log and GPS change as the depth changes. The only accurate way is over a measured mile or half-mile in both directions, preferably repeated. I have an impression that the change to fresh water can also lead to inaccuracy.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Brand Forum and fora I believe ?
[/QUOTE]
Thank you, fixed that. I hated Latin.

 

[Greenheart]

I'll be extremely interested to see what sort of boat Cagey buys next, and how it suits him, and how people respond.

I reckon whatever boat gets you out there often, enjoying it without finding it a physical trial, is the right one.

Dinghy sailing for me is too much and not enough, in UK weather - not very comfortable, and a bit too demanding.

My boat allows superb sailing, but not often enough. For all the other times (and especially the low season) I might be happy in a hardtop motorboat, except I would wish I could still take advantage of favourable winds. I know a motorsailer will suit me, and the older I get, the more that will be the case. Observing what a high proportion of sea-miles most yachtsmen run under power, I'd think it would suit many of them, too.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Observing what a high proportion of sea-miles most yachtsmen run under power, I'd think it would suit many of them, too.

2018 we did a 1600 mile round trip to the Baltic and back. We motored for 600 miles. This was with the old rig with 130% SA of the standard model.
2019 we cruised for 1300 miles and, proportionately, motored 75% less. This was with the new rig of 214% of the standard model.

Whichever route the OP chooses, there is a direct relationship between sailing ability, particularly in light weather, and frequency of motoring.

People are always confused when they ask me whether our boat is faster now, after all the fuss with the larger sail area and I have to tell them no, not really. She is faster sooner, which seems to be a concept some have trouble grasping.

 

[Wansworth]

Another factor is perceived skill and satisfaction as skipper,personally handling a boat under power well gives great satisfaction.I recall the operation manager of a south coast dredging company saying the skippers of his ships find the handling of their vessels very rewarding

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I'll be extremely interested to see what sort of boat Cagey buys next, and how it suits him, and how people respond.

I reckon whatever boat gets you out there often, enjoying it without finding it a physical trial, is the right one.

Dinghy sailing for me is too much and not enough, in UK weather - not very comfortable, and a bit too demanding.

My boat allows superb sailing, but not often enough. For all the other times (and especially the low season) I might be happy in a hardtop motorboat, except I would wish I could still take advantage of favourable winds. I know a motorsailer will suit me, and the older I get, the more that will be the case. Observing what a high proportion of sea-miles most yachtsmen run under power, I'd think it would suit many of them, too.

It would be nice if we could have a sort of decaf version of our current boat when the current one starts to ask more than we have to give.

Changing ourselves rather than the boat can help too. Giving up meat, sugar and processed food did wonders for me. You have to find your own way though.

 

[Birdseye]

I’m finding my Sigma is becoming a handful, most of my time is single handed and she is well sorted to make single handing easy but I fancy a wheelhouse and being dry and warm. Will a Fisher satisfy my love of the sense of achievement and excitement that I get with the Sigma or is it a wallowing tub.
Ive always liked the look of Fisher etc but if I’m going to jump I don’t want to leave it too long. I’m 70 and suffer with arthritus but with the help of drugs and stubbornness I manage to keep going.
Thanks for any advice or guidance,
Keith

You are asking something that interests a number of us. Keep us posted if you take the plunge.

 

[Birdseye]

Only thing I would add ( I dont seem to be able to edit for some reason) is that I had a mtoro sailor a couple of boats ago, in the shape of a 34 ft Prout cat. Brilliant accommodation but sailing it was no fun at all.