Sigma 362 to Fisher 34

[Laminar Flow]

Well, it could be easily argued that since our WH and the cockpit are on the same level, there is no more climbing involved than on a conventional boat. In fact, once alongside, you could drop a line over the next bollard to the stern, set the old girl to ticking ahead, wheel to shore side and take all the time in the world to go about your business. Our wheelhouse doors are wide enough to be negotiated with a Zimmer frame (or walker where we come from). The mass of a Fisher or a Watson is also less likely to be blown all over the harbour before you've got a chance to get a line ashore.

Ty-up for us is usually a very stately affair, without shouting or panic and all pretty much in slow motion.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Exactly,much better,looks a eaworthy craft

Seaworthy? Perhaps, except for the poor down flood angles due to the side facing doors. The very reason the Nauticat 33 didn't get an "A" rating.

 

[Wansworth]

But there handy and probably all mfv are so arranged...........I have always liked the Inchcape class

 

[JumbleDuck]

I don't know because I never looked for them - but don't Fishers have engine controls beside their outside helms?

I believe the outside helms are optional, and they don't seem to be common. i started looking for them this summer, and didn't spot a single one in around 10 Fishers.

 

[E39mad]

I believe the outside helms are optional, and they don't seem to be common. i started looking for them this summer, and didn't spot a single one in around 10 Fishers.

You can use the tiller (was provided as standard to attach) if you want to steer from the cockpit and is also the emergency steering system. Cockpit engine controls were not available on the the 25 to 37 when I sold them in the 1990's.

To the OP a Fisher 34 with the sloop rig is the best sailing Fisher but is a marked difference from a Sigma 362. I used to race including Beneteau and Sigma 38 but loved the Fisher 34 as it was surprisingly good for it's type.

 

[Greenheart]

Cockpit engine controls were not available on the the 25 to 37 when I sold them in the 1990s.

Is that not available, or was the option just never requested?

It must be possible to retrofit throttle/gear levers wherever they're needed.

 

[E39mad]

Is that not available, or was the option just never requested?

It must be possible to retrofit throttle/gear levers wherever they're needed.

The problem with double throttles is that the one that you are not using must be locked in neutral in order for the other one to work correctly if using cable operated links. They were a bit of a mare on Southerlys if you hadn't quite centred one of them just as you were trying to manoeuvre in a tight space . I would have thought these days that an electronic throttle would be better for a second position.

 

[Sharky34]

Problem with wheelhouses being singlehanded is getting out on deck after gauge ing your there and putting the engine out of gear

Fisher Northeeaster 30.
Has sliding doors, easy to get out of for mooring & helm/throttle still handy.

 

[Sharky34]

How about a Fisher Northeaster 30, with doors port and starboard in the wheelhouse - it should be very easy to just pop out to drop that spring line over the bollard.
Fisher Northeaster 30 Motorsailer For Sale, 9.14m, 1974

View attachment 96854

Unfortunately off the market.

 

[Wansworth]

Fisher Northeeaster 30.
Has sliding doors, easy to get out of for mooring & helm/throttle still handy.

Yes bajansailor has just shown me a photo

 

[Quandary]

I am a decade older than the OP with arthritic hands and shoulders and an alloy knee, I decided to sell our Finngulf 33, similar performance to the OPS SIgma (I had a 38 before the Finngulf) in 2016, spent a year with a Nimbus motorboat which sails as well and motors faster than most Fishers, managed to get shot without too much loss and bought a Moody S31.
We are just back today from a ten day cruise most of it motoring to remoter anchorages in zero wind; the memorable highlight for me was coming back round Ardnamurchan with 20-24 kts on the quarter , bright sunshine and 8kts. showing on our over reading log, the rest of the trip was good but this was by far the best bit for me and made a pleasant outing in to a memorable one.
Be very very sure that you want to give up sailing before changing,it can be a very expensive mistake as much in loss of the limited time we have left as money, I agree with the suggestion that something like a Moody may be a successful compromise, it has been for me, we motor quite a lot, the autopilot gets exercised but every now and again you get your arse up on the coaming and experience that old sweet bliss as the water starts hissing by.

 

[pvb]

... spent a year with a Nimbus motorboat which sails as well and motors faster than most Fishers...

 

[Greenheart]

Be very sure that you want to give up sailing before changing, it can be a very expensive mistake in loss of the limited time we have left, I agree with the suggestion that something like a Moody may be a successful compromise, it has been for me...

Doesn't it depend where you want to be on all those foul cold days, waiting for the rare summer occasions when the sailing is perfect? The OP said: "I fancy a wheelhouse and being dry and warm".

I spent years thinking I needed a pure sailing yacht to maintain the thrill of dinghy-sailing. It's nonsense. I already get the best pure sailing I can ask for... From a cabin boat, I want real shelter and ease, which no dinghy can deliver. Nor can many yachts.

I don't see the OP making "an expensive mistake" in terms of time lost. How many extra days afloat per year will he enjoy, at a weatherproof helm, laughing at the rain?

The problem with double throttles is that the one that you are not using must be locked in neutral in order for the other one to work correctly if using cable operated links.

Thanks for explaining that. I wonder how flybridge motorboats cope with the doubled controls, and usually for two engines.

 

[E39mad]

spent a year with a Nimbus motorboat which sails as well and motors faster than most Fishers

I'd wager that a sloop rigged Fisher 34 is faster under sail than your Moody 31 when the wind is more than 15 knots and 60 degrees off the wind. It has a taller rig than the ketch and a long water line length. As Laminar Flow shows these designs do not have to be slow under sail and this is also my experience.

 

[ashtead]

If looking for something snug and safe to sail a Southerly might be worth a look? A nice 38 footer maybe ?

 

[Greenheart]

Ashtead, are you by any chance trying to sell a Southerly 38?

Nice boat, quite versatile with its lifting keel...but it's a long way from the Southerly inside-steering designs from the 1980s.

No visibility, steering from that cabin...

 

[NormanS]

The problem with double throttles is that the one that you are not using must be locked in neutral in order for the other one to work correctly if using cable operated links. They were a bit of a mare on Southerlys if you hadn't quite centred one of them just as you were trying to manoeuvre in a tight space . I would have thought these days that an electronic throttle would be better for a second position.

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.

 

[E39mad]

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.

Interesting - and clearly there are different ways of setting these things up.

 

[Greenheart]

Perhaps we may conclude that even if Fishers didn't come with cockpit engine controls, there's no reason why they couldn't be fitted to enable full flexibility and quicker access to the sidedecks, so the OP needn't feel discouraged on that score.

A bit like the case of Laminar Flow's intelligent up-sizing of his Colvic's rig, I have a sense that most motorsailer buyers and owners just settle for the modest restrictions specified by their boats' designers, rather than looking at how they could be improved...

...the result is an engrained assumption by the wider sailing scene, that 'those boats can't do that'. They can't, until somebody with adroitness and judgement and determination tries to push the limits, then, who'd have thought it? They can.

 

[Quandary]

I'd wager that a sloop rigged Fisher 34 is faster under sail than your Moody 31 when the wind is more than 15 knots and 60 degrees off the wind. It has a taller rig than the ketch and a long water line length. As Laminar Flow shows these designs do not have to be slow under sail and this is also my experience.

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.