small boats for oldies

[bamspm]

Last month I was given a lot helpful advice on this forum about suitable stiff boats for an older sailer with a nervous wife. I have narrowed the choice to a Hurley 18 or 22 but there are virtually none for sale Any recommendations for something similar would be much appreciated

 

[Burnham_Bob]

Try a Halcyon 23. I started to sail in one a while back and my wife isn't too keen when things get windy. They are good sailing boats designed by Alan Buchanan. You can pick one up for around £4,000 and they usually have an inboard engine - so much better than an outboard and usually more powerful if you want to get home quickly.

You'll learn more on the OYCOA web site - Offshore Yachts Class Owners Association.

http://www.oycoa.org.uk/

You'll find it easy to sail and well mannered. They are getting on a bit thoiugh these days so you might find one that needs a bit of TLC.

If you want to find out more, send me a private message and we can talk over the phone.

 

[Dyflin]

You could also have a look at the Leisure range. Similar era and would probably tick most of your boxes. Have a look at the owners association site: LOA

 

[ColinHuggins]

Er, as an Oldie myself the prerequisite is that it is ISN'T 'small'. If I can't stand up down below then I crawl off the boat in even worse shape (literally!) than when I came on board.

So 5'10" headroom is essential, even if only under the hatch. Sorry.

 

[Swanrad2]

Try getting your hand on an lslander 23, top little boat and cheap as chips (if you can find one)

 

[bamspm]

Thanks for helpful suggestions. I appreciate the need for greater headroom but doesn't a larger boat mean heavier sail handling especially when single handed

 

[graham]

Anderson 22 Is a capable boat for its size. loads of pictures on my blogsite if you want to look.A small Westerly could suit the bill.The Westerley Jouster was a sturdy fin keel job about 21 foot I think.

 

[Micky]

A few years back i owned an old Vavacity. Quite small, but what a boat. Safe as houses and great fun.

 

[David_Jersey]

[ QUOTE ]
I appreciate the need for greater headroom but doesn't a larger boat mean heavier sail handling especially when single handed

[/ QUOTE ]

I would say "Not really", everything is within muscle power until you are going above 25/27 foot and even then.........

In fact I would say the biggest "problem" on a small boat will be gathering up the sails / moving around on deck where you don't have a lot of room, the bigger you get the slightly easier things become because you have a bit more working room / don't meet yourself coming back whenever you are doing something on deck!

But don't let that put you off a "small un", everything can be sorted by a bit of planning ahead / making sure everything is set up for ease of sail handling (Lazy jacks, roller foresail, maybe even a Stack Pack type mainsail cover?).

Small Boat?, I always suggest a Corribee, cos I loved mine (and still regret selling her!) - pretty much "go anywhere" boats and look like "proper boats"! Both fin and bilge keel versions made and lots made also.

The later model had more head room but you are still talking of only sitting head room - unless you are under the hatch. and it is open! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Just doing a Google and came up with this £3,900 is (IMO) towards the top end but she looks a nice one, plenty of nice stuff suggests someone has cared for her - it doesn't say, but I think from her draft she will be a B/K version. I am quite tempted myself!

 

[bilbobaggins]

Just been reading about a 67-year old who has 'downsized' his race boat, to about half the size of that he's used to.

See here

and

here


From this....

to this....

I gather he's a grumpy ould futtock when he runs out of lime pickle. Well, you would be, wouldn't you!


/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dyflin]

[ QUOTE ]
Er, as an Oldie myself the prerequisite is that it is ISN'T 'small'. If I can't stand up down below then I crawl off the boat in even worse shape (literally!) than when I came on board.

So 5'10" headroom is essential, even if only under the hatch. Sorry.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm six three and find the Leisure 23 more than acceptable for a 23 footer, I'm used to stooping a wee bit (even on ships through metal framed doorways etc /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) so she's grand and the bunks are more than long enough to stretch out. Looked at a GK24 and a Ruffian 23 but had to crawl around inside on both so had to walk away...

 

[bamspm]

Thanks again everyone for all your very helpful and humorous advice, It's much appreciated.

 

[pheonix]

one for sale on windamere on shepards books i beleive not my cup of tea, but what the hell i also know the owners. also virtually new outboard engine