small offshore long keel cruisers

Yup...agree with everything here about the Halcyon 27. It was my choice after looking at the alternatives. But there are some awfully scruffy ones out there for sale. I looked at 6-7 before I found one that had been well looked after...and I've spent hundreds of hours since improving it further. Great little boat though. I really ought to move up to something bigger, but it'll be difficult to part with this one.
 
My first boat was an Invicta 26
I understood that these boats were well made. Very similar to the Co 26 but with a bit of sheer. We often raced against a Co 26 and there wasn't anything between them. 4-5 kts was the norm in ideal conditions. A super little boat IMHO, and would look after you in a blow. We didn't have a rollerheadsail so carried a number of headsails below. I always craved after the convenience of a furler but did not ever find the headsail changing a problem in inclement weather, she was quite stable.
Not a lot of room below - more than 2 adults sleeping would be cramped by todays standards, we did managed to convert the 2 singles in the main saloon to a decent athwartships double for my courting days !
Under power she was good ahead and astern which was a nice surprise for a long keeler.
I would have no hesitation in recommending one for what you have in mind.
Cheers
Homa
 
Van der Stadt designed the Invicta as an enlarged folkboat and the Trintella 29 is that much bigger still. She certainly sails well, moulded by Tyler, but has a lower resale value than less good, but better know in England, boats like the Twister.
Ken
 
Can I just add...all of these boats will behave well at sea, and have about the same speed and other characteristics for a given length. IMHO you need to look at a) accomodation and size down below: what can you put up with / what can't you? b) overall condition c) price: if you're looking for a decent Twister you'll likely pay over £20K. A good 26-27ft FB derivative will start around £10K, but expect to spend up to £12-15K if you want one in top condition for its year. The Trintella 29 is a really nice boat, but as rare as hen's teeth when I was looking two years ago...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Victoria 26 should be added to your list.

[/ QUOTE ]



Are you poorly? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
The poor deluded man wanted a short long keel boat, rather than a proper job, so I tried to answer.

I suppose you could consider a cat with low aspect ratio keels, a long keeler, but that is taking it a bit far.
 
Although I have never had any of these I would be tempted by a Halycon 27, they seem to offer a lot of boat for the money - but as said, with anything popular (in it's day) it means their are plenty of rough examples around.

But given your plans (even if only dreams at the moment) I would suggest that (Budget permitting and finding a "good" example) as they are pretty much as good as each other that you go give alot of thought to just choosing the model which offers the best headroom! What is acceptable for a weekend (or even a couple of week)s may do your nut in - possibly litterally! - after a couple of months! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
What a great response!. Thank you.
I am currently following up some of the ideas and possibilities. Please keep publishing the advice and explanations. I recall a saying that "there are 2 days when boat owners celebrate: the day they buy and the day they sell!" So I want to be sure this decision is a good one and am not rushing into anything.
Again many thanks, and don't stop the flow!
Ed
PS if anyone wants to part-ex for a VW Karmann Ghia, that'd increase my budget. (and no I don't suppose you do)!
 
Rustler 31, if you can find one. Compact, but a true long keel and sail beautifully by all accounts. Someone else has already mentioned Twisters - they are really pretty as well and worth a look.
 
If you are only looking at long keel boats then you would rule out the Pioneer 9 however it is extreamly seaworthy, very capable of doing what you want, has slightly more room than the contessa 26 or folkboat and are reasonably priced. Yes they do have a fin keel but it is long and shallow and I sail mine alone without a problem. Take a look at my web site or drop me a PM for more details.

Yoda
 
yoda said:
If you are only looking at long keel boats then you would rule out the Pioneer 9 however it is extreamly seaworthy, very capable of doing what you want, has slightly more room than the contessa 26 or folkboat and are reasonably priced. Yes they do have a fin keel but it is long and shallow and I sail mine alone without a problem. Take a look at my web site or drop me a PM for more details.

Yoda
Click to expand...

there was a woman who sailed a Pioneer 9 across the Atlantic in the 70s singlehanded.
cant remember her name off hand
 
Remember at the price point that many of these boats will be on the market, the hulls and all the basics come free.

Their 'value' lies exclusively in the bits you get with them. Remember that with a boat offered at £15000 that has a replacement engine (<5 years old), sails less than 8 years old, cruising chute, decent canvas (<4 years old), rig less than five, slightly oversized anchor, rust free chain, etc, you will just be paying for these bits. If an alternative doesn't have all these, their value is zero. In fact, even if you were offered some boats for 'free', the more expensive ones might still be cheaper before you set off on your cruise.

So Caveat Emptor!
Make a spread sheet and enter the replacement value of each item and then depreciate everything on the inventory and included in the purchase price against a appropriate 'right-off' time. These are, for example:
All electronics: 4 years (ie anything older than this has no value)
Rig: 10 years
Engine: 15 years
Sails: 10 years
Outboard: 5 years
etc

This will enable you to compare different boats with different inventories. Most are offered for sale for the price the owner or broker finds similar models offered for in the adverts in PBO. They then reduce prices by a grand if they know there's knackered, but rarely more.
 
Another vote for the Halmatic 30 which ticks any boxes for you around £23-26K accommodation can vary as some were home completed, but a good fast safe sailer that is on my list when my replacement can be afforded - if I dare!


ianat182
 
TimBennet said:
Remember at the price point that many of these boats will be on the market, the hulls and all the basics come free.
Click to expand...

But not all boats are the same, our Halcyon 27 is only a 2 berth with pilot berth. It has been much modified outside and inside, so bears no relationship to a standard version, which was why we bought it. So just looking at age of equipment is only one consideration. A boat with older equipment may have a more comfortable layout, updating some navigation equipment could be cheaper than improving the interior layout.

So look at the overall package, boats of this age are not all standard layout.

Brian
 
I am with Halcyon on this one. I have a Halcyon 27 which I bought from a shipwright in Cornwall who had refitted her to a very high standard, which was reflected in the surveyors report and subsequently the comfortable cruising we have had in her.
I think that the secret is to get the right example rather than the right make.

This is showing as a rekindled thread from an OP in 2006 on my computer - is that right?
 
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