Small Yacht recommendations

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Goody

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Hi all
Having previously posted on here asking for recommendations and receiving many (thanks :encouragement:) for a sailing boat with a high or short boom, I'm still looking.
I have decided now on something simpler (I hope). Can anyone recommend a boat no more than 22 foot in length which simply has a cockpit (similar to a Hurley 18) where one can sit in the cockpit (I'm 6 feet tall) and when the boom goes across to tack or gybe, it will clear my head; a cabin is optional, bilge keels would be preferable.
Thanks
 
Goody said:
Hi all
Having previously posted on here asking for recommendations and receiving many (thanks :encouragement:) for a sailing boat with a high or short boom, I'm still looking.
I have decided now on something simpler (I hope). Can anyone recommend a boat no more than 22 foot in length which simply has a cockpit (similar to a Hurley 18) where one can sit in the cockpit (I'm 6 feet tall) and when the boom goes across to tack or gybe, it will clear my head; a cabin is optional, bilge keels would be preferable.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Would something like a Drascombe Lugger (or Longboat) or a variant thereof work? Loose-footed sails won't knock you out if they do catch you...
 
Goody said:
thanks, but unfortunately the wife would prefer a boat similar in looks to the Hurley 18 with a higher boom (or deeper cockpit)
Click to expand...

Then go bigger in that same range...?? I have a bilge keel 20, the Hurley 22 is bigger again.. both have good reputations as seaworthy boats... spotted a 20 on eBay today for £500..
 
whatever you buy now will seem too small later. generally the bigger the boat the less of an issue it is avoiding the boom and moving about the cockpit. We went from a dinghy to an 18ft microcruiser, was better for cockpit ergonomics, avoiding the boom etc, but we soon found a tiny cabin was all but pointless so we went up to a 24ft yacht. it is easy to handle, roomy enough to stay over in and civilised enough to have a loo, and a cooker which just makes the whole experience more civilised. A bigger boat also has the advantage of being a floating caravan - even if you dont sail on it some days you can go stay on board. this adds to the useability of the boat, and the value in our opinion. By the way we find the 24fter easier than a dinghy, and the advantage of having an engine takes all the anxiety out of sailing inexperienced
 
Goody said:
thanks, but unfortunately the wife would prefer a boat similar in looks to the Hurley 18 with a higher boom (or deeper cockpit)
Click to expand...

As I think many said when you first asked this question, you are unlikely to find a boat that meets those specific requirements. There simply is not enough bulk in a boat that small to achieve it.

All you can do as suggested is look at boats for sale and try them out either by measuring or sitting at the helm.
 
Goody said:
Hi all
Having previously posted on here asking for recommendations and receiving many (thanks :encouragement:) for a sailing boat with a high or short boom, I'm still looking.
I have decided now on something simpler (I hope). Can anyone recommend a boat no more than 22 foot in length which simply has a cockpit (similar to a Hurley 18) where one can sit in the cockpit (I'm 6 feet tall) and when the boom goes across to tack or gybe, it will clear my head; a cabin is optional, bilge keels would be preferable.
Thanks
Click to expand...

A Sea Wych satisfies this requirement. Ample sitting head room, and sleeping space, for a 6 footer in a spacious cabin too.
 
Slightly bigger and since you have a mooring, why not consider a Hirondelle catamaran?

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=5019
hirondellebgcolor013lr.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7pNKx9w8N0
 
Another option is the Leisure 17, they’re maybe a bit long in the tooth but they were solidly built bilge keeler and a safe sail. Can be towed and often do come with a trailer. Our first ‘cruiser’ was a Leisure17 after bombing around in a Mirror dinghy.
Moored in Mudeford we often popped across to Cherbourg in it.
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Then go bigger in that same range...?? I have a bilge keel 20, the Hurley 22 is bigger again.. both have good reputations as seaworthy boats... spotted a 20 on eBay today for £500..
Click to expand...

Thanks Fantasie.......in your Hurley 20, can a 6 foot person like me, feel confident that when the boom swings over on a tack or a gybe, it will clear my head?
 
solent clown said:
whatever you buy now will seem too small later. generally the bigger the boat the less of an issue it is avoiding the boom and moving about the cockpit. We went from a dinghy to an 18ft microcruiser, was better for cockpit ergonomics, avoiding the boom etc, but we soon found a tiny cabin was all but pointless so we went up to a 24ft yacht. it is easy to handle, roomy enough to stay over in and civilised enough to have a loo, and a cooker which just makes the whole experience more civilised. A bigger boat also has the advantage of being a floating caravan - even if you dont sail on it some days you can go stay on board. this adds to the useability of the boat, and the value in our opinion. By the way we find the 24fter easier than a dinghy, and the advantage of having an engine takes all the anxiety out of sailing inexperienced
Click to expand...

very interesting information, thanks Solent :encouragement:
 
I have an Etap22i - lifting keel, but boom is well away from your head when sitting in the cockpit ( I am 6foot ).
 
Tranona said:
As I think many said when you first asked this question, you are unlikely to find a boat that meets those specific requirements. There simply is not enough bulk in a boat that small to achieve it.

All you can do as suggested is look at boats for sale and try them out either by measuring or sitting at the helm.
Click to expand...

yep, fair point Tranona
 
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