Small Yacht recommendations

The recommendations are coming in thick and fast which I do really appreciate. I think I need to give you some more details of my requirements which would probably knock out some of the suggestions so far. The reason I stated that a cabin is optional is because what I’m really looking for is something like a ‘day-boat plus’, I don’t have any plans to sleep in the boat and I have no diy skills, so the less facilities the boat has (sink, toilet, cooker, electrics etc) the less can go wrong and need fixing. My wife and I are just looking for day sailing, whilst sitting in a reasonable size cockpit without hitting our heads on the boom and would prefer bilge keels in case we run aground. We are aware that the boat will not run as fast as one with a fin keel but have no interest in racing but want to purely sail for pleasure. Our budget is circa £3k.
Hope this helps further suggestions
 
I’d only look at bilge keels if you INTEND to run it aground. Limiting choice because if something that will never happen* is not a great idea.

(It will never happen* if you learn competent navigation, which you should do before taking it out anyway. Now people will be along to say that accidents happen, and they’re right, but if you sail within your limitations- which I think your posts suggest you will- and you are sailing in an area without extreme tides, you will be fine).

I’ve sailed a wing keeled boat for the last 7 years in the UKs most tidal waters, and have never come close to running it aground*.

*there’s a first time for everything but he’ll be fine.

Edited to add now we have budget can you tell us where you intend to keep/sail it (might have missed that on various threads)

Edited edited: at that price point and all other things being equal i’d Fancy an Achilles 24. Never sailed them but often thought about how nice they would be as a small second boat for day use, and they are much more capable if you want them to be. And there is a rare-ish triple keel version I think.
 
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bitbaltic said:
I’d only look at bilge keels if you INTEND to run it aground. Limiting choice because if something that will never happen* is not a great idea.

(It will never happen* if you learn competent navigation, which you should do before taking it out anyway. Now people will be along to say that accidents happen, and they’re right, but if you sail within your limitations- which I think your posts suggest you will- and you are sailing in an area without extreme tides, you will be fine).

I’ve sailed a wing keeled boat for the last 7 years in the UKs most tidal waters, and have never come close to running it aground*.

*there’s a first time for everything but he’ll be fine.

Edited to add now we have budget can you tell us where you intend to keep/sail it (might have missed that on various threads)

Edited edited: at that price point and all other things being equal i’d Fancy an Achilles 24. Never sailed them but often thought about how nice they would be as a small second boat for day use.
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I intend to moor it and sail it on the river Medway (lots of mud apparently)
 
Goody said:
I intend to moor it and sail it on the river Medway (lots of mud apparently)
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Definitely look at the Achilles esp the bilge keel one then. They often seem to be in good nick at your price point.

Sure they have been suggested earlier in the thread. No idea about boom height but will fit most of your requirements, simple fit out, very capable. https://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/achilles-24/achilles-24.htm

Fins may be okay in mud, but navigation is the key to confidence going out.
 
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Plenty of fin keelers on the Medway. Plenty of mud but wide fairways in the main channels, and if you accidentally go aground, it is easier to get off again with a fin.

Lots of good clubs with deep water moorings at reasonable costs too. Of course you then have to have a tender yourself or a useful club launch to get to and from your moored boat.

Bilge would be better if you are thinking of a drying mooring, or a drying pontoon berth say at Gillingham marina.

The tidal currents in the Medway can be significant, you'd want an engine to get home sometimes if the wind won't do the job.
 
Why is it that only a very small amount of yachts have booms that only reach the companionway such as the Leisure 23. This seems much more convenient when your in the cockpit, you’d never have to worry about the boom hitting your head. Why weren’t more boats designed this way I wonder; is it to do with speed?
If you only wanted to cruise, why would you want the annoyance of having to keep ducking all the time?
 
I have sailed a few small cruisers, and I can't think of one where you would be in danger of the boom while seated in the cockpit. Standing yes, but not seated.

And how often are you really expecting an accidental gybe? I think it has happened twice that I can remember and that was carelessness not paying attention.

At £3K you will have loads of boats to choose from. Just go and look at what is available. Whatever you look at, put the sails up and see what condition they are in, and (not an obvious point) make sure they are the right sails for the boat. At that end of the market nobody is going to buy new sails for a boat, it might cost more than the boat is worth, so it's common to find second hand "nearly right" sails on old small boats.
 
How about a Drascombe ? Lovely sea-kindly comfortable boats, loose footed main so no boom anywhere, optional cuddy if you want a small cabin. Not fast, but shoal draft and ideal for exploring anywhere. The 'Lugger' is the original and to my mind nicest, but there are smaller sisters as well.
 
Goody said:
The recommendations are coming in thick and fast which I do really appreciate. I think I need to give you some more details of my requirements which would probably knock out some of the suggestions so far. The reason I stated that a cabin is optional is because what I’m really looking for is something like a ‘day-boat plus’, I don’t have any plans to sleep in the boat and I have no diy skills, so the less facilities the boat has (sink, toilet, cooker, electrics etc) the less can go wrong and need fixing. My wife and I are just looking for day sailing, whilst sitting in a reasonable size cockpit without hitting our heads on the boom and would prefer bilge keels in case we run aground. We are aware that the boat will not run as fast as one with a fin keel but have no interest in racing but want to purely sail for pleasure. Our budget is circa £3k.
Hope this helps further suggestions
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Don’t ignore the advantages of a decent cabin on any boat you go for, OK you intend only day sailing, but it’s very comforting when the weather suddenly changes for at least one of you to go down below and brew up. Sods Law rules all sailing activities and sooner or later that day sail will become an overnight, not through any fault of yours but just what happens when you are out in a boat, again a cabin will provide you with shelter if you are stuck out overnight, or have to wait for the tide/ind to turn in your favour.
There is also the addiction factor, if you really get the bug you’ll probably end up wanting to be out longer.
There have been a lot of sensible suggestions for boats on this thread, so your best bet is to get down to your nearest club/ harbour and look at some of these suggested boats and see if any of them suit your desires.
Definitely look at the Achilles, Anderson, Leisure, even a Mirror Offshore, with your budget there’s a wide choice but until you have stood on their deck and if possible tried them on the water you won’t really know what suits you.
 
Goody said:
Why is it that only a very small amount of yachts have booms that only reach the companionway such as the Leisure 23. This seems much more convenient when your in the cockpit, you’d never have to worry about the boom hitting your head. Why weren’t more boats designed this way I wonder; is it to do with speed?
If you only wanted to cruise, why would you want the annoyance of having to keep ducking all the time?
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It's down to cabin shape / length and the rig, both being dictated by the market the designer was asked to cater for.

The Leisure 23 is a lot more dedicated to space in the cabin than sailing performance, it's unusual for the boom not to overlap the cabin length.

On my Anderson - which is actually quite roomy for 22' with a good interior - but much more performance oriented - the boom comes halfway along the large cockpit, so the helmsperson can stand all the time if they feel like it, the crew stay seated while tacking or gybing.

This is handy as the helmsman can see to navigate say in a narrow channel while the sails are adjusted to suit.

I do strongly suggest you approach your nearest sailing club - you shouldn't have to join - and explain you'd like some crewing experience; there are always people looking for crew, very often for company and a hand with the sails, picking up moorings etc rather than an experienced Cape Horn veteran !

That way you could sample a variety of boats - dinghy and cruiser; and you may well find your ideas change after trying different designs.

Wherabouts are you based ? it may well be that people on here could offer you a go on their boats too.
 
You say you intend to moor and sail on the Medway - if that's the case I would go for something like a Drascombe as previously suggested. You don't need a "yacht" on the river, but you could still trail the boat to the sea or other rivers.
If you have time I would suggest you go to the Southampton Boat Show next month - yes there are a lot of super yachts etc but there is also a good selection of small day boats on show - and some exhibitors will take you out on the water to have a go.
Failing that then as previously suggested it would be a huge benefit to go to a few sailing clubs in your area that could give you some useful hints on the type of boat suitable for the Medway.
There is an active Drascombe Association - and they frequently hold rallies ( it may be there is one near you whereby you could see the range of models.
The boats are very basic, so very little to go wrong, always command a good secondhand price and there are boats in the range to suit different requirements, which you can see on the website.
Good luck!
 
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Goody said:
Why is it that only a very small amount of yachts have booms that only reach the companionway such as the Leisure 23. This seems much more convenient when your in the cockpit, you’d never have to worry about the boom hitting your head. Why weren’t more boats designed this way I wonder; is it to do with speed?
If you only wanted to cruise, why would you want the annoyance of having to keep ducking all the time?
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It will reflect how the designer tried to achieve sail area to displacement ratio and balance of the boat (keel design and pivot point) which will itself reflect the style of rig and other more nebulous considerations like racing trends.

In my experience most boats have booms which enter the cockpit. Older IOR type boats had large headsails and smaller mains on shorter booms reflecting racing handicaps at the time.

Most modern production cruisers I have sailed (Bavarias etc) have booms which will sweep the cockpit but not reach the helm position.

My own Hanse 301 has a very high sail area to displacement ratio, and her low boom sweeps the entire cockpit.

All boats balance about their keel, which is in the middle of the boat. So the driving forces either side need to be equal. This usually means bringing the boom back into the cockpit to achieve a controllable boat.

Have a look at a Fjord Cruiser 28 for an alternative concept.
 
Seajet said:
It's down to cabin shape / length and the rig, both being dictated by the market the designer was asked to cater for.

The Leisure 23 is a lot more dedicated to space in the cabin than sailing performance, it's unusual for the boom not to overlap the cabin length.

On my Anderson - which is actually quite roomy for 22' with a good interior - but much more performance oriented - the boom comes halfway along the large cockpit, so the helmsperson can stand all the time if they feel like it, the crew stay seated while tacking or gybing.

This is handy as the helmsman can see to navigate say in a narrow channel while the sails are adjusted to suit.

I do strongly suggest you approach your nearest sailing club - you shouldn't have to join - and explain you'd like some crewing experience; there are always people looking for crew, very often for company and a hand with the sails, picking up moorings etc rather than an experienced Cape Horn veteran !

That way you could sample a variety of boats - dinghy and cruiser; and you may well find your ideas change after trying different designs.

Wherabouts are you based ? it may well be that people on here could offer you a go on their boats too.
Click to expand...
I’m based in Kent and plan to sail on the Medway
 
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