Step-Up Yacht / Med Cruiser Suggestions (Affordable)

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FirstinLastout

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Hi All,

Here’s my attempt at a Dreamer’s “Which RTW Yacht?” thread so hopefully some of you can chip in.
Whilst the long-term goal is to sail towards the horizon with friendly bow dancing dolphins, round the five capes, exploring remote glacial fjords and drinking rum from hammocks in the tropics all that is still some way off in the distance.
Instead, our current daydreams involve a realistic craft that will function as a step-up.

Currently we sail a 22ft Etap, have a couple of beginner & refresher courses completed, club races ‘round the buoys and making up the crew on boats when available, with the hope of Day Skipper, Nav, whatever sometime next year.

A more immediate goal is perhaps a sabbatical of 9 – 12 months where we’d hope to take in, say Scotland, Scandinavia, Iberia, Mediterranean… the usual basically, in the hope that we’ll determine if we’re cut out for sailing away together, the confined close quarters, endless docking etc etc.

So basically, a MOB of 32ish old fashioned imperial feet long within a budget of 30k e.g. I’ve noted several Centurian 32’s, Sadler 32’s for +/- 25k.
A
few years of sailing around the bay, messing about within the club, couple times ‘round Ireland, a Scotch Run or two all the while as we invest in and improve the boat before going further afield.
Ideally as simple as possible, both for complexity and expense purposes, tiller steered, no unusual or complex sail plan or rigging.

The short-list of manky gems includes…
Wauquiez Centurian 32, Wauquiez Gladiator 33
Sadler 32 & 34
Etap 30
Beneteau First 32 & 325
Gib'sea 96 Master & 312
Jeanneau Symphonie & Attalia

I’m sure there are many coastal cruisers that would be appropriate that I’m not aware of… Elan? Dufour?? Scandinavian manufacturers??
Anything else folks???
 
Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your dream.

Currently we have a Dufour38 based in Portugal. The only bit of advice I would offer is that purchasing a boat is not the real expense, rather the running costs and bigger the boat the greater the overheads. Conversely, we would not wish to live on anything much smaller than 35ft.
 
FirstinLastout said:
...immediate goal is perhaps a sabbatical of 9 – 12 months where we’d hope to take in, say Scotland, Scandinavia, Iberia, Mediterranean… the usual basically, in the hope that we’ll determine if we’re cut out for sailing away together, the confined close quarters, endless docking etc etc.

I’m sure there are many coastal cruisers that would be appropriate that I’m not aware of… Elan? Dufour?? Scandinavian manufacturers?? Anything else folks???
Click to expand...

Assuming it's a crew of just two? Then unless you're very tall I'd recommend checking out the Albin Vega. That's what we chose for exactly that type of sabbatical. You'll find a well sorted one in the UK for less than £10k, so your budget should buy the boat, pay for any upgrades and still leave a substantial chunk to help pay for the cruise itself.

Be warned - our own 'two year sabbatical' turned into 17 years afloat.
 
Any of those boats is capable of doing that sort of cruising. However your ideas of what might be achieved in a 9-12 month sabbatical are overly ambitious. You might do Scotland and the Baltic, or down the western Atlantic coast to Portugal, but not both. Remember northern waters only give you a maximum of 8 months sailing a year and in that time you might spend about 70%+ not sailing. So living in harbour or at anchor is perhaps more of a priority that you might think. I agree a Moody 33 or similar size Westerly or Countess are worthy of consideration because of the extra space they offer.

Success in this sort of plan is more dependent on the crew and preparedness than the model of boat. With a budget limited to £30k, condition and equipment are far more important than the specific design and you may well struggle to find and equip a 30-34' boat in that budget simply because after 30-40 years' use much will be well into its useful life and boats for sale are usually those which need more work/expense than the current owner can justify. It is only worth buying and upgrading such boats yourself if you intend keeping them a longish time to get the use out of the investment. I have just bought such a boat and have already budgeted as much as I paid for the boat on replacements/upgrades. Of course it depends on the level of kit that you can live with, but with basic sails about £3k and electronics at least the same, it is easy to see how £10k could disappear very quickly, as will 12 months getting the boat and yourself up to scratch.

Good luck with your boat search.
 
My first keel boat was a First 305 (30'6" LOA) and it was a lovely boat, not least because the POs had lavished care upon it. Sailed well, comfortable accommodation for a couple. You can expect change from £20k giving a fair sized pot for tweaks. It's the only boat I've ever bought that didn't leave me wondering at times if I should have bought something else.
 
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mrming said:
Westerly Fulmar. Tillered steered, large interior, good manners, not too slow, fractional rig so the sails are easy to handle. Your budget will get a very nice one. I would suggest the fin keel version for the type of sailing you’re planning.
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Thanks for that MrMing.
Ease of handling is definitely a consideration.
My wife's ability & physical strength is something to factor into account when sailing together; other times it would likely be myself solo, or at best myself and a lesser experienced friend, so again ease of handling is a big positive,

Regular draft keels would be the preferred, and while being able to dry-out would occasionally be useful, bilge keels not essential on the Atlantic Irish coast.
 
nortada said:
Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your dream.

Currently we have a Dufour38 based in Portugal. The only bit of advice I would offer is that purchasing a boat is not the real expense, rather the running costs and bigger the boat the greater the overheads. Conversely, we would not wish to live on anything much smaller than 35ft.
Click to expand...

Thanks nortada!
Yes, it's easy to loose the run of yourself thinking that getting the boat is the hard bit, buy it and head over the horizon.
Owning our smaller sailboat over the last 18 months or so has made that apparent, and even at that it's generally cost us very little to maintain despite regular use.

Whilst we crewed on a 38 footer recently I certainly thought it'd be perfect if only we could lose 4 or so fellow crew members in port... but yes, with costs rising exponentially per foot, mooring fees etc we'll limit ourselves to the 30+/- foot range.
 
Stemar said:
If your budget is £30k, don't reckon on spending more than £25k max on the boat; you'll need the other £5k, if not more, to get it ready to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks Stemar for your response!
Budget is somewhat flexible, but I know that 5k won't go very far if you're unlucky.
From my previous experience with various projects I'd consider it best practice to buy the best condition at the outset.
 
BobnLesley said:
Assuming it's a crew of just two? Then unless you're very tall I'd recommend checking out the Albin Vega. That's what we chose for exactly that type of sabbatical. You'll find a well sorted one in the UK for less than £10k, so your budget should buy the boat, pay for any upgrades and still leave a substantial chunk to help pay for the cruise itself.

Be warned - our own 'two year sabbatical' turned into 17 years afloat.
Click to expand...

Hi BobnLesley, thanks for that.

Yes, I'd be very aware of the Albin Vega.
I had looked at one previously when we were beginning to dip our toes into the water. although that boat needed an interior refit and whilst I'd be happy enough to consider such work we really just wanted to get sailing and use the boat asap.
Equally the trailer-sailer meant that we've had more use of the boat over the recent lock-downs.
There is a Vega within the club that I've admired so I'll have a closer look when opportunity allows next season and it does seem to fall into best bang for your buck category so would we really miss those extra few feet loa???
 
capnsensible said:
Moody 33. 1977 version. :cool:
Click to expand...
Cheers capnsensible!

I have not really looked at the Moody's although the 33 is wheel steered so that, provisionally rules that out.... but then there's an aft cabin, central cockpit!?
Every boat is a compromise anyways, and you're at the mercy of what is both available and in good condition.

I've noted that the Moody 31 seems to tick quite a few boxes esp. it having an aft positioned heads.
Generally the opinions are positive on this model, yes?
What was the standard of finish on this era of Moody, I'd always thought that they were considered at the higher end of the market... perhaps I'd just perceived them wrongly?
 
Most of the advice already provided is sound and should be followed. Look for a boat that has had recent replacements of engine, sails and rigging.

I bought a Westerly Fulmar with a fin keel in Dec 2013 and have been bringing it back to an as new condition with some modern upgrades. Having done all the work myself, it has cost more than it cost buy, but I have a boat exactly as I want it and it is very nearly completed. In September it was the Westerly Owners Association boat at the Southampton Boat Show, if you missed the show then this short video will give you an idea of what a Fulmar is like.
Not all of the work I have done is necessary to sail a boat but this PowerPoint presentation will give you an idea. https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/3/3f/Concerto.pdf

The exact boat you choose is not critical, but if you are spending a lot of time on a boat then make sure it is comfortable to live on and be on - sailing and moored. Shallow flat stern sections can get wave slap. Light weight hulls with skinny keels will tend to sail around at anchor rather than just move gently. Having all chain anchor rode will also steady you at anchor.

As to your plans for sailing, they are too ambitious. Next year I am singlehanded heading up the East Coast and stopping when I get to Shetland before returning down the other side. For this I expect to take about 5 months or the main part of the sailing season. This is a major trip and can be broken down into a number of easy long day sails, but you still have to allow time to look at places you visit and sit out adverse weather as well. This video will give you an idea of what you can expect.
This was part of a singlehanded trip in which I had planned to take 8 to 9 days to sail from Chatham to the Isles of Scilly, but did it in 6 days with a day off enroute.

Best of luck finding the right boat for you.
 
Tranona said:
Any of those boats is capable of doing that sort of cruising. However your ideas of what might be achieved in a 9-12 month sabbatical are overly ambitious. You might do Scotland and the Baltic, or down the western Atlantic coast to Portugal, but not both. Remember northern waters only give you a maximum of 8 months sailing a year and in that time you might spend about 70%+ not sailing. So living in harbour or at anchor is perhaps more of a priority that you might think. I agree a Moody 33 or similar size Westerly or Countess are worthy of consideration because of the extra space they offer.

Success in this sort of plan is more dependent on the crew and preparedness than the model of boat. With a budget limited to £30k, condition and equipment are far more important than the specific design and you may well struggle to find and equip a 30-34' boat in that budget simply because after 30-40 years' use much will be well into its useful life and boats for sale are usually those which need more work/expense than the current owner can justify. It is only worth buying and upgrading such boats yourself if you intend keeping them a longish time to get the use out of the investment. I have just bought such a boat and have already budgeted as much as I paid for the boat on replacements/upgrades. Of course it depends on the level of kit that you can live with, but with basic sails about £3k and electronics at least the same, it is easy to see how £10k could disappear very quickly, as will 12 months getting the boat and yourself up to scratch.

Good luck with your boat search.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tranona!

I suppose no more than a boat being a compromise so too would be the journey plans... Being exposed to the worst, and the best, of the North Atlantic some Sun & warmth would be top of the list. But with the actual journey being the adventure rather than the end destination there's no point in rushing it.
I have noted on a different thread many of the UK based members discussing flying to the Med, keeping a boat out there etc.
Our local airport is 35 mins away with regular flights to Faro.... so that opens up other possibilities too.

Our plans are provisional and based on what we would consider attractive but of course is very dependent on outside factors such as health of our parents over the next few years, our own health of course, changes in work situation, the economy collapsing, the pandemic going on forever, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together.... Mass hysteria!

It's easy to get carried away with romantic notions rather than being pragmatic about the realities of boat ownership and the limited cash reserves they can quickly eat into.
While I dream of a pristine Centurion 32 charging effortlessly Southward, gleaming white sails and a cabin of perfect cabinetry and deep lustrous wooden veneers it's probably more likely, as you say, to be an old craft, brittle 'round the edges with tired sails and has been banged against every dock from Lerwick to Istanbul.
We'd hope to have a couple of years to prepare, making gradual improvements and enjoying the experience locally before expanding our horizons... hopefully!
 
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