the perfect boat

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boatsteve

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Can anyone give a good steer on this. We have 3 kids 7-10 all good at dinghy sailing, I have owned boats all my life my wife is not keen on dinghys. We are looking for a low cost small good/fast sailing cruiser, definately something we can stay in for a couple of days at a time and sufficeintly seaworthy to make good passages. Bilge keel would be best as we want to moor around the exe estuary. We recently looked at a hurley 22 and whilst we liked the boat and its sailing qualities its just too small, as the kids get bigger it will be impossible. I guess we are going to be looking for something in the 24- 30 range. We are very handy so are willing to take on something that requires work but its got to be/fglass. So what should it be?
 
A Westerly Tempest would be good. The layout we had had 2 double aft cabins and room in the saloon - so lots of space - with a heads and huge storage locker forward (you could put bikes and all sorts in there!).

Bilge keeler yet still sailed well and was lively when you pushed her. 31ft so in your range (just) looking at around £30k ish for a reasonable one (although may be able to pick up a shabby one for less)

You don't indicate your budget - this may help with suggestions ...

Jonny
 
Do not exclude looking at a Multihull. They have the speed factor already experienced in dinghies, and stay level most of the time. Easy on the exe, and enough room for the whole family. Look at Telstars, and Hirondelles for low budget boats , You should find a reasonable one for less than a new dinghy!
 
Its mostly about your taste and budget.
Define the 'must have' characteristics then look at individual boats. If you're looking at older boats, something well maintained, equipped to suit you is as important as the make and model. Its quite easy to spend a lot of time and cash on a boat without actually increasing its value much. It's a buyer's market so be bold with the offers.
If a particular model finds favour, a wanted ad in the owners forum, or a few calls to the class association can find boats without a broker's cut.
 
Almost impossible to say without a budget ,assuming it`s not un limited ----but even if it was ,there really is no such thing as a perfect boat.
 
3 Kids + 2 adults means there is a real need for useable space .

8m Catalac will be too small.

9m Catalac would be good, and there will be room in the cockpit and to spare for whole family

Heavenly twins would also be a reasonable choice, provided at least 2 dont mind sharing. But cockpit space is constrained.


Multihull world is a good starting point.
 
Could find a Westerley Centaur in that budget if it needs a bit of tidying. Have a look around local yards & clubs. You will find lots of boats you have never heard of - no sweat, Google 'em for basic info.
 
£10k gives you a huge range of 70's and 80's 25-27 ft bilge keelers in working order. Safe bet is a Centaur, firstly because there are so many around and for sale that you very quickly get a fix on price and secondly there is always a ready market when you want to move on and up. Others to consider are Sabres, Snapdragons, Jaguars, Macwesters etc etc. All will do the job you want of gaining experience and introducing your family to the delights of sailing/cruising. Don't get hung up about ultimate sailing performance - you won't get it at this price/size and still have good accomodation. You will get a sound boat, but watch the upgrades, particularly engines where the originals are getting near the end of their life

Good luck
 
Kingfisher?

I've sailed both the 26 and the 30. The 30 has an aft cabin with room for 2 and you also have 2 in the saloon and 2 in the forepeak.
The 26 is also very comfortable but lacks the additional aft cabin.

Visit www.kyoa.com and you'll get some good pics etc
 
[ QUOTE ]
Most of the boats mentioned here (apart from the multis) will bore dinghy sailing kids in short order IMHO

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree: 7- 10 yr olds just get bored on cruisers: "look at the lovely view" "Yes, great, what are we going to DO now?"

Bottom line is that there just is not enough to DO on cruisers to keep kids occupied. Mine retreated to the forecabin with their computers (Spectrum and an Amstrad with a 12v portable telly for a monitor) - even then it was "Dad - you've crashed the computer again" if I tried to start the engine! ('tried' - it was a Stuart turner!) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The moment we arrived in harbour, or beached somewhere, interest in 'cruising' was instantly regenerated, and off they would go exploring. But being at sea was just 'boring', so for the duration cruising consisted harbour hopping with a couple of days stop at each. It is fatally easy to put kids off the whole boating scene at that age with the time and disciplines required for safe family cruising.

Unless you happen to have John, Susan, Titty and Roger for kids, along with Nancy and Peggy in the next boat!

That age needs dinghies a) to learn about how boats work, and b) to find out safely what happens when you do it wrong!

In other words they need boats they can take with them when they go swimming! That needs a large enough parent boat to accomodate 2-3 Oppies or whatever on deck.
 
I agree with the sentiments expressed and would like to take it further still. It's all too easy to reduce a non-sailing spouse to a similar state of total boredom. Believe me, I have done it. Sailing, obviously, should be a pleasurable experience for all parties. It's important to remember that different people can gain diverse things from similar experiences. If SWMBO wants to swim or sun herself or even fish occasionally then let her. Find a suitable place, drop the hook and enjoy. Leisure time is precious!
 
Another good option for you would be a Carter 33.... some around just very slightly over your budget, but you might get it down to the line with the current economic climate....

Very solid and dependable boats, and lots of room below for a family......
 
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