Thinking of going to the dark side

[rwoofer]

I'm not sure the crew size of a racing boat is a fair comparison as they are trying to get every last fraction of a knot out of the vessel without concern for manpower.

Magnum, having followed your posts on the mobo forum I know that you will put a lot of effort into getting this right. You are spot on with your comment above. The secret is too specifically look for boats designed for shorthanded sailing (hence why I singled out the shipman). There are plenty of boats at all size ranges that have been setup for shorthanded sailing. Given your height I think 45 foot is probably the smallest that will fit you. The only way I could downsize was to accept that I wouldn't be able to stand up fully.

I think catamarans are a good idea with SWMBO in mind, but if you are planning to keep it in SoF I think you will struggle on the berthing front. They just take up too much quayside, so you'll end up buying a massively oversized berth. TCN would be the chap to talk too, but I have the feeling he spends most of the time at anchor in the med.

 

[watersideboatsales]

Have you considered a Moody 64?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Having got used to a bit of space, we are looking at something a bit smaller than our current Predator 72, so around say 56-62 feet. I have my Day Skipper and have some UK but fairly extensive med experience including a trip last year from Antibes to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Tunisia. But I am most definitely not an experienced sailor, although I learn quickly....


I'm also a tall chap (6ft7in), like to cook on board, so headroom is important.

Any suggestions gratefully received

TCM of this parish went through a similar process a few years back - big squirty mobo to rag and stick. He elected to go to a catamaran, in which he cruises between the Med and the Carib, depending on the weather and price of rum. He's also tall, though probably a inch or two less than you.

If you want a chat he's only an occassional visitor here nowadays, although a PM might reach him, or maybe you can make contact via his voyaging blog.

http://blog.mailasail.com/mojomo

Seems he's currently in the Balearix.

 

[Magnum]

Thanks. Met TCM many times, mainly when waist deep in Rose

 

[Sgeir]

Ah, so! Who is this Rose, please?

 

[Magnum]

Ah, so! Who is this Rose, please?

Not that Rose, this Rosé

 

[Billy_Mizzen]

Go with the Oyster! The 575 is a really good boat and easily sailed shorthanded & the 625 is going to be a fantastic boat especially if you’re looking for space & comfort. Oyster also does great customer care, their British designed and built and also put on a whole host of events/regattas to take part in.

 

[Magnum]

I'm quite interested in the Bordeaux 60. On paper it seems to tick many boxes although I am fully aware that that doesn't mean a great deal without a sea-trial/charter/real world usage etc.

They do appear to be well rated and perform pretty good too - 1st and 3rd in the ARC 2008 and a class win in this year's Round the Island Race.

Min headroom is 2m.

Semi-custom build sounds good although I'm not really in a position to take advantage of the choice of technical options. Might need some help if we get that far!

Thanks to all for the information to date

 

[benjenbav]

What you want is one of these:

This one snapped - as I think you might well know - in Port Vauban.

 

[benjenbav]

Or go the whole hog and sacrifice it all to style and go for one of these:

 

[Twister_Ken]

Or go the whole hog and sacrifice it all to style and go for one of these:

Not much headroom, I suspect, in one of them thar classics.

 

[AIDY]

I'm quite interested in the Bordeaux 60. On paper it seems to tick many boxes although I am fully aware that that doesn't mean a great deal without a sea-trial/charter/real world usage etc.

They do appear to be well rated and perform pretty good too - 1st and 3rd in the ARC 2008 and a class win in this year's Round the Island Race.

Min headroom is 2m.

Semi-custom build sounds good although I'm not really in a position to take advantage of the choice of technical options. Might need some help if we get that far!

Thanks to all for the information to date

Mmm Bordeaux 60 disco inferno used to be a charter bordeaux 60 belonging to matt abis. it's one of the 2 bordeaux 60 entered into the arc again this year.... but it looks like he may of sold it on to a new owner, i was going to suggest getting in contact with him. never sailed one but they tick all the boxes for me.

 

[Sybarite]

http://www.allboatsavenue.com/amel-54

There is also a new 64'.

 

[Richard Shead]

Would that be the one Waterside boat sales are selling?

Have you considered a Moody 64?

........

 

[mcframe]

Or go the whole hog and sacrifice it all to style and go for one of these:

Nahh, this is the whole hog:

http://www.boats.com/boat-details/HMS-Pickle-topsail-schooner/15764381


Semi-seriously: Check the Southerlys - after a Mobo, you might find the constraints of >2.5m draught an issue for mooring and off-beach anchoring.

 

[BrendanS]

http://www.allboatsavenue.com/amel-54

There is also a new 64'.

Hehe
I was about to suggest an Amel as well. Power assisted everything
http://www.amel.fr/

and lots of goodies on board, perfect for a large mobo owner going to yacht ownership

 

[diamtour]

Bordeaux 60

Hey Magnum,
I am very interested in the Bordeaux 60. It seems to tick all the boxes to me too. My only concerns are how it performs in heavy weather, as my backyard is Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. It certainly has nice lines, great design, great interior. Cockpit seems a bit exposed, ie no dodger. Like the aluminum framing, as production yachts are often a bit flimsy and tend to bang a bit. The bordeaux seems to have speed. I have not been able to find too many reviews from owners, simply a website for Dumia, and the CNB site of course. Stay in touch and good luck with your search
Cheers
Andrew

 

[diamtour]

HI Magnum,
I too am interested in the Bordeaux 60 for similar reasons, however I am more vertically challenged than you at 185. I too have my day skipper. I can't seem to find any reviews of how she handles in heavy weather, which is a big issue for me as my backyard is Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Most of the big production yachts are fine in the Med, but not quite as good when the going gets seriously heavy. Otherwise she seems to be fine for short handed sailing, well laid out. I like the clean cockpit. i wonder what it is like getting around that big beamy saloon at heel. Found some more pics from a site http://dumia.net/ There is also a nice VR at http://360est.com/photo.php?id=729 If you get to sail on one, please let me know.

 

[emsworthy]

Mmm Bordeaux 60 disco inferno used to be a charter bordeaux 60 belonging to matt abis. it's one of the 2 bordeaux 60 entered into the arc again this year.... but it looks like he may of sold it on to a new owner, i was going to suggest getting in contact with him. never sailed one but they tick all the boxes for me.

I can't recall if I posted this before (apologies if I have) but my mate's company manages the Bodeaux 60 that won its class in the RTIR this year. It was also used as the show boat for Southampton last year shortly after delivery. Based out of Lymington it is occassionally used for seleted skippered charter but if you're a serious punter I'm certain something could be arranged between CNB and the owner to get you a sail.

http://www.universalyachtcharter.co.uk/cnb-bordeaux-60.php

Hope this is useful.

Tim

 

[MacMan]

TCM of this parish went through a similar process a few years back - big squirty mobo to rag and stick. He elected to go to a catamaran, in which he cruises between the Med and the Carib, depending on the weather and price of rum. He's also tall, though probably a inch or two less than you.

If you want a chat he's only an occassional visitor here nowadays, although a PM might reach him, or maybe you can make contact via his voyaging blog.

http://blog.mailasail.com/mojomo

Seems he's currently in the Balearix.

5th (?) vote for cats - with your kind of budget look round any brand new 45 foot or so and take the SWMBO - and then you will be buying a cat ;-)

This kind of thing http://www.fountaine-pajot.com/index.php/catamarans/show/24/photos

Even my poor little 33 foot has a kingsize bed (and five guest berths)

I wish I had your budget - most work harder and stop surfing web...