This is going to REALLY open up a BIG can of worms

[zambant]

I need some help and advice as to which boat to buy next.

I have been really happy with my Jaguar 22 swing keel but its time to go for a slightly bigger boat.

My absolute requirements are Bilge keeler - my marina is mud.

My absolute available to spend is £6000 plus survey and moving the boat (have cash in pocket .

Must be capable of sailing it less than single handed (have 7 year old daughter )

I'm based in the Solent.

I have been looking at Jaguar 25's - (stick with that which I have some knowledge of?)

I'm sure many of you can help with some advice and I follow this forum with interest - its been a real help to me over the past 2 years.

So please feel free to comment and give your opinions.

Many thanks

John

 

[reginaldon]

Not very big so far!

 

[Gelmaster]

Noooo neeed Reginaldon! lowest form of wit!!!

if i could help you me old ship mate with your quest for a new rig and loads of excellent family time for you and your daughter, i would be the first dude!! Good luck with your search !

 

[simonfraser]

hirondelle catamaran, u can def sail that on your own, extra space, more stability, your doughter will love it.

they cost a few k more, but if you make some one an offer in december . . . .

 

[ghostlymoron]

quick look at boatshed reveals the following:-
Westerly Centaur - no experience but very popular
Macwester 26 - robust but stubby keels mean not good to windward
Colvic Sailer - robust and sail well
Snapdragon 747 - good seaboat Mirage which is similar, sails v well
Of these I would go for Snapdragon. All boats in this size/pricerange will be old but mostly solid layup. Also the engines may be a bit long in tooth - if you can find one thats been re-engined it would be an advantage.

 

[richardsn9]

If you could go a little higher, a Centaur is an excellent sea boat, dries out well and has loads of room for its size.
I may know of one for you to have a look at in Poole if you pm me.

 

[red beard]

Hello the centaur is great, had one for a few years and loved it but for 6 grand it would have to be in a really bad state I sold mine for 12 thousand and that was years ago. I would be looking at the pageant, just as good but a wee bit cheaper and brilliant inside space.

 

[ianat182]

Your budget rather limits choice ,even the Westerly Pageants which I'd have suggested would be around £5500 to 8000, but they are bilge keeled and a lot of room for the money. Just check the keel bolts have been strengthened if the prospect has been on a half-tide or mud mooring for any period of time,also engine age and condition. A Leisure 23SL is more boat than it sounds and performs well too. A Trapper ts240 would also be a fair choice with sporty potential as well as a decent cabin and trailerable.Not a lot of them about though. Sadlers 25/26 are probably above your budget ,but are fine boats for singlehanded sailing, and fair size below.

 

[Tranona]

You will struggle with that budget to get a ready to go, good condition boat that meets your spec. There are many old bilge kelers of that size and they often change hands for low amounts because they are in poor condition or need significant expenditure on something major like the engine.

At this end of the market you have to search out the bargains because few are advertised widely or placed with brokers because there is no money in it. You are fortunate that in the 100 miles or so from Poole to Chichester you have a vast choice of boatyards and sailing clubs to investigate.

You can't be too fussy about specific models as the all important things are condition and equipment. As others have already noted, stepping up the budget to around £10k gets you into a different league. There is more choice and given the higher value a better chance of finding one in good condition.

 

[Cloona]

have a look at a Trident if you can find one

 

[matt1]

All the usual suspect here, Centaur etc. Howver I doubt you will get a Centaur all in for 6k.

You would, however, get a Tomahawk. Would probably need a bit of rwork for that price. Is faster than a Centaur. Very seaworthy and much more stylish

25' loa, beam 8'6'' and draft in bilge keel of 3' ideal for the Solent

 

[Gumpy]

Snapdragon 747.
Bought mine 2 years ago £3600 3 year old beta10, good sails, new cooker, VHF, tiller pilot. AFAICT a steal. I've now paid more in moorings than the boat cost.

 

[zarathustra]

Is a Centaur on ebay for £5,500 buy it now price, based in Poole

search 190454076067 on ebay

 

[V1701]

There's a re-engined bilge keeled Hurley 24/70 for sale here (scroll down a bit) for £6995. More info on Yachtsnet archives here. Good luck and enjoy looking...

 

[tcm]

aha, but he asked for a boat that can sailed "less than singlehanded" ??

 

[duncan]

Must be capable of sailing it less than single handed (have 7 year old daughter )

this seems to me to be the biggest challenge in your list.......

 

[oldharry]

have a look at a Trident if you can find one

I second that, as a Trident owner. 2 or 3 possibles, and loadsa info here: http://www.trident24.com/cgi-bin/forsale-index.pl

 

[Trident 24]

Trident?

I'd have one.....

 

[Lucky Duck]

A Leisure 23SL is more boat than it sounds and performs well too.

I'd echo the comment about the Leisure 23SL or if the budget doesn't stretch to one of those then Leisure 23 as they share same hull, rig and interior layout with the difference being the deck molding.

Actually I'm quite surprised the Anderson 22 hasn't already been mentioned on this thread yet, it seems to appear everywhere else

 

[Severnman]

Foxhound 24, you will get good safe boating for your brass. Bilge keels available, many with inboard diesels and easily single handed.