What boat now?

boatmike

boatmike

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At 78 years young I have sailed most things but now looking for a smaller boat that is comfortable and easily handled for pottering around the channel in my dotage. Have been a catamaran fan in the past and Prout Event 34 is one option but high berthing costs are an issue. Have owned an Aquastar 33 motor boat for a while but bored s***less at motoring around and want to get back to sailing. 33/35 ft seems big enough but want a comfortable cruiser not a high performance lightweight. Needs to be "stiff" under sail as wife used to cats so thinking of a westerly seahawk or moody 346 but have no experience of sailing centre cockpit boats so any comments or informed advice would be very welcome. does the high centre cockpit feel exposed and feel less comfortable than an aft cockpit? Are they reasonably easy to sail single handed with say in mast reefing main and roller furling lines brought back to cockpit? Will my wife find boarding etc difficult with high coamings etc? Would I be better looking at conventional aft cockpit boats? What does the fulorum think?
 
cherod said:
i have heard say , " once a cat , never go back " .
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That comment generally comes from those who have less experience and an interest in the silly feud between multihull and monohull sailors. There are lots of advantages that cats have but there is no such thing as a perfect boat and I for one have an open mind. Experienced multihull sailors will tell you that there is little contest in cats of 36ft and upwards where bridge deck height is sufficient to minimise slamming and hobby-horsing is less of an issue and cost is not an issue either but in smaller sizes they are not so good and windward performance becomes even more significant than in larger ones. They are also considerably more expensive to buy, maintain and berth. I have seen some really nice looking westerly seahawks and moody 346s for around £50K or less. Cant find a reasonable cat for that and want a smaller boat now anyway.
 
I've only owned one centre cockpit monohull: a Moody 33.

She's definitely a boat we look back on with very great fondness.

She took us round much of the UK and Ireland, and down to the Mediterranean (via the French inland waterways).

I certainly never felt any more exposed, or any less comfortable, than I have in any of our after cockpit boats (possibly the reverse, in fact).

It also split up the accommodation nicely, and made things feel a bit more 'private' when guests joined us (though more modern aft-cockpit boats do this anyway eg our current Westerly Falcon).

I've also owned a couple of cats, and would very happily do so again. We loved both our Reg White/ Seacraft Comanche and our delightfully eccentric Wharram Pahi..

Anyway, to answer your question (at last!): no, I don't think you'd necessarily be better looking at aft cockpit boats. Many other factors are way more important eg age, condition, location, engine, sails, rigging, etc.

Emjoy your searching!
 
boatmike said:
At 78 years young I have sailed most things but now looking for a smaller boat that is comfortable and easily handled for pottering around the channel in my dotage. Have been a catamaran fan in the past and Prout Event 34 is one option but high berthing costs are an issue. Have owned an Aquastar 33 motor boat for a while but bored s***less at motoring around and want to get back to sailing. 33/35 ft seems big enough but want a comfortable cruiser not a high performance lightweight. Needs to be "stiff" under sail as wife used to cats so thinking of a westerly seahawk or moody 346 but have no experience of sailing centre cockpit boats so any comments or informed advice would be very welcome. does the high centre cockpit feel exposed and feel less comfortable than an aft cockpit? Are they reasonably easy to sail single handed with say in mast reefing main and roller furling lines brought back to cockpit? Will my wife find boarding etc difficult with high coamings etc? Would I be better looking at conventional aft cockpit boats? What does the fulorum think?
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I (at 62) bought a pilothouse ketch (Cromarty 36). I wanted to sail and make passages, but not race. And I figured over the coming decade(s) I would spent a lot of time just living on board cruising or day sailing so space and comfort were important. I also wanted easy access to and from the cabin and onto and around the decks, which many centre cockpits don't offer. I made a shortlist of key features and possible boats, with a cat included, and have been fully happy with my choice. I am sure any boat which met most my key features would have satisfied. The important bit was to understand what I really wanted from a boat and make the shortlist of possibles.
 
To my mind centre cockpit comes with some major disadvantages, including generally much steeper and higher steps from the cabin to the cockpit. Also an opening stern on a stern cockpit boat could make boarding from a pontoon berth easiest.
So perhaps a modern boat like a small Hanse with self tacking jib, furling mainsail and bow thruster might fit the bill ?
 
We bought our 'last' boat in 2007, the ultimate for us in performance and comfort. Up here the boat spends 6 months in the water and six months ashore with the mast down, the FG 33 had a very tall baltic style keel stepped mast and discontinuous rigging, setting it up with spreader templates etc took half of a day swinging in a bosuns chair. So when I descended in April 2015 and my wife said 'we are too old for this' I agreed and she went on the market, we sold her at the end of that season for about half of what we had spent. By the time she went I had looked at motor homes and campers but decided I would try a mobo , bought a Nimbus and used it for one boring unsatisfying season and was lucky to get my money back at the end. Armed with a list of preferences and dislikes such as tiller steering rather than small wheels, we started driving round marinas, eventually we decided on a Moody S31 attracted by the high spec and quality finish compared to more modern designs with their fashionable double wheels, the fold down transom which allowed one to walk straight in the dinghy was a bonus for my wife and encouraged a lot more anchoring. I brought her from Strangford to Ardrishaig single handed in early April 17, getting in at midnight, and really enjoyed the trip. We have had four great seasons on her, she sails well and is easy to keep tidy and maintain. (the interior lining is grp mouldings above and wood slats on the exposed part of the hull, the aft cabin is massive. It is a pity that Moody could not get enough for their S series boats to stay in business, the finish more than matched the Swedes).
A recent scan and diagnosis has put an end to it, my wife's back problem is compounded by sailing and this time I know it the last 'last boat' as I am not attracted by single handing, though the boat would be ideal for it. Just now I am trying to convince myself it really is over this time and I must prepare her for sale but perhaps I might try a wee trip alone first to see if I might tolerate it and perhaps manage another year, but the two of us have been a team for decades, not at all certain I will like it at all.
I helped a 40'+ Jeanneau coming in to berth in Tobermory last month, the two crew were communicating with head sets, and still finding it difficult, what is the sense of that?
 
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I'd steer well clear of the Seahawk. My wife and I had a test sail on one many years ago, and we both hated it. In order to get the accommodation, the cockpit is very high, and you feel "perched" on top of the boat, rather than sitting in a cockpit. Additionally, the companionway is like going down a ladder into a cellar.
 
I always liked the look of the Colvic Countess 33. Not outrageously expensive and very roomy apparently. Centre cockpit, and a few deck saloon versions were built if that’s your thing.
 
boatmike said:
That comment generally comes from those who have less experience and an interest in the silly feud between multihull and monohull sailors. There are lots of advantages that cats have but there is no such thing as a perfect boat and I for one have an open mind. Experienced multihull sailors will tell you that there is little contest in cats of 36ft and upwards where bridge deck height is sufficient to minimise slamming and hobby-horsing is less of an issue and cost is not an issue either but in smaller sizes they are not so good and windward performance becomes even more significant than in larger ones. They are also considerably more expensive to buy, maintain and berth. I have seen some really nice looking westerly seahawks and moody 346s for around £50K or less. Cant find a reasonable cat for that and want a smaller boat now anyway.
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The big disadvantage with centre cockpit boats of that size from the sailing point of view is that the cockpits are too small with the helm trapped behind a small wheel and cannot reach the winches without climbing up on the seats. Those boats were aimed at longer term cruising or big families where accommodation was important. As already mentioned the cockpit is very exposed and also not good for single handed berthing.

Remember also they date from the 1980s and will be getting tired by now likely with old gear and items due for replacement. With the sort of budget you have probably better looking at more recent aft cockpit boats. Better cockpit layouts better in mast and other sail handling. Good autopilot important and maybe bow thruster. Generally they sail at lower angles of heel. Only real downside is can be a bit crashy in heavy weather, but guess you would probably avoid this!

Not a good time to be looking as very little about and rising prices.
 
Despite owning a Seahawk, I agree with much that PVB says. There are 4 steep steps down to the cabin and a day aboard makes for quite a good workout. We don't feel exposed in the cockpit however as we have a good sprayhood.

We bought her 5 years ago when I was 4 years younger than you are now after owning a Renown for 19 years. I find that the sails are a lot harder to hoist, full battens don't make them any lighter. We also looked at the Moody 346 which we liked but space below was more cramped than in the Seahawk. The reason for changing from the Renown was to accommodate the family on cruises but if it were just going to be the two of us, I would go back to the Renown.
 
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boatmike said:
At 78 years young I have sailed most things but now looking for a smaller boat that is comfortable and easily handled for pottering around the channel in my dotage. Have been a catamaran fan in the past and Prout Event 34 is one option but high berthing costs are an issue. Have owned an Aquastar 33 motor boat for a while but bored s***less at motoring around and want to get back to sailing. 33/35 ft seems big enough but want a comfortable cruiser not a high performance lightweight. Needs to be "stiff" under sail as wife used to cats so thinking of a westerly seahawk or moody 346 but have no experience of sailing centre cockpit boats so any comments or informed advice would be very welcome. does the high centre cockpit feel exposed and feel less comfortable than an aft cockpit? Are they reasonably easy to sail single handed with say in mast reefing main and roller furling lines brought back to cockpit? Will my wife find boarding etc difficult with high coamings etc? Would I be better looking at conventional aft cockpit boats? What does the fulorum think?
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Where do you want to be moored?
 
An interesting and thought provoking bunch of replies there chaps. Thanks. As always sharing opinions on here is very useful. While contradictory in some respect, a pattern is emerging generally and although I am pretty fit I think the fact that SWMBO is not tremendously athletic might drive me towards boats that are easier to board. Hadn't considered the long ladder down to the living quarters either. Hmmmm..... Of course there is always the Riviera and similar on the same hull which might be easier on SWMBO who likes deck saloons too. Perhaps a Mobo with sails might suit my advanced years better??? Just get bored with my Aquastar 33 belting around at 16 knots and burning all that diesel...........
 
A few years ago when I demo'd Moody yachts I enjoyed sailing both the M346 and the M336. The former was not difficult with its centre cockpit in respect of berthing , but is of course higher getting on or off ,but as mentioned ,winches are rather far away for comfortable use from the helm, The interior is comfortable and performance satisfactory ; accommodation adequate for guests and extended on-board use.
The Moody336 is a more racier hull and rig and performs brilliantly; wheel steering in the aft cockpit is light ,and all controls handy. The below deck arrangements I preferred to the 346, particularly the heads and galley. The M336 is a better performer too without any griping,and points very well. Plenty of stowage space on both yachts. probably comparable in price now.

ianat182
 
My next door neighbours in the marina are also in their 80's and actively use their Freedom 33 which they bought half a lifetime ago in Puerto Rica and sailed back to UK. Age in numbers is not the main issue, it is what you can do and cope with the limitations.
 
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