What boat to buy

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nickfabbri

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Anyone give an idea of what boat we can buy ? We ideally want a lifting keel, around 35ft and easily sailable by one or two. Cruiser/racer spec. Able to live aboard for a couple of weeks and has a good reputation. Ideally less than 20years old and under 50k. Have looked at some Southerlys, but want to try something different. Cheers
 
When you say different, have you already owned a Southerly - they look like nice well found boats to me and, if I'd already liked one, I'd probably get another.
 
I think your going to be pushing it trying to find wot would be considered a modern Cruiser/racer lift keel at 35ft for under 50K!!

There are some modernish lift keels for under this, but a bit smaller, like a Bene 311, or maybe a SO32.

For something more substantial look for a Barbican 33/35 with a centerplate,

A Parker 33 may just fit the bill, but I am unsure of price, These are great boats.
Gib sea did some lifters that might fit the bill, including the 362.
Beneteau 331 did a lift keel, but I think that one of these would run to about 60k.

C and C did a 35 which I believe was built over here under licence, (Trapper?) which had a lift keel.

You may also be able to find a Feeling as well that fits the bill,

But I would look for a Gibsea 362, or the Parker 33 as my first ports of call. Im pretty sure that you could get one of those in budget.
 
Do tell us - about yourselves. How much spare time, are you members of a sailing club which provides moorings, how much sailing have you done, what sort of sailing. Are your requirements based on experience?
There will be a partnership with the boat and yourselves; without knowing anything about one half of the partnership, it's not possible to make a realistic recommendation about the other half.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do tell us - about yourselves. How much spare time, are you members of a sailing club which provides moorings, how much sailing have you done, what sort of sailing. Are your requirements based on experience?
There will be a partnership with the boat and yourselves; without knowing anything about one half of the partnership, it's not possible to make a realistic recommendation about the other half.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point. My friend had a Parker and it was a great boat in nearly all respects. Went like hell and was still pretty good in the rougher stuff. Nice living accommodation too. I would love to own one. As mentioned, might struggle a bit on price.
 
Well this will be our second boat. We have had a jaguar 25 for a year.Before that neither of us could sail and had no experience. It was the first boat we ever sailed and was cheap enough for it not to bankrupt us if we sank it. We will be doing some coastal sailing for the next year but then want to take it further. Eventually within a couple of years a trip to the channel islands and then down through the french canal ways to the greek islands. An ideal boat should be comfort based not stripped down for racing. We will hopefully own it for upto a decade. Is this enough?
 
Going lift keel as a requirement does suddenly cut off a huge number of possible boats from your list. Why do you want lift keel ? Is it really essential?
 
If you are going to short cut via the French canals then it will almost certainly have to be a lift keel. Parkers are great boats and you would not regret buying one. I live just up the road from them. As ever get a full survey to make sure lifting keel is in good nick.

Tim
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well this will be our second boat. We have had a jaguar 25 for a year.Before that neither of us could sail and had no experience. It was the first boat we ever sailed and was cheap enough for it not to bankrupt us if we sank it. We will be doing some coastal sailing for the next year but then want to take it further. Eventually within a couple of years a trip to the channel islands and then down through the french canal ways to the greek islands. An ideal boat should be comfort based not stripped down for racing. We will hopefully own it for upto a decade. Is this enough?

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Yes, thanks for that.
Just occurs to me though - it might not hurt to carry on with the Jaguar for a bit; but I would agree that it's good to get thoughts in order, so that if you see something that looks OK you have a framework for deciding if it's what you really want.
Meanwhile, is there any reason why a Jaguar 25 should not go across channel in good conditions?
 
"Meanwhile, is there any reason why a Jaguar 25 should not go across channel in good conditions?"

None at all. I've often seen them in the Channel Islands and there's a guy in my club who'se taken his to the Scilly's and the Gulf of Morbihan single handed.
 
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