What is your dream Yacht / Boat?

dancrane said:
I reckon a brigantine, new-built in steel; about four beams in her length, with long overhangs and bowsprit...

...maybe 70' lod x 50' lwl x 16' beam...so, not as tubby as real old square-riggers, and no hideous hard work just for two knots VMG - designed with a bit of slickness underwater, improved aerodynamics in the rig, and employing discreet modern tricks for furling...not exactly in-yard forecourse reefing, but no need to go aloft when it's getting hairy, either.

So, most of the tarred-flavour and sights/sounds of a trad sailing ship, plus fairly clear teak decks with ornate bulwarks and rails, not quite Jack Sparrow terrain, but not so damned efficient and boringly spartan as modern yachts aim to be. And reasonable performance, backed up with two properly-silenced diesels...

...and, a convertible wheelhouse. A big, foursquare, bolt-on framework which can be broken into components to fit into purpose-designed cavities below deck, or stay in place to make winter passages pleasurable instead of purgatory.

Galley separate from saloon. Full beam owner's stateroom aft, two decent symmetrical ensuite guest-doubles forward of the saloon, and a big disorderly fo'c'sle with eight crew bunks that are stuffed with sails. Let 'em muck in and ask permission to thank the skipper for their rations. Give them two bathrooms though. I know, I'm too nice...:rolleyes:

I guess the very unusual rigging elements would cost the most, but since none of it needs to be very high-tech, I doubt such a vessel would cost as much to build new, as equivalent-sized prestige designs from the Baltic...

...and none of them would attract a fraction as much admiration.

Well, you did ask.
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That would need too many crew. It would take ages to get all the sails up to get going. In practical for pottering along the coast and anchoring on a whim in a bay with an interesting restaurant on the beach.......

The closest I get to ticking all the boxes is my present boat. Can't see how it can be improved (apart from revarnishing the mast).
 
Mr Chapman, isn't my brigantine's lack of speedy, convenient readiness to sail, rather a harsh criticism, given your own choice of craft?

Not that I'm being dismissive. Your cutter looks spectacularly fine. So, any additional time she takes to rig and manoeuver, where a dull old in-mast-furling sloop would have shown her heels, is, I'm sure, easily justified by the ambience aboard. Although, that's also exactly the philosophy behind my brigantine dream!

Regarding access to all ports of call, I baulked at specifying a centreboard, though it had crossed my mind. But I reckon just turning up in most bays/coves/small ports would be such a picturesque event for the place, the blast to my ego would justify the effort.

And, I was particular to include two quiet engines, so headwinds and calms needn't prohibit progress and manoeuvering.
 
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I own my dream yacht, at least one of them!

I'd probably spent a bit of cash on my Co32, then add a Dragonfly Tri, an XOD or Victory and a gaff-rig trailer sailer like Cape Cutter 19 or similar.

Nothing big and fancy for me, they need too many crew and if you have won the lotto you could always charter an Oyster (or similar) for holidays in the sun :-)
 
sw52_02.jpg
 
 
Pinnacle said:
Oyster 885

View attachment 32700
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But could you go through the hassle of getting a crew or not getting a berth in a harbour without loads of pre booking & subsequent having to sail to a timetable
The larger they get the joy of nipping down to the marina for a short evening sail goes out of the window. Although if you had one you would have chucked the job at the call centre long ago so could go sailing all day every day if you wanted !!
 
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