What premium performance cruiser / cruiser racer?

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bedouin

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There have been threads before bemoaning the apparent demise of the cruiser/racer. These days most new boats seem to be focussed at either family cruising (high volume and slow) or racing (small and need a large crew).

Where should I look for a boat with good performance that can still be sailed easily short (single) handed?

Probably in the 35-45' foot range and anything up to 20- years old.

Current preference is for something like the Grand Soleil but even there the latest 39 seems more performance than cruise - not sure I want an open transom like that
 
bedouin said:
There have been threads before bemoaning the apparent demise of the cruiser/racer. These days most new boats seem to be focussed at either family cruising (high volume and slow) or racing (small and need a large crew).

Where should I look for a boat with good performance that can still be sailed easily short (single) handed?

Probably in the 35-45' foot range and anything up to 20- years old.

Current preference is for something like the Grand Soleil but even there the latest 39 seems more performance than cruise - not sure I want an open transom like that
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Are you looking new or second hand?
 
Oh just saw the "up to 20 years old".

In which case, just go find the nicest Dufour 40 you can afford. I did a lot of miles on that boat, and as a fast cruiser it was very difficult to fault.
 
I've never really thought of Dufours in that light - I had some experience sailing on 20 years ago and the joke was it is a DuFour because it will do 4 knots :) However I see there are some good examples out there - certainly worth a look.

New would also be an option but I am not sure I would find what I want so wonder if getting an older boat would give me more choice.
 
Bobc said:
Here's a curve-ball for you...

Oyster Lightwave 395?
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For a long time that was near the top of my list as "my next boat". They seem to be getting hard to find these days (can't see any for sale in UK) and they are getting a bit long in the tooth as they have been out of production for 30 years
 
You haven't mentioned budget... but at the boat show last year I thought the Elan GT5 looked like a good compromise along the lines you are after. Or something from the RM yachts range.
 
Ingwe said:
You haven't mentioned budget... but at the boat show last year I thought the Elan GT5 looked like a good compromise along the lines you are after. Or something from the RM yachts range.
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Since this is still at the musing stage the details like budget are very flexible. I might rather say I would be looking at something in the 5-20 years old range
 
Do you want to race, or is a just a sporty cruiser wanted?
If you want to race, you should think about what the opposition is in your racing.
J120?
X119 is a bit old, other X's?
 
lw395 said:
Do you want to race, or is a just a sporty cruiser wanted?
If you want to race, you should think about what the opposition is in your racing.
J120?
X119 is a bit old, other X's?
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Definitely a cruiser that sails well with the emphasis on having good manners and being forgiving rather than out and out performance.

Js asre a bit too spartan for my taste
 
dunedin said:
Then look at an X40 or similar
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That would be my choice if I needed something that big but I never go further than Ireland and only my wife sails with me these days.
The Arcona 400 also has a decent rig and looks quite pretty. Nice problem to have.
 
Hi Bedouin

There is an Oyster Lightwave 395 called "Blue Pearl " for sale in Holyhead, North Wales via " Partnership Yacht Brokers " and have sailed on it a few times, a great boat !

PS there is a typo in the description on some sites calling it a "295" not a "395"
 
LadyInBed said:
Who's had a pay rise then :)
Not my style, but the RM's look quite sleek.
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See the other thread - I haven't had a pay rise but used prices are down on where they were a few years ago and the family is getting larger (by volume rather than number)
 
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