What yacht for around £10k?

[Justin1]

I am looking at the moment for a yacht which I can mainly cruise, and log the miles I need to get my yachtmaster. I am coming from a dinghy racing background so would like something which I could race occasionally for fun, do the round the island race etc.. Also something to get me across to the channel islands.

Looked at alot of boats but need some advice and opinions? Want to spend about 10k, is this realistic?

 

[Justin1]

Sorry, just to move it back up the forum.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I had a Jaguar 27 for a few years which goes well and is very seaworthy - went all over the Thames Estuary including France, Belgium & Holland. You might get one that may need a bit of work for 10k.

 

[Bajansailor]

Have you tried doing a search on Boatshed? http://www.boatshed.com/search.php
You can perhaps start with a cost of up to 10k, in the UK, and then fine tune it.

There is also Yachtworld where you can do an advanced search - http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/advancedSearchA.jsp

There will be so many nice vessels appearing in these searches - you then have to establish a criteria for eliminating those that are / might not be suitable, and see what you end up with.....
And then maybe once you have a short(ish) list, ask for opinions on here - and all of these opinions will invariably be different.....
So, I think at the end of the day you have to go for the boat that appeals to as many different parts and moods of you as possible.

 

[Justin1]

Thanks for the advice, just had a look on line and the jaguar 27 does look like a nice boat that would fill my criteria. How would this compare to a trapper 500?
I Viewed a trapper 500 a few days ago which was a reasonable looking boat, I think this boat suit all my needs?
Also sadler 25's look nice, but I like the idea of the extra few feet of the other designs, or would the the sadler preform equally to the others?

All advice much appreciated.

 

[SmileyGiley]

Was just going to suggest a Sadler 25. Have I ever been on one... no, but the enjoyment that those who do have one get out of 'em is quite clear. Some very good examples around.

For what you are suggesting I would look for a well maintained boat at the top of your budget rather than worry too much about the exact model. Stick to the popular types and you should be able to buy, sail, enjoy & sell in good order.

 

[bobgoode]

Sadler 25...too small, go for the 26. Both good sailing boats though.
What about a Contessa 26? Older but no slouch.
Hustler 30...can be picked up for that sort od dosh, sails very well, fast if sailed well and roomy for the style.

Elizabethan 30 has a touch more room.

The list goes on.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I was going to suggest a Sadler 25 as well. Not sure if you would get a Sadler 26 for the money - they always seemed to be disproportionately more expensive for the extra foot of length.

We were very happy with our 25 - go anywhere and sailed quite well. You miss out on the wterline length, but they are great little boats whether you have the fin keel or the bilge keel version.

Having said that, there are loads of boats at up to £10k that are worth looking at. I have never sailed a Jaguar, but I hear lots of good things about them. Go and look at a few. If you see one you like, check if there is an association. There are often association members who will happily talk about their boats or even take you for a sail if you ask nicely.

 

[Justin1]

Thanks, is there an association for the sadler 25. Also did the interior layout change on the later models and are they capable boats to take to the channel islands etc..?

 

[Avocet]

Probably not at all what you're looking for but a Cutlass 27 (Long keel) is a very good alternative to a Contessa 26, and you'd get a good one for £10k. A really lovely, reassuring sail too - especially in a blow. Not what you'd call "dinghy-like" - or fast round the cans in absolute terms, but surprisingly fast for that type of boat (only 7'6" in the beam)! Better headroom below than the Contessa too.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thanks, is there an association for the sadler 25. Also did the interior layout change on the later models and are they capable boats to take to the channel islands etc..?

Don't know about an owners association, but we sailed our Sadler 25 to the Channel Isles, Isles of Scilly, Northern French etc etc. They are a very capable little yacht. I don't recall their internal layout changing. I belive that they were all dinette to port and a head's forward with a double in the forepeak and a very cramped double when the table where the dinette was. There was a pilot berth to starboard if I rememer correctly, but its some time ago so I could be wrong.

I am sure if you ask around, there will be someone who knows someone who will take you for a sail in one. The Sadler and Starlight Owners Association seems to have a website here: http://www.sadlerandstarlight.co.uk/dg/22098

 

[yachtmerlin]

I have a Trapper 300. Probably a good choice for making the transition from dinghy racing. It's based on a 1/4 tonner designed by Bruce Kirby (he also designed the Laser and Sonar among others), originally marketed as a cruiser / racer. Have always enjoyed the "dinghy feel" on the helm compared to other more "cruising oriented" boats of similar size. Very sea worthy, Jimmy Green sailed one across the Atlantic with his wife and kids. I have found it a good cruising boat, though many are still raced. You should get a good example within your budget.

 

[Vid]

There are quite a few folkboat variants around - eg Invicta, Marieholm 26 and others - that all offer great sea-keeping qualities, modest internal space and lowish cost. Many are not as cult-ish as the Contessa 26 but posess equal qualities at a lower cost.

 

[AndCur]

Your could take a look at an Achilles 24. Good ones are around 5-6k.

 

[ianat182]

What yacht for around £10K.......

I have a Westerly Tiger. OK its 1970's vintage,but a sound boat and mine is well travelled - to Scandinavia,France, and Spain most of those miles as a sailing school yacht.
She has a fin keel of good section;1.5 ton ballast and an easily handled sail area.She can sail past newer, and longer, yachts in the right conditions and points well,though not under a maximum genoa. She looks like the Centaur above deck and similar layout down below;separate loo and forecabin, loads of stowage space. The 2010 Volvo engine pushes her along at 6kts.If you wanted one it would be about£7-9K(with new engine). Like all 1970 yachts there is a chance of some osmosis,but the boats are well built and durable.

The Trapper 500 is an excellent boat; in good condition,probably between £10-12K for one.

the TRAPPER 300 is pretty good too though needs reefing early in a blow,but the 300 has won the RTIR a few years ago ,so is no dog.

Not sailed a Sadler 25 or 26 but hear good things of them too.

 

[isandell]

You should get a good Seamaster 815 for £10 or a bit less. Holman and Pye design, good build quality from Seamaster. More modern design and better accomodation than many of the models suggested, just not so well known.

Ian

 

[stevebirch2002]

Totally biased but have a look at the Albin Vega 27. Tough take you anywhere yacht. Great website, fantastic Owners Association. AIMHO of course.

www.albinvega.co.uk

 

[Spyro]

You will get a good Trapper300 for less than £10K, I had one for 5 years.
If you find one make sure it has had the original engine replaced as they are now around 30 years old. Most had a Yanmar 8hp which is a bit underpowered. The 500 you looked at may also have the same engine it's even more underpowered. The 300s were a bit tender and did need reefing early but were very solidly built. I would think a 500 for less than 10K would need a bit of work.
Check out www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk