What's better than an Achilles 24?

[harro]

I've had an Achilles 24 for several years now and have been very happy with her. I mostly sail single-handed, which I enjoy, and my cruising areas are the Medway, Thames Estuary and up as far as the Essex and Suffolk coasts. I'm not planning on changing my sailing much but am thinking a slightly larger boat would be more comfortable. I do a little club racing but it'd be mainly for solo cruising, occasionally with crew, possibly a dog.

I'm thinking of a Sadler 25 or a Centaur or even a Contessa 26, though I'd rather have bilge keels. Budget is £10kish and I'm not good at fixing up boats.

Would they offer much more than the Achilles and what else should be on the list?

I owned a fin keel Achilles 24 for several years and found her great to sail but the accommodation very limited. The owners forum on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/groups/achilles24/ is a brilliant source of information, advice and helped source parts etc.
I opted to upsize to an Achilles 9m and have no regrets. Any older boat is likely to need new standing rigging, sails and engine so be sure to check these items out before purchase and have a thorough survey done.
I find the 9m sails similarly to the 24. It's a solidly built boat and very safe in a blow. I've raced her offshore with 2 crew with 40knts of wind and never felt worried. We've won some club offshore races and "round the cans" races in the bay. I'm taking her on some 2/3 week cruises this year. She sleeps 4 comfortably, 5 at a push.

See one owner's exploits at
http://www.spearhead.me.uk/cruise5.htm#pilos

A triple keel keel version was available but are rare.

A Moody 29 is a great boat too but more expensive.

Good luck with the hunt

 

[Austerby]

Some great suggestions here. I think I'll have another season or two in the Achilles 24 and enjoy it, before thinking again about another boat.

I am certainly inclined to another Achilles though as the 24 is such a fine, if small, boat for me.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Everything you want (but just one keel) is here: http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=461074

OK, so it's me that is selling, but it is a good and much-renewed boat with new sails, engine and folding prop, etc. It's in service right now and doesn't need any further spending outside of the usual mooring, milk, tea/coffee and tins of curry, etc.