Which 26-30 ft Cruiser for Scotland

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roblpm

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Apologies for another thread............ I am isolating and am supposed to be working but this is more fun! So I used to own a Parker 275 in the Forth. Now race on a Hunter 707. Just going through an expensive divorce so I am now poorer than any time since 1995! Ahahaha

Plan is in about 5-7 years to buy a boat to go to the Med and the Carribean. But in the meantime I probably actually need to practice sailing!!! I mean going places, not going round in circles in a bumper car! I live in Edinburgh but having posted before I think in my new reduced financial state a mooring on the Clyde is the way forward to start off with. Convenient for kids and friends to come for the weekend too.

So criteria are:

Tough enough to single hand beyond my wimpish capabilities. Ireland. Up the West Coast. St Kilda. Faroes (in my dreams!) (BTW I have been up and down the West Coast on a bigger boat and to St Kilda so I am not a total dreamer!)
15k budget. (Maybe up to 20k listed)
Not so old as to be antisocial for visitors. Heads in the cabin like an Albin Vega is a step too far I think. I want my kids and new woman to accompany me occasionally!! So has to be OK indoors!
I race round the cans here. But maybe a passage race!! And I can't afford new sails so this isn't serious. What I will buy is a fancy tiller pilot.

So top contenders are:

Sadler 29: I was initially put off a while ago by looking at some really manky ones! However some really nice looking ones on at the moment. New Engine. Sadler 29 Used Boat for Sale 1990 | TheYachtMarket
Hanse 291/292/301/300: Look great. But too light?
MG C27: Smaller interior. It's smaller!. This looks lovely. New engine. MG Yachts MGC 27 for sale UK, MG Yachts boats for sale, MG Yachts used boat sales, MG Yachts Sailing Yachts For Sale 1986 MGC 27 - Apollo Duck and another good one on Apollo Duck.

Discounted as too old????:

GK29
Moody 27/28 (too slow?)
Westerly Konsort etc
Albin Vega
Vancouver 27/28 (too slow?)

Discounted as not enough information!:

Etap 28i
First 29
Jeanneau something?

Any thoughts? Should I reject any of my top 3? Should I add any more serious contenders?
I think I will have a shortlist and when the time comes I think I will find one with a newish engine. And clean!!
 
Just learning about D/L ratio! I always thought it was just the displacement vs the length! Ahhahaha

Anyway not so easy but sailboat data has:

Sadler 29 307
MG C27 208
Hanse 292 155

Hmmmmm. Bit of a range!!
 
You might like to look at the Frances or Victoria 26 or the Victoria 30. (Disclaimer: I have a V26). Very good for Scottish waters, beautifully built but perhaps not sporty enough for your tastes.
 
JumbleDuck said:
You might like to look at the Frances or Victoria 26 or the Victoria 30. (Disclaimer: I have a V26). Very good for Scottish waters, beautifully built but perhaps not sporty enough for your tastes.
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Yes as usual I am confused.............. To be honest I think I will go light as most of my sailing will be un-adventurous. And maybe a bi of passage racing. Then wait for a good forecast and go further afield. Realistically I wont have time for extended trips.
 
scottie said:
Albin Cumulus Boats for sale Scotland, Albin boats for sale, Albin used boat sales, Albin Sailing Yachts For Sale Albin Cumulus 8.5m - Apollo Duck
This might be worth a look I sailed a lot on this boa with a previous owner so perhaps have rose coloured specs it appears to have have quite a lot of upgrades in the last few years
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Did you ever sleep in the forward v berth with your head inches away from the heads? I am slightly concerned about this as I am a wimp. And single at the moment but not wanting to stay that way forever! Otherwise looks great!
 
When we had a Vega we slept in the forepeak. The first couple of times one of us used the heads it seemed a bit awkward, but it's amazing what you can get used to. And it's not as if a 5mm layer of plywood would offer any real privacy that you don't get by keeping the lights off.
Just be glad you're not an astronaut...
 
I'm obviously biased, but we kept our old Sadler 29 in Troon for a year when we first got her. One of those will do all you want it to, and has the advantage over most GRP boats of being double skinned, so warmer and less condensation (and claimed unsinkable, but we never tested that!). At the top of your budget you should get a very well maintained example with recent new engine, sails, standing rigging etc. Only downside is a curtain between the forepeak and heads...
 
Bit bigger than you suggested but a Fulmar will take you anywhere & keep your women happy. Give a reasonable turn of speed & can be bilge or fin. May need a bit of fettling due to age, but the westerley owners assn is excellent & will be a great source of help. esp for spares etc. You can get one at the top end of your budget if you look hard.
But I have a Hanse & am biased, so would say that the 30 ft version is said to be one of he best 30fters made. fantastic single hander as well.
 
Daydream believer said:
Bit bigger than you suggested but a Fulmar will take you anywhere & keep your women happy. Give a reasonable turn of speed & can be bilge or fin. May need a bit of fettling due to age, but the westerley owners assn is excellent & will be a great source of help. esp for spares etc. You can get one at the top end of your budget if you look hard.
But I have a Hanse & am biased, so would say that the 30 ft version is said to be one of he best 30fters made. fantastic single hander as well.
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Yes I have thought of a Fulmar. Just seems a bit big! This is supposed to be a low budget project for five years and bigger boats mean everything costs more! Yes hanse is great. The only concern is its very light! I suppose you have a larger one?
 
Aeolus said:
Seamaster 925, easy to singlehand, separate heads, tough, spacious compared to most boats of a similar age/length.
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Thanks for that. Looks good. However I seem to have a mental block against boats much before 1990! My Parker was a 1990 and was in good condition. Nice woodwork etc. 1980 seems maybe a step too far for me.....
 
roblpm said:
Yes hanse is great. The only concern is its very light! I suppose you have a larger one?
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I have a Hanse 301. It’s a great fast inshore cruiser and will give a lot of pure sailing pleasure. but if you really intend to go to St Kilda it is not the best boat for that. It is light and has to be actively sailed. Like other boats of the sort it is also very capable of spooking beginners/wives/kids in unexpectedly rising weather. However in light winds not much will outsail it. So it much depends on what you are really going to do vs what you would want to do on a bucket list.

I also think you might struggle to get any of the 291-300 derivatives for 15k. Perhaps a boat in very basic fit out or with work needed. I know 301s in decent updated condition are being bought for closer to 25k at the moment (admittedly on the south coast).
 
Forget all the enthusiasts for their favourite makes and models, buy the best individual boat you can afford. It's not like buying a Fiesta or a Polo, you can only buy what's on the market when you're looking, and the condition and inventory will vary from one to the next. So buy the best thing that meets your needs.
 
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