Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80's) ?

[homa]

Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hi everyone.

My present boat a Hunter Delta 25 with lift keel is now on the market.

With a growing family I need a bigger boat.

I am looking for a 30 foot boat with a maximum of 5 foot draft, that looks and sails well.
My budget is up to £22k
On my list so far is:
Hustler 30 (shallow draft)
Seamaster 925

On my wish list but out of my price range and/or draft criteria is
She 33
Carter 30 & 33
S&S 34
Sigma 33
Westerly Konsort

I suppose my dream boat would be the S&S 34 but she would be too restrictive on draft for the Ore on the East Coast.

What else should I consider ????

I cannot afford or want a modern Bav, Jen type boat. I want something that looks and sails well, and will look after me if I get caught in a blow. I plan to do a North Sea crossing to Holland/Belgium at least once per year with the family.

My previous boats were an Invicta 26 and a Shipman 28, I did sail my fathers last boat a Monsun 31 for 2 years - super boat but unfortunately the right boat at the wrong time (felt it was an old man's boat ....no disrespect intended !).

Any comments on the above boats mentioned or other suggestions greatly received,

Tx
Homa

 

[Evadne]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Elizabethan 30/31/33?
Contessa?

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Elizabethan - looks/sailing ability
Contessa 32 - draft/& overpriced

 

[cliff]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Sadler 29 - might be a little short
Sadler 32 - price might make one a none starter
Sadler 34 - price definitely a none starter unless you can arrange a larger budget
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[bluepippa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Sounds like you are in the same situation i was in 3 years ago...
It took some time but I got hold of a Jeanneau Arcadia....
9 meter
swing keel (1m draught up 2m draught down)
6 berth

Lovely boat to sail, both fast and family safe, and you can pick them up for around £20 - £25k

Good luck.
I still have mine if you need any more info
Daryl

 

[roberth]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Good to see the Seamaster 925 on your list!

Having bought mine last June I have nothing bad to say about her - good solidly built (4.5t) sea boat but no slouch - she's fun to sail. But being a Holman and Pye design, she would be.

Mine only had two owners before me in 25 years, and they were keen crusiers, including Holland, France, Channel Islands etc. That says a lot for the boat, I think.

If you can find one - they don't seem to come up for sale very often - you should be able to pick a good example for about £4000 below your budget, and even cheaper if you go to Holland where they seem to have a good following.

If I can be of any further help let me know.

Good luck

Robert

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

I am sure there are other boats out there that I need to consider that are equally well made but maybe fewer built and therefore less well known.

Either a Sadler 29 with 3' 8" draft or 32 with the shallow 4' draft would suit, or a Westerly Konsort or Fulmar would suit but prices for these brands are too high to be considered.

 

[graham]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

UFO 34 could be in your price range. Strong fast seaworthy.Not positive of draught but must be about 5 foot .

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hi Robert,
I just love the Holman & Pye and Sparkman & Stevens designs.
Although not so spacious as modern boats they were at the forefront of design in their day. I was brought up to appreciate the looks and seakindliness they offer through my father, and am happy to invest in upgrading if and when required. It's all part of the fun of boat owning.
Tx
Homa

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Homa,

You've discounted the Carter 33 on price.... but there are Carter 33's around in your price range....... draft slightly exceeds your target, but not by much.... good family boat in terms of space.....

 

[dickh]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

How about a Moody 33? - mk1 or mk 2's are available for that price if you look around - aft cabin for the kids, nice and roomy, draught 4' 5", etc etc. I'm biased of course, I bought mine(1979 mk2) for under 18k last autumn(but she did need work - I will have spent about 2½k when launched in a few weeks time(but I did most of the work myself). mk2 is probably better but is down to taste etc. See:- http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/moody-33/moody-33.htm
Good luck

 

[EdEssery]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

MG C27 - a bitter shorter than 30' but has plenty of room below due to being open plan and having 10' beam. I challenge anybody to find a sweeter sailing boat in this price/age/size range.

Ed

 

[Evadne]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

I agree about the Contessa, but I wouldn't discount the Elizabethan 30 on sailing ability. Looks are a matter of taste, though. The 33 is more modern, but if you want a really pretty boat then look out for a 35. Probably too old for you though.

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hi NAS,
I discounted the Carter 33 on draft alone and not price, YM report quotes as saying it is a lot of boat for your money and I have to agree, but at closer to 6 foot draft (5' 10") it's been ruled out so far.
5 foot really ought to be my limit, less than 5 foot would be even better but I would be narrowing my search too much and I don't want to compromise on sailing ability.
I have seriously considered swaping my boat for a Carter 33 in the west country, but stopped short 'cos I would be limiting my sailing and want to check all other options first.
Tx
Homa

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hi Dave,
I don't know which Elizabethan I've looked at seem to remember it was a ketch and just diddn't do anything for me.
I've just looked up the spec for the 30 and see there was a cruising and racing version, the racing version was called the 9m ?
Also for some reason I thought it was a long keel boat but see it is fin and skeg.
Maybe I should have a proper look over one before ruling it out.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Homa

 

[FlyingSpud]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Is draft really such a big factor? I sail on the east coast needing about 6 foot (I’ve gone metric I am afraid) and to be honest I do not see that as a factor that restricts me.

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hi Graham,
The UFO 34 looks and sails great and could just about squeeze into my budget but at 6' draft is a no no.
Tx anyway,
Homa

 

[Robin]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

I owned an Elizabethan 30 for some years, it is a David Thomas design the same as the Sigma 33, built in Lymington by Peter Webster and every bit as good as the Contessa 32, similar layout and size below because there is less of a tapered overhanging counter. Mast is keel stepped, they were designed for the Half Ton Cup to go upwind well in strongish winds which were what was expected for the Half Ton Worlds, in practice they were outpaced by the Swedish Scampis a Peter Norlin design because the winds were light. We won our club regatta in ours (2 x 1st places in 2 races in F7) with just 2 of us on board. Common engine was Bukh 10 but there were others. The moulds were sold on and used to build Hummingbird 30s, same hull but taller coachroof.

 

[homa]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

Hello Fying spud,
Draft is a big factor for me.
I sail out of the Ore and there is less than a metre over the bar at low water.
I do not want to be restricted too much due to draft.
I have friends with bigger boats and they all feel the same. Some have moved to the Orwell so that they can sail at any time, but at a huge financial cost
Tx
Homa

 

[Graham_Wright]

Re: Which 30+ ft boat (from the 1970-80\'s) ?

One of the Colvics? 33 centre cockpit, bilge keel, stern cabin.