Which bilge keel cruiser would you recommend for us?

I hate to have to agree - a Centaur is the obvious route for you to go! They have remarkably upright topsides giving headroom across the saloon and the knuckle in the bow adds width at bunk height in the forcabin without compromising the underwater profile.

I would love to recommend my own class of boat (Varne 27/850) - I'm sure you'd enjoy sailing one, but the bunks tend to be a little short for someone of your stature and the designer stated that "headroom for anyone over 5'10" was not a consideration". However the last variant (Weston 8500) had 6' headroom, but only one bilge keeler was ever built.

Rob.
 
I had a Mirage 29. 6' headroom (but HWMO could stand at the bottom of the companionway and he's 6'2) the long aft bunk is nearly 7' long. Plenty of room for a weekend cottage. I loved it and thought it was perfect for my requirements - ie coastal sailing in good weather. However, we have also crossed th channel and the north sea in it too. Probably over your budget, but these are desperate times and it's worth looking at things you think you cannot afford and making an offer of what you can - because you never know. The advice I was given is that a vendor can only say no.

Also look at Snapdragons - I saw a lovely one sold for under £10k 2 years ago. They seem to have a high coachroof.
 
I have had an M29 for about 20yrs. Great boat, small enough to sail single handed, large enough for two to be comfortable and others at a push. Good solid, look after you boat, sails pretty quick too! They later ones were custom built to the owners spec so the interior can vary greatly. Believe last one is no 130 built in 1987.
 
rob2 said:
I hate to have to agree - a Centaur is the obvious route for you to go! They have remarkably upright topsides giving headroom across the saloon and the knuckle in the bow adds width at bunk height in the forcabin without compromising the underwater profile.

I would love to recommend my own class of boat (Varne 27/850) - I'm sure you'd enjoy sailing one, but the bunks tend to be a little short for someone of your stature and the designer stated that "headroom for anyone over 5'10" was not a consideration". However the last variant (Weston 8500) had 6' headroom, but only one bilge keeler was ever built.

Rob.
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Thanks Rob, i can say that the Centaur is at the top of the list along with the Mirage 28 and Macwester 27/28. Now the hard part begins, saving up and selling our boat to fund the new one.
 
ChattingLil said:
I had a Mirage 29. 6' headroom (but HWMO could stand at the bottom of the companionway and he's 6'2) the long aft bunk is nearly 7' long. Plenty of room for a weekend cottage. I loved it and thought it was perfect for my requirements - ie coastal sailing in good weather. However, we have also crossed th channel and the north sea in it too. Probably over your budget, but these are desperate times and it's worth looking at things you think you cannot afford and making an offer of what you can - because you never know. The advice I was given is that a vendor can only say no.

Also look at Snapdragons - I saw a lovely one sold for under £10k 2 years ago. They seem to have a high coachroof.
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Love your signature, SWMBO's is the exact opposite of that. I'll look into the 29 and snapdragons, thanks for your input.
 
Nobody has mentioned the Tomahawk, smaller stable-mate to the Sabre.
Sails fairly well, seaworthy, cheapish to buy, roomy for a 25 footer and doesn't look too tubby, despite good headroom.
I enjoyed ownership of one for several years.
 
earlybird said:
Nobody has mentioned the Tomahawk, smaller stable-mate to the Sabre.
Sails fairly well, seaworthy, cheapish to buy, roomy for a 25 footer and doesn't look too tubby, despite good headroom.
I enjoyed ownership of one for several years.
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It's a nice looking boat, thanks for the suggestion. I have never heard of these but I think it may be too small for our needs, SWMBO really wants something with lots of internal space.
 
I recently acquired a Macwester 26 project boat and am very impressed with its spaciousness, solidness, headroom I'm 6ft and only duck my head slighty in galley area and forward cabin. Feels solid in a chop ( came across from C/church to Pompey in F7/8 and felt quite comfortable with its motion and behaviour.

It's my first bilger so looking forward to drying out in places.

Haven't done much projecting yet - too busy enjoying weekends away in it. an recommend and although I picked up a bargain they price between £3000 and £9000 so well within your budget.

I understand the designer of the Macwester was same fellow who designed the Centaur ?
 
I understand the designer of the Macwester was same fellow who designed the Centaur ?
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I dont think that is correct.

The Macwester was designed by C S J Roy, who founded Macwesters in 1964. He had previously worked for Westerly.

The Centaur was designed by Laurent Giles and Partners and was first built in 1969.

The Macwester 26 is famous for its leeway!
 
VicS said:
I dont think that is correct.

The Macwester was designed by C S J Roy, who founded Macwesters in 1964. He had previously worked for Westerly.

The Centaur was designed by Laurent Giles and Partners and was first built in 1969.

The Macwester 26 is famous for its leeway!
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While that is true the Centaur has it's problems as well,at least if that recent article in I think it was the PBO is to be believed.Personally I'd go for a Macwester 27 any day but then I might be biased ;)
 
Nicholas123 said:
While that is true the Centaur has it's problems as well,at least if that recent article in I think it was the PBO is to be believed.Personally I'd go for a Macwester 27 any day but then I might be biased ;)
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Essential if buying a Centaur that it has had its keel roots strengthened. Esp so if it has been or will be kept on a drying mooring.

A point the OP should consider is how popular a boat is. When he next comes to upgrade he will want to be able to sell again easily and for a good price. Getting bit old now it's true but it's not so long since you could be gazumped when trying to buy a Centaur!
 
ha ha...biased as I am....jaguar 27.

Unlimited headroom thanks to the massive forehatch (I am 6' 4") sails well, loads of room to lounge in a huge cockpit. Can be found for around?? £10K. Had one for 14 years loved it so much, set up and ran the Owners Assoc.:D
 
VicS said:
Essential if buying a Centaur that it has had its keel roots strengthened. Esp so if it has been or will be kept on a drying mooring.

A point the OP should consider is how popular a boat is. When he next comes to upgrade he will want to be able to sell again easily and for a good price. Getting bit old now it's true but it's not so long since you could be gazumped when trying to buy a Centaur!
Click to expand...

I think the prices have come down recently Vic.What I'd be concerned about is the sailing performance & all in all I reckon a Macwester 27 is a far better boat but then as I have said I am biased.With Centaurs it seems to me you pay a fashionable premium.
 
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Nicholas123 said:
I think the prices have come down recently Vic.What I'd be concerned about is the sailing performance & all in all I reckon a Macwester 27 is a far better boat but then as I have said I am biased.With Centaurs it seems to me you pay a fashionable premium.
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We seem to be coming to the same conclusion although we have no experience to base it upon.
 
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