Which boat do you recommend for the Med?

[Newsam]

I am looking to buy my first “big” boat having sailed a dinghy competitively for many years. The boat will be sailed in the Mediterranean with a visually impaired crew (i.e. more or less single handed). Here are my thoughts so far:

· 25 ft – 30 ft max, used boat with a fin keel

· Budget up to £25,000

· Will be used mainly for cruising on day trips and some week-ends.

· Preferably can be transported by trailer

· In mast reefing or in-boom reefing

· Genoa furling system

· 2 – 4 berths adequate

· Will be berthed in a marina stern to

· In board engine

· Electric anchor advisable?

· Good head room under the boom

· Reasonably flat deck

· Good visibility from cockpit

· High ballast ratio (say 40% or more)



I would be grateful for your ideas as to the boat and equipment best suited for my needs.



NewSam


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[Sybarite]

Without suggesting any particular boat just realize that you need a boat that is suitable for heavy weather sailing. There is perhaps a mistaken belief that the Med is easy.

John

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[Shakey]

Dunno if you need an anchor windlass for a boat that size so long as you're reasonably fit.

If you have one, try and make sure it can be operated from the cockpit. When you're moored stern-to Med style the windlass will pull you out of the berth and you can stay in the cockpit.

I found that they often have a tendency to foul, especially if no-one's there to make sure the chain is falling into the locker properly and not building up into a heap which eventually fouls the windlass.

It might be easier in some cases to go in bows-to. Then you protect the rudder, and you can haul yourself off by putting the stern anchor warp around a sheet winch. You'll have more privacy but it's harder to get on and off unless you've got long legs.

Why not check out if any of the charter companies are selling off used boats? They wouldn't have bought the boat in the first place if it wasn't suited to Med charter conditions or had been modified to make it so.

Downside is that it may have had a few dings!

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.

 

[Steve Clayton]

<<Why not check out if any of the charter companies are selling off used boats?>>

Lots for sale in Denia (Bavaria's, Hanse's to name but two types). Not trailerable though.

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[gonad]

thoroughly second sybarites view got plenty of experience of that!

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[mpprh]

Hi

It's probably worth looking at which boats the locals have.

I see a lot of Feeling, Benetau, etc, but few UK boats in my marina.

And as someone said : be prepared for heavy weather.

I would add make sure you have a good engine. It often changes from 0 - 40 knots and NE to SW in 24 hrs !

Peter



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