Which Boat

[Tranona]

I'm still fascinated by the concept of old and tired boats being described as "classic", do they appeal to the same sort of people who love old Cortinas?

Nothing wrong with old Cortinas. There was one in the papers the other day - special export RHD model 1500 automatic 1964. Just 53 miles as the person who ordered it had a change of plans and it has been in store ever since.

However, agree - much as I liked the two I had, particularly the gold 1600E, it is a bit like Centaur - only brilliant in comparison to what else was available at the time. Good thing they don't actually die as owners can continue their 1970's experience!

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

My HR Rasmus 35 would tick all your boxes

Nab 35 is same hull but finished in UK - Ludd has one and he has sailed many miles as he lives on it

Cockpit is centre low level and includes rear cabin

I can tack it from the helm with primaries in reach and main sheet behind me

Long keel handling isn't great in a marina but freeboard is low enough to pick up moorings and come alongside without difficulty

Glass windscreen and doghouse is great for the west coast


A done up one with new engine would be well within your budget

Moody 33 is stiffer and sails better but not as comfortable or nicely fitted out inside

If I'd had the money i would have bought an original Moody 34

If I was single handing most of the time I would buy an HR29 and put a cockpit tent on the back for use when I have too many guests

 

[Sandgrounder]

Euan,

From the little I have been able to find that would seem to be exactly the sort of thing I want. What sort of money do they go for, if you don't mind my asking: none of the usual sources seem to have much about them

 

[NealB]

I like the look of this (quite a lot, actually):

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1216390/

 

[Sandgrounder]

I like the look of this (quite a lot, actually):

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1216390/

That's a seriously nice boat. I'm sure it will have gone by the time I'm ready

 

[dimdav]

That's a seriously nice boat. I'm sure it will have gone by the time I'm ready

I think its been on a while so maybe not. Are you sure you want to take on teak decks?

 

[NealB]

Are you sure you want to take on teak decks?

Yes, agreed, that is always a turn-off, to me.

I wonder if she has any sisters?

 

[Tranona]

If it is the same boat I think it is - built in lymington - it had a troubled early life with some major repairs. Pretty sure it is a one off, but it does look very attractive.

 

[jonjo]

If it is the same boat I think it is - built in lymington - it had a troubled early life with some major repairs. Pretty sure it is a one off, but it does look very attractive.

Agreed, very sensible middle of the road hull shape but 7.5 tons is light for 39ft.

In other respects it would be a one way trip for £40k as it would prove very difficult to sell on a one-off coldmoulded? wooden design with teak decks and some quirky dated interior concepts. Even if interested I would not open negotiations with an owner trying to shift a diffcult boat but has the audacity to list the tender as available by seperate negotiation.

 

[NealB]

Ok, Tranona, dimdav and jonjo5 .........that was a brief affair!

Still love the design though.

 

[doug748]

Yet again we have the myth of new boats being "lighter displacement". If they are actually lighter, it's because they are more scientifically constructed, rather than the old regime of a man wandering around with a bucket of resin slapping a bit more here and there. But are they actually lighter?.....

I think I see.

New boats are not lighter they are heavier, except when they are less heavy but they are, of course, better. Even if they are lighter or heavier or whatever.

If they are heavier I think it is the New Materials and the Techniques.

 

[Sandgrounder]

Before this endless new v old debate goes further can I just say that while I appreciate the sense of what the AWB folk have to say; I will not be buying one because they don't appeal to me either aesthetically, emotionally of practically. It seems to me that as I am going to be spending my money on a boat for me, I might as well buy a boat that I like, whatever anyone else thinks.
Thanks for your contributions

 

[pvb]

Before this endless new v old debate goes further can I just say that while I appreciate the sense of what the AWB folk have to say; I will not be buying one because they don't appeal to me either aesthetically, emotionally of practically. It seems to me that as I am going to be spending my money on a boat for me, I might as well buy a boat that I like, whatever anyone else thinks.
Thanks for your contributions

Yes, it's your boat, and you should buy what you want. We have some lovely antique oak furniture in the dining room at home, but understand that it's not everybody's cup of tea.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Hello,

Nicholson 38 - very small cockpit;

Superbvalue for money long distance cruiser/liveaboard,

I sailed Biscay in one and she plodded on through big seas for half the outward and return trips with ease.
By todays standards the cockpit is small yet extremely safe, warm and dry.
The layout and down below is very dated but I love them.

The hull performs exremely well and she really isn't a motor sailor, but a true sailboat in her own right.

S.

 

[bitbaltic]

can I just say that while I appreciate the sense of what the AWB folk have to say; I will not be buying one because they don't appeal to me either aesthetically, emotionally of practically.

That is what I surmised was the subtext to your opening post. I assumed others would understand it too. However, given that the thread immediately started offering you AWB choices, perhaps not. Six pages later....

Threads like this always seem to go this way. It's an unfortunate habit of the forum.

 

[Scomber]

Before this endless new v old debate goes further can I just say that while I appreciate the sense of what the AWB folk have to say; I will not be buying one because they don't appeal to me either aesthetically, emotionally of practically. It seems to me that as I am going to be spending my money on a boat for me, I might as well buy a boat that I like, whatever anyone else thinks.
Thanks for your contributions

Well said-and a big +1.

 

[Sandgrounder]

That is what I surmised was the subtext to your opening post. I assumed others would understand it too. However, given that the thread immediately started offering you AWB choices, perhaps not. Six pages later....

Threads like this always seem to go this way. It's an unfortunate habit of the forum.

I can't remember thew number of threads of this type that I have viewed. I hoped I had been clear enough to save people wasting their cyber breath but seemingly not. Most of the AWB were pleasant enough to acknowledge that they were veering off course but were doing it for my benefit (Tranona I enjoyed your contribution and the benefit of your experience), which I don't mind. However I thought the one or two who had the temerity to tell me, a man with 45 years sailing experience, that I was plain wrong and was insulting my betters by having my own opinion, were simply lacking in basic social graces

Everyone else thank you

 

[jonjo]

That is what I surmised was the subtext to your opening post. I assumed others would understand it too. However, given that the thread immediately started offering you AWB choices, perhaps not. Six pages later....

Threads like this always seem to go this way. It's an unfortunate habit of the forum.

It is a very unfortunate habit that Classic & Mabby boat owers here feel licenced to pour derision, insults and cynicism on the vast majority of yachts manufactured in the past 20 years. Do these same people climb out of their 1970 LandRover in a Tesco car park, walk upto a man loading his shopping and family into a Ford Focus and publically berate the guy for being stupid enough to buy a car not capable of entering the next Paris to Dakar rally.

Nothing changes here, 10 years ago I warned that the aging Brit classic/evergreen designs were vastly overpriced, in effect prices were propped up by a ponzi scheme of irrational sentimentality. The market has since crashed as I predicted.

There are many worthy attributes in these old designs and given an expensive and thorough rebuild they can become very capable sailing vessels once more. However I hate to see new entrants to yachting, who have read the dated writtings of the Hiscocks and Pardys, suckered into the ponzi scheme of Brit Mab ownership. A yacht is just a collection of manufactured components most of which are knackered after 30 years, Jerremy Rogers knows this which is why he charges £50k to remanufacture a CO32.

 

[jonjo]

The hull performs exremely well and she really isn't a motor sailor, but a true sailboat in her own right.

If you really knew your Nich 38 history you would know this is not 100% true. Nicholsons took a shoal draft hull of east coast american origin and then grafted on a deeper keel configuration to create the Nich 38. The result is a hull with bulbous mid sections and a tight turn to the deep keel, as a consequence the design does not have the satifying progressive motion at sea that can be expected in hulls with a better heritage.

And are they good value for money? Only if prior owners have competently addressed the following:

£8k Osmosis treatment.
£2 Rudder rebuild.
£15k for a complete replacement of the 40 year old spars and rugging.
£2k furler.
£1k Windlas.
£10k new engine
£10k complete electrical overahul.
£5k new sails
£?k new deck fittings and windows.
200+ hours of interior upgrade.
£2k new soft furnishings and cooker.
£3k fit a bow thruster

Plus 5 years of project management to oversea all the above.

Even then you have a 1970's design sized for national service vintage man of 5ft 10". A 6 footer will not have full standing headroom and the bunks are not long enough.

 

[doug748]

That is what I surmised was the subtext to your opening post. I assumed others would understand it too. However, given that the thread immediately started offering you AWB choices, perhaps not. Six pages later....

Threads like this always seem to go this way. It's an unfortunate habit of the forum.

Indeed.

At a certain point the old trollers weigh in and all is lost. Generally the same offenders, always the same one-eyed ideas.

"Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."

Why they should care so deeply that they want to disrupt a thread about some other bloke's preferences is a puzzle.