Which motor sailer

longjohnsilver

longjohnsilver

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Have decided that we need more space and comfort, don't really want a go faster motor boat as I usually cruise at around 7 or 8 knots, occasionally 12 -14kts. Spent a day sailing last week and enjoyed it although I really know bugger all about it having owned a motor boat for the last 20 years.
A sensible compromise may be a motor sailer, probably about 40'.

Now I know that true sailors usually say they sail like the proverbial brick [--word removed--] house but that at this stage doesn't really worry me as. It's the idea of having two methods of propulsion and lots more useable space that appeals.

So what should we be looking at, and what should we avoid? Second hand, budget up to about 65K. All opinions welcome!
 
add a 10' bowsprite to Claymore's fine tub? or extend the patio rearwards?

or try a Nic 40' DS
1387168_1_thumb.jpg

there's one here for sale at £63k
 
try the Fisher family.

www.fisherowners.co.uk.
There are some for sale in the classified section.

An element of bias though, in favour of the M/S concept. They don't always sail like a BSH, and you have that invaluable quality, intrinsic seaworthyness, AND Headroom (in my case 6'4" minimum) throughout the boat. Plus lots of storage, and a wheelhouse whence you can watch the rest of the sailing world going about their nautical business in those funny things called waterproofs.

Go for it !
 
"That looks pretty tidy, sure theres not supposed to be a '1' in front of the '6'? "

The price, I'm sure, is right. For some reason Nich's don't command the sorts of prices they maybe should. There's even a classic S&S Swan 40 on the market at the mo for a smidgen under £60K. (Yes, I realise you might have to spend another £10-15K on fettling it).

It's one of the reasons I get disgruntled by people being suckered by boatshows and advertising into 'automatically' buying shrink wrapped new boats - there are so many excellent boats about in good nick (pun intended) which would give them more for their money and be better boats as well.
 
Ken

This is going to be the second time in two days that I agree with you!

Whats happening? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
S&S Swan 40 on the market at the mo for a smidgen under £60K. (Yes, I realise you might have to spend another £10-15K on fettling it).

[/ QUOTE ]This is the sort of thing I'm considering myself. As a point of interest the engine is featured as being 435 HP which surely can't be true, can it?
 
Cor! rather have your Channel Island 32!
Mirror saraband thoughts though, Fishers look good , Brother had one on a lake.
Lake Superior! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Nauticat maybe?
 
From the full details:

Engine: Volvo 2003 Turbo 43hp diesel (1987)
Feathering Max-Prop-type 4-bladed propeller
Speed: max 7.5 knots; cruising 6.2 knots
Approx engine hours: 1650 as at 01/08/06
Cruising range: 50 hours
Fuel consumption per hour at cruising speed: 3 litres at 6.2 knots
 
Walk-around queen- (or king-) sized beds? Hull shaped like a bathtub?

When examining interiors like those of the Mandarin and the Huffler, get a photo of the bunk, rotate it through 30 degrees, bounce it up and down a bit and consider how long you'd stay on it. The first thing I'd look for is some stout attachment points for the lee-cloths.

Just because you'll have a socking great motor doesn't mean that the shape of the hull is irrelevant. If you are prepared to settle for something with a windage profile approximately equal in area to the main, why not go for a big catamaran - you'd go further and faster on a tankful.
 
A pal bought a Nic38 ketch of similar age (and half the price) recently and I helped him sail it home from N France. The rudder disconnected off Rame head (not the boat's fault but the yard hadn't secured the keyway into the stock) and apart from laying hove to perfectly whilst repairs were done I was struck by the fact I could easily get at the rudder stock to fix it. I wouldn't like to do the same on a modern equivalent because a) such would not lie quite so calmly in the sea that was running at the time and b) the access to many vital bits can be a problem.

Joinery and detail finish was very good. The base of these Nics is so solid that it'd take real ingenuity by a previous owner to bugger it ....
 
Swan 40

She's my boat and is now at Berthons for the second hand boat show.

PM me for full chapter and verse.
 
Just a thought. Instead of sails, why not have a couple of spare engines, like this one

A real beauty.

Displacement 16 tonnes. Max speed: 38 knots. Engines: 3x420hp Cummins diesels, 6 cylinder, 8.3 litres capacity. Fuel capacity: 500gallons. Range: 400 miles @28 knots.
 
[ QUOTE ]
This is what I would have if I was going to have a motor sailer and money was no object (Mandarin).

[/ QUOTE ]Cheap and nasty plastic interior finish, IMHO?

[ QUOTE ]
If I had to worry about money (and who doesn't) then I'd have one of these Huffler

[/ QUOTE ]I'd prefer to sail my bath tub!

My choice would be the Fisher 37 - Proper wheel house, and classey looking boat.
 
Each to their own. I hate the "drowning in wood" look of most yachts. The Huffler is made of steel which would always be my first choice for boat construction.

I suppose I'm one of those rare people who always chooses function over form.
 
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