Which sailboat?

[Earthlyone]

Some really excellent advice given already and you sound like you’ve given this proper consideration. My 2 pence worth: don’t get seduced or hung up on electronic gear. There’s a huge range of stuff available, and a mighty marketing budget persuading us to buy it. But you don’t need much in my opinion. Compass, sounder, VHF is plenty. You can get a very adequate chart plotter on a tablet for little money, and you can use said tablet to do all sorts of other things as well( listen to music, surf the web, watch films etc).

I’ve had real solid advice for sure, been given much to think about, learnt some more & your 2 pence worth is also very welcome.
I wouldn’t like to get to used to things that can fail so I will start as I mean to go on, building knowledge! If I can learn how to sail without certain devices then I will, so I will keep it simple. I already have a tablet & a RaspberryPi which I will take onboard. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I’ve had real solid advice for sure, been given much to think about, learnt some more & your 2 pence worth is also very welcome.
I wouldn’t like to get to used to things that can fail so I will start as I mean to go on, building knowledge! If I can learn how to sail without certain devices then I will, so I will keep it simple. I already have a tablet & a RaspberryPi which I will take onboard. Thank you for your advice.

Don't forget the custard or cream which ever is your preference. ?

 

[Kelpie]

There's a tidy looking Sadler 29 just appeared on Facebook for £12.5k. Insulated hull, unsinkable. Probably marginal space for a liveaboard but could be made to work.

 

[Earthlyone]

There's a tidy looking Sadler 29 just appeared on Facebook for £12.5k. Insulated hull, unsinkable. Probably marginal space for a liveaboard but could be made to work.

Thanks Kelpie, I will take a look now. Much appreciated.

 

[V1701]

I think you'd be ok with a sadler 29 but wouldn't go any smaller than that. I had a Dufour 29 that was absolutely fine but Albin Vega (27' and narrow with it) was too small. Unless you're 6'5" and 20 stone in which case you'll need something a bit bigger...

 

[Kelpie]

Another Sadler 29 just popped up on FB... £10500... no connection etc

 

[Earthlyone]

What about this one ?

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[Kelpie]

What about this one ?

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It would have to be very good at that price. But certainly the right kind of boat for you to be considering.
You need to ask a bunch of questions about the age and condition of engine, rig, sails, safety gear, and instruments.
Upholstery is surprisingly expensive, it's a bonus if this is good. A decent set of ground tackle and fenders/warps is essential, usually included though.
Ask about extra equipment- e.g. tender, outboard, cradle.

 

[Earthlyone]

I am going to look at it in the week, I know a few local knowledgeable sailors so I will contact them to see if any of them can come with me to view the boat. It has was fully insulated when tongue & groove was fitted, has 2 tubular heaters & engine is being serviced before sale. Was surveyed in 2019 & all advisories have been done. Has Tiler Pilot & Raymarine chartplotter.

 

[Earthlyone]

Here are some more…

 

[Wansworth]

Can you get at important bits like chain plates that maybe behind the paneling?

 

[25931]

Many don't like cats(twin hulled boats, not animals ) In years gone by I have lived aboard a variety of boats and if I were to do so again it would probably be another catamaran.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Something that occurred to me, if you plan to live aboard you would do well to consider a stove type heater rather than something like an eberspacher perhaps even a solid fuel one if fuel is readily available if not next best thing would be a diesel one.

 

[Kelpie]

Many don't like cats(twin hulled boats, not animals ) In years gone by I have lived aboard a variety of boats and if I were to do so again it would probably be another catamaran.

It's pretty hard to find a suitable cat for £20-£30k.
When we were in the market we had a bigger budget than that and not one cat made it on to the list.
I do agree that they have some very tempting features.

 

[capnsensible]

My wife and I lived on our 1977 Moody 33 for over twenty years.

Just sayin

 

[Tranona]

What about this one ?

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Top price for a Longbow. As Kelpie says the key things are engine, sails and rigging. The interior looks well done if you like that style. Biggest interior problems with older Westerlys are the headlinings, cheap upholstery and basic galleys.

As I think I said earlier the actual purchase price is less important than the cost of getting the boat in a condition you find acceptable in the place you want to use it. Buying a local boat can be a massive saving. It cost over £2k to get my boat from Wales to Poole by road. Viewing boats and buying outside your area can be very expensive in travel. My 2 trips to Wales cost over £300 in fuel and overnight stays.

For some sort of benchmark this one yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1973-westerly-longbow-8340221/ was same asking price and also local to you.

 

[Earthlyone]

Many don't like cats(twin hulled boats, not animals ) In years gone by I have lived aboard a variety of boats and if I were to do so again it would probably be another catamaran.

Yes they are lovely but everything is more expensive… purchase price, mooring, maintenance. Maybe when I’m a little more grown up ?

 

[Earthlyone]

My wife and I lived on our 1977 Moody 33 for over twenty years.

Just sayin

Wow 22 years… that’s amazing! And 2 in 33ft, thanks for the confidence boost for little old me in 31ft ?

 

[Earthlyone]

Something that occurred to me, if you plan to live aboard you would do well to consider a stove type heater rather than something like an eberspacher perhaps even a solid fuel one if fuel is readily available if not next best thing would be a diesel one.

I have been thinking about this & would like to have a solid fuel stove fitted, I think it’d be sensible & enjoyable. Thanks Fr J, your advice is always very much appreciated.

 

[Earthlyone]

Top price for a Longbow. As Kelpie says the key things are engine, sails and rigging. The interior looks well done if you like that style. Biggest interior problems with older Westerlys are the headlinings, cheap upholstery and basic galleys.

As I think I said earlier the actual purchase price is less important than the cost of getting the boat in a condition you find acceptable in the place you want to use it. Buying a local boat can be a massive saving. It cost over £2k to get my boat from Wales to Poole by road. Viewing boats and buying outside your area can be very expensive in travel. My 2 trips to Wales cost over £300 in fuel and overnight stays.

For some sort of benchmark this one yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1973-westerly-longbow-8340221/ was same asking price and also local to you.

That one is beautiful & the write up suggest that it is also in great condition. I may try & view both on the same day. Yes, I took your earlier advice about trying to buy as close to where my mooring will be as to save on relocation costs. I have asked the guy selling the one in Falmouth for more info, including age & condition of engine, sails, rigging, Etc. Also whether it comes with a tender, cradle, Etc. Kelpie very kindly gave me some advice earlier.
You really are a fantastic group of people for helping, guiding & advising me. I know time is precious & I am very grateful to you all for giving me yours as I navigate my first boat purchase.
I have made contact with some local sailors in Torpoint through a couple of Facebook groups & now have a few people that are RYA instructors, yachtmasters, some others who are lifelong sailors, all willing to teach me the basics, take me out on their boats before I get mine, show me around my own boat, Etc.
I truly feel like I have found community & will be sure to pay it all forward when I have the experience & knowledge to do so in years to come. Thanks everyone.