Which type of boat for ocean passage and canals?

We went throught this debate years ago.
If you are buying an ocean -going yacht, what is the point of going through the canals. Starting from say Falmouth its about 1,300 miles to Gibralter which you can do in a month of mainly coastal cruising.
Going through the canal system could take just as long but would be a completely different experience.
It could be "make up your mind" time.
 
Slightly off track but may be helpful

I have been a boat owner for a year. I set off in July to here, the Caribbean. I have joined the most supportive community I've ever known. What I have learnt along the way is beyond measure. In this and talking to others I have realised that you will not know what is right for you until you have been out and done it. Based on that I would suggest that you buy something in good condition that you consider as your first boat; and then work out what you need, or the changes that you want to make on your journey. I don't mean camping. EG I have friends who are happy with one cabin and sleep in the saloon. Me I want 2 cabins and a decent galley (Neither of which I have!!!) In this world it is quite normal to knock on your neighbour's hull, be invited for a drink and ask to look around. You will pick up so many good ideas and discuss relative merits.

Then you can think about your next boat...! I know I am :-)
 
mattonthesea said:
Slightly off track but may be helpful

I have been a boat owner for a year. I set off in July to here, the Caribbean. I have joined the most supportive community I've ever known. What I have learnt along the way is beyond measure. In this and talking to others I have realised that you will not know what is right for you until you have been out and done it. Based on that I would suggest that you buy something in good condition that you consider as your first boat; and then work out what you need, or the changes that you want to make on your journey. I don't mean camping. EG I have friends who are happy with one cabin and sleep in the saloon. Me I want 2 cabins and a decent galley (Neither of which I have!!!) In this world it is quite normal to knock on your neighbour's hull, be invited for a drink and ask to look around. You will pick up so many good ideas and discuss relative merits.

Then you can think about your next boat...! I know I am :-)
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I so,so, miss that world. Enjoy every second Matt. I had eight years and now realise I want a lot more of it. I will go again.
 
I made a circumnavigation in a Angus Primrose Moody 36 with an aft cabin and found her very comfortable and easy to sail either with crew or single handed - a lovely boat.

Her next owner took her down through the French Canals and eventually to Corfu then back on the same route and with his family had a great time.

Bambola now has new owners and is back on the Hamble but you can see descriptions of her in my web site... I don't know what 1979 Moody 36 would cost these days but I am certain its a lot less than the budget you have and you could probably re-engine and buy a new suit of sails and still be ahead of the game
I think the link is www.michaelbriant.com/sale.htm to see her.

I cannot tell you how awful round the world rallies are. Most boats give it up and do it more comfortably and cheaply themselves... Checking in and out of foreign ports is all part of the fun and moving at your own pace when you feel like it is the essence of blue water cruising. There will be people who disagree I'm sure but running round in a crowed relying on others is not my personal idea of fun.

Michael
 
you can cross oceans in a bath tub, what you really need to decide is what you will actually be doing with the boat, dreams are great but the reality is that most people only dream about it then buy a boat way too big, way too expensive and not practical for themselves.

Two people with little or no experience should not go bigger than 36 foot, thats plenty to handle with two, and remember if things go wrong one of you must be able to sail single handed.

I would suggest something like an old Trapper or Moody 33, good strong sea worth boats with the capability of doing what your dreaming of, and if not definately good solid boats to play on.

Then down the line if you really think you need bigger, then go bigger, although most popular 36 foot.

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/boatingdreams/

We started with a 23 footer, then a 26, 28 now very content withn a 33, and we live aboard 24/7.
 
ukmctc said:
We started with a 23 footer, then a 26, 28 now very content withn a 33, and we live aboard 24/7.
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But not everybody wants to follow that path. The size of boat a couple can handle has increased over the years as aids for handling gear have improved. People have different expectations of the space they need and the amount of money they wish to spend. I have lived on a 26 and a 37 footer and know which I prefer. The only benefits of going for a cheaper smaller boat is that you might be able to "do it" earlier and it helps you appreciate how much nicer the bigger boat is. Not sure if you have the money there is any advantage in going through the small cheap phase. Just go for the best boat you can afford comfortably.
 
Colvic Atlanta

We have been looking around for live aboard boats and have found a very nice Colvic Atlanta 32 with a band new 67hp engine. This has a draft of 1.2m (4ft) so would go through the European cannals. Does anybody have experience of these boats in open water or as a live aboard? Would it cross the altantic with out too much stress? Thanks for your thoughts!
 
I am surprised that no one has mentioned the SOutherly range. An early one around 37 -40 feet is in your price range.

They have a drop keel and draw about 0.70m keel up and circa 1.9m keel down.

Looks ideal for your dream and more than capable of the Transatlantic. Good Bahamas boats and as the ICW is shoaling in places 0.70m is good there too.
 
Boat suitable for Ocean and Canals

We bought a Morgan Outisland 416 (1981) in Florida 9 years ago, sailed her home to England, lived on her for 2 years there and then set sail for the Caribbean. Have been sailing around East and West Caribbean,and up to the USA as high as Cape Cod, back down eastern seaboard to Cuba and are now heading back to Europe to the Med or through the canals. The Morgan Outisland draft on paper is 4ft 3inches but we add a bit more for all the liveaboard junk you accumulate. We have no concerns about her seaworthyness to cross oceans, her shallow draft does give certain problems with leaway but we have not found that too much of a problem. She is a great lliveaboard boat with plenty of room and you can pick them up here in Florida for a really good price. Hope this gives food for thought. If you want more details please feel free to email us : tinawburgess@hotmail.com
 
Agree with Tranona, get the best, most up together boat you can afford and if you are heading somewhere ....silly..... then lean towards something that specialises in that area. In my humble opinion, all boats are a bit of a compromise, most can do the job pretty well and most have their...issues.

We have a feisty long keeled double ender which has been to some crazy, crazy places and is solid as a rock. She has a lot of advantages when you are really off piste, but in truth if you are sticking to the roads, you will have real difficulty finding anything much better value than a good old Bavaria. They are great fun to sail, fast, stand up to a hell of a battering - especially if you give them an extra coat of varnish in the bits that wear quickly - and are ludicrously good value for money its hard to beat the damn things.
We sailed in company with a couple of Norwegians who sailed to NZ in a leisure 21. Whilst it wouldn't be for me, it did just fine.

In some ways I think its as important to save some dosh for the comforts of life like water filter, china plates and real glasses, good mattress, etc etc - this is going to be your home - for me thats what makes it really special.

You would be welcome if you want to see how a heavy long keel compares to a light modern fin design. Each is a winner in their own way. Dont get too stressed by it, just get out, meet some people and enjoy!

And Jonic.... am with you 110%. Hurts doesnt it?
 
Kissathecat said:
Help!

We are keen to do some long distance passages and thought that the World Cruising Club rally may be a safe place to start. This dictates a minimum 40' (12.19m) boat.
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ARC rally is not necessarily a "safe place to start". It departs Canaries in late November in order to reach Caribbean by Christmas - the weather more often than not is bad and many boats suffer damage and/or turn back, it is not for the inexperienced. Late December or January is normally the recommended time for an Atlantic crossing as the trade winds have settled down. We left in February on 36ft Westerly Conway last year (originally intended January but late due to repairs) and had a very easy passage.

As others have said, there are a lot of mid 30's ft boats within your budget, which have good seakeeping abilities (long keel or long fin), are comfortable and suitable for liveaboards.

Best of luck, we love the life.
 
Pity about the 40' restriction on the ARC. Good reason to not hook up with them! Given your budget 40' is going to be tight. 35 to 38 much more accessible and almost the same amount of space. Certainly enough for two.


You spend a lot of time in port and relatively little time at sea when doing a world cruise. Its more about the places and people than sailing! If a circumnavigation takes 2 years you probably spend about 6 months 'at sea' and the rest tied up or anchored. So it's worth weighting the 'liveaboard' vs 'sailing' performances a little more towards the living side of the equation.

My 38' draws 1.65m and would do a lot of the French canals but as someone has already said if you are going to do 40 000 km or more why make the choice of boat pivot on perhaps 1500 of those?
 
nimbusgb said:
Pity about the 40' restriction on the ARC. Good reason to not hook up with them! Given your budget 40' is going to be tight. 35 to 38 much more accessible and almost the same amount of space. Certainly enough for two.


You spend a lot of time in port and relatively little time at sea when doing a world cruise. Its more about the places and people than sailing! If a circumnavigation takes 2 years you probably spend about 6 months 'at sea' and the rest tied up or anchored. So it's worth weighting the 'liveaboard' vs 'sailing' performances a little more towards the living side of the equation.

My 38' draws 1.65m and would do a lot of the French canals but as someone has already said if you are going to do 40 000 km or more why make the choice of boat pivot on perhaps 1500 of those?
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Couldnt agree more.
 
Foxy said:
And Jonic.... am with you 110%. Hurts doesnt it?
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Hi Foxes (sorry for thread drift here)

Yup and not getting any better! Saw foxglove the other day when I went to list a boat, drop us a line as we would love to have you over for a drink or two. :)
 
  • World ARC will start in Saint Lucia in early January 2012 and finish in Saint Lucia April 2013. The Itinerary has more detail on the route and timings.
  • World ARC is open to monohulls with a minimum LOA of 40ft (12.19m), and multihulls between 40ft (12.19m) and 60ft (18.29m). Other yachts will be considered on their merits
  • Minimum crew requirement is two people onboard each yacht.
  • A range of safety and communications equipment must be carried. The requirements are detailed in the Entry Regulations available from World Cruising Club. – click here to receive a copy.

So strictly speaking they could do it with 38' or even 35 if they can convince the organisers.
 
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