Which yacht should i look at?

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rich201283

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Im thinking of buying a yacht to do a bit of sailing, I would like it to be able to cope with the odd trip a cross the channel, I have narrowed it down to four yachts to look at, Can you advise which would be the best suited and which would be up to sailing across the channel and how they sail in heavy sea's?

Achillies 24
Egythene 24
Westerly Gk24
Hurley 24
 
Have regularly seen south coast based GK24's in channel islands, so they obviously get there! Used to race one many years ago. Great fun & very capable.
 
Hi

I have an Achilles 24 which I have been cruising for the last number of years. Over time I can say they are a great sea boat which will look after you
when the going get rough. They are fast as well and very easily handled single handed. The helm is always very light which means they are not a tiring
boat to sail on long passages. For extended cruising the room down below is cramped but you learn to live with this.
Have sailed a Hurley 24/70 which is a very different boat to the Achilles. Its allot heavier on the helm but has standing room in the cabin and in all
feels allot bigger than 24th. But its also quite a slow boat compared to the other three you have listed.
Have a look at achilles24.users.btopenworld.com/index.htm for more info on the Achilles 24.

Regards

Andrew
 
All of them would be up to doing a cross channel trip, assuming they are well maintained. What makes a boat sea worthy is largely a matter of fittings and gear.

The only thing I feel makes a particular boat design unsuitable for being out if it gets rough is the size of windows and type of hatch openings. Assuming these are strong and water tight then its fittings that will let you down if anything.

However, you may find if the weather doesn't look good your plans will change, it can be a long uncomfortable trip in the wrong conditions. The smaller the boat the longer the journey.
 
I've owned two GK24s - my first boat and then downsized a couple of years ago to one again, after looking at dozens of 22-26 footers.

GK24 is basically a bullet-proof racer, which makes it a little slow in light winds compared to modern racing boats but will beat almost any modern fast cruiser up to a few feet bigger. I've cruised down to La Rochelle and it can pretty much go anywhere and punch to windward too (perhaps because of its flat top).

Downsides are dark and low accommodation, but still pretty good for a 24 footer, oh, and that it heels remarkably. With the wind forward of the beam and sails balanced I've left the tiller for 10 minutes or more and it's stuck into a groove - not sure how as it has a fin keel.

Website - www.gk24.org

Otherwise, I really like the Achilles - feels like a proper little yacht, with much better headroom than the GK.
 
Hurley 24 wins on headroom and accomodation ,sails well to windward but not so well off the wind,strong capable boats also very dry in the cockpit..Sails adequately for a cruising boat but not as well as the other three choices.(we had one a few years ago)

GK 24 capable fast and roomy but not good headroom.Some boats will have been raced hard and be in a tired condition.It should be obvious if this is the case.

Eygythene cramped compared to the first two ,fast , The cockpit is a bit exposed for children IMHO This could be helped with guardrail nets or good dodgers I suppose.

Achilles 24 sails very well bit wet in rough conditions very cramped accomodation.


All 4 would do what you ask for ,its down to your personal priorities now .
 
I would add the Sadler 25 and put it at the top of the list. A yacht with decent performance that looks after you when the going gets rough.
 
Another Vote for the GK24, I have just sold mine but would highly recomend them for pottering in the Solent or trips across to France. I sailed mine down from Scotland with no probs and did C-borg and Ch-Islands last year in her.

If you want to cruise it's worth paying the extra for one with an inboard.

take a look at www.gk24.org

Cheers, G
 
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