Wot Yacht?

[fireball]

Recent rumblings from the crew (not SWMBO this time!) is leading to a review on choice of vessel .... apparently the crew don't like it when it tips up ... but at 30' and 3.5T it isn't too surprising really!

Quick searches through suggested that the Westerly Seahawk or Falcon could be good possibilities, however further researching on here suggested that perhaps their sea-keeping isn't quite as good as their 40+% ballast ratio suggests....

In the same research Moody 34(6)'s were suggested .... whilst the 346 is probably a little too much, the 34 may just be in reach ...
we're ideally looking at or sub 35' but enough room for 4 adults
crew has trouble kneeling so a CCockpit may be sensible - equally SWMBO and I would like a bit more room in the forepeak ....

Having previously had a 70's boat we would not look at anything older than mid 80's build ....

Sailing is generally just in the Solent, but I have asperations further afield but probably not looking at ocean crossings!

Right - now what boats should I be looking at and does anyone have a winning lottery ticket they don't want?

 

[richard1532]

My moody 34 is for sale- 1985- owned her for 13 years, continually updated, new engine, sails, rigging etc. but SWMBO had enough- wants a country cottage instead. we are in plymouth yacht haven. Asking £42,900. My phone is 07880-720-676 if you are interested.

 

[ColinHuggins]

"30' and 3.5T "

Remind us what you're leaving behind - t'would help our input.

 

[samwestwood]

Hmm so something heavy and old....
The tradewind 35 is a very good seaboat. Feels very safe to be aboard and can take a good hammering.

There is a 33 on PYS
http://www.premiermarinas.com/pages/boat_sales

Or maby a nic 32

http://www.boatshed.com/nicholson_32_mkiii-boat-45033.html

 

[Gwylan]

We moved from an Achilles 24 to a Seahawk and miss the 'tippy tippy' moments, being able to do everything from the tiller and getting wet in any sort of sea.

Seahawk is a settee with a sail, but what a settee. Built like a brick outhouse.
Always felt safe and as with all boats you have to be ready to reef and be comfortable. Have sailed her through gales and lively seas and only limit is my ability.

 

[fireball]

Ta ... not ready to buy yet - pity we're not closer otherwise I'd ask to pop down and have a butchers.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll keep yours in mind when we're ready ...

 

[fireball]

It's a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30 .... fantastic boat and do not regret buying her, she took me across to France in a F6-7 last year without huge fuss and return back was as fast as others much bigger than us ... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But, times change and so do crew requirements ....

 

[fireball]

Sorry - should've said - really does need the aft double cabin which can be closed off with a door (same with forepeak) - we've got this (albeit a little cramped) on our 30'er .... so should be easy on a longer vessel!

 

[fireball]

There were suggestions of funny motions in larger seas and a general inability to go to windward - is this something you've found with your seahawk?
Still interested in the seahawk/falcon (same hull, different deck) as it does meet a lot of our criteria, but without actually sailing one it is difficult to be certain.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[photodog]

So, what things about your current boat do you wish to correct? The way I read it, you want a boat that is less tippy?

"Tippiness" is not a function of Ballast alone... I would suggest that you really need a boat with greater form stability..... To reduce the amount of heel, you really need a boat with a wider beam.... however this will not mean a more comfortable boat, or one that is safer......

What are the problems with the current boat, and what sort of sailing do you want to do.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[fireball]

The SO30 is quite narrow at the waterline and I have to put the first reef in by 15 knots to keep the crew happy (I can and have held off till 18/19 knots with full canvas, but the lee rail is under and you have to be comfortable with a boat on it's side) ... she is quick to respond to gusts - ie tips over on to her side easily - again, this doesn't sit comfortably with the crew.

Don't get me wrong - if it was just SWMBO and myself we'd be happy with the vessel, it could be nicer with wheel steering, but the stern cabin is large enough to sleep comfortably for 2 weeks holiday as we have done. Winter sailing is also quite easy - we have hot/cold running water, shorepower, immersion heater, fan heater, eber and the hull has been epoxy treated. The sails are reasonably easy to handle - single line main reefing with stackpack and furling genoa.
The issue is with changing requirements - and when some of the crew (part owners!) start to not like sailing her because they are not at the same fitness levels as me then it is time to review the situation and try to resolve them - the alternative would be that they stop sailing as much which is not really the aim!

You're about right - we need something with greater stability, generally less healing and will in effect increase the windrange that the crew are willing to sail in (again - I'm happy enough with the boat - have had it out in 35knots with no problem - even cooked pizza - but that was with my Dad and Brother as crew - both are experienced dinghy sailors and pretty good on the bigger stuff too) - at the moment we top out at around 20 knots which leaves quite a narrow band to sail in...

So - the Moody 34 or Seahawk / Falcon are current options in suitable budget range ........ we did have a brief look at cats, but can't find anything modern enough for the money and SWMBO isn't keen anyway ...

 

[photodog]

I think your going through the same process that we are..... narrow lightish boat.. fun to sail... but could do with some more space and less "Exciting " for those of a nervous disposition.....

Problem for me with the older Moodys and Westerly's is that they will not preform as well as our current boat, and probably not as well as yours... so you will find the sailing itself much less satisfying........

The answer for us is to be more carefull with the conditions when swmbo is onboard.... and then in a few years upgrade to a Rustler 36.......

Might I suggest a couple of other boats that you may wish to look at.....

Sygma 362 Here..

Or maybe a Sadler 34... (May be a bit too tippy... but a great ride...)

Both of these are pretty quick and good fun, but also good solid comfortable boats....


From left field a bit... a Hanse 333 or a Bavaria 34... both circa 1999..... not as heavy as the above... but more modern with good size and in the price bracket.... both are also surpisingly good sailors....

 

[abedwell]

if you don't want something quick but seaworthy, maybe a westerly conway?

 

[fireball]

Thanks - Sigma 362 looks interesting .... although may be a little too big (mooring restrictions) ... Sadler 34 we discounted as you have to walk through the heads into the forepeak ... a layout SWMBO and I dislike!!
There's got to be more boats out there than listed above.....!!