Yachts with open plan interiors 26-30ft

[Sailfree]

Sailfree,

I am even more confused than usual, as I was pointing out any boat other than an Anderson 22 !

The Hunter Horizon 27 being an example of an open plan interior I personally was not enamoured with, there are plenty of boats with a modern slant on ' traditional ' interiors which keep one in place rather than richocheting between sides and bulkheads.

I refer you to the OP he asks for an open plan 26' -30'. Everyone knows you dont like open plan - we have got the point - but this discussion doesn't help the OP any further. My point is that a open plan on a small boat equates to one cabin on a large boat (my saloon is nearly 4m wide) so I can't see any problem with the question or boats that provide the solution.

 

[Elessar]

Not really sure where you found all this space to richochet around in?

crikey you'll be doing mach 2 leeward before you know what's hit you.

 

[Elessar]

Not really sure where you found all this space to richochet around in?

I that really all the space there is in a hunter 27?

I have fond memories of one of these. Raced many miles in one and even had to go up the mast in a blow to cut down a stuck kite on a lee shore. Sailed like a big dinghy, very responsive.

http://www.finot.com/bateaux/ancienbt/first/first24/first24.htm

Aft cabin so you can keep you bed made up (high on my wish list) and an interior more spacious than the hunter (and I survived)

Down side is outboard power (in a well so better than on the transom, but still not a diesel)

 

[Lucky Duck]

I that really all the space there is in a hunter 27?

Just out of the picture on the port side is the heads and you can just make out the start of the galley on the starboard side (which leads to a modest aft cabin) but still not the apparently a vast area referred to in this thread.

My first cruiser was a Hunter 265 which had pretty much the same layout and I don't recall any problems with going down below during a lively passage.

 

[colhel]

I asked the question originally as I'm looking to upgrade a litte in the future. Our Leisure 23SL has served us well and most probably will still be in our hands for forseable future. she offers good accomodation with a traditional layout, good cruising performance for her size, can dry out and due to her small length we can afford to keep her in a nice marina without the bills stressing us out. However, it's mainly only the 2 of us on board, (though there's been a couple of occasions when it's just 4 big hairy blokes) and we have found the best arrangement is to keep the forepeak for storage and live and sleep in the saloon and quater berth thus keeping the heads free. So an upgrade would need to be less than 30 feet to keep the fees unstressy, larger living space and a comfortable decent bog and aft cabin. To keep less than 30 feet, unless I get advised otherwise would be to go for an open plan. If we wanted to go to (say) 35ft we could get all that in a traditional layout but the marina fees and subsequent costs would mean sailing would have to be our sole hobby without being able to do all the other things we like. Hence back to minus 30 ft.
I didn't realise the Dufour Classic had this sort of layout. Thanks photodog for the link http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/dufour-30-classic/dufour-30-classic.htm
Whilst researching this I came across the Dufour 35, a boat I know well as 3 of us spent 2 months on one sailing back to the UK from Bermuda via the Azores and Spain and the main saloon was nearly the same size as the 30 in the link above.

 

[doug748]

The Feeling 286, mentioned by jwilson in post 7, looks a nice example of the type.

You might find 5ft 6 draught takes getting used to but I bet it nips to windward very well. Handy spread of sail as well



PS
- and a chart table!

 

[Sailfree]

I asked the question originally as I'm looking to upgrade a litte in the future. Our Leisure 23SL has served us well and most probably will still be in our hands for forseable future. she offers good accomodation with a traditional layout, good cruising performance for her size, can dry out and due to her small length we can afford to keep her in a nice marina without the bills stressing us out. However, it's mainly only the 2 of us on board, (though there's been a couple of occasions when it's just 4 big hairy blokes) and we have found the best arrangement is to keep the forepeak for storage and live and sleep in the saloon and quater berth thus keeping the heads free. So an upgrade would need to be less than 30 feet to keep the fees unstressy, larger living space and a comfortable decent bog and aft cabin. To keep less than 30 feet, unless I get advised otherwise would be to go for an open plan. If we wanted to go to (say) 35ft we could get all that in a traditional layout but the marina fees and subsequent costs would mean sailing would have to be our sole hobby without being able to do all the other things we like. Hence back to minus 30 ft.
I didn't realise the Dufour Classic had this sort of layout. Thanks photodog for the link http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/dufour-30-classic/dufour-30-classic.htm
Whilst researching this I came across the Dufour 35, a boat I know well as 3 of us spent 2 months on one sailing back to the UK from Bermuda via the Azores and Spain and the main saloon was nearly the same size as the 30 in the link above.

You mention the Dufour Classic - great boats and survived well on the charter market so solidly built. We bought a Dufour 36 classic in 1999 as our first boat. It was an upgraded 35!. Once you get to 34' then there are lots of boats with 2/3 cabins and good internal layouts. Bavaria/Dufour/Jeanneau all come to mind but there are also a number in the 30' to 32' worth considering. If its running costs that are limiting then I have wondered what a good alarm and lock system combine with a mooring would cost v Marina Fees. Size is not everything though as pleasure per £ our Wayfarer beats the Jeanneau hands down but we could not live aboard the Wayfarer for 1 month. Correction yes I know you can get a boom tent but my wife would not try it!

Good luck - the important thing is to keep enjoying sailing so get something you can afford is a high priority for all of us.

 

[Sybarite]

I asked the question originally as I'm looking to upgrade a litte in the future. Our Leisure 23SL has served us well and most probably will still be in our hands for forseable future. she offers good accomodation with a traditional layout, good cruising performance for her size, can dry out and due to her small length we can afford to keep her in a nice marina without the bills stressing us out. However, it's mainly only the 2 of us on board, (though there's been a couple of occasions when it's just 4 big hairy blokes) and we have found the best arrangement is to keep the forepeak for storage and live and sleep in the saloon and quater berth thus keeping the heads free. So an upgrade would need to be less than 30 feet to keep the fees unstressy, larger living space and a comfortable decent bog and aft cabin. To keep less than 30 feet, unless I get advised otherwise would be to go for an open plan. If we wanted to go to (say) 35ft we could get all that in a traditional layout but the marina fees and subsequent costs would mean sailing would have to be our sole hobby without being able to do all the other things we like. Hence back to minus 30 ft.
I didn't realise the Dufour Classic had this sort of layout. Thanks photodog for the link http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/dufour-30-classic/dufour-30-classic.htm
Whilst researching this I came across the Dufour 35, a boat I know well as 3 of us spent 2 months on one sailing back to the UK from Bermuda via the Azores and Spain and the main saloon was nearly the same size as the 30 in the link above.

If you are prepared to consider 30'6" try a Feeling 920:

Originally Posted by CFarr
I've been looking at Sadler 32's, Fulmars, Moody 31's etc but today came across a very nice looking Feeling 920.
I can find hardly any info about these yachts, how they handle etc, anyone out there got experience of them?
I understand they are a lighter build than the others I'm looking at but I think swmbo will like her better.
It has a 1.7m fin which I imagine would help its stiffness in regard to its flatter bottom.
Any opinions greatly received.
Thanks
Chris

(Sybarite)

I have had one for 25 years and they are brilliant boats. They will certainly outsail the others on your list.

Mine is a fin keel too and I wouldn't entertain a centre-board version. They inspire confidence when the conditions deteriorate (60 knts in the Bay of Biscay) and during several trips back to Ireland.

It is very well balanced and has a very attractive light coloured elm interior.

There was another local sailor who used to race his seriously and did very well with it. He was sponsored and had new sails every year. I got the choice of his second hand ones if I wanted.

It is an excellent compromise value/economy/performance. I was originally intending to buy a boat around 28' but the broker persuaded me to move up a bit. He said that I would appreciate the gain in space and headroom. He was so confident that he lent me the boat for a cruise.

They are excellent at pointing and are not that light.

Negative points : check for water tightness of windows. (This point is not restricted to Feelings).

FWIW I prefer it to later Feelings of the same size.

 

[chinita]

Can you get humourous bluewater yachts?

The manufacturers of these boats went into voluntary liquidation after an investigation by the Flippant Fraud Office.

 

[sailorman]

I've looked at the Hunter and Jeanneau range. Are there any others? Does anyone have this type of layout on this size of boat? I'd appreciate any comments please

Midget 31

 

[snooks]

Midget 31

Have you sailed one?