Yet another "which boat" - simple light weekender

[prv]

Another "which boat should I buy" thread, if you wouldn't mind. Although this one's not for me but for my parents.

Went out sailing with my mum last weekend, and we talked about the eventual breaking up of our Kindred Spirit partnership in coming years. I find a lot to like about the boat, but a bit too slow to make the kind of voyages I'd like to, and they find her rig overcomplicated and increasingly hard work physically.

So I'm after a boat which would suit them:

• Simple and light to sail. Self-tacking jib would be good. Bit of performance wouldn't go amiss.
• Will probably never leave the Solent, and won't go out if it's rough, so sea keeping not a priority.
• No more than two nights away at a time, and likely to be eating ashore rather than cooking big meals on board. The ability to make tea underway is required though, so a camping stove balanced on a worktop may not cut it.
• No initial work required (ie probably not an older boat), minimal ongoing maintenance. I do all this kind of stuff on KS, they would be reluctant to have to do it on their own boat. So something that's all plastic and aluminium, no "systems", no wood.
• Separate heads is, I think, a requirement for my mum. I know from early camping holidays that my dad will not countenance a porta-potti.
• My mum is a sailor (the "bit of performance" in the first point is with her in mind) but engines are something of a safety-blanket to my dad. He'll probably distrust outboards, the norm on this kind of boat, but might be persuaded to go for one in a well.
• 5'6" headroom may be a challenge, but would be a definite bonus. Dad's "too old for putting my bloody trousers on lying down".
• They would keep the boat afloat, probably in Southampton, but trailerable home for winter might be a benefit.
• Budget not a major consideration, within reason.

I'm sure I've seen several boats like this reviewed in the mags, but never paid much attention as it's not what I'd want. Now I don't know what to search for.

Roll on the suggestions. Anderson 22s need not apply

Pete

 

[lustyd]

Did you see Trifle when we were in Yarmouth?
Cheers
Dave

 

[BAtoo]

http://www.beneteau.com/Sailing-Yachts/First/First-25.7-S

One here:- http://fr.eyb-boats.com/fr/annonces/voiliers/beneteau/first-25-7-lifting-keel/_R_201_591668_.htm

Or if Mum wants a bit more fun:-http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/246309/



Even the larger one is "trailer-able".....

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

http://vimeo.com/29528233

 

[Seajet]

Roll on the suggestions. Anderson 22s need not apply

Pete,

We weren't going to, I thought the list of requirements unsuited; a Shrimper may be an idea if one can tolerate the silly prices ?

Andy

 

[Yacht Yogi]

Not goodbye to Kindred Spirit?

Surely you're not going to say goodbye to Kindred Spirit? We all love seeing you guys out in the Sigma fleet.

Don't suppose you're looking for a new partner and more crew?

Cheers
Chris (ex Gambit)

 

[Seajet]

Pete,

another suggestion, how about a Hunter Horizon 23 ? The outboard well isn't the best in the world but at least one doesn't have to lift the weight of the engine, has about as much headroom as one will ever get at 23' while still sailing quite well, self tacking jib and seperate loo.

Being a twin keeler she will go on a cheaper, much more sheltered half tide mooring if that is desired, or get in and out of tidally restricted places easier...

Had a look and a brief sail on a chums' example the other day and was impressed, and yes I was asked at the time if I'd prefer one to an Anderson, no I wouldn't but she ticks a lot of your boxes !

 

[Fantasie 19]

Hunter 20 Mini C??

http://www.britishhunter.co.uk/page19.html

Newer boat (so less work), quite sporty, separate heads, outboard well, not sure of the head room though...

 

[Simondjuk]

Did you see Trifle when we were in Yarmouth?
Cheers
Dave

I guess I forgot to edit that ad'. She's now offered at £19,500.

Although sold as trailerable when new, she's too big to do so without a serious tow vehicle.

 

[lustyd]

I guess I forgot to edit that ad'. She's now offered at £19,500.

Although sold as trailerable when new, she's too big to do so without a serious tow vehicle.

I didn't think the price was that unreasonable before considering that it's basically a new boat with 30 year old GRP!

 

[ianat182]

Perhaps a SeaWych or, for more performance, the Medina or Delta 25.- dare I suggest a Westerly Tiger (there's been one for sale for a year now on the Hamble close to the Ferry
at Warsash ('Tigerfly')looks clean and tidy and full headroom and comfortable) of course not a trailable boat. They aren't too demanding for an older couple to handle even in a blow, I single hand quite regularly and I'm in my dotage!
Pricing around the £6-8K I'd guess depending on re-engine dates.


ianat182

 

[Chrusty 1]

What about one of these?

http://www.parkerseal.org.uk/forsale/northernsky.aspx

Will float on a wet lawn, is spritely but easily managed, roomy for her size, easy to get on and off a trailer, and they do hold their value, another advantage is that she is still in production.

 

[prv]

a Shrimper may be an idea if one can tolerate the silly prices ?

Probably not; I suspect they'd see it as too similar to KS.

Also, maintenance. I know the newer Shrimpers have modern coatings on the spars so annual varnishing may not be needed, but they're still wooden so represent a liability.

Bear in mind that at present my parents enjoy virtually step-on-and-go sailing, with all repair and maintenance done by me as part of our arrangement. They come and help with applying antifouling (but not removing the old stuff) to show willing, but even that's not really required. They've never owned a boat before (except dinghies), though they've sailed all their lives on other people's, and are concerned at the effort/time involved with looking after one on their own.

Pete

 

[prv]

Surely you're not going to say goodbye to Kindred Spirit? We all love seeing you guys out in the Sigma fleet.

Don't suppose you're looking for a new partner and more crew?

Cheers
Chris (ex Gambit)

??

Sure you have the right boat? This Kindred Spirit is a 24-foot modern gaffer, nothing to do with any Sigmas and I'm afraid the name "Gambit" means nothing to me

Pete

 

[Seajet]

Pete,

I thought Shrimpers are grp, with wooden bits ?

Then how about a Hawk 20 with a sprayhood, or Laser 16, maybe a Drascombe, Manta 19 ?

Quite a tricky set of parameters to satisfy, I can't think of anything better than the Horizon 23, but it is a serious thing to trail home for the winter.

The Yeoman / Kinsman ( can never remember which is the lift keel ! ) is a nice boat, but staying overnight is also out and may be a touch racy.

Go on, admit it, the dreaded 'A' word begins to make sense ! An early type keelcase is very affordable and does fit your requirements...

No such thing as a maintenance free boat either, the alternative is a well maintained wallet and get someone else to do it !

 

[prv]

another suggestion, how about a Hunter Horizon 23 ?

Hunter 20 Mini C??

http://www.parkerseal.org.uk/forsale/northernsky.aspx

Thanks, those all look like possibilities. The Hunter 20 was perhaps closest to what I had in mind ("less boat" is the general theme here) but I guess it's hard to fit performance, headroom and a loo into anything too small.

Pete

 

[prv]

I thought Shrimpers are grp, with wooden bits ?

Yep - as is KS and she's taken up most of my weekends over three winters so far.

(To be fair, much of that is "improvement" rather than maintenance)

No such thing as a maintenance free boat either

I don't remember our Wayfarer requiring any work to keep going. Scale that up a few feet, put a plastic lid on it, and why should it suddenly require much more looking after?

Pete

 

[Seajet]

I don't remember our Wayfarer requiring any work to keep going. Scale that up a few feet, put a plastic lid on it, and why should it suddenly require much more looking after?

Pete

Pete,

I'm sure I could find things to do with a grp Wayfarer or when faced with a brand new £ 10 million boat, there is no such thing as a finished boat; of course, I do like tinkering with bits & pieces.

The small cruiser you seek will, compared to a Wayfarer, have antifouling, possibly keel inspection / maintenance, engine, loo, water tank & tap, seacocks, headlining, winches, mooring, inflatable, electrics, cooker, gas system, extinguishers,bilge pump/s, nav system / charts, interior & nav' lights, battery........

 

[BlueSkyNick]

??

Sure you have the right boat? This Kindred Spirit is a 24-foot modern gaffer, nothing to do with any Sigmas and I'm afraid the name "Gambit" means nothing to me

Pete

There is a Sigma38 called Kindred Spirit which races in their regular events.

 

[prv]

There is a Sigma38 called Kindred Spirit which races in their regular events.

Thought it might be something like that

Wonder what he made of my complaint that KS wasn't fast enough?

Pete