Practical dream boat?

markwbird · Oct 11, 2016

Great question. Mine would have to be a good racer/cruiser. It's gotta be competitive but still keep the admiral happy when we take a long weekend up the coast. Maybe a fractional rigged sporty cruiser. I would have to do some research but maybe a J-35 or a Beneteau First 35. Am I being lame? Maybe a Santana 35.

weinie · Oct 11, 2016

J88
I'm realizing more and more that I enjoy sailing alone and my plans for circumnavigating the globe or even cruising locally just isn't in the cards. Turns out, I'm mostly a day sailor but I do love to go fast. I want something easy to handle solo but can also win a race or three with some competent crew. It has to be light enough and able carry a big sail to get me going on hot summer days on the sound but capable enough to withstand a good pounding when the winds kick up a choppy sea. I don't need to cook or even to shower. The less complicated systems the better.

cb32863 · Oct 11, 2016

For my sailing area and my cost/benefit analysis, I would say my current First 235 would be it. Already bought the sails, making constant upgrades, maintenance as well is being covered (though that mast was a wee bit of a surprise

). We can sail it with 1, 2 or more on board as well and we are getting better and better with her racing. A few more things on the upgrade list but, almost got her where I want her.

I would say that I would consider going with a 265 as an upgrade but, any bigger for the lake would be too much I think. A 285 would be tough to launch and slip at WYC. The 265 has a few extra amenities that the 235 does not have of course. Hot water, inboard diesel, more room.... So yeah, I guess if I wanted to do an upgrade I would go with a 265.

RussC · Oct 11, 2016

To meet your criteria I have to say it's a boat I already own. our Mac 25 fits our needs extremely well and we both love it. Initial cost was very reasonable for us fixed income folks, upgrades have made it quite comfortable for multi day/night cruises, it shows well against the common boats on the lake as far as both speed and style..... I guess we're just easy to please

.
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But that doesn't mean I don't have an impractical (compared to our M25) dream boat also. Lately that boat would be a Stiletto 27 cat. gawd those things are beautiful, and they flat FLY. I'd love to experience 20+ kt under sail at least once.

Kermit · Oct 11, 2016

I'm out. Too many rules I can't follow. Besides, my First Mate is my dreamboat. (And she's pretty practical, too.)

woodster · Oct 11, 2016

well i am in that position as we speak ...i am down below typing in that boat now....there are some upgrades to come but for the most part i am there ....granted i live that long......no wait i have owned it 7 years now wet or dry

look at my avatar to your left

justsomeguy · Oct 11, 2016

A "practical" dream is a bit of an oxymoron, no? And as stated many times on these forums, there is no perfect boat. They're all a compromise in one way or another.
Nevertheless, I'm looking at a Tayana 37 in the Sea of Cortez.

whatfiero · Oct 11, 2016

The J boats they definitely fit that criteria

heritage · Oct 11, 2016

While walking quickly down the dock by the J boats on display at the Annapolis boat show yesterday, the J-122 stopped me dead. It exudes speed and function. I thought I was an Island Packet sort of sailor, but can't get the J-122 out of my mind.

SailormanDan · Oct 11, 2016

Since this isn't a "win the lottery" fantasy, my 1981 Cherubini Hunter 27 already fills your criteria, can't afford anything more at this point.

Gunni · Oct 11, 2016

It would be your ONLY boat - check, a swiss-army knife
You have to own it for at least 10 years - no problem, good build quality, spare parts readily available at a good price.
You have to be able to maintain it TOP condition, plus buying at least 1 full set of new sails - you bet, NP sails are a great value.
You have to be able/willing to deal with all operational costs. - no problem.
Your regular crew has to be able to SAIL it comfortably in expected local conditions - sure, but I don't need a crew, the boat is set up to singlehand. However, when they come along we bunk in tall cotton.

What is it, and WHY? Beneteau411 (shoal draft).
Why: A well designed, well built, relatively fast cruiser, easy to sail production boat that is simple to maintain (minimum teak), equipped for all conditions and able to carry one or 7 sailors in comfort. Goldilocks sized (not too big, not too small, not too complicated), off-the-shelf chandlery parts (Yanmar, Lewmar, ZSpar). Long production run, lots of boats to choose from. Reasonable cost of ownership.

Apex · Oct 11, 2016

tough choices, as dreams typically run on the bigger side, while maintenance, sail cost, and operational costs all point to smaller. And crew comfort moves towards momma bear size.

better build quality and simple systems, sure. But where did I see that swan 50 video recently?

I think I would lean more on a high quality boat that rests right smack dab middle on the cruiser/racer side. Too much racer is built lighter and thus more fragile...
As far as costs: given a -0- initial investment you are still way ahead overall maintaining a high level of maintenance and a nice set of sails.

Franklin · Oct 11, 2016

Difficult question for me. My 1996 Hunter 376 that I've had now for coming up on 12 years now could qualify. It is my second boat...first being a 21' draw keel boat I had as a teenager. I didn't know much about boats when I bought this but now I know a lot more, so much I am confused as to if I would buy it again if I did it all over again. One thing is for sure, I got a lot of boat for the money I spent (when I think about the money I've spent on maintaining her since, 2x the price, I sometimes wonder on that

).

When I sold my first boat as a teen I told myself 'one day I will buy a big boat, make it my home and sail around the world'. Well, when I bought this boat I wasn't planning on living on it or sailing around the world (that took a year for that dream to come back and another 6 years to get ready and now I'm doing it) but when the salesman asked if I wanted to change the name of the boat 'because this is the time to do it' when I was filling out the paperwork, I said 'no way man, the name is perfect'. These days sometimes I wonder about picking a name a bit more less common like me

such as 'Broken Compass' or 'This Way' with an arrow pointing forward but I still can't get around how perfect the name was for me.

Now that I am getting married in Tonga to a wonderful woman who has graciously agreed to finish the around the world trip and maybe even do it a second time, I have been wondering about upgrading to a larger boat. My issues is no water maker and such a small water tank (60 gallons) that does great for me but with her on board could be a problem. I collect rain water and that is awesome as I never seem the need to jug water anymore, but that will change soon. I thought about more water tanks but no place to put them. I can't even figure out where to put a water maker.

The boat came with a genset but it is old and loud and takes up a valuable lazarette and that lazarette is shallow so it is the only getset made that can fit in there. Then there is the issue with stock piling food...where to put it? I had plenty of room for just me on my 30 day crossing for food but next time...hmmm...could be an issue.

If I do go with a bigger boat, well, what kind? I've thought about another Hunter but doubt it. The swept back spreaders is a pain when sailing and after all the manufacture defects I've had to fix on my boat, well, that kind of turns me off too. The problem is, I've been on many boats and the only ones I would like to have better than my boat I would not be able to afford for another 5-10 years.

A Swan 53 would be nice though

She says my boat is just fine so if I can figure out a solution to the water issue and do some re-design inside to make more storage space then I would have to answer my 1996 Hunter 376 - s/v Dreamboat

kimelmore · Oct 11, 2016

My dreamboat is the one I'm married to (I'm with ya on that Kermit)

but seriously we just bought the boat of our dreams and we are quite happy with it. It needs a little love and attention but what boat doesn't?

agprice22 · Oct 11, 2016

I think I may have just bought mine: Telstar 28 trimaran. Trailerable, so I get to store it myself... oh.. screw the rules... i have my own criteria! It has new sails. It is faster than anything up to and probably over 40 ft. We plan to own it til we can move to open water. It has enough room for two to be comfortable. It folds, so docks in our usual slip. It does not heel past 10 degrees, so the crew (my admiral) will sail it. In fact, during our seatrial, she said she felt she would like to drive the boat. It just goes faster as the wind gets higher. It has a bowsprit, so I plan to add a spinnaker.
I WILL keep it in top shape. As I do, and as is important to me.
I think that does it!

Rick D · Oct 11, 2016

The boat I own now. 1994 Hunter Legend 40.5. It has, and continues to, serve us well. Races in PHRF well, cruises well, lives well & entertains well. Owned her for going on 17 years.
Quite frankly, I sometimes wonder who will own her next and care for her. Sailing is a declining sport and younger people lack skills.

Tally Ho · Oct 11, 2016

I really like the Beneteau 373 for my next boat. This would be a practical choice, easy to single-hand, lots of nice features (in-mast furling, large cockpit, A/C, really nice cabin).

But in my dreams, I drool over this 53' Hinckley Custom Cutter
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Hinckley-Custom-53-3011601/United-States#.V_2SHHQ8KhA
A boat I could live on, sail the world on, say goodbye to civilization on.

Greg

BigEasy · Oct 11, 2016

Think that I would like a 37 foot Tartan or island Packet 370. Both are quality cruising boats that can handle offshore work safely. Also, layouts incorporate substantial storage spaces. Size is such that they can be single-handed realistically.

Davidasailor26 · Oct 11, 2016

heritage said:
While walking quickly down the dock by the J boats on display at the Annapolis boat show yesterday, the J-122 stopped me dead. It exudes speed and function. I thought I was an Island Packet sort of sailor, but can't get the J-122 out of my mind.

The same boat was the first to my mind when I saw Jackdaw's question. Seems like it would be a very good boat for the type of sailing I like to do. Of course there are still compromises - the draft is probably more than you want to cruise around most places, it's not going to have the same cruising comforts as a dedicated cruiser, and the cruising amenities it does have weigh it down more than a dedicated racer.

So I'll take a new angle on the question - two new boats instead of one. One cruising focused for weekend trips - The new Beneteau 38.1 impressed me at the show for that purpose. And one more serious racer - maybe something like a J88.