For the past 9 years, I've sailed an S2 26, shoal keel. It's been tough duty but I have held on to her because of the shoal draft. I am looking to move into another boat, and am curious as to what some others might suggest. My philosphy is two fold, keep it simple, stupid, and its the journey, not the destination. Having said that, what I think I am looking for should be easily single handed, probably wheel steering, 28 to 34 feet with classic lines (pleasing to look at,) and an inboard diesel. I want a single hull, minimal draft, (would like draft not to exceed 4 feet as my primary sailing is in the Tangier sound area of the Chesapeake) yet capable of a passage to Bermuda. Speed is not a high priority for me, but seaworthiness is. I've experienced some pretty heavy weather while in the Navy in the North Atlantic. I welcome your suggestions. Thanks, Ron
- Status
Catalina 30
If you look around you might find a Catalina 30 with a shoal keel. They have a great repetition and I have sailed on a few. For a while I was going to buy one in a few years but my wife didn't care to much for it....She saw the Catalina 310 and loved it. Think I will be getting a 310 in about 4 years. I have sailed through the area. Unless you are really into Gunk Holing you might consider anything under 5 feet. That opens up a lot of options as far as boats go. My home port can be shallow in the back part and 5 feet is about as deep as you want to go.
If you look around you might find a Catalina 30 with a shoal keel. They have a great repetition and I have sailed on a few. For a while I was going to buy one in a few years but my wife didn't care to much for it....She saw the Catalina 310 and loved it. Think I will be getting a 310 in about 4 years. I have sailed through the area. Unless you are really into Gunk Holing you might consider anything under 5 feet. That opens up a lot of options as far as boats go. My home port can be shallow in the back part and 5 feet is about as deep as you want to go.
An alternate view of shoal keel
The chap who sailed around the world in a Catalina 27 had a shoal keel and didn't like it. He felt the shoal keel contributed to excess motion of the boat, which kind of makes sense in a way; with a shoal keel you don't have as much hanging down in the water to add stability.
The chap who sailed around the world in a Catalina 27 had a shoal keel and didn't like it. He felt the shoal keel contributed to excess motion of the boat, which kind of makes sense in a way; with a shoal keel you don't have as much hanging down in the water to add stability.
Ericson
There are lots of Catalina, Benney and of course Hunter fans here - might do well to look at Ericsons which come in various lengths, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 35, are all modified fin keels with minimal draft yet track better than fins, many have keel stepped masts and are sturdy boats capable of going offshore.
There are lots of Catalina, Benney and of course Hunter fans here - might do well to look at Ericsons which come in various lengths, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 35, are all modified fin keels with minimal draft yet track better than fins, many have keel stepped masts and are sturdy boats capable of going offshore.
price points???
how much can you spend?? A number of good used boats come to mind under $30,000 Tartan 34 keel/centerboard A classic S&S designed boat J34C - pricy but a solid cruiser with a wing keel O'Day 322 (or for that matter the 302 or 280) both are early 90's designed O'Day with wing keels. Catalina 30 (4ft. draft)
how much can you spend?? A number of good used boats come to mind under $30,000 Tartan 34 keel/centerboard A classic S&S designed boat J34C - pricy but a solid cruiser with a wing keel O'Day 322 (or for that matter the 302 or 280) both are early 90's designed O'Day with wing keels. Catalina 30 (4ft. draft)
Don, I had a 1976 E29, IOR rig, MKII.
Bought it new and kept it for nine years. For off shore work, the hull deck joint is a problem that would have to be dealt with. Basically, it doesn't exist. It leaks like a sieve. Rubrail bolts are tapped right into the joint with NO sealant. The hull and deck are held together ONLY with an intermittent single layer of glass roving. The glass is only on the inside and is intermittent wherever it was inconvenient to apply, like at the shrouds! And because these boats are 'heavy', they don't ride up and over ocean waves as well as euro boats, so the joint sees water more than a fair share of time. Let's see, what else? OH! My Atomic 4 broke its' crank in the wilds of Desolation Sound. That led directly to my Hunter 34. That is the best thing I could say about my Ericson. P.S. And I would avoid wing keels. They seem to need a professional tow when stuck in mud judging from some of the stories here.
Bought it new and kept it for nine years. For off shore work, the hull deck joint is a problem that would have to be dealt with. Basically, it doesn't exist. It leaks like a sieve. Rubrail bolts are tapped right into the joint with NO sealant. The hull and deck are held together ONLY with an intermittent single layer of glass roving. The glass is only on the inside and is intermittent wherever it was inconvenient to apply, like at the shrouds! And because these boats are 'heavy', they don't ride up and over ocean waves as well as euro boats, so the joint sees water more than a fair share of time. Let's see, what else? OH! My Atomic 4 broke its' crank in the wilds of Desolation Sound. That led directly to my Hunter 34. That is the best thing I could say about my Ericson. P.S. And I would avoid wing keels. They seem to need a professional tow when stuck in mud judging from some of the stories here.
Lots of choices
I suggest you look at: Tartan 34c http://www.tartanowners.org/t34/index.htm Sabre 32 or 34 centerboard Pearson 31 I recently purchased a Pearson 36-2 centerboard - might be bigger than you want but a its nice boat.
I suggest you look at: Tartan 34c http://www.tartanowners.org/t34/index.htm Sabre 32 or 34 centerboard Pearson 31 I recently purchased a Pearson 36-2 centerboard - might be bigger than you want but a its nice boat.
sounds like
you're looking for a triton except for the wheel steering, check out the link for a bit more info on what a triton can be. Ken.
you're looking for a triton except for the wheel steering, check out the link for a bit more info on what a triton can be. Ken.
It Depends On $$
I really love my Catalina 310. It has a wing keel sails fast and also has in mast furling. I'll never go back to flaking a main and battling a sail cover! As for traditional looks the 310 has less freeboard than most new boats and although not "traditional" I would not give up the walk through transom, mast furling, huge cockpit etc. etc. Check out my pictures at related link below..
I really love my Catalina 310. It has a wing keel sails fast and also has in mast furling. I'll never go back to flaking a main and battling a sail cover! As for traditional looks the 310 has less freeboard than most new boats and although not "traditional" I would not give up the walk through transom, mast furling, huge cockpit etc. etc. Check out my pictures at related link below..
Oh maaaaaan.
Walk through transom!!! Ouch! Wanna trade? Can I take a pattern off of your boat? Ron, some things are worth going after.
Walk through transom!!! Ouch! Wanna trade? Can I take a pattern off of your boat? Ron, some things are worth going after.
O'Day 302
Mike C. - Were 302's produced in the 90's? I was under the assumtion that 1989 was the last year of production
Mike C. - Were 302's produced in the 90's? I was under the assumtion that 1989 was the last year of production
ron, I saw someone trying to buy a 25
O'Day for $13500 I think it was out west. I thought, heck I would deliver it for that. Then I thought about the boat, how I have spent two years making it the boat I want. Then I thought , what other boat do I want. I am a simple kind of guy and I like my boat. We (the wife and I ) stay aboard every weekend in the summer. I decided that right now there is no other boat that I want. I have seen the S2 and it is a comfortable boat for periods of time. Are you sure you want to part with it? I have not been aboard one but the only boat that tweeks a interest is a Seaward. r.w.landau
O'Day for $13500 I think it was out west. I thought, heck I would deliver it for that. Then I thought about the boat, how I have spent two years making it the boat I want. Then I thought , what other boat do I want. I am a simple kind of guy and I like my boat. We (the wife and I ) stay aboard every weekend in the summer. I decided that right now there is no other boat that I want. I have seen the S2 and it is a comfortable boat for periods of time. Are you sure you want to part with it? I have not been aboard one but the only boat that tweeks a interest is a Seaward. r.w.landau
shoal draft cruiser
I have been the owner of an O'Day 272LE with the wing keel, which always sailed well and met most of your criteria with a draft of only 2'11". Those older O'Days can be nice. I have now ordered a new Beneteau 323 with a lifting keel -- it adds a little complication but retracted draws under 3', and under way can have a 7' draft. I spoke to a few owners of retractable keel models and they were all pretty happy, though a few of older ones had some issues and one wants to be sure it has been well maintained. Much above 30' there are fewer really shallow draft options: the Shoalsailer 32 by Shannon, which costs a fortune and has a kind of beamy look from behind; Jenneau makes a retractable keel as well and there is a British company whose name escapes me for the moment. Of course in the larger sizes at a little more draft there was the old and wonderful bermuda 40, with a retractable keel that I believe only drew 4'.
I have been the owner of an O'Day 272LE with the wing keel, which always sailed well and met most of your criteria with a draft of only 2'11". Those older O'Days can be nice. I have now ordered a new Beneteau 323 with a lifting keel -- it adds a little complication but retracted draws under 3', and under way can have a 7' draft. I spoke to a few owners of retractable keel models and they were all pretty happy, though a few of older ones had some issues and one wants to be sure it has been well maintained. Much above 30' there are fewer really shallow draft options: the Shoalsailer 32 by Shannon, which costs a fortune and has a kind of beamy look from behind; Jenneau makes a retractable keel as well and there is a British company whose name escapes me for the moment. Of course in the larger sizes at a little more draft there was the old and wonderful bermuda 40, with a retractable keel that I believe only drew 4'.
- Status