D/L ratio

[Sampled]

Hello, my husband and I are very new to sailing in general. We have been thinking about getting a boat for the past 11 years and it looks like we may be getting a boat next year.
We will mostly be doing coastal cruising, some offshore cruising. At first we were very interested in a Bristol Channel Cutter but recently started having some interest in the Beneteau 38. I am doing some research and it looks as if we would need a heavy displacement boat if we were going offshore....
The Beneteau 38 has a D/L of 180 which is light but the broker and others say it handles fine. What does everyone think.

 

[Jackdaw]

In general I'd recommend NOT focusing on ratios as a primary way to evaluate boats. Indeed if you are this new, you're going to have a hard time in any case. When you say offshore, what do your REALLY mean? It's rare for a true first-timer to make such a declaration and really know what they want. That takes time and experience.

So get to know boats and know them for that capabilites, NOT their ratios. Would you have picked your husband based on his height to weight ratio?? ;^)

In general the 38 is a GREAT coastal cruiser. A dedicate offshore passage maker? Not so much.

 

[Gunni]

If I was buying a sailboat to sail the Neuse and Carolinas I would focus on draft. The Beneteau38 is plenty seaworthy for the time when you are ready to head out into Onslow, and down the coast. The Bristol Channel Cutter will keep you busy sanding, varnishing, and maintaining a wooden boat.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

If I was buying a sailboat to sail the Neuse and Carolinas I would focus on draft. The Beneteau38 is plenty seaworthy for the time when you are ready to head out into Onslow, and down the coast. The Bristol Channel Cutter will keep you busy sanding, varnishing, and maintaining a wooden boat.

The BCC is not a wooden boat. Have friends who sail one. Solid glass hull. True it has much wood on deck, to be maintained. A very solid boat

 

[Jackdaw]

The BCC is not a wooden boat. Have friends who sail one. Solid glass hull. True it has much wood on deck, to be maintained. A very solid boat

True. But compared to the almost topsides-maintence-free Beni, it's a wooden boat.

 

[Brian D]

I'm with Jackdaw. For coastal cruising you should be fine with the B38. Not asking but you have to also consider your age, not the boats. Will the two of you, or for that matter either of you, be able to handle the boat by yourself it something happens? Is the boat equipped for single handed sailing?

 

[Kings Gambit]

So, the Bristol CC is a 28' boat?, versus a Beneteau 38'?-- and the main point of deliberation is which one to put to sea in--going--where? Before you buy any boat, IMHO, you need to realistically assess how it will be used. Many folks only think they are going to sea for extended periods requiring a heavy, blue-water boat; but the reality is that most are lucky to get on the water even 40 days per year on weekends and during vacation periods. Sailing short trips near home in and around the protected and/or nearshore waters of the mid-Atlantic states, the Beneteau 38 would be the better choice if the price is right and the boat is in good condition. For weekend work, a 7.5 kt boat is generally better than a 6.5(?) kt one, if you have that choice to make.

 

[rgranger]

Sampled

I just left Oriental this past Saturday. I trailered my H26 to the town docks and was a transient at Whittaker Point Marina. I have sailed from Swanquarter to Ocracoke and down to Oriental many times and I've sailed all over the Albemarle as well. The area from Aligater Creek to Hatteras is about the only part of that area I still need to explore. I'm telling you this for one particular reason and Gunni has already mentioned it. DRAFT is a huge issue in your area. There is a lot of uncharted skinny water in your area. Two weeks ago I put new bottom paint on my boat and right now the very tip of the rudder has the bottom paint scrapped off. I drug the rudder through about a 8' long stretch of sandy shoals as I approached the channel at the mouth of South River and according to the charts I should have had 6' of water under my keel. There are so many great places to explore in your area, I would want a boat that draws no more than 4' or one that has a retractable keel. Actually it is mostly because of my love of that area that I am now exclusively a swing keel sailor. With that said, my boat is not something I'd take more than a mile or two "off shore" and then only if I had really studied the weather carefully and I had a ditch port mapped out in case of a pop-up T-storm. If your idea of "off shore" is a quick jaunt and back or a short passage in a good weather window.... then even a hobie 16 can be considered and "off shore" cruiser... (I've done that).

Happy hunting! Boat shopping is 1/3 the fun of it....

r

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

True. But compared to the almost topsides-maintence-free Beni, it's a wooden boat.

lol Can't argue that

 

[Don Lucas]

The Beneteau 38 has a D/L of 180 which is light but the broker and others say it handles fine. What does everyone think.

That's a mid displacement boat in today's designs. I have a boat with 165 DLR and my last boat had a 230, current boat is my sea-kind.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Every year thousands of Bennateaus, Catalinas, Hunters, and other production brands make the run from Miami to the Bahamas. Heck, I know of much smaller boats doing it (there are a few Compac 23s that have done this). If that is your definition of offshore sailing once in a while then you would be fine with most boats.

A lot of people will argue that sailing experience means more than the boat itself. Another point that is frequently made is that the boat will usually take a lot more than the crew.

Looking at ratios etc. is the wrong way to go about this.

Make a list on what you want to do. How many miles will you be offshore? How often will you be in port? What are features that you have to have to be comfortable? What are things that would be nice to have? What size boat do you think is manageable.

Remember this, as a whole, the larger the boat the larger the budget you need to cover it. I downsized from a Catalina 30 to a Compac 23 because my budget was getting slammed by stuff. My Compac 23 has a budget that is almost half the Catalina's overall.

Maybe getting a smaller boat for a few years to learn cruising, sailing, and techniques would be a good start. You can learn some by chartering, but you won't learn boat ownership. Learn about expenses that come up, what issues the boat has, and what you can deal with. Learn to repair things on the boat because sometimes it is just you to fix things. If you can do some engine repairs it could mean the difference between a huge tow bill, an absolute disaster, or getting in safely.

A lot of dream of sailing off into the sunset. The reality is it is not exactly easy to do it. Sure, some people have done this but some people have tried it and absolutely hate it. I am not sure what your experience is or what you have done but if you are new into this you are in the right place. There is tons of information out there and tons of sailors that are willing to help you.

Good luck and keep us updated. As I said, sailors are extremely helpful people so ask away!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Every year thousands of Bennateaus, Catalinas, Hunters, and other production brands make the run from Miami to the Bahamas. Heck, I know of much smaller boats doing it (there are a few Compac 23s that have done this). If that is your definition of offshore sailing once in a while then you would be fine with most boats.

A lot of people will argue that sailing experience means more than the boat itself. Another point that is frequently made is that the boat will usually take a lot more than the crew.

Looking at ratios etc. is the wrong way to go about this.

Make a list on what you want to do. How many miles will you be offshore? How often will you be in port? What are features that you have to have to be comfortable? What are things that would be nice to have? What size boat do you think is manageable.

Remember this, as a whole, the larger the boat the larger the budget you need to cover it. I downsized from a Catalina 30 to a Compac 23 because my budget was getting slammed by stuff. My Compac 23 has a budget that is almost half the Catalina's overall.

Maybe getting a smaller boat for a few years to learn cruising, sailing, and techniques would be a good start. You can learn some by chartering, but you won't learn boat ownership. Learn about expenses that come up, what issues the boat has, and what you can deal with. Learn to repair things on the boat because sometimes it is just you to fix things. If you can do some engine repairs it could mean the difference between a huge tow bill, an absolute disaster, or getting in safely.

A lot of dream of sailing off into the sunset. The reality is it is not exactly easy to do it. Sure, some people have done this but some people have tried it and absolutely hate it. I am not sure what your experience is or what you have done but if you are new into this you are in the right place. There is tons of information out there and tons of sailors that are willing to help you.

Good luck and keep us updated. As I said, sailors are extremely helpful people so ask away!

True, but to me "offshore" means beyond at least one day's run from the nearest safe harbor. Not a technical definition based on meteorology or oceanography, but one more in the spirit of what determines the difference between a true blue-water cruiser and a "coastal" cruiser. Namely, sea-keeping ability in sustained conditions at Force 8 or higher, when seeking safe harbor is not an option. That is, the same old story--length, heft, and the quality of materials and workmanship, including design.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I was merely pointing out that if that is what they called offshore than they are okay with production boats, your definition for offshore is more accurate. Notice I said "If that is your definition..."