I'm looking to buy my first boat and have completed my first year of sailing and racing. I want to cruise first and then race in a year or 2. What boat(s) would any of you recommend listed in order of quality? My range is 27-30' in length. Less then 20K in price. I've come up with Tartans and then Catalinas in that order. Thanks for any input.
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here's a few to look at
A few boats that can be had for $20,000 and (with a little work or sweat equity) can be raced and cruised to satisfaction. C&C Mega (30 ft.)- more of a racer with minimal accomodations S2 9.2 good racing speed small tankage J30 - one of my favorite boats.
A few boats that can be had for $20,000 and (with a little work or sweat equity) can be raced and cruised to satisfaction. C&C Mega (30 ft.)- more of a racer with minimal accomodations S2 9.2 good racing speed small tankage J30 - one of my favorite boats.
Pearson
I think for your budget money a Pearson 26-28 would be a great cruise and or race boat. Narrow beam, fin keel with a tiller and a safe bomb proof boat. Great design that's been around for years and is still a great club racer. All that said you can buy my 26 for 4500.00
I think for your budget money a Pearson 26-28 would be a great cruise and or race boat. Narrow beam, fin keel with a tiller and a safe bomb proof boat. Great design that's been around for years and is still a great club racer. All that said you can buy my 26 for 4500.00
Mega 30
J30 going to cost the most I think and is a fat beam,S2-9.2 is slower but less $$,Mega 30
J30 going to cost the most I think and is a fat beam,S2-9.2 is slower but less $$,Mega 30
2nd vote for Pearson
The Pearson 26 or 28 would serve you well. They are both great racers. The 28 is much more comfortable for cruising, however. Good headroom, lots of storage, safe, stable and forgiving. You can't go wrong with a Pearson. I would also consider a Tartan or Sabre. Good luck
The Pearson 26 or 28 would serve you well. They are both great racers. The 28 is much more comfortable for cruising, however. Good headroom, lots of storage, safe, stable and forgiving. You can't go wrong with a Pearson. I would also consider a Tartan or Sabre. Good luck
Don't over look the Hunter 28.5
We cruise and race our 28.5 in the Islands area. We do real well racing took all 1st and 2nd this year racing. We did a week and a half on the boat for vaction and will be doing 2 weeks nest year. The 28.5 deep keel draws 5'2" and will out sail most all boats in it's class. We love our's and have found it to bigger down below than allot of 30's footer's. We rate a 174 on Lake Erie and usually need to give time to all in our fleet. We can out point all the boats in our fleet and race against Tartan 30's, Catalina 30's, Sabre 28, and a Hunter 31 and a few other's. These boats can be bought in the low $20's and high teens depending on what is on it. I can talk more about the 28.5 if you like off the HOW site. Cliff
We cruise and race our 28.5 in the Islands area. We do real well racing took all 1st and 2nd this year racing. We did a week and a half on the boat for vaction and will be doing 2 weeks nest year. The 28.5 deep keel draws 5'2" and will out sail most all boats in it's class. We love our's and have found it to bigger down below than allot of 30's footer's. We rate a 174 on Lake Erie and usually need to give time to all in our fleet. We can out point all the boats in our fleet and race against Tartan 30's, Catalina 30's, Sabre 28, and a Hunter 31 and a few other's. These boats can be bought in the low $20's and high teens depending on what is on it. I can talk more about the 28.5 if you like off the HOW site. Cliff
Hunter 28.5's
I'll second cliff's vote for the 28.5 (deep draft version). Once you set it up as a racer with decent sails, a good bottom finish and folding prop there are very few boats in it's size AND PRICE range that come close.
I'll second cliff's vote for the 28.5 (deep draft version). Once you set it up as a racer with decent sails, a good bottom finish and folding prop there are very few boats in it's size AND PRICE range that come close.
boats to consider
Hi Joe, The only catalina you will find in your price range will be old catalina 27's. I don't believe they are great race boats. It would be a good cruisier / occassional racer. I don't think you will find many tartan's for less then 20K, certainly none ready to race. Some people mentioned S2 9.2, that's the cruiser. The 9.1 is the racer. Pearson is a good choice. I have a Newport 28. You can buy them all day long in good condition for less than $20. A better choice for racing is the Newport 27, but the 28 is better for cruising. Good luck, Barry
Hi Joe, The only catalina you will find in your price range will be old catalina 27's. I don't believe they are great race boats. It would be a good cruisier / occassional racer. I don't think you will find many tartan's for less then 20K, certainly none ready to race. Some people mentioned S2 9.2, that's the cruiser. The 9.1 is the racer. Pearson is a good choice. I have a Newport 28. You can buy them all day long in good condition for less than $20. A better choice for racing is the Newport 27, but the 28 is better for cruising. Good luck, Barry
correction
Barry, you're correct. it's the S2 9.1 the 9.2 (I believe comes in a center cockpit configuration) MIke C. O'28 "Da Capo" Chelsea NY
Barry, you're correct. it's the S2 9.1 the 9.2 (I believe comes in a center cockpit configuration) MIke C. O'28 "Da Capo" Chelsea NY
Pearson or Tartan?
I never really looked into Pearsons b4 but I will now. All things being equal (length, condition, age, etc.) - It appears that a Tartan is a more quality built boat vs. the Pearson and both are cruiser/racers. Is this an accurate statement? Thanks for all of the other replys.
I never really looked into Pearsons b4 but I will now. All things being equal (length, condition, age, etc.) - It appears that a Tartan is a more quality built boat vs. the Pearson and both are cruiser/racers. Is this an accurate statement? Thanks for all of the other replys.
Boats
Both the Person and the Tartan are good boats. I have raced against a Tartan 30 for the least 4 years and have done 2 MAC races on another Tartan 30C. The Tartan 30 C has a taller rig and a deeper keel over the standard Tartan 30 but is the same hull and deck. They rate in the 165 to 175 range and we rate a 174. Both owners of both of these boats love ther boat. I am not a big fan of either of them. Just not a comfortable boat down below for me compared to our 28.5. I have beaten them both and they have beaten me but I have beaten them more on the race course. These boats can be bought in the under $20K range but remember they will be 30+ year old boats with 30+ year old problems. And they will have gas engines. But it will all come down to what you like nothing any of us say will sway you from a boat you find and like. When I was looking for my 30 something boat I did a search on yacht world for a 30 foot and under under $20K and the our 28.5 was the newest boat on the list more then 10 years on some of the Tartans and Person's. Age should also be considered and the sail inventory should be a must. Finding a boat for a deal at $16K and then needing to add $5k for sail's and up grade the gear could easly blow up your budget. When you find a boat and I am sure it will need new sail's check with some lofts and get some price quotes on sail's. Not many people sell boats with new sail's on the boat. Spending a little more for a well cared for boat with up grades I have found to be the better way to go rather then be blind by price. Cliff
Both the Person and the Tartan are good boats. I have raced against a Tartan 30 for the least 4 years and have done 2 MAC races on another Tartan 30C. The Tartan 30 C has a taller rig and a deeper keel over the standard Tartan 30 but is the same hull and deck. They rate in the 165 to 175 range and we rate a 174. Both owners of both of these boats love ther boat. I am not a big fan of either of them. Just not a comfortable boat down below for me compared to our 28.5. I have beaten them both and they have beaten me but I have beaten them more on the race course. These boats can be bought in the under $20K range but remember they will be 30+ year old boats with 30+ year old problems. And they will have gas engines. But it will all come down to what you like nothing any of us say will sway you from a boat you find and like. When I was looking for my 30 something boat I did a search on yacht world for a 30 foot and under under $20K and the our 28.5 was the newest boat on the list more then 10 years on some of the Tartans and Person's. Age should also be considered and the sail inventory should be a must. Finding a boat for a deal at $16K and then needing to add $5k for sail's and up grade the gear could easly blow up your budget. When you find a boat and I am sure it will need new sail's check with some lofts and get some price quotes on sail's. Not many people sell boats with new sail's on the boat. Spending a little more for a well cared for boat with up grades I have found to be the better way to go rather then be blind by price. Cliff
Tartan
With all due respect to Cliff. There is a reason that a 30 year old Tartan would be available at the same or similar price of a 10-15 year old Hunter. I am not knocking Cliff or Hunter sailboats. Hunter are purpose built and fill that niche very well. Many would be sailors are on the water because of Hunter. Tartan boats are better built, hold their value very well. In the 70's 80's Sparkman and Stephens designed most Tartan models. It is tough to beat there sailing ability, sea kindly motion, stability and overall durability. Okay, got that off my chest. You are in the market for a cruiser/club racer, right? Then Cliff's method of doing a search on Yachtworld.com is the best way to go. You can filter the search by size, price and area. If that does not produce results, then change your filter requirements. You will find several choices that fit your criteria. Once you start going around to look at these boats you will develop a clearer understanding of what you want as compared to whats available. You'll be in a great position to find the boat that you like and suits your needs, regardless of who built it. Good luck in your search.
With all due respect to Cliff. There is a reason that a 30 year old Tartan would be available at the same or similar price of a 10-15 year old Hunter. I am not knocking Cliff or Hunter sailboats. Hunter are purpose built and fill that niche very well. Many would be sailors are on the water because of Hunter. Tartan boats are better built, hold their value very well. In the 70's 80's Sparkman and Stephens designed most Tartan models. It is tough to beat there sailing ability, sea kindly motion, stability and overall durability. Okay, got that off my chest. You are in the market for a cruiser/club racer, right? Then Cliff's method of doing a search on Yachtworld.com is the best way to go. You can filter the search by size, price and area. If that does not produce results, then change your filter requirements. You will find several choices that fit your criteria. Once you start going around to look at these boats you will develop a clearer understanding of what you want as compared to whats available. You'll be in a great position to find the boat that you like and suits your needs, regardless of who built it. Good luck in your search.
Meant no disrespect
To the Tartans they are great boats, I race against one and we do battle all summer long. I meant only to point out you can buy a newer boat that would work just as well for the same money. For me if I had deep pockets I would be looking at the C&C 99 and 110. But my pocket has a big hole where all the money fell out. Cliff
To the Tartans they are great boats, I race against one and we do battle all summer long. I meant only to point out you can buy a newer boat that would work just as well for the same money. For me if I had deep pockets I would be looking at the C&C 99 and 110. But my pocket has a big hole where all the money fell out. Cliff
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