After a boat show one of our club members (who really likes my Beneteau 351) offered to purchase it. No Brokers, no classifieds...just like that. We are at the same dollar so there is no issue left but to consider another boat. I figure it was time to get something new. I will sit on the sideline without a boat for a year or so while I do my research. Anyways, my Beneteau was for cruising not racing and I actually spent more time last season as race crew on other peoples boats. I want to eventually have a boat to race and also like to keep my bride happy if we want to go cruising. I saw the Beneteau 36.7...not sure about it (space below is tight and they also look cheap). Not sure if I race that I want to do the PHRF thing or One Design. Is there a One Design boat that can race and cruise...or is that asking too much? I also like to do the short handed crew events, including some single handed. What about an older Swan, say 41' that we refit. They look to be a boat that may be the best of both worlds. I saw a few of them for sale that are in the $170,000 range. Seems like a bit of money, but it probably has better resale what with the name and all. I want something that is in the 36-41' size. Lots of questions and I look forward to further comments from those with more experience than me.
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my favorite race/cruise boats
ok so I race on J105 which does not have any real cruising ammenities below BUT the J109 might fit the bill. A little bigger and the J133 (I'd LOVE to have my own J133 by the way) would kill on the race course and be very comfy for long cruises. You can't go wrong with and older Swan How about a C&C 110-115-121 ?? Epoxy hulls, carbon masts/rudder and living space. I agree with you that the Beneteau 36.7 which does well on the race course as a one design) has some issues below. (fit and finish as well as lack of seating) However if you could find a used First 40.7 there is so much more space below (and IMHO is the BEST of the 3 First Line boats) but now they are producing a First 10R (new 32 footer that rates FASTER than the 36.7) Always remember that you really can't have your cake and eat it too....by that I mean there will be tradeoffs when you want to cruise and race a boat. (some of these can be worked around such as weight on board....who needs that tv and hair dryer for a race....that you can remove before racing but others like taknage....small fuel/water tanks.....will not get bigger for cruising.
ok so I race on J105 which does not have any real cruising ammenities below BUT the J109 might fit the bill. A little bigger and the J133 (I'd LOVE to have my own J133 by the way) would kill on the race course and be very comfy for long cruises. You can't go wrong with and older Swan How about a C&C 110-115-121 ?? Epoxy hulls, carbon masts/rudder and living space. I agree with you that the Beneteau 36.7 which does well on the race course as a one design) has some issues below. (fit and finish as well as lack of seating) However if you could find a used First 40.7 there is so much more space below (and IMHO is the BEST of the 3 First Line boats) but now they are producing a First 10R (new 32 footer that rates FASTER than the 36.7) Always remember that you really can't have your cake and eat it too....by that I mean there will be tradeoffs when you want to cruise and race a boat. (some of these can be worked around such as weight on board....who needs that tv and hair dryer for a race....that you can remove before racing but others like taknage....small fuel/water tanks.....will not get bigger for cruising.
Availability...
... in the US may be the main issue with my suggestions. First off: I think you can never go wrong with Nautor-Swan, if you find one and for your described purpose it should be on the top of your list. Question is price on swans in good condition, as you already said they keep their price (for a reason). Perhaps I can open a slightly different view, something off the beaten path perhaps. I would seriously look into the following makes (in no particular order): 1. Dehler, they just polished their 36 (sailed her, one hot boat, very fast) and 39 (can not speak based on personal sailing experience, but those who sailed her are raving), the new boat-line is largely based on the prooven designs, the abbreviation "SQ" (Speed and Quality) was added: http://www.dehler.com/ 2. Grand Soleil (cantiere del pardo), tbeir new 37 cleaned up on the Euro-regatta circuit right off the drawing board, just like most GS products do, still very liveable boats, look at the 37 and 40 respectively: http://grandsoleil.net/ 3. Hanse if you like their somewhat futuristic interior design, self-tacking jib, epoxy hull saves weight, again an interesting 37 and 40, I saw the 40 in Annapolis, there is a dealer "Annapolis Sail Yard Inc.": http://www.hanseyachts.com/ My personal favorite true racer/cruiser (with an emphasis on racer) would be 4. Comar / Comet but no dealers (yet) in the US, they rake up "boat of the year" nominations and awards (last their 41) http://www.comaryachts.it/ Last one (and I might get some flak for this recommendation but I have my reasons): 5. Bavaria, specifically the Match 38. After the keel fell off a Match 42 with one sailor loosing his life and the media subsequently (and rightfully) butchering Bavaria...; with the company admittedly not responding well or sensibly to the tragedy there is lost trust to regain. They quietly already redesigned their keel-attachments on all boats; dealers may be ready to negotiate on price. I sailed a 38 match with carbon mast and that was one great vessel: http://www.bavariayachts.com/home.cfm Perhaps this helps a little.
... in the US may be the main issue with my suggestions. First off: I think you can never go wrong with Nautor-Swan, if you find one and for your described purpose it should be on the top of your list. Question is price on swans in good condition, as you already said they keep their price (for a reason). Perhaps I can open a slightly different view, something off the beaten path perhaps. I would seriously look into the following makes (in no particular order): 1. Dehler, they just polished their 36 (sailed her, one hot boat, very fast) and 39 (can not speak based on personal sailing experience, but those who sailed her are raving), the new boat-line is largely based on the prooven designs, the abbreviation "SQ" (Speed and Quality) was added: http://www.dehler.com/ 2. Grand Soleil (cantiere del pardo), tbeir new 37 cleaned up on the Euro-regatta circuit right off the drawing board, just like most GS products do, still very liveable boats, look at the 37 and 40 respectively: http://grandsoleil.net/ 3. Hanse if you like their somewhat futuristic interior design, self-tacking jib, epoxy hull saves weight, again an interesting 37 and 40, I saw the 40 in Annapolis, there is a dealer "Annapolis Sail Yard Inc.": http://www.hanseyachts.com/ My personal favorite true racer/cruiser (with an emphasis on racer) would be 4. Comar / Comet but no dealers (yet) in the US, they rake up "boat of the year" nominations and awards (last their 41) http://www.comaryachts.it/ Last one (and I might get some flak for this recommendation but I have my reasons): 5. Bavaria, specifically the Match 38. After the keel fell off a Match 42 with one sailor loosing his life and the media subsequently (and rightfully) butchering Bavaria...; with the company admittedly not responding well or sensibly to the tragedy there is lost trust to regain. They quietly already redesigned their keel-attachments on all boats; dealers may be ready to negotiate on price. I sailed a 38 match with carbon mast and that was one great vessel: http://www.bavariayachts.com/home.cfm Perhaps this helps a little.
36s7 Not a Good Choice?
I own a 3 year old 36s7 and I take issue with the suggestion that it is cheap looking. Want something that is not cheap looking, buy a new Swan, Hinckley, and the like. Put all your money and sell the house to pay for it too. Now go sailing and close your eyes. Guess what? They sail like a sailboat. Do the same thing on a Beneteau and it also sails like a sailboat too. The Beneteau and some other production boats sure cost alot less but alot of people buy them and have a great time with their peers on the water...either racing or cruising. Take another look close at that 36s7 and you might be quite surprised. Better yet, speak to a few more owners like me.
I own a 3 year old 36s7 and I take issue with the suggestion that it is cheap looking. Want something that is not cheap looking, buy a new Swan, Hinckley, and the like. Put all your money and sell the house to pay for it too. Now go sailing and close your eyes. Guess what? They sail like a sailboat. Do the same thing on a Beneteau and it also sails like a sailboat too. The Beneteau and some other production boats sure cost alot less but alot of people buy them and have a great time with their peers on the water...either racing or cruising. Take another look close at that 36s7 and you might be quite surprised. Better yet, speak to a few more owners like me.
Keep your eyes open
Lots of good suggestions so far in this thread, though C&C, Tartan & Sabre don't seem to have come up yet. Lots of people seem to like their Beneteau 36.7's, but we haven't raced any that we couldn't beat nine times out of ten in our 24-year old J/36, both on handicap and boat for boat . A C&C 36 would provide a nice cruising platform without costing a fortune or being too much to handle. Keep your eyes open for an interior you like and systems that WORK. There are lots of choices.
Lots of good suggestions so far in this thread, though C&C, Tartan & Sabre don't seem to have come up yet. Lots of people seem to like their Beneteau 36.7's, but we haven't raced any that we couldn't beat nine times out of ten in our 24-year old J/36, both on handicap and boat for boat . A C&C 36 would provide a nice cruising platform without costing a fortune or being too much to handle. Keep your eyes open for an interior you like and systems that WORK. There are lots of choices.
If I wanted to race...
I would look at the Farr 39.5. Very fast one design that can be well equipped for crusing.
I would look at the Farr 39.5. Very fast one design that can be well equipped for crusing.
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