just curious after reading SEAWORHTY what would you consider a "jack of all boats"to be.by that I mean in a used class say 27 to 35 foot as well as keeping the price down for us not so rich sailors.nothing against those who are rich,hope to be there myself one day but till then we buy what we can afford.hopefully this is of interest to all.
- Status
No such thing!
If you buy a Hunter you are buying "Bang for the buck", the same with Catalina (by the way) as these are production line boats, Most boats are production line but some have the factorys/money behind them, making the boats more cost effective thus (Hunter, Catalina) Now having said that, Hunters/Catalinas are seaworthy to a point, meaning they are good offshore sailers, but I don't know that I would want to cross (Atlantic) with them. If thats what you are looking for there are many boats that stand up to that challange. Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and so on, but these boats are VERY expencive! You have to choose what you are looking for, and how you will use it.
If you buy a Hunter you are buying "Bang for the buck", the same with Catalina (by the way) as these are production line boats, Most boats are production line but some have the factorys/money behind them, making the boats more cost effective thus (Hunter, Catalina) Now having said that, Hunters/Catalinas are seaworthy to a point, meaning they are good offshore sailers, but I don't know that I would want to cross (Atlantic) with them. If thats what you are looking for there are many boats that stand up to that challange. Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and so on, but these boats are VERY expencive! You have to choose what you are looking for, and how you will use it.
ok lets try this
giving that crossing the atlantic or pacific or for that matter circumnavigating,will cost a lot of money anyway and most people doing this its not of concern.for those of us who sail or want to sail coastal and the bahamas or farther south island hoping and maybe south on to south america.surley there has to be plenty of affordable used boats out there that can make it.I mean come on tania abei sail around the world with a 26 foot boat and the motor didnt work have the time she tried.people have crossed the atlantic on worse.look at those people in ny that built their own sail boat.granted i wouldnt have gotten on that one or the six foot one but we all know people have to make up their own minds on there own abilitys.giving that just looking for an all around sailboat based on opinions. hopefully this is a little more helpfull.thanks for any comments.
giving that crossing the atlantic or pacific or for that matter circumnavigating,will cost a lot of money anyway and most people doing this its not of concern.for those of us who sail or want to sail coastal and the bahamas or farther south island hoping and maybe south on to south america.surley there has to be plenty of affordable used boats out there that can make it.I mean come on tania abei sail around the world with a 26 foot boat and the motor didnt work have the time she tried.people have crossed the atlantic on worse.look at those people in ny that built their own sail boat.granted i wouldnt have gotten on that one or the six foot one but we all know people have to make up their own minds on there own abilitys.giving that just looking for an all around sailboat based on opinions. hopefully this is a little more helpfull.thanks for any comments.
The question begets questions
Well, there's a lot of boats in the 27'-35' family and as there are many and varied types, there's also many and varied prices depending on condition and that sort of thing, so, since you didn't specify a price range, it's a little difficult to answer your question specifically. You have day and bay cruisers, you have true bluewater craft and there's all sorts of stuff out there surprisingly still floating after passages. Personally, right now, I'm sailing a 1978 Hunter 30 that is in near-bristol condition with new engine and sails. I'm an experienced bluewater sailor, but the H30 isn't a bluewater boat, so I don't take her out across the Briny Deep; she stays in the bays and close to shore during fair weather coastal cruises. That fits my mission and my budget...for now. Any of her sisters are worth a look and can be had for under $20,000 in reasonable shape. Her slightly larger sister, the H34, is a good boat as well with similar sailing in mind. Catalinas are sound boats, too, and both, I think could handle fair weather passages through the Bahama chain and into the Virgins on down to the West Indies and Grenadines. Sometimes a boat's abilities are enhanced by the skill of the skipper. That's a call you have to make. All of these boats can be had in reasonable condition for under $40 in earlier models, i.e., late '70s/early '80s. You seem to be fairly reaonable in your expectations and I would say that puts you a little further ahead than perhaps some others. You might also look at Islanders, C
Well, there's a lot of boats in the 27'-35' family and as there are many and varied types, there's also many and varied prices depending on condition and that sort of thing, so, since you didn't specify a price range, it's a little difficult to answer your question specifically. You have day and bay cruisers, you have true bluewater craft and there's all sorts of stuff out there surprisingly still floating after passages. Personally, right now, I'm sailing a 1978 Hunter 30 that is in near-bristol condition with new engine and sails. I'm an experienced bluewater sailor, but the H30 isn't a bluewater boat, so I don't take her out across the Briny Deep; she stays in the bays and close to shore during fair weather coastal cruises. That fits my mission and my budget...for now. Any of her sisters are worth a look and can be had for under $20,000 in reasonable shape. Her slightly larger sister, the H34, is a good boat as well with similar sailing in mind. Catalinas are sound boats, too, and both, I think could handle fair weather passages through the Bahama chain and into the Virgins on down to the West Indies and Grenadines. Sometimes a boat's abilities are enhanced by the skill of the skipper. That's a call you have to make. All of these boats can be had in reasonable condition for under $40 in earlier models, i.e., late '70s/early '80s. You seem to be fairly reaonable in your expectations and I would say that puts you a little further ahead than perhaps some others. You might also look at Islanders, C
You pays your money and makes your choice
Let's see. In the last few weeks, here in Cabo, we have had our normal variety of sailboats pass through. The following came from Northern California or further north, which, if you have done it, you know is a blue water trip. Not across an ocean, to be sure, but offshore nonetheless, big wind and seas,and with relatively few places to duck into...Columbia 29, Cal 36, C
Let's see. In the last few weeks, here in Cabo, we have had our normal variety of sailboats pass through. The following came from Northern California or further north, which, if you have done it, you know is a blue water trip. Not across an ocean, to be sure, but offshore nonetheless, big wind and seas,and with relatively few places to duck into...Columbia 29, Cal 36, C
Lot's of Dreams, Not Enough Boats . . .
Some (sailing type) rich CEO ought to throw a few million into a modern high tech (robotic?) assembly line that cranks out $20,000 blue water boats all day long . . .
Some (sailing type) rich CEO ought to throw a few million into a modern high tech (robotic?) assembly line that cranks out $20,000 blue water boats all day long . . .
Get this Book!
Get this book "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere" by John Viger I always find that when I really need Info I buy a book or two on subject, This guy realt seems to no his stuff on this subject. Paradise Cay Publications 1-800 736-4509
Get this book "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere" by John Viger I always find that when I really need Info I buy a book or two on subject, This guy realt seems to no his stuff on this subject. Paradise Cay Publications 1-800 736-4509
Different for everyone
There are so many variables that it's impossible to have a definitive answer. I would do some MAJOR research, detail what I wanted from a boat, what I was using it for, etc. Wait! That's what I did do! I knew I'd be river sailing, so bluewater ability was actually a hinderance for me. I knew I wanted headroom, a real head and plenty of bunk space. I also decided to get an outboard for ease of maintenance (I'm no mechanic). With those criteria, my choices slimmed WAY down. I love my C27 and would sail her all over the river. The only real mod I'd make if I took her up to Puget Sound would be to replace her rigging. If I were cruising to Mexico though, I'd probably look at something like the NorSea 27 (if I *had* to stay in the same size range). I might even look at a newer Catalina 30 if I was hopping down. And there's a jillion boats in between those two. Ultimately, it would fall to the one I liked the best!
LaDonna
There are so many variables that it's impossible to have a definitive answer. I would do some MAJOR research, detail what I wanted from a boat, what I was using it for, etc. Wait! That's what I did do! I knew I'd be river sailing, so bluewater ability was actually a hinderance for me. I knew I wanted headroom, a real head and plenty of bunk space. I also decided to get an outboard for ease of maintenance (I'm no mechanic). With those criteria, my choices slimmed WAY down. I love my C27 and would sail her all over the river. The only real mod I'd make if I took her up to Puget Sound would be to replace her rigging. If I were cruising to Mexico though, I'd probably look at something like the NorSea 27 (if I *had* to stay in the same size range). I might even look at a newer Catalina 30 if I was hopping down. And there's a jillion boats in between those two. Ultimately, it would fall to the one I liked the best!
LaDonna- Status