I have narrowed my search for my next boat to four models. Tartan 37, Ericson 38,Cape Dory 36 and Hunter 37 cutter. I understand the Tartan 37 has some core balsa wood in the hull. This has me somewhat concerned. It is why I rejected the Niagria 35. Anyone have any experience with any of these models and can offer advice? Thanks.
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Ericson
I have an Ericson 35-3 and love it. It is well built and very comfortable. It sails to wind very well and has a fast PHRF rating. See ericsonyachts.org for more info. I would stay away from the cored hull boats too. The CD is a heavy stable boat good for cruising but forget any type of performance in less than 15kts. Tartans are nice and still in business. Hunters I have no experience with but I bet you will hear more about Ericsons and Hunters from Fred. These four boats are somewhat different. What are your criteria? Tim R.
I have an Ericson 35-3 and love it. It is well built and very comfortable. It sails to wind very well and has a fast PHRF rating. See ericsonyachts.org for more info. I would stay away from the cored hull boats too. The CD is a heavy stable boat good for cruising but forget any type of performance in less than 15kts. Tartans are nice and still in business. Hunters I have no experience with but I bet you will hear more about Ericsons and Hunters from Fred. These four boats are somewhat different. What are your criteria? Tim R.
Roomie,Safe, Coastal Cruiser
Looking for a comfortable,Roomie,Safe Coastal cruiser/waterway boat for retirement. Low maintenance and easy on retirement budget.
Looking for a comfortable,Roomie,Safe Coastal cruiser/waterway boat for retirement. Low maintenance and easy on retirement budget.
A Cape Dory 36...
A Cape Dory 36 does not really fall under the "low maintenance" category. They have tons of teak to keep up with and are not very roomy for a 36 footer at all. the Ericson 38 has much better amenities and is a faster boat but unless you get the shoal draft you won't be doing much IC waterway stuff. The Tartan 37's are very seaworthy nice sailing boats if you like a keel center board design. Is long as it's a dry hull I would not count out the Tartan 37. Even the Hunter would work fine for what you plan on doing but it's not built to the sme standards as the Tartan, Ericson (depending on vintage) or the Cape Dory..
A Cape Dory 36 does not really fall under the "low maintenance" category. They have tons of teak to keep up with and are not very roomy for a 36 footer at all. the Ericson 38 has much better amenities and is a faster boat but unless you get the shoal draft you won't be doing much IC waterway stuff. The Tartan 37's are very seaworthy nice sailing boats if you like a keel center board design. Is long as it's a dry hull I would not count out the Tartan 37. Even the Hunter would work fine for what you plan on doing but it's not built to the sme standards as the Tartan, Ericson (depending on vintage) or the Cape Dory..
Kenny, First learn the skills needed to keep
a boat. Then buy the tools of the trade. What you don't spend, you don't have to earn. You may find that your best investment is your manual skills and your good health. Almost all boats will meet your criteria but some are easier to keep than others.
a boat. Then buy the tools of the trade. What you don't spend, you don't have to earn. You may find that your best investment is your manual skills and your good health. Almost all boats will meet your criteria but some are easier to keep than others.
Looked closely at the Tartan 37 and
Cape Dory 36. Both were nice boats but in the end neither met our requirements for the type of rig (Cutter) and our preference for layout. The Hunter is very nice boat, but once again it simply did our want/needs from a layout. Once again, this was a personal preference not a comment on the boat. As everyone said, all are good boats. I, like you, tried to avoid a cored hull. Below is our list of features we wanted in our next boat and how our choice worked out. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/DesirableCharacter.htm I do not know if this helpful but I offer as another input. Good luck Garner
Cape Dory 36. Both were nice boats but in the end neither met our requirements for the type of rig (Cutter) and our preference for layout. The Hunter is very nice boat, but once again it simply did our want/needs from a layout. Once again, this was a personal preference not a comment on the boat. As everyone said, all are good boats. I, like you, tried to avoid a cored hull. Below is our list of features we wanted in our next boat and how our choice worked out. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/DesirableCharacter.htm I do not know if this helpful but I offer as another input. Good luck Garner
Ericsons
Here are 3 in VA. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp?cit=true&slim=quick&ybw=&sm=3&is=&man=ERICSON&hmid=0&ftid=0&enid=0&fromLength=38&toLength=38&luom=126&fromYear=&toYear=&fromPrice=&toPrice=¤cyid=100&city=&spid=145&pbsint=&ps=30 Here is the sales brochure for a newer style 38 http://www.ericsonyachts.org/specs_and_docs/spec_pgs/yacht_spec_e38.htm Here is a link to lots of other E38 docs. http://www.ericsonyachts.org/specs_and_docs/doc_index.htm#e38-200 Ericsons have a very loyal following and many owners do their own work. Many have been brought back to almost new condition and there is strong user support at ericsonyachts.org. This is all great info to read but I suggest you get out and sail the boats and have the admiral check them out. If she likes it you are all set;-) Tim R.
Here are 3 in VA. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp?cit=true&slim=quick&ybw=&sm=3&is=&man=ERICSON&hmid=0&ftid=0&enid=0&fromLength=38&toLength=38&luom=126&fromYear=&toYear=&fromPrice=&toPrice=¤cyid=100&city=&spid=145&pbsint=&ps=30 Here is the sales brochure for a newer style 38 http://www.ericsonyachts.org/specs_and_docs/spec_pgs/yacht_spec_e38.htm Here is a link to lots of other E38 docs. http://www.ericsonyachts.org/specs_and_docs/doc_index.htm#e38-200 Ericsons have a very loyal following and many owners do their own work. Many have been brought back to almost new condition and there is strong user support at ericsonyachts.org. This is all great info to read but I suggest you get out and sail the boats and have the admiral check them out. If she likes it you are all set;-) Tim R.
Narrowed down????
Kenny...how did you narrow down to these four...by price? Because they have nothing in common other than being monohulls. You need to do some research and figure out what is important to you in a boat before narrowing anything down. That's like saying I've narrowed my car search down to a Hummer, a 1968 Camaro, A Ford Taurus and a Volkwagen Cabriolet....which one should I buy!!
Kenny...how did you narrow down to these four...by price? Because they have nothing in common other than being monohulls. You need to do some research and figure out what is important to you in a boat before narrowing anything down. That's like saying I've narrowed my car search down to a Hummer, a 1968 Camaro, A Ford Taurus and a Volkwagen Cabriolet....which one should I buy!!
I guess you don't understand boats camaraderie
I guess you have not been around boats very long camaraderie. All four have the same layout inside. All four are almost identicial in size. All four fall into the same price. All four have similar sail plans. Etc Etc Etc.
I guess you have not been around boats very long camaraderie. All four have the same layout inside. All four are almost identicial in size. All four fall into the same price. All four have similar sail plans. Etc Etc Etc.
If all four fall
into the same price there must be a lot difference in their ages and conditions. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
into the same price there must be a lot difference in their ages and conditions. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
Thanks Tim R
Thanks for all the great Ericson 38 links. I have been aboard one ericson 38 and I think I love this boat. Still plan to look at the others before making a decision but this boat has lots to offer. Again Thanks.
Thanks for all the great Ericson 38 links. I have been aboard one ericson 38 and I think I love this boat. Still plan to look at the others before making a decision but this boat has lots to offer. Again Thanks.
Opinions
The H37C is the best bang for the buck. The are "cheap" compared to others but you'll have to live with Hunter Jokes The Tartan performs well and I love the keel centerboard but has a bit too much teak (late 70's). I like the newer models with less wood. Doesn't get much better for an all around racer/cruiser. The CD has too much teak and I'd only pick that if I planned a lot of off shore duty My Ericson buddies all have deep draft but I have never been on a 38 so no comment there
The H37C is the best bang for the buck. The are "cheap" compared to others but you'll have to live with Hunter Jokes The Tartan performs well and I love the keel centerboard but has a bit too much teak (late 70's). I like the newer models with less wood. Doesn't get much better for an all around racer/cruiser. The CD has too much teak and I'd only pick that if I planned a lot of off shore duty My Ericson buddies all have deep draft but I have never been on a 38 so no comment there
All boats of the same price and size are the same.
Yeah right Kenney...a full keel blue-water cutter rigged Cape Dory is a LOT like a hunter. Yeah ...i forgot...in addition to the monohull it has a v-berth too. I guess I'm mistaken....have fun with your choices as any one of the four will be a good boat for you cause they sleep four and have a galley and a head. Forget the cored vs. solid glass, skeg vs. spade rudders, fin keels vs. full keels and centerboarers, cutters vs. sloops, as you only worry about those differences if you leave the dock!
Yeah right Kenney...a full keel blue-water cutter rigged Cape Dory is a LOT like a hunter. Yeah ...i forgot...in addition to the monohull it has a v-berth too. I guess I'm mistaken....have fun with your choices as any one of the four will be a good boat for you cause they sleep four and have a galley and a head. Forget the cored vs. solid glass, skeg vs. spade rudders, fin keels vs. full keels and centerboarers, cutters vs. sloops, as you only worry about those differences if you leave the dock!
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