Sail through a good size boatyard, marina, or mooring field and you'll see boats of every size and type. Sloops, schooners, and yawls and ketches of every size. And what of the multi-hulls, catboats, and other designs that defy description? Your own boat notwithstanding, do you prefer the attributes of yawls, cutters, schooners, ketches, or other rigs? Mono vs multi-hull? Wide vs narrow beam? Full vs fin or cutaway keel? What are the most important design factors to you? If you could own a boat with any sail plan and hull configuration, which would it be? Share your views about boat here and then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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We picked it already
We picked our favorite based on quality, safety, size, equipment, with price being the last but not a determining factor. We choose the Voyage 380 Catamaran and love it. After 15,000 in 3 years it handles and works like new and a great cruiser live aboard ship. We are currently crusiing the Caribe and enjoy life upright.
We picked our favorite based on quality, safety, size, equipment, with price being the last but not a determining factor. We choose the Voyage 380 Catamaran and love it. After 15,000 in 3 years it handles and works like new and a great cruiser live aboard ship. We are currently crusiing the Caribe and enjoy life upright.
Schooner
My racing daze has just about run its course.
I'd like the next boat to be a schooner (gaff rigged). Except for upwind performance schooners are fast passage makers under sail. The rigs are low and they develop lots of power off the wind and don't rely on huge headsail inventories to handle normal sailing conditions. Sadly, there are are no production schooners. I'm designing a 1/2 scale boat as "proof of concept" and may end up having to design and build the boat myself. My real world choices are a Shannon 43 (if I win the lottery) or a Catalina 42 if I don't.
My racing daze has just about run its course.
I'd like the next boat to be a schooner (gaff rigged). Except for upwind performance schooners are fast passage makers under sail. The rigs are low and they develop lots of power off the wind and don't rely on huge headsail inventories to handle normal sailing conditions. Sadly, there are are no production schooners. I'm designing a 1/2 scale boat as "proof of concept" and may end up having to design and build the boat myself. My real world choices are a Shannon 43 (if I win the lottery) or a Catalina 42 if I don't. Another schooner booster
I'm with Moody -- all things being equal (and with help from the lottery, no doubt), I'd love to own, sail and live aboard a schooner. The classiest looking lines, hands down. Of course, all this assumes that if I can afford the boat, I can afford to hire some help to maintain it. Here's a glimpse of what I'm thinking of -- a 118-foot square topsail gaff-rigged schooner, currently on the market for a cool $2.6 mill. If only... Pete s/v EmmieLou (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
I'm with Moody -- all things being equal (and with help from the lottery, no doubt), I'd love to own, sail and live aboard a schooner. The classiest looking lines, hands down. Of course, all this assumes that if I can afford the boat, I can afford to hire some help to maintain it. Here's a glimpse of what I'm thinking of -- a 118-foot square topsail gaff-rigged schooner, currently on the market for a cool $2.6 mill. If only... Pete s/v EmmieLou (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
All Time Favorite...
My all time favorite boat design would be a full keel, narrow beam, attached rudder cutter, of the Alberg design variety. These boats are sweet sailors, can stand up to any weather, and are very sea kindly. Unfortunately, they tend to be heavy and slow upwind, making them unfit for the type of sailing I do on the mostly light wind Chesapeake Bay. But if I were going offshore for any amount of time, it would be in one of these wonderful designs.
My all time favorite boat design would be a full keel, narrow beam, attached rudder cutter, of the Alberg design variety. These boats are sweet sailors, can stand up to any weather, and are very sea kindly. Unfortunately, they tend to be heavy and slow upwind, making them unfit for the type of sailing I do on the mostly light wind Chesapeake Bay. But if I were going offshore for any amount of time, it would be in one of these wonderful designs.
A cutter would cut it for me
Given the choice right now I would go for a cutter rig, narrow beam,cutaway keel mono hull,maybee a Bayfield??? am I looking??? not acording to my first mate...
Given the choice right now I would go for a cutter rig, narrow beam,cutaway keel mono hull,maybee a Bayfield??? am I looking??? not acording to my first mate...
Love what I've got
As a die-hard Great Lakes Sailor, I favor what seems to work best in our conditions. That means a fin-keeled monohull with a sloop rig does it best overall. I've sailed every kind of hull and rig at one time or another - and they all are great given just the right conditions for them. But, all-around, you can't beat the versatality of a Marconi rig. Bill on STARGAZER
As a die-hard Great Lakes Sailor, I favor what seems to work best in our conditions. That means a fin-keeled monohull with a sloop rig does it best overall. I've sailed every kind of hull and rig at one time or another - and they all are great given just the right conditions for them. But, all-around, you can't beat the versatality of a Marconi rig. Bill on STARGAZER
If its easy to sail, maintain, safe,
Since I'm not real picky, and fairly easy to please...I think I've enjoyed my MacGregor 26-X more than any of my previous boats. When one becomes middle aged...one wants things simple, easy, safe, fun, versitile, ease of upgrading,for overnighting
Since I'm not real picky, and fairly easy to please...I think I've enjoyed my MacGregor 26-X more than any of my previous boats. When one becomes middle aged...one wants things simple, easy, safe, fun, versitile, ease of upgrading,for overnighting
The O'Day 222 is still the best for me.
I've always loved a small sailboat and would have loved to own a Flicka 20, but their cost is staggering, compared to the O'Day 222 that I have now. So after all these years, I'd have to say that the O'Day 222 has really fulfilled my dreams for the kind of local sailing that I do. It's keel centerboard offers enough shoal draft to anchor in coves that the Flicka couldn't go in without grounding out. I also think that the 222 is a little faster than the Flicka, too. If I had to do it over again, I'd still have the O'Day 222. This boat can sail very well with just a mainsail, where other sailboats need the Jib or Genie to come about. I do a lot of trolling for stripers and Blue Fish, under sail. So being able to just use a mainsail to keep my speed down for trolling makes a big difference. I only wish that I had a CDI Furler for this boat, instead of the conventional snap on Genie. There are times when I'd like to have some speed without having to manhandle a foresail. Oh well, maybe I'll have one some day.
I've always loved a small sailboat and would have loved to own a Flicka 20, but their cost is staggering, compared to the O'Day 222 that I have now. So after all these years, I'd have to say that the O'Day 222 has really fulfilled my dreams for the kind of local sailing that I do. It's keel centerboard offers enough shoal draft to anchor in coves that the Flicka couldn't go in without grounding out. I also think that the 222 is a little faster than the Flicka, too. If I had to do it over again, I'd still have the O'Day 222. This boat can sail very well with just a mainsail, where other sailboats need the Jib or Genie to come about. I do a lot of trolling for stripers and Blue Fish, under sail. So being able to just use a mainsail to keep my speed down for trolling makes a big difference. I only wish that I had a CDI Furler for this boat, instead of the conventional snap on Genie. There are times when I'd like to have some speed without having to manhandle a foresail. Oh well, maybe I'll have one some day.
Soling
I want a Soling not so much to race but they are so fun to sail! Stable and fast and easy for one person to handle! I will have one soon. Other one would be a Cape Dory Typoon, I hope that is the right one,a 18 ft.dream. Jim
I want a Soling not so much to race but they are so fun to sail! Stable and fast and easy for one person to handle! I will have one soon. Other one would be a Cape Dory Typoon, I hope that is the right one,a 18 ft.dream. Jim
If Bill Gates adopted me
I would have a Hunter Henderson 33. Oh, wait! I already have that. I guess I'd have to say, "life is good." BTW my son is about Bill Gates' age so I guess I'd better not plan on being adopted.
I would have a Hunter Henderson 33. Oh, wait! I already have that. I guess I'd have to say, "life is good." BTW my son is about Bill Gates' age so I guess I'd better not plan on being adopted.
The best boat is...
one that I own and can use when ever I want. I have had many different kinds of boats, both sail and power. I am with William, in that one of the most endearing qualities of a boat is the lack of a payment. I have intentionally downgraded myself to avoid owing money on a boat. However, if I had endless money, I would love something REALLY BIG with all the comforts of home and a really sweet crew to look after it. Then all I would do is sit in my deck chair, issue orders, and drink martinis.
one that I own and can use when ever I want. I have had many different kinds of boats, both sail and power. I am with William, in that one of the most endearing qualities of a boat is the lack of a payment. I have intentionally downgraded myself to avoid owing money on a boat. However, if I had endless money, I would love something REALLY BIG with all the comforts of home and a really sweet crew to look after it. Then all I would do is sit in my deck chair, issue orders, and drink martinis.
My vote
I have a soft spot for those traditional cutters like a Lord Nelson or Hans Christianson. I would have one built that was a little bit lighter - medium displacement. I would want it about 36 feet, small enough to single hand and get into smaller spots, yet big enough to take long cruises in. I would not want a boat so big I needed crew. I like to do things on my own.
I have a soft spot for those traditional cutters like a Lord Nelson or Hans Christianson. I would have one built that was a little bit lighter - medium displacement. I would want it about 36 feet, small enough to single hand and get into smaller spots, yet big enough to take long cruises in. I would not want a boat so big I needed crew. I like to do things on my own.
Cruiser!
Mono Hull, 38' LOA, full keel, shallow draft, sloop rigged, aft cockpit, inboard generator, Air conditioner, hot and cold water plumbing, diesel power, offshore capable, strong hull-deck joints and solid riggin, ample array of self tailing winches, jib roller furling and traditional main raising. The Cabo Rico comes to mind but there are many others that would fit the specs. I'd like to hear of different makes from 1980 through present.
Mono Hull, 38' LOA, full keel, shallow draft, sloop rigged, aft cockpit, inboard generator, Air conditioner, hot and cold water plumbing, diesel power, offshore capable, strong hull-deck joints and solid riggin, ample array of self tailing winches, jib roller furling and traditional main raising. The Cabo Rico comes to mind but there are many others that would fit the specs. I'd like to hear of different makes from 1980 through present.
The best boat is
the one that gives you a thrill when you see her at the dock or mooring. For me, that means a traditional looking hull. The old Pearson Triton, Renegade, and Ariel, the Allied Seawind or anything designed by Carl Alberg does it for me. I know, I know: slow sailers in the light winds that prevail in my area; small, cramped and dark cabins, all the problems with older boats. But for my money, they look like a sailboat should look, almost like an extension of nature. I know that my boat is the right one for me; I would much rather be sailing than sanding and varnishing, but in my heart...
the one that gives you a thrill when you see her at the dock or mooring. For me, that means a traditional looking hull. The old Pearson Triton, Renegade, and Ariel, the Allied Seawind or anything designed by Carl Alberg does it for me. I know, I know: slow sailers in the light winds that prevail in my area; small, cramped and dark cabins, all the problems with older boats. But for my money, they look like a sailboat should look, almost like an extension of nature. I know that my boat is the right one for me; I would much rather be sailing than sanding and varnishing, but in my heart...
I hear ya Mike...
...take a look at this classic, an Alberg 37 (and its for sale, too, on "Good Old Boat." I'd also settle for a sweet Hinckley Bermuda 40, too.*pop
...take a look at this classic, an Alberg 37 (and its for sale, too, on "Good Old Boat." I'd also settle for a sweet Hinckley Bermuda 40, too.*pop
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