I just asked a similar question on the Beneteau Owners site. We own a 2001- 36.7 Beneteau. A fun boat to race on, but not so great for cruising with my 4 teens and wife. The space inside is tight...however, we already knew that when we bought it. (It's what we could afford) We looked at trading up to a 40.7 to meet the demands of both my race crew and my family. My opinion is the 40.7 is virtually the same inside +10% more space than our 36.7. Lotsabucks for a bit more space down below. Looking for suggestions for a nice boat to race on, and also keep my cruising family and bride happy too. A really used (affordable) but "fast" (Swan or whatever) I would consider too. I've been sailing for the past 6 years however, I am not so "in the know" about what boats would be great to race and cruise on. Is there such a thing? One more detail,...I hate the wood interiors on a Beneteau. They chip, mark and look too pretty for a bunch of racers and my teens to bang around down below. Helpful suggestions appreciated....
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Bavaria Sailboats are nice
I've always liked the Bavaria. Swan looks but "closer" to a Hunter or Beneteau price. You can get a larger but used one from the charter fleet. We chartered a 41 from Horizon that had twin aft staterooms (teen rooms) and a private V-berth for mom and dad. Pretty and fast! Only part I would not like is that it has a outdrive as opposed to a shaft drive but in NY you probably have facilities to handle the maintenance.
I've always liked the Bavaria. Swan looks but "closer" to a Hunter or Beneteau price. You can get a larger but used one from the charter fleet. We chartered a 41 from Horizon that had twin aft staterooms (teen rooms) and a private V-berth for mom and dad. Pretty and fast! Only part I would not like is that it has a outdrive as opposed to a shaft drive but in NY you probably have facilities to handle the maintenance.
if you're into racing
MIke....If racing is your thiong but need to enjoy cruising (as I do both as well and understand your dilema) Farr 395 - Great boat,fast, they have 1 design fleets on LIS, rate well under IRC,sprit w/ assymetrical spin C&C 115 (although they are new boats..... ie. cost $$$$$) take a look ata used C&C 110 and the 121 J109 (same size as 36.7 but good room below (and IMHO faster/better build quality) For a bit bigger look at J133 or a used J40 (more of a cruiser though) Swan 395- It's a Swan........... I'd still prefer either the Farr 395 or the J133 as my top 2 choices. Best of luck
MIke....If racing is your thiong but need to enjoy cruising (as I do both as well and understand your dilema) Farr 395 - Great boat,fast, they have 1 design fleets on LIS, rate well under IRC,sprit w/ assymetrical spin C&C 115 (although they are new boats..... ie. cost $$$$$) take a look ata used C&C 110 and the 121 J109 (same size as 36.7 but good room below (and IMHO faster/better build quality) For a bit bigger look at J133 or a used J40 (more of a cruiser though) Swan 395- It's a Swan........... I'd still prefer either the Farr 395 or the J133 as my top 2 choices. Best of luck
The Great Compromise
Unfortunately, either you or your family are going to be dissapointed. As an analogy, you can't have a great passenger car that goes off-road, or an SUV that gets good mileage. There are so many design issues that are at odds with each other, like easy sail handling -or- performance sails comfortable cabin -or- less weight deep fin keel for performance -or- shoal draft for convenience You'll just have to decide what you spend most of your time doing, or who is more important to be happy.
Unfortunately, either you or your family are going to be dissapointed. As an analogy, you can't have a great passenger car that goes off-road, or an SUV that gets good mileage. There are so many design issues that are at odds with each other, like easy sail handling -or- performance sails comfortable cabin -or- less weight deep fin keel for performance -or- shoal draft for convenience You'll just have to decide what you spend most of your time doing, or who is more important to be happy.
compromising
steve is right that racer/cruisers are compromises.....however most of these compromises are more annoying when you choose to cruise your boat long distances. Smaller tankage (both water and holding tank and fuel ) usually a less powerful motor (decrease weight) and greater sail area which may or may not be harder to handle for your family. But if you are coastal cruising ( I assume LIS as you're from NY...as I am) these things are less important as there are so many places to get provisions, fuel, water and pump out, etc. Mike C.
steve is right that racer/cruisers are compromises.....however most of these compromises are more annoying when you choose to cruise your boat long distances. Smaller tankage (both water and holding tank and fuel ) usually a less powerful motor (decrease weight) and greater sail area which may or may not be harder to handle for your family. But if you are coastal cruising ( I assume LIS as you're from NY...as I am) these things are less important as there are so many places to get provisions, fuel, water and pump out, etc. Mike C.
Listen to Steve O
The load you carry is more than the tankange. Its the extra dishes,clothes and other things that make cruising comfortable. When it comes to picking a boat to win in a PHRF fleet it is not always a fast boat. Hotdog sailors buy race boats and the ratings do reflect this. A well sailed cruiser wins races but is not first to finish. Check out what boats win in your area. Local conditions will favor one boat or another.
The load you carry is more than the tankange. Its the extra dishes,clothes and other things that make cruising comfortable. When it comes to picking a boat to win in a PHRF fleet it is not always a fast boat. Hotdog sailors buy race boats and the ratings do reflect this. A well sailed cruiser wins races but is not first to finish. Check out what boats win in your area. Local conditions will favor one boat or another.
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