Consider the ability to work the Bayfield into a favorable trade for a larger boat. Many parties are interested in moving down in size/complexity. Good luck.
Size vs Quality
- Thread starter Cambo
- Start date
Wow, tons of great ideas! Thanks a lot everyone, this will definitely help narrow things down.
Recess: very good advice. I am being very careful with what I spend initially so that I can tackle any surprises that pop up later on.
Ray: that's funny because here in ontario they are all over the place. I think I could pull off 10 days on my little boat but I don't think the fiancée (or is it the admiral!) would be too happy by the end of it!
Kings gambit: a 38-39 footer would be great but it's just not in the budget at this point. The good news is, here in Parry Sound and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay, you don't have to go too far to see a new and nice place every day. As for the conditions, maybe it's just because I'm young and dumb but it's not too often that I'm held back at the marina by higher winds and waves although it would be much comfier on a bigger boat.
David: I will do a search for hunter cherubinis and see what's out there, they are nice classic looking boats and meet my criteria. That's good to hear that you have not been tempted to upgrade.
Jackdaw: the operational cost differences will definitely factor into my decision. There is a very nice C&C 29 for sale right now that I may take a look at.
Lance: I will definitely mention the trade but so far it seems many of the sellers I have talked to so far are upgrading.
Thanks again everyone!
Recess: very good advice. I am being very careful with what I spend initially so that I can tackle any surprises that pop up later on.
Ray: that's funny because here in ontario they are all over the place. I think I could pull off 10 days on my little boat but I don't think the fiancée (or is it the admiral!) would be too happy by the end of it!
Kings gambit: a 38-39 footer would be great but it's just not in the budget at this point. The good news is, here in Parry Sound and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay, you don't have to go too far to see a new and nice place every day. As for the conditions, maybe it's just because I'm young and dumb but it's not too often that I'm held back at the marina by higher winds and waves although it would be much comfier on a bigger boat.
David: I will do a search for hunter cherubinis and see what's out there, they are nice classic looking boats and meet my criteria. That's good to hear that you have not been tempted to upgrade.
Jackdaw: the operational cost differences will definitely factor into my decision. There is a very nice C&C 29 for sale right now that I may take a look at.
Lance: I will definitely mention the trade but so far it seems many of the sellers I have talked to so far are upgrading.
Thanks again everyone!
Well if the discussion isn't over … I think around 30' is ideal for a sailboat. Systems can be simple Easy for two people to handle, or single hand. Nothing takes that much stress so you probably don't need electric winches. Anchor windless would be nice but not mandatory. Everything is less expensive … sails, dockage, bottom washing, bottom painting, storage, bottom cleaning, and that's just the stuff I can think of off the top of my head.
And, if you are caught in bad weather, it's just a smaller scale problem.
Your intended use isn't live aboard, or blue water voyages, or taking more than 2 for cruising (A good idea). There's a saying: "Our boat accommodates six for sailing, four for dinner and two for overnight." It makes a lot of sense to me.
30' boats can still be responsive to sail. When you get very much larger that's not always the case. If it isn't fun to sail or can't go upwind than it's just as well to have a trawler. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But buy the boat you need for the way you will use it.
So many buy boats for some fantasy of sailing voyages which aren't realistic; and end up not using the boat, and then selling for a disappointing loss. And often spending lots of money upgrading the boat for use it will never see.
30' is a good place to be.
And, if you are caught in bad weather, it's just a smaller scale problem.
Your intended use isn't live aboard, or blue water voyages, or taking more than 2 for cruising (A good idea). There's a saying: "Our boat accommodates six for sailing, four for dinner and two for overnight." It makes a lot of sense to me.
30' boats can still be responsive to sail. When you get very much larger that's not always the case. If it isn't fun to sail or can't go upwind than it's just as well to have a trawler. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But buy the boat you need for the way you will use it.
So many buy boats for some fantasy of sailing voyages which aren't realistic; and end up not using the boat, and then selling for a disappointing loss. And often spending lots of money upgrading the boat for use it will never see.
30' is a good place to be.
We did unrealistic sailing voyages in our O'Day 25. It sure has been nicer cruising the panhandle with a hot water shower and a real head in our Pearson 323. If you are going to get out there, the boat will not be the deciding factor. You sail far offshore because you personally have to do it. I think the big difference for us was the 25 was like camping, the 32 is like a condo stay.
One of my buddies here at the Nyack Boat Club ( Hudson River in NY) just completed a 2 year stripped out total restoration of a Cape Dory 28. He's a great mechanic and a master carpenter. He pulled out everything including the engine, interior, mast, plumbing, cabinets, chainplates etc. He then proceeded to go over the hull interior and exterior. Then faired and painted (polyuth) interior and out. Next he replaced all portlights with metal ones. Then replaced all teak exterior trim with new teak. Then he replaced the main interior bulkhead and chain plates. Then the rest of the interior pieces were re assembled. Anything so so was replaced. Anyway the boat looks new, maybe better. And I would take this one to Bermuda without any hesitation. Now he latched on to a 32 so he's going to do this all over again!! A glutton for punishment. Im sure the 28 will go up for sale this spring, but he'll ask around 20K+
Bigger is Still Better
My first boat was a Hotfoot 20; nothing down below--strictly racing on a planing hull, kept on a trailer in mast-up storage in St. Petersburg, FL. Then to a Pearson 30; 8 years sailing the SW coast of Florida, 5 along the southern California coast--Oceanside to Ventura, including Santa Catalina & Anacapa islands. Up wind, down wind, power sailing, motor sailing, anchor up & down, sailing in storms, in fog, being hard aground, and off again, etc. Then to the Bavaria 38 we have now for about 10 yr. First time anchored in 25 kt; go to retrieve the CQR by pushing a button on a hand held console; anchor comes aboard and locks in place. Don't even get my hands wet! "Honey--we're never going back!" Extended casual sailing range now Ensenada to Santa Barbara, all of the Northern Channel Islands multiple times. Three and one-half hour run to Isthmus Cove instead of five hours. Five to Cat Harbor instead of seven. Forty horse diesel instead of eleven. Refrigeration, ducted diesel-fired heat w/thermostat, batten cars on mainsail track, self-tailing winches, radar, autopilot, chart table, etc. There's just no comparison with the smaller class yachts from the perspective of speed and comfort, in my opinion.
My first boat was a Hotfoot 20; nothing down below--strictly racing on a planing hull, kept on a trailer in mast-up storage in St. Petersburg, FL. Then to a Pearson 30; 8 years sailing the SW coast of Florida, 5 along the southern California coast--Oceanside to Ventura, including Santa Catalina & Anacapa islands. Up wind, down wind, power sailing, motor sailing, anchor up & down, sailing in storms, in fog, being hard aground, and off again, etc. Then to the Bavaria 38 we have now for about 10 yr. First time anchored in 25 kt; go to retrieve the CQR by pushing a button on a hand held console; anchor comes aboard and locks in place. Don't even get my hands wet! "Honey--we're never going back!" Extended casual sailing range now Ensenada to Santa Barbara, all of the Northern Channel Islands multiple times. Three and one-half hour run to Isthmus Cove instead of five hours. Five to Cat Harbor instead of seven. Forty horse diesel instead of eleven. Refrigeration, ducted diesel-fired heat w/thermostat, batten cars on mainsail track, self-tailing winches, radar, autopilot, chart table, etc. There's just no comparison with the smaller class yachts from the perspective of speed and comfort, in my opinion.
