What should I buy next?

[shemandr]

I'm bored already and I don't even have my winter cover on. If this starts a thread that lasts a while its worth it.
I'm thinking of selling the 356 and along with some other changes buying a new used boat. But what? Here are my requirements:
1) It has to absolutely love going upwind. Particularly into a smoking SW seabreeze 15 to 20 true with short steep chop. This is the condition I often come home from weekends in. It should be fun sailing - not a chore.
2) The maximum draft is 5 feet. Preferable draft is 4' 6" or even 4'.
3) It should be around 30'
4) Fractionally rigged is preferable. Large headsails are a no-no. Easily flattened main would be very good.
5) Trailable at the end of the season would be a great asset. Freedom from the tyranny of the boatyard.
6) Price in the under $40,000 area -preferable without a lot of improvements needed.
7) Weekend accomodations for two. Six foot berths for me. No curves - straight is great!
8) Boom clears my 6' height in cockpit.
9) Open transom or sugar scoop. My favorite feature of the 356 is the transom access for swimming (My second favorite to sailing)
10) Inboard
11) Anchor locker
Well there's other stuff but that's what comes to mind now. Any suggestions?

 

[tommays]

You gotta check your local rules i had a LONG talk with the town BEFORE DOING THE HOME DEAL

I just priced a 30' trailer your looking at 9K and your not pulling it without a BIG truck

The upwind performance and shoal draft are apposing forces as draft is everything upwind

 

[Ross]

Andrew, I think that you can get exactly what you are looking for if you put that zero back on your price tag. 40K doesn't buy a whole helluvalot these days. My 30 footer weighs in at about 9500 pounds give or take. It is a very unpleasant vessel when sailing on a run against the tide. Not too bad going to the weather but get the weather and the tide in opposition and I could take up chicken farming for a little while. You have a nice boat and just need to master it and improve your skills. Going to the weather while over canvased or under canvased can be quite a trial.

 

[Keiffer]

Seaward 32 fits the bill on many of the things you are looking for, and while you don't need to add another zero it will take around 50+ to find a good clean used one.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Why are you bored? Because of the boat or because of the weather? Isn't that what a 356 does, goes to weather? Or are you looking to reduce the cost of sailing? That part I understand. Especially the trailerable part. Most storage places allow trailers for a very nominal charge. I think 27 should be a maximum for putting on a trailer but I have seen it done with an H34. Cannot begin to recommend a boat.

 

[shemandr]

I'm bored because I don't have my boat to play with. Sorry I didn't make that clear. Its under 30 degrees outside and the wind is howling. I was hoping to stimulate some boat talk.
The 356 goes to weather OK- In my judgement it doesn't perform well once its reefed (In mast furling). Anyway its getting to be time to downsize a bit.
The Seaward is an interesting boat. I looked up some stats and it appears the ballast to displacement ratio is around 30%. That would normally be a fairly tender boat. But if the hull were like a sharpie it might work. I noted the keel carries the weight in a bulb which would help. Also, with a displacement of 8,300 lbs the 460ft2 of canvas might be a bit light.
I have to say, though, it is intriguing. Maybe I can get to Stuart this spring and try sailing one. If 50K would find a clean one I would spend that much. $400K would be nice to have to spend but I don't.

 

[Ross]

I'm bored because I don't have my boat to play with. Sorry I didn't make that clear. Its under 30 degrees outside and the wind is howling. I was hoping to stimulate some boat talk. quote]

Time to start thinking about building a little stitch and glue plywood dink you can use to play around on the edges of the pond.

Remember what Rat said: There is nothing, absolutely nothing one half so worth while as simply messing about in boats. Whether you get where you planned to go or someplace else all together or if you don't go anywhere, just being there is what counts.

So look up Roger Long's 9 foot dinghy plans and cut out the model and dream a little. You can spend five hundred and the whole winter building a nice little dink and enjoy messing about with a boat.

 

[BobM]

Bored sailor in winter?

Switch your medium. Build and sail an ice boat.