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On 22 Mar 2005 12:51:45 -0800, wrote:
A little (or perhaps too much) background. I am relatively new to
sailing. I have completed ASA 101-104, I have been sailing on a rented
22' sailboat, and I have read everything available sailboats and
sailing (though not all is assimulated). I know this:
-most of my sailing will be solo, though occasionally I will sail
with my wife and two large teenagers. Nevertheless, most of the time I
will be single-handling (I have many books on the subject and am aware
of the options I should explore rigging, etc.). I am not sailing to
meet or mingle. My definition of 'hell' is sitting on a sailboat with a
bunch of drunk people listening to Jimmy Buffet music; no offense, but
I'm sort of the ex-hippie type.
- second, most of my sailing will be daysailing and 1-2 night cruises
on the northern to central Chesapeake. HOWEVER, I want the capacity to
go coastal, and when I go coastal I am more likely to head towards
Maine and Canada than the Carribean.I essentially do not work between
May-Sep., so I plan some longer excursions, but I do have a wife and
kid, so for now I would never go out for more than a couple of weeks.
-third, there is a remote chance that I may someday try an Atlantic
crossing, as I am an extreme athlete (ironmans, eco-challenge, mountain
climbing), and am subsequently motivated by the 'because it's there
philosophy'. I am getting too old for these other sports (50-something)
and sailing is my new lifestyle adventure.I suspect that I will want to
do something a bit more risky. I, however, do not want to weight
'bluewater capable' too heavily in my selection, as this is more
phantasy than reality for me at this point. And this topic has been
adressed many times in this forum.
I am limited to about 70k. I am looking at older boats.
Aesthetically, I like the traditional look.That is, the boats that
appeal to my eye are heavy and, with exceptions, slower, and, I
suspect, particularly slow on the Chesapeake.I confess that speed is an
issue for me, not absolute speed, but speed relative to other
sailboats, because I am by nature a Type A competitor and resent being
passed. Alternatively stated, I suspect that if I bought a Westsail or
Perry 36, I would regret it. The BCC, on the other hand, seems to be
faster.
So, I am looking for a boat that is relatively fast, but also steady
and sturdy in moderately rough weather, and points well when
single-handling. I, of course, need a keel/rudder/displacement
configuration that will allow me to moor or dock the boat without
scaring you as to whether I am going to hit you (again, my
understanding is that the Westsail would not be good for single-handed
daysailing 2-3 times per week). I am also looking for a boat that will
hold some of its value if I put sweat equity into it. Most of my
serious contenders fall between 30-38'. I am looking at:
-Bristol 31.1 and 35.5 (very few available)
-1980 Tarton 37 (love their interiors and exteriors, though nervous
about cored hull)
-I love the Bristol Channel Cutter (it's so cute it says 'up
yours')($$$)
- early 80's Pacific Seacraft 31 (but too expensive)
- early 80's pearson 365
-1983 Ericson 38
-1978 Shannon 38
-1985 Wausquiez 33
- 32-34' Sabre from mid-80's
-I am also looking at C&C 38 Landfall (nervous about older hull and
deck) and Freedoms in the 36' range (nervous about hull)
-And yes,economics may determine that I end up with something like
a Catalina 34 (I like the looks and differ with those who call it
'plain vanilla) or Beneteau First 345-375 - not crazy about exterior,
but there is another side of me (the hippie turned yuppie) that likes
the 'euro'interior look.It certainly looks like a buyer's
market for Beneteaus
I am not asking for feedback on each one of these boats (have
various reviews from practical sailer, Horner, boatus,this site and
others, etc.), but want to know if any of these may be particularly
weak or strong in meeting my criteria: not slow, can dock single-handed
without great risk (I have read quite a bit about this issue and plan
to get private instruction), is likely to have a reliable hull/deck,and
would be able to handle moderately rough weather on an extended coastal
cruise. If, like the BCC, it can cross the Atlantic, hey, that's
great.Thanks

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A number of the boats you mention have good track records but I
personally know of several people who have cruised and lived aboard
Pearson 365s. The boat seems to be a good compromise between size,
speed, comfort, etc., and is about as big a boat as I would want to
singlehand. Some of the older C&Cs such as the 35-1 and 35-2 are also
worth a look, as well as any of the Tartans or Ericsons in that size
range.

You will want a good reliable autopilot on any boat you choose. It
will allow you time to navigate and handle sails.

For ease of handling I would choose a self stacking, lazy jack
mainsail, and rig an inner forestay for a small, heavy weather jib
which is always on deck ready to go. For light air downwind I'd want
a cruising spinnaker with self snuffing sock.