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In article . com,
wrote:
A number of months ago I began my search for a sailboat. I am an upper
Chesapeake sailor who, a few years down the road, will do some coastal
cruising. I am looking for a boat that I can sail solo (I want to sail
solo - if I wanted to hook-up with crew, I would have taken up golf),
but that can also confortably accomodate three adults for a weekend
cruise. But the principal criteria is its ease/security in solo sailing.
Having read the other 48 messages, I think you're on the right path.
As an example of the type of boat I now consider ideal for the area and
type of sailing you're describing, see our lovely owner, Xan-a-Deux,
below. (We've sailed the area for about 20 years.)
Though my wife is almost always along, I usually single-hand. Xan's
easily capable of taking a couple down to at least the Bahamas
comfortably. (Longest cruise to date is 900 nm in 3+ weeks to Beaufort,
NC and back. Our Bahamas trip is scheduled for the next time I'm
"between jobs".)
Oh, and last year was bad for us: only 60 days on the water, we usually
get 70-80. Pat wasn't a sailor when she met me. I just made it fun for
her to be along.
The things I like about Xan are the enormous accommodations and stowage,
simplicity, toughness, and nice turn of speed -- in that order. Your
priorities may differ.
As others have mentioned, some great old boats in that size range are
going for songs. One we almost got was a Newport 27 Mk II (though I've
since heard they were a bit lightly built.) 4' draft is handy for
gunkholing, 5' a bit of a PITA for a few of our favorite anchorages.
What I suggest is to walk the docks and yards, crawl in the boats and
try them on for size, going through the motions of day-to-day
activities. [Personally, I would take the wife along to get her opinion
if you can. Otherwise, keep her in mind, as having her onboard can
enhance the experience enormously.] High on our list was a comfortable
dedicated berth (dropping the table gets old quickly), so the first
thing we did was crawl in and "sleep". That eliminated most boats,
surprisingly.
Last on our list was the undercarriage, even though I'm a go-fast kind
of guy. (we did luck out, though) Good sails can make up the difference.
I single-hand our cruising chute -- with a little help from the
autopilot and a stuffer. We sail when "faster" boats are motoring. Every
boat has handling "quirks" that have to be overcome, so I'm not sure
that fin or full keel is really that significant, though it's easier to
reduce sail that you have than add sail area you don't.
Expand your search into the various yards on the Eastern Shore, as those
boats are often more honestly priced, though not as clean. [Cleaning is
such a minor item...]
And take your time. If you really need to sail, rent for a bit.
--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/
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