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#1
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Another single hand/sailboat choice question
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. I am a retiring athlete and I am sick of racing, so I have no interest in Type-A sailing.I prefer a stable boat; i.e., one that can be out there when most of the other boats have left (I still like adventure). On the other hand, I do not want a boat that will DNF (did not finish) in light air.I started with many boats on my list, admittedly 35 plus ft. After taking ASA 101-104 and gaining more experience, I have come to realize that smaller is better. I have read every book available on solo sailing and I am aware of the rigging, equipment, etc. recommended for single handing. I want to stay under 50k. I prefer, but am not married to, 'classic plastic',and I prefer solid hull boats. Also note; I plan to use a mooring so as to avoid the difficulties of leaving and returning to a slip. My short list: -I really like the Bristol 'decimal' line (29.9, 31.1, 35.5), though I am aware that they are relatively slow and bad at backing under motor. -The Sabre 30-34 are on my list -The Hunter Cherubini's 30,33, even 37 seem to be a real value, though the 'owner's forums' are full of wet deck/rudder-problem stories. I have been on the 'owner's forums' for all of these boats and have solicited opinions. Any neutral/objective suggestions. My strategy at this point is to go with the 'best condition' boat that I can find under 50k.I, of course, will get it surveyed. Brian, Havre de Grace |
#2
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Have you considered a small multihull? Fast, good in light air, stable, big
enough for guests, small enough to single-hand. For example, one of the F-boats... F-24. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com wrote in message ups.com... 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. I am a retiring athlete and I am sick of racing, so I have no interest in Type-A sailing.I prefer a stable boat; i.e., one that can be out there when most of the other boats have left (I still like adventure). On the other hand, I do not want a boat that will DNF (did not finish) in light air.I started with many boats on my list, admittedly 35 plus ft. After taking ASA 101-104 and gaining more experience, I have come to realize that smaller is better. I have read every book available on solo sailing and I am aware of the rigging, equipment, etc. recommended for single handing. I want to stay under 50k. I prefer, but am not married to, 'classic plastic',and I prefer solid hull boats. Also note; I plan to use a mooring so as to avoid the difficulties of leaving and returning to a slip. My short list: -I really like the Bristol 'decimal' line (29.9, 31.1, 35.5), though I am aware that they are relatively slow and bad at backing under motor. -The Sabre 30-34 are on my list -The Hunter Cherubini's 30,33, even 37 seem to be a real value, though the 'owner's forums' are full of wet deck/rudder-problem stories. I have been on the 'owner's forums' for all of these boats and have solicited opinions. Any neutral/objective suggestions. My strategy at this point is to go with the 'best condition' boat that I can find under 50k.I, of course, will get it surveyed. Brian, Havre de Grace |
#3
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#4
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I offer a recommendation of my personal favorite marque, Freedom boats
by Garry Hoyt and TPI. Try a Freedom 30. Frank |
#6
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#7
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Peter, we have a Y30 in our fleet. I find it to be a great boat... the
engine in the front was a bit strange at first, but it seems to do quite well in heavy chop.. much less hobby horsing that you typically get. How long did you have it? Did you have any significant problems? I think the only thing I don't like about it is that it has a full rig, and that means no big jibs (we sail in SF bay). Our isn't set up for single-handing also. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com "Peter Bennett" wrote in message news.com... On 25 Apr 2005 12:48:32 -0700, 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. I single-handed a Yamaha 30 for many years - it is a fairly light racer-cruiser (or perhaps cruiser-racer) - it performed well, and I found it easy to handle. I don't think I'd want to go too much over 30 ft for single-handing coastal cruising (ocean cruising may be another matter). For coastal cruising, you will frequently be raising and lowering sails, anchoring, picking up a mooring, or docking at a marina - all things that are harder the larger the boat. I found the Yamaha very easy to handle, both under way and around marinas (I had less trouble getting it into a marina slip than I do with my present 28 ft trawler, and much, much less trouble than with a 26 ft twin stern drive planing boat I had between the Yamaha and the trawler) -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca |
#8
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wrote:
As a somewhat experienced "singlehander" [Islander 29'] I would advise you that you can single-hand almost any boat. But there's a couple of things that make it much simpler & safer. First of all try to stay under about 32' feet,,,, any bigger than that and the sail area gets too big to handle comfortably ... Point taken. I have been single-handing a 28 footer since 1981. Never considered a bigger boat. A friend of mine sailed a boat just like mine for a number of years, later deciding that 40 feet was "just right." He sold the 28 and bought into a lovely Bristol 40 (and I mean lovely). Then the boat sat for a very long time, other than when he could round up crew (not often). The boat is now on the market and my friend is looking for something under 30 feet. Unfortunately his is not a rare case. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/ |
#9
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#10
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I have sailed a Sabre 34 on several occasions very short handed,
although not solo. It's a relatively quick boat that is easy to balance, tacks well and is well built. It's probably my favorite boat I've ever sailed. If I were in your boat shoes, however, I'd be thinking of something with a self-tacking, or no, jib. The Sabre could be made self-tacking but would suffer in light winds. A J32 is more like it but out of your price range. Had you considered a Nonsuch? No jib, easy rig to handle, decent performance, very roomy for the length, nice workmanship. David |
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