Emdee
regular
Reged: 21/11/2007
Posts: 36
Loc: Falmouth,Cornwall
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I wonder if the expertise of the forum might be able to help me decide on a new boat ?
I currently have a Beneteau First 32s5 which I sail mainly 2 handed with my wife. I love the combination of accomodation and performance it gives us, but my wife is pregnant meaning that, realistically she's not going to be doing much sailing for the next 2 or 3 years. I've sailed the 32s5 a few times singlehanded, but to be honest its too much of a handful for me in much breeze and I'm thinking of changing her for something easier to manage on my own.
I'm looking for something 28 - 30 foot (ish) that is manageable singlehanded, reasonably modern, will be mainly used for cruising, so has decent accomodation but has the performance to do the occasional club race without complete embarassment. Budget probably around £25 - 30k. I'm at a little bit of a loss as to where to start, so any thoughts from forumites would be much appreciated.
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kingfisher
regular
Reged: 07/11/2001
Posts: 1256
Loc: Belgium, Holland
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RM?
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Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox
My boat and others
The boring Monday to Friday stuff
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Rosbif
regular
Reged: 04/06/2007
Posts: 182
Loc: Guernsey CI
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RM would be very good but 880s second hand are few and far between and likely not to meet the budget requirement
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Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill
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FullCircle
regular
Reged: 19/11/2003
Posts: 8922
Loc: Burnham On Crouch
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First 29 is quick and stable, no need to get away from Bennies then.
I would say get a Malbec 290........
or at one foot short of your requirement a Hunter 27OOD or a 272.
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Come on over to the East Coast Forum . You meet a nicer forumite there.
The NEW East Coast Pilot website
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Norman_E
regular
Reged: 15/03/2005
Posts: 5676
Loc: East Sussex (near Kent border)
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Rather than face the expense of changing boat, why not see what can be done to make single handing your boat easier. For example fit a good autopilot (if you do not have one) to steer whilst you trim the sails. Fit extra deck organisers and jammers to bring all control and reefing lines back to the cockpit. Start by listing the operations you find tricky single handed, and devise solutions. That way you get to keep a good fast boat that you clearly enjoy, and probably save quite a bit of cash as well.
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Smile at us, pay us, pass us; but do not quite forget,
For we are the people of England, that never has spoken yet.
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michael_w
regular
Reged: 08/10/2005
Posts: 2338
Loc: South London
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Try Petit Bateau There are a couple of Beneteau Figaro Is for sale.
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"Procrastinate now! Don't put it off"
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CPD
regular
Reged: 20/09/2006
Posts: 1361
Loc: Essex
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Have a look at the Jester Azores winner, a Mistral 750 I think it was. Certainly looked the part !
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Life is just far too short.
I shortened my name from CentaurPipedream so you could spend your time reading something more useful.
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webcraft
regular
Reged: 08/07/2001
Posts: 4494
Loc: al shop for local people
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I would agree - keep the boat you are happy with and make modifications so she is easy to singlehand.
Quote:
For example fit a good autopilot (if you do not have one) to steer whilst you trim the sails.
I would suggest considering a windvane as these tend to handle a wider range of sea and wind conditions than an autohelm and make single handing a breeze. (Of course you will still need an electric autohelm for light airs / motoring - and get one with a remote control for anchoring and other occasions).
Other thoughts:
~ Self-tailing winches (if you don't have them) will also make a huge difference.
~ Electric anchor windlass and an anchor that stows on the bow roller.
~ Midship cleats can be very helpful when coming alongside as well.
~ Good hand-held VHF or a mike extension to the cockpit
- W
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Comprehensive UK sail cruising website
BlueMoment - blown away into the blue . . .
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FullCircle
regular
Reged: 19/11/2003
Posts: 8922
Loc: Burnham On Crouch
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Coo, Nick,
I've got all your Other Thoughts, perhaps thats why I am happy single handing my Sun Odyssey 35.... although I am modifying the Mainsheet to be like the Southerly RS layout.
I would really like a remote for the windlass though.
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Come on over to the East Coast Forum . You meet a nicer forumite there.
The NEW East Coast Pilot website
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homa
regular
Reged: 12/05/2002
Posts: 711
Loc: N.Sea
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Why does your wife have to give up sailing because she is pregnant?
My wife sailed when she was pregnant and the boys have sailed with us from about 6 weeks old onwards. I can honestly say they have grown up with sailing.
Can't see why the family should not sail too.
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