Tranona
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Reged: 10/11/2007
Posts: 1548
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In direct answer to your question, suggest you charter a boat for a week to find out. Either in UK to get the local experience (ie weather conditions, tides etc). Or if you want some sun go to Greece and make a holiday out of it. If you go to the Aegean in the summer you will get some serious wind at times to test out whether you like modern boats in heavy weather.
This is exactly what we did (I have a traditional wooden boat in the UK). Ended up buying a Bavaria which is mostly a floating platform for drifting around the Ionian, but I have had it out in the odd spot of heavy weather and have no concerns about its ability - certainly exceeds mine!
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Pendlecats
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Reged: 29/01/2008
Posts: 513
Loc: North West England
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Quote:
Another can of worms here...
Your not kiddin’. The views of this are quite strong, unfortunately the only boating people I know personally have heavy boats and are unhelpful and the lightest I have been on is a Gibsea.
Interesting that some of the comfort issues could be down to speed, SWMBO has seen a Legend (or as a mate pronounced Legg-end) and cant initially see the difference between this and the Bev’s, Ben’s etc…
If sailing and caught out in poor weather, slowing down could help, but it’s concerning that just simply being out can be bad.
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Pendlecats
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Reged: 29/01/2008
Posts: 513
Loc: North West England
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Quote:
I calculate that 85% of my cruising time is stood still either at anchor or tied to a pontoon
This is exactly what I see our life being, we are more likely to be living on her and sailing to get somewhere as a break. I am prepared to put up with some sailing comfort issues – especially if by slowing down a bit this is only slight
The threads brought up concerned about loading issues, this I’ll look into as we would need to carry a bit
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Pendlecats
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Reged: 29/01/2008
Posts: 513
Loc: North West England
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We hope to charter a boat in September, as there is a choice I posted this in advance of booking anything.
Some of what I'm after is do these types of boat actually differ, or are they more or less all the same when out.
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Tranona
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Reged: 10/11/2007
Posts: 1548
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Think the difference is that the Legend majors on accommodation (big fridge, television, vast aft cabin etc) and are less "performance" orientated. They never really caught on here, despite setting up a factory and aggressive marketing.
Note you have a Folkboat. Obviously any modern boat will be very different, but they are very different design concepts and it is a nonsense to try and make any direct comparison.
I am in the unusual position to be able to compare the merits of the two different design approaches as I have both an old wooden boat and a Bavaria. Both are perfect for the use I put them to. I have wandered around the Channel for nearly 30 years in my Eventide, including single handed cross channel and love it. However, SWMBO only likes being anchored in Poole harbour, enjoying the rich glow of the mahogany and the hiss of the Taylors cooking supper. My grandchildren are going to spend their first night on board this year - big adventure!
However in the Bavaria, a 40 mile passage from Paxos to Gouvia with a force 3/4 over the quarter, boat triimmed to sail herself, cold beer from the fridge - what could be better. Have done much the same passage with a NW 4/5, reefed down with the engine ticking over, autopilt on, sprayhood up. Square topped waves just like the Solent so a bit bangy and wet but never scary.
As I suggested, charter one if you are serious about going this route. If you don't like it at least you base that position on some experience, not on guesswork and prejudice.
Good luck!
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HoratioHB
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Reged: 02/10/2006
Posts: 533
Loc: Croosin da Caribbean man
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Just spent 7 months in the Caribbean in a new SO 42i. Met loads of other liveaboards in all sorts of boats. Would not trade mine for any of them - why?
Comfort - large, open, spacious, especially the cockpit which was the envy of all those who came on board. Loads of handholds absolutely no problem moving about in any sea and we had some bloody rough passages on occasions.
Manoevarability - we can steer backwards in Marinas!! and we don't have a bow thruster. Talk to an Island Packet owner how he goes stern to - the answer is with a lot of help from shore!!
Speed - bloody quick, I did Antigua to Guadaloupe at an average of 8.8 knots (GPS not log). When we left Grenada in with three Island Packets - we left 1 hour later and arrived 2.5 hours before them. Getting somewhere 25% faster than a traditional boat is worth a hell of a lot.
Sea Keeping - yes she does slam head into sea especially when motoring - so we don't go!! Thats the beauty of living aboard. But once sailing she is no worse than any other type I have sailed (37years) it all depends on the wave and swell type as much as the hull design.
Would I go further offshore? - we were parked in Nelsons Dockyard in Antigua for Christmas along with most of the Blue Water rally boats, many of which were of the same type -seemed to get across the Atlantic alright. We have a hankering for the Pacific in a year or two and I am not changing my boat.
So do I consider modern yacht designs uncomfortable? - no more so than any other boat. A traditional hull may be slightly more sea kindly in some sea states but I will have been in the bar with a large one chilling out, while he is still bouncing around. Meanwhile SWMBO and I can fully stretch out on either side of the cockpit and watch another brilliant sunset, rum in hand.
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I have gone down to the sea again
The lonely sea and the sky
and am drinking too much rum
www.yotblog.com/HoratioHB/
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Guapa
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Reged: 24/09/2003
Posts: 5143
Loc: UK East Coast
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Quote:
the only boating people I know personally have heavy boats
Maybe they know something you don't (yet)   
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Guapa on the web
I'll eat when I'm hungry
I'll drink when I'm dry
Don't boss me or cross me
Or I'll spit in your eye.
I think what I please and
I say what I mean.
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Robin
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Reged: 30/05/2001
Posts: 5464
Loc: Poole UK
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Well said.
Our Jeanneau Sun Legende 41 is rather older, dating from 1988, but has all the space and pace (the original of the class was a French One Tonner and French Admirals Cup team member). We go upwind at 7kts at 28degs to the apparent wind (22degs is possible in flat seas but VMG is no better). Normally she doesn't slam under sail, but if we were to motor straight into as head sea then yes the flatter section forwards can slam. However, I remember well a trip along the North Brittany coast, sailing dead upwind with F5/6 wind blowing against a spring tide. We caught up and overtook a similar sized heavily built long keeled wooden ketch that was motor sailing. He was pitching heavily and throwing up loads of spray and was certainly not at all comfortable, yet we were sat up on the cockpit coamings, leaning into our Position A backrests on the dodgers, sprayhood DOWN and really enjoying a 7kt beat and with wall to wall grins. So who says you need a long keeled heavyweight to be comfortable!
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 Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!
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Tranona
regular
Reged: 10/11/2007
Posts: 1548
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Yes, they differ in much the same way as Focus, Golf, Astra, Megane etc differ. Most builders have two ranges, one more "sporty" than the other eg Beneteau First (sporty) and Oceanis (cruisy). At the top end sizewise there has been a move towards deck saloons eg Bavaria Vision.
These different ranges are designed to fill all the gaps in the target markets. Just like cars they may be based on the same hull design, but have different rigs and keels, posh sails, more luxurious interiors etc as the builder tries to meet specific customer requirements.
This becomes much clearer when you start looking seriously and try to match what is on offer with your requirements. As this thread has shown, many people use modern boats successfully for passage making and live aboards.
Despite what some might say, the one thing you won't have to generally worry about is standard of build and quality of materials. Although, as with cars, the odd dog gets through, if it is a specific model it gets sorted very quickly, or equally a specific boat gets fixed early in its life.
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Adaero
regular
Reged: 15/04/2003
Posts: 63
Loc: Bideford, Devon, UK
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I will probably get shot down in flames here but have you considered a Catamaran for live aboard? This isn't bait for a multi/mono debate.
Advantages: -
Living space all on one level, less motion in heavier seas (though a very different motion), obviously sails a lot flatter, better performance, a 36ft cat has the interior space of a 45ft mono, the wife will love it, you can sail at 8+ knots and you won't spill your beer, no gimbaled stoves or need to tie everything down, run your watch from the dry comfort of the saloon with an autopilot remote.
Disadvantages: -
Cost, they are a lot more expensive to buy and to berth, much more sensitive to weight so leave the best china at home, feel, they don't give you the same feedback as a mono.
Worth a thought.
Adaero
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