Cruiser?

[RIB_imposter]

I'm not getting personal - you asked if it was just you and I'm saying its not just you thats wrong!

I recognise wayfarers as cruising, and indeed there is a whole group of people who cruise them and other dinghies. But the point is they would first and foremost be described as dinghies / open boats rather than cruisers.

How would you describe the boat in question then - what sub-genre of sailing boat do you believe it falls into?

The article obviously successfully communicated that this wasn't a luxury / comfort cruiser. So what's the problem? You seem to feel it "mis-sells" the boat - but in fact through the words you seletively quote - its quite clear that it does anything but. However from the point of view of the author he really has to describe its potential in terms of the expected use. If the builder (or the market) is viewing this boat at a cruiser then review it in that context, but highlight how it differs from other "cruisers".

[orbister]

Originally Posted by RIB_imposter

How would you describe the boat in question then - what sub-genre of sailing boat do you believe it falls into?

The article obviously successfully communicated that this wasn't a luxury / comfort cruiser. So what's the problem? You seem to feel it "mis-sells" the boat - but in fact through the words you seletively quote - its quite clear that it does anything but.

Actually, I don't think it mis-sells the boat at all. As you, others and I have said, it makes the limited accommodation very clear. I was more interested in starting a conversation about what counts as "cruising" than having a go at the author.

So I think your first question is a really good one - what do we call boats like this? To me a "cruiser" is something which can be used for extended stay-aboard trips and a "racer" is something in which speed is the design priority. A "cruiser-racer" would be something suitable for both extended living aboard in reasonable comfort as well as racing.

On this new Elan, as with many modern ocean racers, the overnight accommodation is designed really only to be tolerable to those who will put up with discomfort for the sake of speedy racing - it's not really suitable for mum, dad and the two kids to spend two weeks touring Ireland in.

So ... do we need a new term? Good question.

[JCP]

Originally Posted by orbister

So I think your first question is a really good one - what do we call boats like this? To me a "cruiser" is something which can be used for extended stay-aboard trips and a "racer" is something in which speed is the design priority. A "cruiser-racer" would be something suitable for both extended living aboard in reasonable comfort as well as racing.

On this new Elan, as with many modern ocean racers, the overnight accommodation is designed really only to be tolerable to those who will put up with discomfort for the sake of speedy racing - it's not really suitable for mum, dad and the two kids to spend two weeks touring Ireland in.

Maybe you're expecting too much accommodation for your cruising.

I've cruised extensively in a boat where there was no enclosed heads and the accommodation choice was quarter berth, saloon or forepeak. She could be called nothing else but a cruiser. Seems Elan's 'cruiser' has better accommodation than that.

I met a couple with young children this summer who were cruising a 31.7 just as you describe. I can't believe that this 31 footer is any more of a handful in a F6 than a 31.7. In fact, didn't a Norwegian family take a 31.7 across the Atlantic on the ARC?

She's not a racer. Try looking at the accommodation of one of those the next time you get a chance. Delivering a purpose built racer you tend to find the most comfortable place to sleep is in the cockpit.

She looks like a pretty obvious cruiser-racer and I'd guess the majority of owners will race her round the cans with some short distance cruising, but I'm sure the right people could cruise her extensively.

[Twister_Ken]

Maybe itza racer-cruiser, not a cruiser-racer?

[Neil]

Not that I know much about such things, but on Elan's own web site, the 310 is under the heading of "Performance" and not "Cruiser" in the drop down menus of their yachts.

Must actually get some work done..........