Yachties, what sailboat at 35-40ft? Less than 5 y/o?

[robm3]

We're looking at buying Hanse 40, 2011 model but open to other ideas as it is a lot of cash to tie up.

Key requirements are berthing for 6, singlehanded sailing (if possible) and decent offshore ability.

Cruising not Racing is what we're after.

Thanks in advance...

[Cheburator mk2]

robm3 said:

We're looking at buying Hanse 40, 2011 model but open to other ideas as it is a lot of cash to tie up.

Key requirements are berthing for 6, singlehanded sailing (if possible) and decent offshore ability.

Cruising not Racing is what we're after.

Thanks in advance...

My suggestions are more race based, but...

Bendytoe 40.7 - I know, I know, but for overall ability vs. cost they are hard to beat. Plenty of late boats around in the UK, which offer value now that the 40's sales are picking up...

Off beat suggestion - Jenneau SunFast 3200:

- basic cruising (tick)
- single/short handed sailing (tick)
- off-shore capability (tick)

[Huntsman]

Malo?

Halberg Rassey?

Grand Soleil?

[Rum Runner]

Are you based in Aus then.
Also one for the X yacht...but expensive.
I would not buy new...it will take you a year to sort the snags list while your pocket is taking a large hammering .
Also some older boat say 10 years old can be on amazing condition and I have seen a good number that look like new. The boats from this period can often be built a lot better before the bean counters started chopping away at quality.
Don't be put off by age...as there are some real bargain to be had out there.
I had a Dehler 35 recently which still had the plastic on the upholstery and it was simply stunning. Sailed great as it was not to fat like a modern and built like nothing you would find today. It was 15 years old and looked like a 2 year old boat in every dept. Up to date electronics , cabin heating , electric winches , full cockpit enclosure etc etc, Minimal hrs and mileage sold for 55k.
Also if you do go down the road of a new one make sure it is..as there are many old hull numbers sitting around at the dealers. This will come round and bite you later unless it has a price to take it in for account.
Jeanneau DS range is lot of boat for the money especially if you buy one thats a few years old.

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 16th May 22:41

[robm3]

Thanks for the feedback, some good points in there. We're off to the sanctuary cove boat show so will look at some others there.
I haven't discredited older boats but if I'm honest I like the looks of the latest crop coming out now and aesthetics are a big point of any purchase.
I also equate newer boats with being easier to sail but realise I may be wrong in that assumption.

But the most exciting news for me is the wife fully approves the purchase!

[Rum Runner]

In the case the Dehler I would have happly sailed it around the world. Large wheel and all lines lead aft and many on to the electric winches which had jammers all in reach while sat at the wheel.
In the 70's and early 80's boat where a different shape, generally because of IOR rules. Times changed in the late 80' bringing generally what you see today. Moderns tend to carry more of there beam further aft . It creates more space and some righting moment but in turn its does create some loss in sea keeping ability and loss in the overall sweetness and feel / balance. Many are aimed to perform better and certain angles than general all round performance.
I personally like a lot of the hull shapes from the 90's - early 00's before they started to get to fat aft and very flat under the water. Boats that spring to mind from that period are X362 X 382 X442.
I did thousands of miles in a Sigma 400 similar in shape to the X boats above .It was no good for singlehanding and the interior layout was a bit poor on the early ones, but dynamically it was as phenomenal. Never once felt it get away from me in some real crazy stunt sailing.
If it was a new production boat and it had the hammer that had and since, it would simply be at the bottom. It did 30,000 very had offshore miles with us 12 crew and its since done another 20k or so without a refit and over a 20year period.
It's now getting some well earned major TLC

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 16th May 23:31

[jinkster]

Hallberg Rassy - nice but expensive.

Have a look at a Bavaria - I did my Dayskipper a few years ago in one, very comfortable, very Ocean going and easy to sail - also reasonably priced.

[village idiot]

this is what i do for a living, so by all means fire me an email to alex[dot]grabau(at)berthon[dot]co[dot]uk.

i won't comment openly on this forum, but i would be delighted to advise you on suitable solutions and perhaps even help in sourcing a yacht closer to your cruising ground.

cheers

alex

[Fittster]

robm3 said:

decent offshore ability.

Is it actually possible to buy a modern 35ft+ yacht that isn't capable offshore? It just seem that owners of older boats (I'm talking about contessa 32 owners ) like to slag off the abilities of anything more modern than their own yacht without much evidence. Now all yachts are compromises to some extent but does anyone want to make an argument that a large(ish), modern yacht from a mainstream manufacturer isn't capable of offshore trips?

[Rum Runner]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

sorry- couldn't disagree more about the second statement - a middle house between the above is where my money would go.

In fact I keep getting drawn to this sorted Moody 47.
http://www.johanem.co.uk/
Wrong part o world for you tho op.

Totally agree...

[Rum Runner]

village idiot said:

this is what i do for a living, so by all means fire me an email to alex[dot]grabau(at)berthon[dot]co[dot]uk.

i won't comment openly on this forum, but i would be delighted to advise you on suitable solutions and perhaps even help in sourcing a yacht closer to your cruising ground.

cheers

alex

And me....

You may also find some decent USA built boats in Aus not to common in Europe like Morgans,Hylas, Island Packet, C&C and many others.

[Rum Runner]

Fittster said:

Is it actually possible to buy a modern 35ft+ yacht that isn't capable offshore? It just seem that owners of older boats (I'm talking about contessa 32 owners ) like to slag off the abilities of anything more modern than their own yacht without much evidence. Now all yachts are compromises to some extent but does anyone want to make an argument that a large(ish), modern yacht from a mainstream manufacturer isn't capable of offshore trips?

I think all things are compromise...yes contessa 32 owner always go on about there high point of vanishing stability and all that kind of seaworthiness...they tend to say little about the lack of accommodation and that its a wet ride, also because its slow you have more chance of getting caught out in bad weather. They are however solid but getting old all the same.
There are few moderns though I worry about there scant-lings, fixing of keels, chain plates and behind the scene stuff. It can be shocking and would worry me if out in the middle of the pond in a big blow.
I recently took a very expensive premium brand on 2500 mile trip and was shocked at moving of bulkheads and delamination around frames in 9 month old boat.
I had 2007 Najad recently which was nicely built...but big £.

Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 18th May 13:25

[maser_spyder]

I'm on the lookout for an Elan 384 or 434, but probably slightly older than you're looking at.

Racing cruisers, so fast enough, but with a good liveable space inside.

There were a handful of ideas in the design that really impressed us, so our minds have been made up.

That said, there was a brand new 45/50-ish foot Island Packet at the yard last weekend that I would gladly have sailed away in....

[MrOrange]

village idiot said:

this is what i do for a living, so by all means fire me an email to alex[dot]grabau(at)berthon[dot]co[dot]uk.

i won't comment openly on this forum, but i would be delighted to advise you on suitable solutions and perhaps even help in sourcing a yacht closer to your cruising ground.

cheers

alex

Why no open comment? Or actually any comment at all? Why not msg the guy directly? Just seems a little odd that in an open forum someone would want to be closed. Or have I wildly missed the point?

[schmalex]

I would be looking towards a Dehler / X Yacht / Elan personally, or as an outside choice a J of some description (being aser, it is well suited to short-handed sailing). While you say cruising & not racing, I'm sure that a decent turn of speed would be more than welcome.

Alternatively, have you thought about getting a boat designed & built for you? My old flatmate, Jason Ker, is designing some stunning cruising yachts, as well as some extremely competitive race boats.... http://www.kerdesign.com/

[Fittster]

schmalex said:

J of some description (being aser, it is well suited to short-handed sailing). While you say cruising & not racing, I'm sure that a decent turn of speed would be more than welcome.

I can see the wife being chuffed spending a week cruising the med on J/39!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/photoGaller...

Does your wife do the school run in a Radical?

[schmalex]

There's nothing like cementing a relationship than bellowing at your wife to twist the top of the main off in the gusts. It makes a gentle summer evening cruise that much more relaxing

[maser_spyder]

schmalex said:

There's nothing like cementing a relationship than bellowing at your wife to twist the top of the main off in the gusts. It makes a gentle summer evening cruise that much more relaxing

SINCE WHEN WAS THE %]^{*#! MAIN HALYARD BLUE?!


All in front of my parents, entering Cowes....

Ahem.

[ALawson]

I wonder what these are going to be like?

http://www.gunfleetmarine.com/range/gunfleet43/

[Rum Runner]

As Paddy N Murphy knows I am major Cat fan....not great in U.K marinas but once you have lived on one and been through odd tropical storm/ hurricane and have the comfort and space of a bungalow and a great turn of speed..years of being purist can fade very quickly.
The old stories of cats don't sail properly is rubbish and is more often a comment spoken by somebody in a fat modern with shallow draft or bilge keel and a stumpy stick, which always makes me chuckle to myself...

Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 18th May 22:38