Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

I've decided to make it official and post a wanted ad here, rather than contaminate other posts with my searching.

We are looking for a boat to sail up from Vancouver to Alaska and back next summer. We have a strong interest in pilothouse vessels, just because of the rainy Westcoast... I've always thought that they are most suited for us here, and we want to sail all year around in relative comfort. I hate to see a boat not leave the dock, and if it needs a warm and cozy cabin to get us onto it in the middle of a winter downpour, so be it. (I'm not saying it does, just saying it's more likely ;))

We are at various stages of consideration on several different boats:
- a Gulf 32
- a Cooper 316
- a North Sea 33
- a custom Aluminum Pilothouse

Just trying everything out and collecting as much info as possible in order to make an informed decision! Any suggestions/comments always much appreciated.

Thanks all!
-Scott

A little about us: We are are a couple of 30-something DINKs (dual income no kids - probably to become DIOKs within the next few years), living in Vancouver, and owners of a relatively hassle-free Luna 24 (VandeStadt design) previously known as 76 Trombones. She is mostly a day boat, but we don't hesitate to go on longer than weekend trips. I'm quite well connected in the marine industry on the commercial side of things, work as a Naval Architect/Mechanical Engineer with a very well established commercial design firm. I design/build aluminum and steel stuff all day long, and enjoy having projects to work on. We can handle fix-it uppers, and are actually specifically looking for a boat that could use some elbow grease. Non-structural repairs, sails, rigging, add-on's like davits, painting and varnishing, plumbing, light electrical wouldn't be deal breakers. Major electrical, engine work, structural repairs would.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

Best of luck in your hunt.. I think the NS 34 would be the 'best' of that bunch for what you plan.. are these all currently available listings? I'd expect a fair range of prices there...

EDIT:... I see elsewhere you really meant a Northsea 33, a very different boat from the North Sea 34.. have you looked at any of those?

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

I neglected to put our budget in the original posting, oops! We are looking in the 20-30k range, and have leeway at that for a 'contigency fund'. You'd think that there's quite a range there between those boats, but not really... what changes is the amount of work needed to bring them back to sail-to-Alaska condition. All are possibilities (I think) still except for the Gulf which isn't actually on the market... I'm trying to contact the owner, because it hasn't left it's place in the back of Shelter Island shipyard for several years now, and I've heard that he would consider selling.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

At your budget point, I'd say the Cooper 316 was the one. The NS 34's tend to go for twice that and the Gulf 32's tend to be pricy, slow - think Rawson 30 slow - SA/D of 12 which is pure motorsailer territory and a D/L of 563 - Yikes - I've never SEEN a D/L over 500, let alone one pushing 600. For comparison, the Westsail 32 is 418. I also think most of the "local" one are in Washington - I've never seen one in Vancouver. I've recently seen a couple of 316's in your price range (asking).

One thing I'd have to test personally on the 316 is the V berth - it looks short & small but I've never tried it. Otherwise it's a nice boat and VERY roomy for a 32'.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

I would add the Truant 33 and Rawson 34 to your list, I don't know if any are available. The North Sea 34 is a good boat if you can find one in decent shape, but it would probably be above your price range if it was.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

I've seen two 'tired' looking NS 34s recently, one at Bowen Island, the other on a mooring at Telegraph Harbour. Thetis Island. Virtually unused in recent times, might be worth some detective work..

Other rare p/h boats would include the Pacific Pilot 27, some Rawson 30s, the Gulf 29 is another in the slightly smaller range.

Don't forget, too, that today full cockpit enclosures are quite common and can turn most boats essentially into inside steering scenarios .... if you can handle the 'look'....

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

The Truant 33 (and all the other Truants) are sweethearts but I've never seen one anywhere near the OP's price range.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

SJB- kinda figured that but didn't know if there were some in BC needing 'TLC' that might be close. Nice boats.

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

Thanks for the suggestions. The Truant 33 and Rawson 34 would make the cut for sure, just have to wait until there's one for sale.

Careful when I saw North Sea 33. The North Sea 33 is an entirely different boat than the North Sea 34. Different designer, different yard... totally different boat (although both are pilothouses). The 33 was designed by a naval architect in Seattle and only 4 of them were ever built by a yard in Taiwan... still trying to get to the bottom of the story there.

EDIT: @Faster - Yes, we looked at a North Sea 33 on Sunday that Moonfish is selling. I like the design, just trying to decide how my 'project' I want to undertake. Needs a new roof, diesel tank replaced, grey water tank and system pulled, has some obvious water ingress problems that need immediate attention etc...

Re: Looking for a 32ish ft Pilothouse
 

Quick update:
We are now the proud new owners of a North Sea 33 (designed by Andy Davidhazy, built by Ta Chaio in Taiwan). It's in true 'project' condition... after being neglected for the past five years or so, but it's one boat that will be worth the effort. She's up on the hard now in Vancouver, and we're just starting into a summer of land-yachting... almost all cosmetic work, but starting with a complete exterior paint job. Looking into walnut blasting right now if anyone has any input on the matter (want to remove all bottom-paint and strip/prep the topsides for new paint... maybe the deck/house while I'm at it... sigh... hehe). Having done a complete bottom job on the Luna 24 last year, the hours and hours of sanding are still burned into my skull... soda-blasting or walnut seem to be a much better alternative...

In the end, we looked at a Cooper 316, Gulf 32, and considered a Rawson and a NS34... the heavy scantlings and no-nonsense feel of the North Sea 33 that we got really appealed to me, and all the majors were sound (hull, engine, spars, sails) on top of that I connected with the family of the Naval Architect and got copies of the original drawings of the boat... kinda fell for it ;) Anyways, couldn't be much happier with her maiden voyage up from Port Townsend, WA. Thanks for everyone's input!