Which boats are phrf "friendly"

noscreenname · #1 12-05-2005

I''m in the market for a used boat that I can race next season in our local fleet. I need something that''s good around the cans but can also do well offshore. My current boat,Columbia Sabre, does ok inside the sound but as soon as we go offshore and hit swells she slows down to a snails pace.
I''m looking at a Figaro solo with the idea of racing her to halifax in two years or possibly a Cat capri 30. I dont know much about either of these boats and the Figaro is butt ugly on the interior plus no head. But it seems like alot of boat for the money. Any suggestions?
John

paulk · #2 12-08-2005

You might want to consider a Tartan 10. It''s in that size range (33'') but is capable of being trailered, so as to keep winter storage costs down. They''ve got some "offshore" capabilities -- there''s always a fleet of them on the Chicago Mackinac race, and most of them seem to make it the 400-some miles despite the 50-knot thundersqualls that stalk the fleet and the 8'' slop that seems to sprout up around the Manitous. They have an installed head and a small galley setup, along with some bunks and an inboard diesel. The price is likely to be close to right, depending upon the condition of the boat you look at. The Figaro solo is set up for singlehanded sailing. If that''s what you''re into, OK, but the cockpit, being set up for one person, is likely to be tight for the ''round the cans social scene if you plan to have any crew. The Tartan 10 has a huge cockpit, and the tiller swings up to make even more room for victory parties. It may need some breeze to sail to its rating, but with their ''chutes up they''ve been known to do horizon jobs on boats 10 feet longer than they are. Worth looking into, in any case. Could be fun.

Silmaril · #3 12-10-2005

While I agree that the Tartan 10 is a great boat for doing phrf racing in protected waters (yeah, I know, Lake Mich. is not exactly "Protected Waters") it would not be allowed to race off shore by any of the recognized race committees, especially the Newport-Halifax race. The feature you site, it''s enormous cockpit, is it''s major downfall. You see, it is subject to down-flooding when hit with large waves, and it does not have sufficient draining capacity to qualify for off shore racing. Don''t get me wrong, it is a great boat for the money, it just would not be allowed to compete in the traditional off shore races on the east coast: Newport-Bermuda, Annapolis-Newport, Newport-Halifax, The Vinyard Race, to mention a few. I won''t get into a discussion of "The weather for the Chicago-Mac can be pretty nasty too" The T-10 is just not concidered seaworthy by off shore standards.

Take a look at a Peterson 34. They rate well and perform nicely in most conditions. Also, the Farr 33 and the Frers F3 are good possibilities as well. On the more extreme fringe would be the Evelyn 32-2. Keeping the size and weight down would help you handle the boat singlehanded. I single hand my Heritage One Ton, it''s just a handfull in a breeze. (One reef and the blade #2 keeps everything happy)

Good luck, and good hunting!

sassafrass · #4 02-01-2009

don't care for the evelyn. i think you could put your foot through the deck if you weren't careful enough. the ride in big seas would be horrendous as well.

peterson has a great reputation around here. many of his designs are consitent winners in the PNW.

eMKay · #5 02-01-2009

Maybe you should ask this question over at sailing anarchy, where "what it rates" is the only criteria. Be prepared to be flamed, but flame back and you might get a good answer....

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