boat ideas please

[douglasb]

I''m on west coast of florida, shallow area. I''m a fairly beginner sailor. I want a boat for daysailing, occasional overnites, possibly for PHRF racing. 18-26 foot range. Seriously considering cape dory typhoon - might be too slow for me and too small, looked at Pearson 26, draft 4'' a bit deep for me and interior ugly, like pearson ensign but too much wood, don''t want a centerboard will be in water all year, any ideas? budget open but ideally less than 13K, basically want a boat that is classy, nice woodwork, not a dog to race, easy to learn on, good resale, that will make me happy for a few years, want to keep it simple. Might occasionally want to take it out in gulf of mexico when weather is nice. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[TrueBlue]

When you mention the word "classy" and 26'', only one boat comes to my mind - the Alerion 26. Nathanael Herreshoff''s original, built in 1912, is now at the Mystic Seaport Museum, but the design has been revived and in production at PROPER YACHTS, LTD in Bristol, RI. The new versions have been updated with modern gear but retain the classic beauty of the original.

When new boats are commissioned, they are sent over to our marina (New England Boatworks) for rigging assembly . . . right at our dock, a few slips from mine. I have been admiring these beauties for years, but know they are expensive (it''s all relative). You did not mention your budget, but if you have the means, check them out. Here''s a link to a review:

http://www.proper-yachts.com/alerion26reviews.htm

Steve

[Jeff_H]

While the Alerions 26 and Express 28 are a pretty neat little boats, but I seriously doubt that one can be found for anything like the $13K budget in the original post. :^) The Alerion 26''s probably would not be competive under PHRF. And the better sailing Alerion Expresses are much deeper than 4''0 draft.

The West Coast of Florida is always a tough call when it comes boats that are competitive under PHRF. As you noted 4''-0 is a reasonable depth limit goal for a fixed keel boat. Long keel boats are a real pain if you ground one (They are bear to free when planted.) and typically are at a real disadvantage on a race course. Wing keels have the same problems which means that you are looking at longish shoal fin keels.

If you plan to overnight ventilation becomes very critial. For that reason alone boats like the Ensign and Typhoon really don''t make much sense in Florida.

A few posibilities might fill the bill include:
Beneteau First 235
Beneteau First 265
Beneteau First Class 8
Cal 25
J-24
Kirby 25
Mirage 275
Paceship 26 (also called a AMF PY26)
Paceship 23
Precision 27
Wylie Wabbit (really cool little boats)

Good hunting
Jeff

[catamount]

I can recommend the Paceship PY23 (and maybe her big sister the PY26) that Jeff mentions. Paceship Yachts were originally built in Nova Scotia, Canada, and then were acquired by AMF.

They have a ballasted long shoal fin keel containing an unballasted centerboard. IIRC, draft with the board up was about 18 inches, and you could sail right up to the beach.

We cruised on a PY23 all over New England, from down east Maine to Long Island, as well as inland lakes, when I was a kid.

Regards,

Tim

[TrueBlue]

That is curious, a few slips to starboard lay several Alerion 26s which go out regularly, in all conditions. Whereas for 24 years a closer dock mate has had a humble AMF Paceship 26, but has rarely been out in the 10 years we''ve been there.

I must have missed the mention of a 13k limit . . . that does change everything. Since, comparing these boats is like a rhinestone vs. a diamond.

Steve

[Jeff_H]

"a few slips to starboard lay several Alerion 26s which go out regularly, in all conditions. Whereas for 24 years a closer dock mate has had a humble AMF Paceship 26, but has rarely been out in the 10 years we''ve been there. "

That says more about the owners and nothing about the boats. There is a PY26 at my dock that is out every weekend and the owner is aboard whenever the owner can get a spare moment.

Jeff

[wjcullen]

What would you think of a Beneteau First 285. Needs a little work to make her look good, but engine is good, and boat is sound. Bargain priced if you're still in the market.

[ilnadi]

Catalina 25 fits most pf the criteria and will definitely be on the cheaper end. You can get fin keel, swing keel (wighted) or Wing (only 2'10", count on 20 deg leeway to winward; probably not for racing). we have a tall-rig wing keel and it will handle anything in the Pamlico. Plus you can spend weekends on if with 2 (we do it with 2 plus toddler).