Production blue water boats

[VMacDonald]

Originally Posted by catamount

At least one Contessa 32 has been around Cape Horn.

And Ascent, the C32 which was the smallest boat (and only one in its class) to finish the 1979 fastnet, was I think subsequently successfully taken to both the Arctic and Antarctic. The Wikipedia article for Contessa 32 list a few other noteable passages.

That said, for a true comfortable blue water cruiser the C32s are pretty cramped down below (especially by modern standards) and, as has already been said, have limited tankage. But the same is probably true to an extent of any truly seaworthy boat of that size as all things are a compromise.

Oh, and I own one so may be more than a little biased ;-)

[georgellop]

Comfort, comfort, comfort as in "SEA-KINDNESS".

A sea-kind vessel (by design) built for offshore work is what will protect the weakest part of the cruiser: IT'S CREW !

Research the design elements that make a vessel sea-kind. Let me suggest two sources of information regarding seaworthiness:

r.e Design
SEAWORTHINESS The Forgotten Factor.
C. A. Marchaj
Tiller.
St. Michaels, MD USA.

r.e Construction, Equipment, etc.
THE SAFETY OF SMALL COMMERCIAL SAILING VESSELS-A CODE OF PRACTICE
Maritime Coastguard Agency-United Kingdom-
Developed with the collaboration of:
American Bureau of Shipping
Bureau Veritas
Lloyds Register
Det Norske Veritas, among others.

.... enjoy the hunt!

[seadaddler]

Try looking at used pacific seacraft they are a real good blue water boat.

[Sailormann]

This boat has recently been refit and equipped for exactly thetype of cruising you want to do.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...&pbsint=&ps=30

[chris_gee]

Get a grip guys. If you want to go as fast as posible around the world fly. If you might go to to Israel to see the cuzzies fly. If you want to do Chesapeake and the odd flip over to the Bahamas thats one thing, if you are really serious about doing more maybe you will do the hard yards first.

[brak]

What was done to it? Why is it for sale?
Also, what is the draft - looks pretty deep.

Originally Posted by Sailormann

This boat has recently been refit and equipped for exactly thetype of cruising you want to do.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...&pbsint=&ps=30

[RicCooper]

Just loock at www.geronimosaintmartin.com.ar
He was 10 years sailing in a 18 foot fiberglass sailing boat from Bs Aires to Artic pole and returning to la Patagonia.
I meet once him in Colonia yacht club in Uruguay and saw the boat. If that was possible over 10 years so you can trusth in Hunter, Benneteu, Jeanneau and all other boats to do everything.
Also in Piriapolis, other port in the Atlantic coast of Uruguay, where sailing boats coming from France, Germany, Spain, etc, where the cruisers prepare the boats and them self to cruise Cape Horn and Antartic, you will find a lot of not traditional sailing boats made of fiberglass, wood or steel that were not made so strongs like Hunter or Beneteau. They also are some years at sea and still doing miles without this worry.
Hope you will excuse my English.
Ric

[captainchetco]

The Albergs and Pearsons mentioned are indeed sound boats that sail well. Their downsides are: They sail on their ear which reduces their comfortability and their shape makes for poor use of interior spaces.

Their are lots of great cruising boats; Valiant is one of the best, as it is strong, comfortable and comparably fast yet very seaworthy. Don't forget the creelock/Pacific Seacraft boats, Gulfstars are a lesser known excellent cruiser which gives good stowage and decent speed, particularly upwind. The list of good cruisers is long and highly variable. I would however avoid the downwind planing hull designs as they are abastard going into a sea.

As someone noted, nearly any boat can be taken cruising, but some are better than others. I prefer sufficient speed and pointing ability that I can make port and ride out the storm at the yacht club bar.

[CKH]

Just for the fun of it, search:
Joshua Slocum Society Single Handed Circumnavigators.
It looks like some of them did it in a bathtub.
Skill and determination seem to be the most necessary ingredient.
Of course, those who failed are not listed.

[damies]

This boat (12') was a successful circumnavigator so yes it's possible in anything....


But ask yourself how comfortable you would be on your chosen boat for several weeks at sea (no land in sight). I have not personally done a long stint at sea, but know I couldn't do it in a boat like the one above, nor my current 25' Tri, I would want something bigger.

Most of the threads I have seen here about people looking for recommendations on blue water boat seem to be from people who are relatively new to sailing, or offshore sailing. Around here (Oz) the usual recommendation is you do some coastal trips in your boat, get comfortable with that first, after a few years of regular off shore sailing experience then consider a short blue water trip, this would be the point at which you decide whether your 30' boat is suitable or if you need a different boat.


For those interested here is a site that details both successful and not circumnavigation attempts in small boats (or bathtubs if you like ) Famous Small Boats

Dave.