Tartan 37 vs. Cal 39 vs Cabo Rico 38

[kirstindally]

We have narrowed our search down to these three. We plan to live aboard and sail this yacht from the USA to New Zealand and beyond. Any thoughts?
Mike and Kirstin

[camaraderie]

Boy...I don't know how you could come up with such different boats as your choices. In any event...of the 3 the ONLY choice for what you plan to do is the Cabo Rico. Read this:
http://www.sailingmagazine.net/UBN_1204.html

But...I must ask...if you are not qualified to even pick out a decent cruising boat for the voyage...how qualified are you for the trip? How did you even narrow it down to these 3 since they are so very different they reflect no common thought process except perhaps price?? Why not a Pearson or a Tayana or Bristol or Cape Dory or Hans Christian etc. ??

I don't mean to be disrespectful...just blunt as I'm worried about you spending a lot of $$ without a good idea of what YOU really need and embarking on a voyage that will test you and the boat you select somewhere along the line.

[Jim H]

Nice put down, Cam. Is that part of your job description as moderator?

Maybe you should explain why two of the boats are fully unqualified, and add in why Tigger, a Tartan 37 centerboard circumnavigated, and why Cal 39s have been used for extensive cruising. Should only "dedicated cruisers" go offshore?

Here's a link to a Lat 38 article about a Cal 39 circumnavigation: http://www.latitude38.com/changes/Changes05-03.html

Here's a link to information about Tigger, the Tartan 37 that circumnavigated:
http://www.geocities.com/theoceansarewaiting/specs.html

Anyway, maybe many boats have been used for ocean crossings that should not have been, and going with Valiant 40 might have been a safer bet, but different people have different risk tolerance levels.

Jim H

[garyp]

I think the Tartan 37 would be suitable, given the usual caveats about all sustems and equipment being in top shape. I know of at least one T37, "Tigger" which has circumnavigated, and I believe there are others. I don't know anything about Cal 39s, except to agree that these are three wildly different boats. I wouldn't think they would even be similar in price unless the Cabo were in very poor shape.
All things being equal, I agree the Cabo Rico is probably the best choice, but the Tartan is a very fine boat, and should be more affordable.

Gary

[garyp]

Looks like you slid in there just ahead of me Jim.

Perhaps the original posters would elaborate on their sailing experience? There may be other reasons for such an eclectic trio than the conclusion Cam jumped to.

Gary

[Jim H]

Originally Posted by garyp

Looks like you slid in there just ahead of me Jim.

I agree with you about the Tartan 37, and it should be noted that it was also made with a fixed, deep draft (6'7"). I know someone locally with a fixed keel model, and I hope to check it out someday. The Cal 39 also came with 6'8" draft option.

I read the "Oceans Are Waiting" book about Tigger's trip. They had some system problems and exciting experiences, but nothing that sounded radically dangerous. I think the description of their entrance into Durban was my favority part of the book. Also, the entire trip was done by a couple in their fifties, not a pair or trio of deck apes living on mush.

Jim H

[cardiacpaul]

I kinda of have to go along with Cam on this one, they are 3 totally different boats.

All will certainly "do it" with different levels of comfort, speed, ease of use, and to a lesser extent, livability.

In deference to Jim, I'd change the phrase "risk tolerence" to "risk survivorability" takinging into account the couples sailing experience.

[camaraderie]

JimH...
Nice put down, Cam. Is that part of your job description as moderator?

My job as moderator is to eliminate spam and edit outrageous posts. My opinions are my own...you don't like one...so be it.

All...I was not commenting on the build quality or the ability to cross an ocean relatively undamaged of the tartan or the Cal. I was really thinking more about issues like WHAT they were designed for and things like motion at sea, storage and tankage. Lots of boats have crossed oceans and many are built well enough to do it...but I believe picking a cruising boat entails more than simply picking a hull and rig that can withstand the sea. To my mind the Cabo is the only one of the 3 that is really designed for long distance cruising. I know some Tartan37 owners will disagree...and I can understand that...they are classic beauties. I was unaware of the deep draft fixed keel version when I wrote my post and was thinking more of a 15000 lb...shoal draft with a centerboard vs. a 20,000 lb full keel.

In any event..the real concern of my post was how 2 people with crossing the pacific plans could pick 3 such wildly different boats if they had any idea of what they were doing. The Ken Barnes story is too fresh in my mind not to comment rather bluntly.
We still have yet to hear back from them so I remain prepared to eat my words!

[T37Chef]

I love our boat, but I don't think I would want to take it to New Zealand.

I know of several that have done offshore cruising, here are some links to them and other Tartan 37 related websites.

http://windchimetimes.us/
http://www.ourdotcom.com/AboutRouser/index.htm
http://nicknack.us/
http://www.caltomaine.com/boat.htm
http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Newsl.../Tartan-37.htm
https://mauriprosailing.com/sailboat.../Tartan-37.htm
http://www.cbtsc.com/cbtsc2000.htm
http://www.tartan37.com/
http://www.tartan37.com/t37forum/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tartansailing/
http://www.tartanowners.org/
http://old.cruisingworld.com/ssbk/tart37.htm

The previous owner of our boat took her to Bermuda, the Gulf, Panama, and the East coast from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean. Good luck with your decision.

[T37Chef]

LOL, here is a T37 for sale in New Zealand:

http://http://www.yachtworld.com/cor...45&searchtype=