Updated Offshore Cruising Boat List - January 2008

[moanasailing]

How about the Downeast line of boats? I have sailed my 32 across the Pacific twice and it how proved to be a worthy seagoing vessel.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Blanding... while there are a few models that might be considered Ocean Capable... the brands are not built for extended ocean cruising by their mfrs. and most have significant shortcomings. Our other moderator CD owns a Cat400 and is tech editor for the magazine and agrees with this. The Mahina guy has a few hundred thousand miles of blue water under his belt so any boat on his list is blue water capable for extended cruising. I don't agree with his leaving off my boat either...but I respect his overall knowledge and there is a reason entire brands have been left off his list and every other list of blue water boats. Exactly what are YOUR credentials that you can challenge his judgment on 3 major brands?
BTW...having owned two...I am no Catalina basher. They are great values for the $$ for what most sailors do with their boats. But I'd take my 20 year old Tayana to sea over any brand new Cat any day of the week. On the Chesapeake...I'd take the new Cat.

Boy, how did I miss this post??? Oh well.

- CD

[jheldatksuedu]

I think the Hughes 38 should be on the list, I have to admit I'm a little biased since I've got one. But I was planning to start my circumnavigation in it, till I found the great deal on my custom built 45 steel ketch. It's certainly a blue water boat in my opinion, they have circumnavigated, many are crossing oceans all the time.

[camaraderie]

There is a rather lengthy thread with widely varying opinions on the various incarnations of the Hughes 38 here:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/buying...star-38-a.html

Given the divergence of opinion it is not surprising that it is not on the list of suitable offshore cruisers...which is not to say it cannot cross oceans.

[Livia]

Everyone has their own needs of course, but we used John's consulting service and it was very useful for us--like having a private bluewater boat expert tutor us during the looking and buying process*.

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Also...for those thinking about a bluewater boat, he has several very well written generic posts about what to look for and how to decide on what is right for you. He also runs a reasonably priced personal consulting service for individuals who need ideas and specific advice and certainly has the credentials to offer such advice. Read more here:
Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction

Of course I think the list is fantastic because our boat is on it --of course it is no surprise that we were steered toward a boat on this list given that we worked with its author!

*Although he seems like a nice guy I am neither friends with him directly nor do I benefit financially in any way.

[1SailorBH]

We are considering buying a Wauquiez Amphitrite. We would appreciate any information on this boat that anyone could send us.

Bruce & Mary

[cberkholtz]

I've been eying a beat up old Grampian classic 31, which from my inexperienced eyes looks like a superb offshore cruiser for its size. Was it neglected from the list for a reason, or is it there under another name or just forgotten?

[camaraderie]

A 14 gallon fuel tank is usually a giveaway that a boat is not designed for distance cruising! Pretty boat though.

[funsailthekeys]

If you did not stop moving @ approximately 5 knots it would take 5.87 years to get that much mileage. Were you on the Spray?

[Zephyr88]

I would like to add following Australian boats to the list, all pre 1984:

Swanson 28 We lost one 1/2 way through a circumnavigation when Katrina hit your shores.

Swanson 38 the pick of the bunch, huge interior volume.

Swanson 42 a little too fat and heavy.

All canoe sterns, full keel with cut away forefoot. To give you an idea, my 28comes in at 5 tonnes [as per last time on the travel lift, all cruising gear (slabs of beer) inside], has 600 litres water and 200 litres fuel capacity running a Bukh 20, with heaps of storage with a good turn of speed. A very comfortable and dry little cruiser.

Cheers.