cal 2-29 or tartan 30?

[seamark2]

Just looking for some biased feedback on these 2 boats. I think I have narrowed my search down to these 2 models for my price/needs equation. My thoughts are that the tartan is a prettier boat but the cal 2-29 mainsheet arrangement is more practical and I think their performance is going to be pretty close. Phrf ratiings seems to indicate that anyway. Im sure that either of these will require considerable work but i think they will come in at a price that I can afford up front and over time.

[saltybob2]

Check out this month's issue of Practical Sailor. It has a review of the top 6 or 7 classic 30 footers, including the Cal and the Tartan. The Tartan won hands down. We have a Islander Bahama 30 and should be considered. can't figure out why PS left it off the list!

Salty Bob

[seamark2]

Thanks for the info Bob. I don't subscribe to Practical Sailor ( I know, I know a spanking a spanking followed by.... ) but I know someone who does and I'll check it out. The reason that I narrowed it down to these two was that I singlehand and I prefer to have direct access to the mainsheet without routing lines through the cockpit. I thought that the Islander has the traveler on the coachroof. The Islander 32 did spark my interest, I believe it is a Perry design. Is the 30 one of his as well?