I've narrowed my next boat down...

[eMKay]

After 2 years of research, and 2 years of sailing 2 small boats, we have agreed on a budget ($20G's), A size (27-28ft), A type (modern open interior, inboard, wheel, well built, performance secondary to quality/comfort/appearance) and a time frame for purchase (when the garage is paid off, next fall or following spring, so 1-1.5 years)

The winners are (in order of desirability) (Edited September 26th 2008):
Hunter 27 ('05-current, budget doubled)
Catalina 28 - Might be very hard to find one within budget, willing to spend a little more
Catalina 270
Pearson 28-2 - Awesome interior, great looking, well built? I need info on this
Pearson 27 - " """""" " "" """"""
Precision 27/28 (edited to add this, have yet to see one in my price range though)
Com-Pac 27 - It's so pretty, but maybe it's too slow?
Ericson 28+ does not have the open interior, but is well built, and fast


Older boats that would be acceptable if they're in excellent condition, willing to pay less money up front but invest in things like engine, sails, stuff like that.

Sabre 28
Ericson 27
Ericson 29
Catalina 27

[BarryL]

Hello,

How did you decide that 27-28' was the right size? IMHO, there isn't THAT much difference between 28 and 30.

Also, why did you eliminate the Newport 28 (and 30), O'day 28, S2, C&C 27 and 29 (the 29 is really 28'), Beneteau, etc. ?

IMHO, most production boats are more similar than different. I don't have a tremendous amount of experience, but I have sailed a Catalina 30, O'day 30, Newport 28, Pearson 30, C&C 34, and an O'day 35. I have also been aboard a whole lot more boats. While there are differences between them, I don't know why someone would exclude one. If you were looking for a long distance cruiser, or a high performance race boat, or a certain type of look, I would understand. For a basic cruiser / racer, I don't think there is that much differences.

Barry

[eMKay]

Originally Posted by BarryL

Hello,

How did you decide that 27-28' was the right size? IMHO, there isn't THAT much difference between 28 and 30.

Also, why did you eliminate the Newport 28 (and 30), O'day 28, S2, C&C 27 and 29 (the 29 is really 28'), Beneteau, etc. ?

Barry

There is a difference in cost between a 28' and a 30'. If I went larger, I would have to go older, which brings me to your second question, the answer is interior design.

[bogdog]

I've seen all the boats you mention and have sailed on most of them. Some of the best values (boat for the money) have been the Pearson 30 and 27s. We pasted up a nice P30 last year for under $10K because it had a tiller and the Irwin we bought had a wheel and a nicer interior . The PO had money troubles and was willing (needing) to sell. Still think I should have bought it and done a little work, and re-sold it but it was over in MI and I'm in WI.

[arf145]

I've been a Pearson 28-2 owner (along with my wife, my brother, and his wife) for the last year and really like the boat--shoot, I love the boat, but no use getting gushy here.

I had similar thoughts to yours regarding size vs. newness vs. $$ I was the driver of the "let's buy a sailboat" bandwagon, and needed to find something that would please me and the group. I aimed at the Pearson 28-2 because I had read some decent reviews about its sailing capabilities, it has a very nice interior, aft head with shower, wheel steering, swim ladder, hot water, and diesel (and the 27-2 is similar in many respects). Plus, I saw one and it grabbed me.

I think the quality is very good--decent hardware on it, ball seacocks, backing plates on all major deck fixtures, Yanmar diesel, lead keel (except the shoal version). Of course, all sorts of stuff can be wrong with a 20-yr-old boat no matter how it started out, but we only had a couple of suspect spots in our deck and zero blisters on the bottom.

I suspect that others will tell you that it is the upkeep that matters more than the years, and to a large degree, they'd be right. Ours was a neglected boat--not abused, just not kept up for say the last 5 or 8 years-- and what I've learned is that at 20 years, a lot of parts that were never replaced are just about coming due for replacement. Head hoses stink, running rigging has run out, UV has had its way with plastic line clutches (handles snap off!), portlights, instrument covers, deck plate covers, navigation lights, etc. I seem to be replacing much of that stuff now.

If you can find a boat that has had some quality replacement/upkeep work done you'll be ahead. So you can go back to 1977 and get some length and you still might have a newer boat than a 1987, if the 77 has had a lot of work done. Of course, some stuff, like a diesel, is more likely with the newer boat. And if you like a certain look, then you like that look.

Have fun.

[nk235]

Did you consider a Tartan 28? Cream of the crop ones in perfect shape with all updated gear come in about $30k but in this market you could prob pick up a decent one for around your price range.

I friend of mine had one and we did a lot of cruising on it. Very solid, good build quality, had decent performance but what one of the things I liked most about it was that it felt like a larger boat especially in the interior.

[eMKay]

Originally Posted by nk235

Did you consider a Tartan 28? Cream of the crop ones in perfect shape with all updated gear come in about $30k but in this market you could prob pick up a decent one for around your price range.

I friend of mine had one and we did a lot of cruising on it. Very solid, good build quality, had decent performance but what one of the things I liked most about it was that it felt like a larger boat especially in the interior.

They have the same 2 cabin interior most other 70's boat have, like my second list of older boats, which I do not like.

[Delirious]

My opinion of the Pearsons is high. We owned a P27 for many years. The Precision 27 is a close clone of the Pearson (though Mr. Taylor may argue that). You'll not be giiving up much in performance among similarly capable boats.

I'd opt for the P28 if I had it to do over as the table in the 27 can be a nuisance. It's never where you want it and has to be moved to make up the v-berth.

Keep your eye open for Sabre and Tartan in your size range. If you can live with a fin you'll get great returns to windward. May take a new suit of sails but they are worthy of some reconditioning to make up into great sailboats.

Don't be too eager to sacrifice performance. Most of the boats on your list will handle similar conditions to the same outcome. It's the quality of the rig and gear to look out for. Cruisers tend to be undercanvassed and may have additional rudder buttressing (skegs, etc) and a three-bladed prop that will drag a bit. There will be times when you want to fetch up a specific anchorage before dark or skirt a point to windward and you'll curse a sluggish boat.

If you truly don't care about performance (to the point of maybe showing up on charts and notice to mariner bulletins as a channel marker) you can find great quality in the Bayfield line.

Charlie P.

[arf145]

Originally Posted by Delirious

If you truly don't care about performance (to the point of maybe showing up on charts and notice to mariner bulletins as a channel marker) you can find great quality in the Bayfield line.
Charlie P.

Good one!

[blt2ski]

Assuming the C28 is the floorplan you are after, ie 2 cabin rear head, another boat to look at is the Jeanneau Arcadia- 84-86 build dates. It is listed as a 30' boat, but in reality, a short 30 or ave 29, or long 28. Later models were classified as the Sun Dream 28 from 87 to about 90 or there abouts. Another that is similar is the Bene First 28.5 and 30.5 IIRC. The 28.5 should work too.

Most European builders were building the aft head, 2 cabin layout like the C28 before they were here in the states. So older Jeanneaus and Bene's from the Mid 80s may be something to look at. Arcadia's will sell for 15-24K depending upon condition etc. A slightly bigger version more of them in NA is the Attalia.

I should put in a note, I own an Arcadia, we luv it for what it is.

marty