Bayfield 32C versus Aloha 32 on Lake Ontario

[zAr]

So I have my eye on a Bayfield 32C and Aloha 32.

The plan is to liveaboard in the western portion of Lake Ontario, sailing all over the lake, rigging the boat for bluewater cruising before finally breaking out onto the oceans of the world.

My concern is that Lake Ontario has prevailing Northwest to Southwest winds. So while a Bayfield cutter may be the better offhsore boat, it supposedly has poor windward performance due to the long keel, supposedly crabs badly, and so would probably be quite slow and hard going coming back west from, say, a visit to Kingston or the Thousand Islands.

Can anyone with experience on the Bayfield's tell me how they'll sail on Lake Ontario? Is the windward performance bad enough that I should consider the Aloha 32 instead, even if just temporarily?

I would be grateful if all you experienced folks could give your opinions on how these two boats compare. Thank you!

[Gary M]

I sailed a Bayfeild 32 across Lake Huron in fairly light air, mostly on the wind. I was surprised at how well it sailed up wind. Others will have more experience than I but it went pretty well.

Gary

[Vasco]

Go with the Aloha. The 32 is the best looking Aloha built, a nice Ellis design, like a small Niagara 35. The Bayfield is a slug. Go with the Aloha, you will not regret it.

[Sailormann]

What Vasco said.

[zAr]

Well, alright, that clinches it! My survey is now complete!

Two for the Aloha and one sort of for the Bayfield.

Thank you everyone who replied.

I wonder why the Aloha is not on the Offshore Cruising Boats list but the Bayfield is, despite the Bayfield being a "slug." I'm kind of using that list as a sign of quality.

[sailingdog]

The reason the aloha may not be on the list is scarcity... the list generally has the more common boats, but the Alohas weren't a big production run IIRC.

[Sailormann]

As far as quality goes Aloha is definitely on a par with Bayfield. As SD said it is more a question of availability. AFAIK the Aloha's are not well known outside of Ontario.

[Faster]

Here's a third vote for the Aloha - both are "character" boats in their own way, but I think the Aloha will have the edge performance wise.

There are a couple of layouts with the Aloha - the dinette-forward layout is a bit unconventional but could work for a couple - frequent guests might be a challenge.

[blt2ski]

I personally would not use the offshore cruise list as a sign of quality per say! But as a sign that there are certain criteria that are met for offshore work. IE tankage amounts, roll over resistance etc. Just because it is on that list, does not make it the correct boat for you!

As far as the two boats in question, I have heard of them, not seen them, so will not comment there. But I do prefer a boat with speed over a full keel slug of an old shoe style boat! Which I believe the Backfield is more on this line, than the Aloha.

marty

[zAr]

Oh wow, is the Bayfield really that slow? Ok, so everyone says she's a slug, but what does that mean in real world terms?

For example, I'm heading westbound on Lake Ontario, winds are 10 knots from the west, am I going to be moving at 3 knots on the Bayfield no matter what, just because I'm reaching to windward? Is that what everyone means by slug?

By the way, the Aloha was grabbed. Oh well. The decision is now Bayfield versus Douglas 32 and the C & C 30+'s.