Cape Cod & the Islands

A4 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002

Hi, I am looking at boats in the NE area for a south of Boston mooring location. My family and I use want to enjoy a boatfor a mix of day sailing as well as cruising through the canal to the Vinyard and Nantucket. My budget is $15-$20K and could go slightly higher if a deal presented itself.

I have youth racing experience on different size dinghys and cats however this purchase will be a big step up. I have read the reviews and posts on this board and now am confused on which direction to go. Should I buy a ''24, ''28 or ''32? A Catalina, Bristol, Pierson, Alberg or even a Macgregor 26x for power sailing? The options seem endless!

Is there a boat or family of boats that can be enjoyed fiddling around Cape Cod Bay but that can also handle the rough stuff in Buzzards Bay or Nantucket sound on the voyage to ACK and MV??

Thanks in advance!

bmcald · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002

You don''t say how many people are in your family or their ages, which has bearing on size of cockpit and number and size of berths. The Stone Horse is a good boat designed for Buzzards Bay sailing. It can be easily singlehanded and can accomodate two adults on a cruise and, in a pinch, two youngsters in the quarter berths. It has a large cockpit that can easily accomodate 4 adults and a couple kids. The price range is right for you, too. 150 of these were built between the mid 60s and 80s, and used ones are available. Check with Edey & Duff in Mattapoisett, MA (see www.edeyandduff.com for picture of Stone Horse and contact info).

richb · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002

If you are planning on sailing Buzzards Bay you want a boat that points well and will ride the afternoon chop.
I would talk to the folks at the Mattapoisett
Boatyard.Brewer Yacht is located there. The boatyard provides moorings at a resonable price

A4 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2002

Thanks for the responses. I have not heard of the Stone Horse boat, I''ll check them out. I also plan on talking to a few folks down the Buzzards Bay/West Falmouth area before any purchase. I''m thinking more that a rock solid stable boat, maybe a full keel-''26-''30, and not a drop keel trailer boat is the way to go. I plan on geting a mooring for the year instead of trailering the thing around.

Thanks again!

maggym · #5 (**permalink**) 11-18-2002

We moor our boat in popponesett bay and sail nantucket and vineyard sound all summer, with forays in the spring and fall. We travel to cuttyhunk and buzzards bay as well. We have a hunter 260 - water ballast - swing keel boat. Draft is a major issue here. A lot of thin water sailing - shoals everywhere. If you want to traverse the canal, think inboard. Current can be tough! Woods Hole current can be too. Check with local yards here on the cape, see what they suggest. good luck.

namaste04 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002

I''d recommend looking at a 1970''s Tartan 30. We just sold ours...it was the PERFECT family boat and will win a few races as well. Sparkman & Stephens design, a JOY to sail. We sailed in Maine an were out in some pretty rough stuff. A very well-built boat with lovely lines and a nice teak interior. Highly recommend you look at one. There are 2 layouts, "aft galley" and "side galley". The side galley layout has less sitting room but more berths and a larger galley. Here''s the web site for ours to let you see one. You can find them anywhere from $14k-$25k.
http://www.vintagemoderndesign/tartan30.html

namaste04 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002

OOPS! Sorry, I typed that URL incorrectly. Try:
http://www.vintagemoderndesign.com/tartan30.html
Stacey