Looking at these 6 Blue Water Cruisers

[tommays]

In playing with and inboom system on a CAL 29 it requires that the boom be at and 87 degree angle when furling OR it will jam-up

Which requires carefull setting of the toping lift BEFORE furling or reefing the sail

[labatt]

With regards to cruising, a half knot or knot of extra speed can make a remarkable difference. Even on a two day trip, you are looking at saving a significant amount of time on the water, which can make a big difference when you are avoiding weather patterns. So... I would look at every opportunity possible to speed up the boat (I'm not talking racing trim) and get as much out of it as possible.

[mitiempo]

I see why politicians are upset when they are quoted out of context. Add "dollar for dollar". If there is a in-boom or in-mast furler for the same price as leading lines aft properly I've not seen it. And forgetting cost entirely, say you're hit by a squall and the main jams while reefing or trying to roll it in all the way - what would you do? This scenario alone makes in-mast furlers very iffy. You'd be out the cost of the furler as well as the main you had to cut off to save the rest of the rig. If in-mast you'd have to climb the rig to cut it. In-boom is more logical if they work well and there should be no loss of performance with a properly cut sail. But I can lower my main at any boom angle where as Tommays posted angle is critical with in-boom furlers. One jam-up negates the small hassle of going forward at your leisure and tying off the main you previously dropped from the cockpit between the lazyjacks.
Brian

[SeanRW]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

....And forgetting cost entirely, say you're hit by a squall and the main jams while reefing or trying to roll it in all the way - what would you do? This scenario alone makes in-mast furlers very iffy. You'd be out the cost of the furler as well as the main you had to cut off to save the rest of the rig. If in-mast you'd have to climb the rig to cut it. .......
Brian

Umm...why in the world would you have to cut the main ? If the in-mast mechanism fails (possible, just like a regular sail track getting jammed is possible) you would simply cut the out haul and then roll the main 'round the mast.

No need for gorilla-like scaling of masts with lightning, clouds and crashing wave scenarios. Unless you're embellishing a story to be shared after a few cocktails back at the bar. Lets not exaggerate worst case what-if scenarios. If you are planning to reef or stow your sail, you're likely doing so before the situation is critical.

Remember...it's a piece of mechanical kit. Because it is mechanical, it WILL break at some point, just like your halyard WILL jam one day, your sail track WILL jam one day etc...It's a boat and I defy you to name a piece of mechanical gear aboard ANY vessel that is never going to break.

As for the cost of fixing a bust-icated furling mast (or any other item aboard), you simply weigh the pros & cons as they measure up for you individually when deciding to include this on your boat.

[SeanRW]

Originally Posted by mrybas

Hi,
I am looking at 6 boats to be used to sail to the Caribbean (from US East Coast) with the possibility of circumnavigating from there. Most of the circumnavigation will be near the equator (trade winds) as we be looking for warm water and waves for surfing. There be 2 fulltime members with a rotating third or fourth crew member.
Moody 42
Hallberg Rassey 38
Wauquiez Centurion 42
Island Packet 38
Pearson 424
Passport 42

We now return you to the original question on this post.....

[mitiempo]

I'd choose in order: Hallberg Rassey 38
Wauquiez Centurion 42
Passport 42
Moody 42
Pearson 424
Island Packet 38
All with slab reefing of course
Brian

[mitiempo]

I'd choose in order: Hallberg Rassey 38
Wauquiez Centurion 42
Passport 42
Moody 42
Pearson 424
Island Packet 38
All with slab reefing of course
Brian

[SeanRW]

mrybas

I would have to second the choice for the Halberg-Rassy 38.

Just about every review I've read has agreed that they are top notch "Blue Water" vessels. Never been on one but if I had lottery type money, a new HR would be a nice way to spend some

SRW

[mrybas]

Don't worry Thread HiJackers....I'm still here
SeanRW....the HR 38 that I'm looking at doesn't qualify as a lottery money boat as it's quite old. 1981 Hallberg-Rassy C/C Sloop (RECENT PRICE REDUCTION) Sail Boat For Sale -
It's a nice boat....but it's the oldest of the boats I'm looking at (older than me by a year!) And I have heard the the Volvos are expensive to fix. Any other thoughts on this specific boat?
I also like the Wauquiez Centurion 42 1985 Wauquiez Centurion Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com.....it's the boat that I find myself day dreaming about. But I would prefer a rudder that has some protection (ie skeg hung) and it has a lot of teak that probably needs replacing sooner or later. I also believe the current owner sailed this one pretty hard.

I'm quickly figuring out there is no such thing as a perfect boat....everything is a compromise! I'm going to try and see a Passport 40 this weekend- maybe she'll be the one.

[SeanRW]

Originally Posted by mrybas

Don't worry Thread HiJackers....I'm still here
SeanRW....the HR 38 that I'm looking at doesn't qualify as a lottery money boat as it's quite old. 1981 Hallberg-Rassy C/C Sloop (RECENT PRICE REDUCTION) Sail Boat For Sale -
It's a nice boat....but it's the oldest of the boats I'm looking at (older than me by a year!) And I have heard the the Volvos are expensive to fix. Any other thoughts on this specific boat?

.................

I'm quickly figuring out there is no such thing as a perfect boat....everything is a compromise! I'm going to try and see a Passport 40 this weekend- maybe she'll be the one.

You're 100% right. There is no such thing as a "perfect boat". But you did say one thing that strikes a chord with me. If after you've looked at stats, compared costs and confirmed that the vessels are all in good condition, the one you should choose is the one that gives you that little grin of contentment and sense of pride.

You're already daydreaming about the Wauquiez and maybe that's the one for you. Even if it's got a few little flaws, if you're "falling" for the boat then that's the most important thing. Afterall, you're going to be spending a lot of time together !!

As for the HR's, all I can say is that they are solid, well respected and capable cruisers. Good performance, good sea handling etc. Are there other boats equally capable ? Sure, but these are definitely nice vessels.

Go with your heart. If you can, see as many as possible and then start comparing them with each other in terms of cost, stats, req'd fixes etc. Will you be happy with it in a few years ? But in the end, after all the numbers have been crunched, it's a gut call.