Bayfields "go anywhere"?

[3Reefs]

Hi, am hunting for the right cruising boat 35-40 ft with circumnavigation in mind and Southern Ocean passages. So a" go anywhere" boat.

Does anyone know about the Bayfield 36 or 40?

Very reasonably priced, decent basic numbers, beautiful look, and apparently very solid construction. But is she a true bluewater voyager and what's her heavy weather behavior? There is very little on the web about Bayfields.

I wonder how Bayfields compare to others on my short list. The Shannon 38 seems quite similar in size and design.

Others are the more expensive PSC 37 and Valiant 40 or 37. On the latter I'd consider "blister boats" if there was a good deal.

Very interested in the Freya 39 -- if anyone knows of one selling, please shout.

Finally, any thoughts on Bristol 40s? Good price and good build apparently. But cockpit seems poorly suited to serious offshore.

Any wisdom -- particularly any experience -- would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Sebastian

[3Reefs]

There's one more boat on my list which I must add because two people with very good knowledge have recommended it in the last day.... that's the Morgan 384.
The price is such you could get a Morgan and upgrade her for the same amount it would take to buy an un-upgraded PSC for example.
I understand the Morgan to be a decent sailing boat and certainly ocean capable.
But I have read some less flattering comments about the build quality, particularly the hull-deck joint, and also questioning the boat's ultimate stability.
Thanks again.

[Maverick1958]

What is you budget for the boat? There is a Carl/Alberg Ericson 35 for under 20k on Yachtworld.

[canadianseamonkey]

Gozzard 36'
Pat Sturgeon Yachts Search Details

Lovely boat with a great reputation.

[bljones]

IMO a Gozzard 36 is just a newer reboot of the Bayfield 36. Same boat, more money, and arguably not as salty as it looks. If you like the Bayfield 36, take a look at an Alberg 37 or a Whitby 42- solid designs from solid designers with bluewater pedigree.

[canadianseamonkey]

Originally Posted by bljones

IMO a Gozzard 36 is just a newer reboot of the Bayfield 36. Same boat, more money, and arguably not as salty as it looks. If you like the Bayfield 36, take a look at an Alberg 37 or a Whitby 42- solid designs from solid designers with bluewater pedigree.

I don't know much about them, but I do love their design. Did the companies merge? cause I saw a Bayfield Gozzard 32 for sale.

And I second the Whitby 42 suggestion.

[bljones]

Gozzard designed the Bayfield 36, then when bayfield went Tango Uniform, Gozzard continued on his own out of Goderich.

[doubleeboy]

I can't comment on the bluewater capability of the Bayfield. Their PHRF rating is not so good compared to the Valiant. Ratings aren't everything, but all the PHRF lists I have seen do not shine a favorable light on the Bayfield.

michael

[johnshasteen]

I'm not that familar with the larger Bayfields, but many years ago, I owned a Bayfield 29. Rock solid and very seakindly. We took her on the Regata de Amigos (Galveston to Vera Cruz, to Corpus Christi and back to Galveston. We sold her to a guy who outfitted her and took off on a retirement-dream, circumnatigation.

[ronbo1]

Gozzard stopped making Bayfields over 30 years ago. As mentioned, Ted and family began making Gozzards in Goderich, ON. The Gozzard 36 design was an improvement over the Bayfield. Since year 2000 Gozzard redesigned the hulls for the 36>37, 41, and 44.

Improvements: more SA, reduced wetted surface, deeper fin keel, semi-balanced rudder, closer sheeting - all for better performance, particularly in light air.

They're already well known for their heavy wind handling, as are Cabo Rico and Shannon, two similar boats.

Ronbo