Seidelman 30 and....

maestro · #1 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003

Anyone have any comments on a Seidelman 30 or the Tartan 3000???

I have just been beginning to look at upgrading from 22 ft. to 30 ft. I mainly cruise around for fun(Hudson river/LI Sound) and do local PHRF club races. I''m not looking for a racer nor am I looking for a dog.Just something that I can go away with over the summer and push around the buoys on Sundays....

Both of these boats fit into my price range on the used market ( $15,000 and $20,000)

sailingfool · #2 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003

The Tartan 3000 is a premium 30 footer and I would think you''ll pay twice as much for a 3000 as for a Seidelman of comparable maintenance and equipment. Yachtworld has listings for 3000s from $24,000 to $39,500.

If you can afford a 3000 go for it, nice design, good construction, good performance.

If you want to stay in your price range, take a look at the original Tartan 30, which has the general positives of the 3000 but not as modern, sexy or quite so fast. Very well made and an excellent boat for PHRF. The C&C 30 has similar credentials (As a former owner, its still my favorite).

IMHO the Seidelman is somewhat of a budget boat, not in the same class as Tartan, as is reflected in the asking prices.

I suggest always going with a quality boat equipped for how you want to use it, then go older and smaller if needed to fit your budget. Don''t go chasing the dream of a "good" buy - the best you can expect in buying a boat is to actually get what you pay for...

Good luck.

RobGallagher · #3 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003

As a C&C 30 mk1 owner I can say this is the best boat ever made. Ok, well maybe thats a tiny stretch. The C&C is just so stiff and well constructed. When others are saying maybe we should take in a movie and go sailing next weekend you will have the rail in the water without a care. Reef, whats that? The Tartan 30 has better engine access but the C&C comes a close second but you will have to climb in the lazarette. The C&C has HUGE lazarettes. The C&C is a breeze to sail, the main is small and it thrives on a genoa. I can SEE the way it out points most boats. What I can do in 2 tacks takes some others 3 and that will save you alot of time. I can''t comment on the Tartan because I have not had sailing time on them. When I was shopping, the Tartan 30 and C&C 30 ended up on my short list. I fell into the deal I was looking for on the C&C. I can''t be happier... well the problem is always gonna be... if I just had a couple more inches headroom and a shower stall... oh boy here we go again! Joking aside, if you told me I had to sail the C&C for the rest of my life that would be just fine by me.

DirtManly · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

Hello Maestro,
I don''t have any personal experience with a Tartan, but I own a 1984 Seidelmann 30T. I have had I for a couple years now and i am very satisfied with the boat. It has wonderful manners under sail, it has the same base PHRF rating as a J24. This boat is fast for a thirty foot cruising boat.
I hate tender boats, this boat is NOT tender. As a matter of fact, I have never put the rail down. The wife and I weekend on it regularly. It is quite comfortable and we are planning a two week cruise to the Outer Banks next year. I bought mine from the original owner and he had taken good care of the old girl.
I was looking in the same price range you are and when i was looking there were no Tartan''s in that price range. If there is a Tartan 30 in that price range I would be very suspicous. I thought I was stealing my first boat. I got it elcheapo and quickly found out it cost me more to fix it up than I would have spent to get a very nice version of the same boat.
Whatever you decide, Best of luck to you.
dirt