Which pocket cruiser is best for me ?

[Jeff_H]

Actually, I do not think that French boats are inherently of poorer construction than US boats. I think that Beneteaus are about on a par with US builders Catalina or Hunter. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

I know there is a difference of opinion here, but I have generally found Jeaneaus to be one step down from the Beneteaus in terms of both design and build quality. Today, Jeaneau is actually owned by Beneteau and seems to be their ''value'' oriented division.

Jeff

[dpcolohan]

Thanks for the comment, Jeff.
I am going to look at a 1974 C&C 27 Mk III this weekend. Any trouble spots I should pay particular attention to ? This boat has an Atomic 4, wheel steering and a good selection of sails.

[WALKERS]

We are just getting started in sailing. We live on a large river and are looking at a 1987 26'' Hunter with tiller steering. Does anyone have any input on this boat.
Thanks

[Ethan_nyc]

I am considering the Colgate 26 for myself...I live in NYC. How much should a used one cost and how do I find one?

[sailingdog]

The Colgate 26 is more of a daysailer, than a cruiser.

The Yankee Dolphin is also a good choice, if you want a small, fairly capable coastal cruiser. Cape Dory 25 is also a good choice. The Pearson Triton or Ariel are also good choices.

[capecodphyllis]

Originally Posted by rbh1515

After much research, I am purchasing a Colgate 26. I have not sailed on one but everyone I have talked to that has one loves it. It has a very large cockpit, small cabin. ...Steve Colgate uses for his Offshore Sailing School to teach.

Better to have a small cockpit and a large cabin, since you won't have students.

How long does it take that very large cockpit to drain when swamped? Can the boat sail with a swamped cockpit? Will the very large cockpit drain into the small cabin if swamped, or overboard?

[capecodphyllis]

Originally Posted by WALKERS

We are just getting started in sailing. We live on a large river and are looking at a 1987 26'' Hunter with tiller steering. Does anyone have any input on this boat.
Thanks

My parents have a Hunter daysilar which the family enjoys on get-togethers very much. Nice and stable and sturdy. Lots of fun.

However, I would hate to be on ANY daysailer in rough weather. Even a large one like a 26 footer. The rudders I've seen are attached with a few screws. They don't last long unless you are very gentle - as in avoiding heeling as much as possible. In bad weather the rudder would probably snap right off.

I had a O'Day 22 back in the early 80s. I broke the rudder twice by putting too much pressure on it while heeling. That rudder was attached with 8 small stainless screws. It needed the kind of large Pintles and Gudgeons that you find on cruisers.

[TejasSailer]

You might try the forum thread below for lots of discussion on pocket cruisers.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11492

[jones2r]

SD -- I hate to be the one to bring this up, but how did you manage to dig up a 5 year old thread?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by jones2r

SD -- I hate to be the one to bring this up, but how did you manage to dig up a 5 year old thread?

LOL

I was replying to a more recent entry about he Colgate 26... it seems to have vanished... HMMM... I don't dig up old threads...