Starting Over (and thats a good thing!)

[JimPendoley]

Hi Everyone,

After 9 years living year round aboard my modified Pearson Vanguard in New England, I'm searching for my next boat and looking for design recommendations. I've lived aboard out of necessity and out of love for the lifestyle. I plan on cruising when my youngest graduates from college in three to five years but will be working and living aboard until then.

Living aboard my Vanguard has taught me a lot about the lifestyle and while my Vanguard has served me very well, I find myself dreaming of more room.

My budget is 50K or less. I am pretty handy-I can fix anything, but I don't want a complete restoration either as I will be living aboard while doing any repairs.

Things I need:

More tankage-currently only have 40 gallons of water

A diesel

Prefer full keel with cutaway forefoot or split underbody but prop must not be exposed-too many lobster pots here plus safer in a grounding.

Winter is cruel here-I insulated my hull and would like the next boat to have that already in place-if not possible I'd like a cored to the waterline hull.

A cutter rig if possible

Much more stowage

Decent sailing performance for a cruiser-no sleds and no absolute pigs to windward.

I tend to like the older Alberg and Rhodes designs, but am wondering if my horizons should be widened a bit

Need a simple to singlehand design-so anything over 40 feet is probably out.

it would be rare for me to be attracted to a center cockpit design-too bulky to my eyes

Appreciate any and all feedback.

Jim

[Faster]

First thing that comes to mind.. Bayfield 29 or 32...

[CalebD]

Tartan 34' ? TARTAN 34 C sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
Alberg 35' ? ALBERG 35 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

[bljones]

Ditto faster's thoughts on the Bayfield 32. A big old Hughes 35 or 38 might fit the bill as well.

[bljones]

Or virtually anything Ted Brewer and Carl Alberg ever designed.

[JimPendoley]

Thanks for the suggestions-love Tartans, but no centerboard desired. Bayfields 32 is roomier than my current 32, there are a lot of them out there that's for sure. No tankage whatsover and 3"9" draft kind of rule them out for longer voyages.
I'm thinking something like a Tayana, but not quite so...I don't know, Taiwanese? No teak decks desired either. I like projects, but I'm not a masochist

[JimPendoley]

Alberg 35 is almost indistinguishable from the Vanguard I already have. Similar tankage and age. Might be a tad better sailor, but I'm interesated in liveabilty on the hook too. Guess I should have mentioned I'd like the boat to be capabable of carrying a couple of sailors-not just myself. While Ilive alone, I'd like to take someone with me when I go.

[JimPendoley]

No Columbias-poor build quality. Been there done that. Think, a Cape George Cutter or a Union Polaris without teak decks but at a Cape Dory price. Well, maybe not as traditional as a Cape George-something a little more responsive.

[bobmcgov]

Just tossing out a few names:

Camper Nicholson
Alajuela
Freya (esp. the 39)
Some of Chuck Paine's midsize designs
Fast Passage
Shannon
Nordic

Trouble is, sailboats are priced to some extent on tonnage (ferro excepted). The boats above are going to be difficult to find under $100 in good condition. They hold their value because they appeal to a small but stubbornly committed population of full keel enthusiasts.

Also, boats with long keels (and attached rudders) are always, always going to sail poorly to weather because neither foil lifts worth a darn. To go upwind, you need deep, short-chord appendages.

Here's an interesting cutter from a
builder called Horizon. New to me. Quel salty. Ain't going to point too high with that keel, but the split rig could make sailhandling easier. Mizzens are great for drying laundry, too. Certainly in your price range.