Looking at some 27 to 30 footers

primerate84 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2006

I am moving up to a larger boat from my 19' Flying Scot daysailer and have been looking at what is available in my area. I plan on sailing Lake Erie so I thought something in the 27 to 30 foot range would be a good step up. I have looked at the Catalina 27 and 30, Tartan 27, Pearson 28 and Sabre 28. I know that I will need to get a surveyor involved before closing the deal, but does anybody have any experience or knowledge about these boats? I don't plan on racing, just doing some comfortable cruising around the Erie islands. These boats are all used, varying in age from 18 to 30 years old. Thanks in advance.

primerate84 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2006

Oops... the Trtan 27 is 40 years old. Are there any suggestions for other boats, outside of these? Thanks.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2006

A lot of what boat will be recommended has to do with what type of sailing you are interested in. There are plenty of boats out there that might be of interest to you, but not really suitable for the type of sailing you want to do.

Are you planning on just day sailing on Lake Erie, or do you think you might want to cross Lake Erie. Day sailing is one thing, coastal cruising another, and crossing Lake Erie is pretty much blue-water sailing, as the Great Lakes are effectively inland seas in size.

primerate84 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2006

Primarily day sailing but I also may want to spend a couple of days coastal cruising. I definitely won't live aboard or use the boat for any extended trips. Just want some relaxing sailing to relieve stress. I also will be looking at a C&C 26 (1978) this week-end. I have heard conflicting reports on quality with the C&C's. Does it vary with the model and when they were built? Thanks for any input.

Mike

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 06-15-2006

As far as C&Cs go , I think the 70s and early 80s boats were very robust for the most part. I would think the possibly suspect ones were those built in the late 80s/early 90s when they were going through financial difficulties. I know of one 87 C&C 30 that had some serious bulkhead issues, and looked at an 82 34 that seemed excessively flexible at the hull/deck joint but other than those, to my knowledge most owners are very positive about their boats, and there are many 30+ years old and still going strong.

The resale value of well-kept C&Cs is always a cut above the other "generic" brands routinely on the block, so that's a down-the-road advantage as well.

cardiacpaul · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2006

You can't go wrong with any of the boats you've mentioned. The Catalina 30 is a really roomy boat compared to the others. I've owned a Catalina 27, and loved it, as well as the C&C...
Its been said before, as long as all of these boats are in good shape, (AND GET A SURVEY!!!!) it's personal preference, and the gear thats included. (I'd go for the size)

sailboatcnc · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

I started with a sunfish, C&C 25, 30 and now a 35. The 25 was too small to stand up in. Otherwise it would sail.

Don't get a boat thats too small and then just have to sell it or give up cause your not comfortable.

I should have bought the 35 right off..

Good luck.

owlmtn · #8 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

We started with 25 footers. we didn't rreally know enough about sailing to even know what kind of boat we eventually wanted. If we had immediately gone to a 30 footer we wouldn't have ended up with the boat we did (tartan 30). A 25 to 27 footer can be had relatively cheap, will be alittle more forgiving in docking and other maneuvers, and will teach you what you want in a boat or more importantly what you don't want. As you learn to sail you'll likely be changing your views on sailing and what you want from it.
We sailed a C&C 25 for 3 years. It's a tough, nice sailing little boat. It did leave a lot to be desired down below, but that boat taught us a lot. Good luck, Jim L

KenD · #9 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

Even though a lot of folks look down thier noses at Hunters I like the late 70's and early 80's Cherribeni design 27 to 34 foot they all have standing room down below and are built reasonably well for coastal crusing,Opinions are like bellybuttons everyone has one.I still can't spell the guys name.

toastchee · #10 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

I certainly don't look down at Hunters! Luv Em.