Sailed 20 footer for years - need bigger, but which?

nikolajsen · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

Pls help with suggestions for our new boat. We live on the West coast.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our Nimble 20 since 2005, but my son is now 11 and demands more speed, more excitement and we adults find his boisterous energy in the small cabin quite taxing. Also we foresee him bringing a friend along.

We don't day sail, nor do we do week-end cruises. Once a year come July we load up with stores and take off for 6-8 weeks on the coast of British Columbia. We also don't do marina hopping but swing on the hook out every night.

The Nimble is trailerable, but the next boat will be stored on the hard at a yard, and launched via travel lift.

The budget is up to $15000, but we don't want anything over 28' on deck. No bowsprits or other costly appendages. Limited off shore capability would be nice, as in circumnavigating Vancouver Island.

Jan

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

I'd highly recommend you get The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats: Reviews and Comparisons of 360 Boats Under 26 Feet. It's about $20 at the local bookstore.

It has a lot of boats that would work for you. It doesn't cover boats up to 28' though, but might give you some ideas.

There are a lot of boats in that size range that would work. It would help if you gave some more specifics about what you're looking for in your next boat.

nikolajsen · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

Okay, cool looking book.

In the meantime here's some more particulars:

Common on the West Coast.

Distinctive appearance. Like the Nimble, we would like to have something unique. Low free board and cabin, nice sheer, not too tall of a rig, good space for fore deck work.

Solid construction and good reputation for longevity. Closer to the Cape Dory end of the scale, as opposed to the Catalina image.

Transom hung rudder would be nice. We would rather avoid the unsupported through the bottom rudder variety as seen in for example the Pearson 26. Skeg hung or keel hung best.

Bunk for a guy of 6'4".

No transom hung outboards. Inboard diesel or outboard in well, please.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

That helps a lot... Let me see what I can dig up for ya.

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

If it's a character boat you're after, maybe look for a TLC-requiring Bayfield 29 - edge of budget and length, but maybe otherwise viable?

1981 Bayfield 29 Cutter Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

There's also a Nimble 30 but probably over budget.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

that's over the budget, over the length and has a costly appendage...the bowsprit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

If it's a character boat you're after, maybe look for a TLC-requiring Bayfield 29 - edge of budget and length, but maybe otherwise viable?

1981 Bayfield 29 Cutter Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

There's also a Nimble 30 but probably over budget.

tager · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

My vote goes for a Haida 26. There is an extremely struggler one in Blaine I believe.

Faster · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

that's over the budget, over the length and has a costly appendage...the bowsprit.

Yeah, suppose you're right about that..... still..... the price is not too far off his target and it fits some of the other criteria.

swadiver · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010

I looked at a Cape Dory 25 once. It was a very distinctive boat with the outboard in a well. Almost went for it, but the cockpit seemed a bit small. Good Luck.

nikolajsen · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010

I must be on track in my search. The only two boats I have actually bothered to take a real close in person look at so far are also the first (within budget) boats that you all have mentioned: Haida and CD.

My impression of the Haida is favorable. Sails very nice, responsive balanced helm, appears fast. The design is charismatic (flush deck with minimally raised cabin), and there's a decent track record of trans oceanic passages.
Problem are blisters (present on prospective boat), and cast iron fin keel. While the latter is fastened with 8 burly SS bolts, the bearing surface against the hull seems narrow. Bolts appear to be cast into the keel making replacement near impossible?

The Cape Dory (a 27) is stout, quality, good looking and based on time tested proven principles both in hull, rig and interior layout. Alberg had it right with his designs. The CD will maybe be less exciting to handle, a wee bit slower and almost too comfy below for a family used to view vacations as a rugged escape from a society based on needless conveniences.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.