Another 'what boat thread'

[MrMouse]

Hello all,

Been sailing Laser dinghies & crewing RS800s for over three years & have been toying with the idea of buying a larger boat.

Been trawling the for sale ads for the pat 7 days & becoming even more confused on what to buy.

Hoping if I can give you some of my details you may be able to point me in the right direction.

Boat will be berthed in Eastbourne, England.

Budget £25,000 -£29,000

My wife has promised to come out with me at the weekends but reckon the novelty will wear off :-) so ideally looking for a single-hander.

Been advised to stay away from water ballast & trailer sailor types as the area around Eastbourne isn't sheltered.

Age to be maximum 15 years old.....so no older than 1995 but pref 2000 +

Length between 26' to 30'.

Any ideas?

[MrMouse]

Came across a Hunter Ranger 245 - would it suit?

[Kiltmadoc]

I was in the same situation as you (although my wife, after taking some lesson, is much more willing to go along now). Anyway, we found a C&C from 1982 that is easier to sail than any dinghy I have ever sailed. It's a docile and easy handling but fast boat (our record so far was 7.3 knots with the sail reefed). The previous owners had set it up for single handing but running the lines back to the cabin. I would suggest that you look at a boat that is easy to handle, regardless of whether or not it's set up for single handing; since you can always spend a few "boat bucks" later to set it up.