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We've had our Pearson 28-2 for 5 years, and she's been great for day sailing and a little cruising on the Chesapeake. Yet we're thinking of moving to something larger. My wife and I day sail together, but she leaves the cruising to me and any friends I can entice because she finds overnighting on the 28-2 to be the equivalent of "camping."
I didn't get this at first because I backpack, and the boat accommodations seemed luxurious by comparison. A roof! Mattresses! Hot water! Seats! Lights! But I can now see it through her eyes, and she sees Ice Box! Cramped quarters! Climbing up to the V berth! Old foam mattresses! No stowage! Alcohol stove!
So we're sort of looking. Basically, we want a boat that is still fun to day sail on the light-wind Chesapeake, has a shoal keel or centerboard (say under 5 ft) so we don't have to sweat every anchorage, two cabins and some room so we can take another couple along on 2 to 5 day trips.
More specifically:
* Under $100K
* Prefer to stay under say 38 feet
* No keel stepped masts (I like a dry bilge!)
* No fixer uppers--Happy to maintain and upgrade, but I brought the 28-2 back from the dead. I don't want to do that this time.
* Would prefer something 10 years old or less (or ferociously maintained!)
* No Volvo engines
* No Hunters--No offense! But I hate the limitations of the severly swept back spreaders of the B&R rig! I can just tolerate the slightly swept back spreaders I've got.
When I look on YW, I seem to have gotten us down to Beneteau and Catalina, which is fine, but I'm open to suggestions--or nasty comments if you must
Hah! You all had me going on the keel-stepped mast leakage being no big deal, and then I read the current thread on water intrusions on KS masts (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/general-discussion-sailing-related/95444-rain-water-entering-bilge-thru-mast.html), and it sounds like a big deal to me. Not sink-your-boat big deal, of course, but we all work hard to stop water intrusion from ports and hatches and all, it's seems weird to give this one a free ride.
Ahhh... but the difference is the mast water goes into the bilge, to a sump and away... port leaks, chainplate leaks, etc damage structure, stain woodwork and cause structural issues long term... big difference!
Stop thinking like a guy and start thinking like a girl. . The goal is to get your wife on the boat, right? Men like practical things. Girls like pretty things. Girls like dressing pretty and they like it when someone tells them they have a pretty boat.
Sailing is always going to be a little like campinh. All things being equal girls much prefer to "camp" on a classic cruiser than yesterday's production boat.
We paid under $100k for our PSC 34. My wife fell in love with it soon as we stepped aboard. When I saw her eyes I knew we had found the right boat.
Sure, traditional spouses like pretty things, but they also like practicality in the things that they use and spend lots of time with. It's only logical for someone who enjoys cooking to be more concerned about the galley layout and function than some other features.
Wasn't quite sure if shanedennis was joking or not--he's using a rather broad brush to paint a picture of what women want. My wife would rather have a boat she liked the look of than one that someone else admired, and she likes modern styling overall. Luckily, I do too.
HAHA! That's funny. When I was reading you post (before I got to the above quoted section) I thought "man this guy is looking for a Benniteau or Catalina." I don't add Hunters to this list because I don't like them and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. The Benetaus and Catalinas I would recommend with some reservations.
You're not going offshore right? Good. Then they are recommended for you.
I've been aboard many of each brand and sailed both quite a few times. I've raced a catalina 30 for over 10 years and they actually sail pretty well. In "general" I would say that the benetaus sail a little bit better, especially in light wind, and the catalinas are a little more stout. The catalinas "feel" bigger inside but the Benetaus actually use the space a little better.
I would advise taking your wife below several of each make and see which one she likes. You'll likely be happy with either, but if she isn't happy, you'll be sailing alone again. I bought the boat I have now based on the fact that my wife (then girlfriend) fell in love with it. I might have picked a slightly different (and smaller) boat, but it was WELL within what I could really like and she fell in love with it. Now she's a willing crew and we're both happy.
I would advise taking your wife below several of each make and see which one she likes. You'll likely be happy with either, but if she isn't happy, you'll be sailing alone again. I bought the boat I have now based on the fact that my wife (then girlfriend) fell in love with it. I might have picked a slightly different (and smaller) boat, but it was WELL within what I could really like and she fell in love with it. Now she's a willing crew and we're both happy.
Thanks MedSailor. That is the next step for sure. Actually we have been aboard the Bene 34 and Cat 355 (or whatever it is) at the Annapolis show, and she much prefers the Bene, and that seems to hold true for their models over the last 10 - 12 years or so, where we'd be looking. And at some point we will need to sail one of these contenders!
I just thought I'd update this thread. I went from thinking to doing, and the winner was a 2000 Beneteau 331 in very nice condition--furling main but with standard keel (5' 5"). We sailed her home to Tracy's Landing from Annapolis on Saturday. Actually, we did more motoring than sailing, as we didn't get going until after noon, when the wind got very flaky. What sailing we did however, felt good, and we're looking forward to getting her out there as soon as possible.
Now, I have an excellent Pearson 28-2 for sale...!
I just thought I'd update this thread. I went from thinking to doing, and the winner was a 2000 Beneteau 331 in very nice condition--furling main but with standard keel (5' 5").
Nice choice!!! I tell you, nobody knows how to make the most of space, while preserving performance like Beneteau. I hadn't seen this model but I love the layout and I bet she sails well (though I wonder why the keel isn't a little deeper).
I've never seen one of these in person, but based on the line drawing on sailboatdata it looks like a boat with a similar (but much larger of course) interior to your Pearson 28-2. I hope it gives you many years of great service, and that someone good buys your current boat.
I've never seen one of these in person, but based on the line drawing on sailboatdata it looks like a boat with a similar (but much larger of course) interior to your Pearson 28-2. I hope it gives you many years of great service, and that someone good buys your current boat.
Thanks Alex! You hit the nail on the head regarding the interior. We liked the interior on the 28-2 and were very happy to find something similar, if bigger. We love the aft head and aft cabin. She's got a little more galley space because the aft cabin door is on the other side.
I'll post some pictures when I take some good ones.
With a difference of 5.5 to 4.5 in draft.....not sure that is worth it! I'd take teh 5.5 too! I have 5.5 in my 28' boat with no real issues. There are afew places here in the salish sea that I would be in trouble, then again, one would be in trouble with less draft if they are not carefull to!
You probably got the better sailing machine, with a few more worries about depth, but probably not enough to really worry about frankly! I'd prefer 6-6.5 on aboat tha size..........
I think I'd like a 6' draft on my 28' boat too, but understand why people like shoal draft in the Chesapeake (even though it really doesn't matter in Puget Sound).
One look at the depth charts for the areas around Neavitt, MD, or St Michaels, MD realizing that the numbers are feet (not fathoms as they are over here) will make you realize that it is a very shallow place. I picked those locations because I have family there, not for any other reason. It looks like I'd have to get 1000' from my families waterfront house to even get 2' of depth.
Where 300' of anchor rode is common around here (Seattle) they must often use 50' or less.
Thanks Jim! No doubt we were close there. I was the one inadvertently getting in the way of some of the racers in the last of three regattas that were apparently put on to celebrate our new boat
Glad you found a good fit for you and your wife. More room will make a big difference. Now maybe well see you at the Rondevous one of these years.
The 5.5 will only be a problem in the Kent and Knapps Narrows, but they can be circumvented and circumnavigated if necessary. You will have better performance.
The 5.5 will only be a problem in the Kent and Knapps Narrows, but they can be circumvented and circumnavigated if necessary. You will have better performance.
Thanks Dave! I'm hoping not to have to go around Knapps Narrows all the time--we use it frequently to get to the Choptank, our closest stomping grounds. The Narrows itself and even the eastern side isn't the problem, but the west side entrance, from say Red #4 through the next 50 yards, is. I think it will be doable, but maybe not at low tide.
Thanks all! Good one, MedSailor. And you can't even see the game room, sauna, and small bowling alley! Honestly though, I was shooting down at her a foot and a half below the dock and probably knocked off some freeboard.
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