I''m dead-set on cruising Latin America. Even though I won''t be crossing whole oceans , I want a boat that is fully capable of doing so. Statistics such as low Capsize Ratios (<1.9) and "Motion Comfort" numbers (>30) are important to me, and so is livability. Speed is not a priority. I''d like to keep the total budget (purchase, refurbishing, upgrades) below $40K but if a markedly better boat can be had I can go a bit higher. I anticipate buying a boat that is ready to sail but needing significant cosmetic work and electronics.
One boat that fits these criteria is the Alberg 35 or, if a super deal came along, the Alberg 37. A review that I found of these two boats suggested the 35 is a good coastal cruiser but not a fully capable ocean cruiser like the 37. Why not? Both have full keels and have similar numbers (Capsize ratios, etc.), judging from the "sail calculator" (http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html).
Based on a recommendation from a friend, I''ve just started investigating the Islander 36 (Gurney design) and the Islander Freeport 36 (Perry design). These will push my budget up, especially the later, but it might be worth it. By my crude calculations using LWL and beam, the living space of these two Islanders are 35 and 42 percent greater than the Alberg 35 and 20 and 32 percent greater than the Alberg 37. Yet, capsize numbers for the Islanders are only slightly higher (1.88 vs. 1.65). For the Freeport, with it''s modified full keel, I guess I can understanding why this is so--using a decade''s worth of newer design and technology. But the standard Islander 36 is perplexing to me. It has what looks to me like a fin keel.
Alas, the Freeport might be too much for my budget, but the interior layout of the Freeport (model A, I think) is really appealing to me. It was designed for a cruising couple, not much more. Model B, though, was for chartering and had a standard layout, which for me is too many berths. I read that there were 150 Islanders produced, but I don''t know the production numbers distinguising between the model A and B.
Sorry for the long post. Any comments from you more experienced folks would be much appreciated.
TIA and Best Regards,
Joel.
One boat that fits these criteria is the Alberg 35 or, if a super deal came along, the Alberg 37. A review that I found of these two boats suggested the 35 is a good coastal cruiser but not a fully capable ocean cruiser like the 37. Why not? Both have full keels and have similar numbers (Capsize ratios, etc.), judging from the "sail calculator" (http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html).
Based on a recommendation from a friend, I''ve just started investigating the Islander 36 (Gurney design) and the Islander Freeport 36 (Perry design). These will push my budget up, especially the later, but it might be worth it. By my crude calculations using LWL and beam, the living space of these two Islanders are 35 and 42 percent greater than the Alberg 35 and 20 and 32 percent greater than the Alberg 37. Yet, capsize numbers for the Islanders are only slightly higher (1.88 vs. 1.65). For the Freeport, with it''s modified full keel, I guess I can understanding why this is so--using a decade''s worth of newer design and technology. But the standard Islander 36 is perplexing to me. It has what looks to me like a fin keel.
Alas, the Freeport might be too much for my budget, but the interior layout of the Freeport (model A, I think) is really appealing to me. It was designed for a cruising couple, not much more. Model B, though, was for chartering and had a standard layout, which for me is too many berths. I read that there were 150 Islanders produced, but I don''t know the production numbers distinguising between the model A and B.
Sorry for the long post. Any comments from you more experienced folks would be much appreciated.
TIA and Best Regards,
Joel.