I'm narrowing in on a few boats having inspected about 10 over the last month. My primary intent is daysailing and overnighting, primarily on Narragansett bay (RI) and short trips to Block Island, Cuttyhunk & Martha's Vinyard. My wife is my primary crew, but she is a "fair weather sailor", so I expect to single hand frequently. We previously owned a Pearson 30 for 7 years, then switched to stinkpots for the last 10 or so years.
I've looked at a number of Sabre 28's, priced from $12 to $20K. All but one have leaky deck hardware. Several on the low end of the price range had chainplate or compression post issues. The Sabre is doable financially, but more than I really want to spend. The number of Sabres with leaky deck hardware is turning me off a bit.
I saw a decent C&C 26 and a Hunter 27 both well below $10 K, which is more comfortable in my present budget. The C&C has no significant issues, but is pretty bare bones and I would expect to spend $4K to add electronics and a dodger and to replace the interior cushions.
I've sailed on Sabre 28's, but not on the C&C or Hunter. I would like to know more about sailing attributes of the Hunter 27 & C&C 26. Although I don't intend to race, I compared the PHRF base ratings with a Catalina 27 thrown in for reference.
SABRE 28-3 186
CATALINA 27 207
C+C 26 219 (not many of these were built)
HUNTER 27 219
One way that I've been thinking about this is after a few years cost of ownership, the difference in the initial purchase price will be pretty insignificant.
Are there other boats in this size/price range that I should be considering?
Thanks,
Chuck
I've looked at a number of Sabre 28's, priced from $12 to $20K. All but one have leaky deck hardware. Several on the low end of the price range had chainplate or compression post issues. The Sabre is doable financially, but more than I really want to spend. The number of Sabres with leaky deck hardware is turning me off a bit.
I saw a decent C&C 26 and a Hunter 27 both well below $10 K, which is more comfortable in my present budget. The C&C has no significant issues, but is pretty bare bones and I would expect to spend $4K to add electronics and a dodger and to replace the interior cushions.
I've sailed on Sabre 28's, but not on the C&C or Hunter. I would like to know more about sailing attributes of the Hunter 27 & C&C 26. Although I don't intend to race, I compared the PHRF base ratings with a Catalina 27 thrown in for reference.
SABRE 28-3 186
CATALINA 27 207
C+C 26 219 (not many of these were built)
HUNTER 27 219
One way that I've been thinking about this is after a few years cost of ownership, the difference in the initial purchase price will be pretty insignificant.
Are there other boats in this size/price range that I should be considering?
Thanks,
Chuck