the new daysailers seem to be built, priced and marketed to the top end of the market. If you find an Alerion, Morris or other daysailer at a "reasonable" price, there is something seriously wrong with it.
For those of us who love the traditional look but can't afford one of the new boats, that leaves us with the older boats. There are several boats with that traditional look that are small enough to serve as a daysailer and that can be had for a reasonable sum. Please keep in mind that these are old boats. Chances are that any specimen you find will need TLC. First on my list is the Oday Tempest. A 23 foot boat. Designed by Philip Rhodes. Next is the Pearson Commander, a 26 footer designed by Carl Alberg. Both of these boats have enormous cockpits and not much of a cabin to speak of. However, if you look around on the internet, you will see examples of people who have restored these beautiful boats. While both are great examples of CCA-inspired
lines, the Tempest has a pretty modern underbody, with a fin keel and spade rudder. The Commander is the typical Alberg full keel design, and is not as spry under sail.
One thing to keep in mind: traditional designs usually include a small cockpit. This is to keep the cockpit from holding too much water in case of a swamping. While this makes for a seaworthy craft, it makes daysailing with a crowd difficult. So using just any good ol' boat with beautiful
lines as a daysailer has its limitations.
Having said that, if you want examples of traditional looking boats around 30 feet long that you can use as a day boat, how about the Pearson Triton (28'); Pearson Vanguard (32'); the Alberg 30, the Pearson Renegade (27'), Pearson Ariel (the Ariel is the full-cabin version of the Commander), or the Swiftsure (33'). All beautiful boats, all relatively available at a reasonable price.
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