So I have my eye on a Bayfield 32C and Aloha 32.
The plan is to liveaboard in the western portion of Lake Ontario, sailing all over the lake, rigging the boat for bluewater cruising before finally breaking out onto the oceans of the world.
My concern is that Lake Ontario has prevailing Northwest to Southwest winds. So while a Bayfield cutter may be the better offhsore boat, it supposedly has poor windward performance due to the long keel, supposedly crabs badly, and so would probably be quite slow and hard going coming back west from, say, a visit to Kingston or the Thousand Islands.
Can anyone with experience on the Bayfield's tell me how they'll sail on Lake Ontario? Is the windward performance bad enough that I should consider the Aloha 32 instead, even if just temporarily?
I would be grateful if all you experienced folks could give your opinions on how these two boats compare. Thank you!
The plan is to liveaboard in the western portion of Lake Ontario, sailing all over the lake, rigging the boat for bluewater cruising before finally breaking out onto the oceans of the world.
My concern is that Lake Ontario has prevailing Northwest to Southwest winds. So while a Bayfield cutter may be the better offhsore boat, it supposedly has poor windward performance due to the long keel, supposedly crabs badly, and so would probably be quite slow and hard going coming back west from, say, a visit to Kingston or the Thousand Islands.
Can anyone with experience on the Bayfield's tell me how they'll sail on Lake Ontario? Is the windward performance bad enough that I should consider the Aloha 32 instead, even if just temporarily?
I would be grateful if all you experienced folks could give your opinions on how these two boats compare. Thank you!