Nor'sea 27 has a following.

 

Contessa 32
Bristol Channel Cutter
Anything by Bob Perry

 

Vega
Psc

 

Kind of already mentioned but anything designed by
Robert Perry
William Crealock
Lyle Hess

 

I don't know about the Robert Perry thought. My friends boat is a Mirage 35 designed by Perry, I don;t think it has any cult following beyond current owners.

 

Flickas might be about the most extreme example.

Can think of a few others;
SCAMP. 12 feet, I have never scene one under $10k. Wood or fibreglass.

Bay Hens and Peep Hens.

Dovekie.

Valiant 40

Some Bolger boats.

They have to be a bit hard to get your hands on to behave a cult following I think?

 

Maybe the Bermuda 40 - William Tripp

 

Macgregor 26x - 4th MODE!

 

Lol! I wonder how the mighty Muralet is doing these days!

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

I guess I would ask 'what do you mean by cult boats? To me the term applies to boats that have a better reputation than they deserve or demand higher prices than they should realtive to other similar quality boats.
Under that definition, I would consider the Alberg 30, Triton, Tartan 37, Folkboat, Nonsuch, J-37, J-40, Bristol 32, 39 &40, Norsea 27, Island Packets, Pacific Seacrafts, IOR era Swans, Cal 34s, Ericson 32 & 34 come to mind.

Jeff

 

To me the term applies to boats that have a better reputation than they deserve or demand higher prices than they should realtive to other similar quality boats.

Interesting perspective that hadn't crossed my mind. I looked up a definition of "Cult" and came up with this:

"A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing. "

 

"Misplaced" is complicated. I think a lot of people have an out-of-proportion desire for a certain boat. The cult boats are just the ones that have more of those folks than other boats. I drank the Kool-Aid with my Valiant 32.

 

For purposes of this thread, let's allow boats that (at least partly) live up to the adoration of their fans.

If I could start putting $500-1000 a month down on a Norsea now I would, even if I could not take possession for years.

 

Take out a loan, 5% 10 years, $34,500 monthly payments $365. Oh guess who has a Nor'sea for sale for 34,500 (OBO)!

 

West Wight Potter 19 possibly?

 

I was going to mention Potters but according to someones posting they have to be hard to come by to be a cult boat, Potters are everywhere. I think they are a cult boat for some and a 'gateway boat' for others. Buy one to check out sailing then move up in the world.

 

Dana up there with Flicka?

Cornish Crabber, authentic old Folkboats?

Some of the other Bristols, besides the Channel Cutter for example 27 but not 26. 29?

some Cape Dory

Islanders, Pacific Seacraft, Vancouver, more generally

 

Well for such a common boat they do really hold their value.

When examples of a model get 20-30+ years worn, fetching consistently high prices must be supported by a good reputation maintained by a solid fan base

 

Yes they do hold their value. I own a Potter 34 (a 19 and 15). I spent a total of $4400 for the two. When I go to sell them, it might be the first time I will profit from my sailing vice.

 

I was going to say the Joshuas, but by the definition of cult "A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing." there is nothing misplaced or excessive about their reputation, IMO.

 

For purposes of this thread, we are allowing boats that (at least partly) actually deserve the adoration of their fans.

 

Can I suggest L. Francis Herreshoff's Meadow Larks?

 

Concordia yawls have a cult following.

As do Hinckley B-40's.

Sure, this owner adoration is irrational to a degree, but many of the owners are avid sailors and use the boats more than the average.

 

Hmmm. Cult following. Been awhile since I've checked in here. Almost spring Tom.

 

I like that Meadowlark in the picture. Way back in the early 80's we saw one of those when we were cruising our little Ranger 20 up by Bainbridge Island. The Meadowlark was under power, and the putt-putt-putt of the one cylinder engine was just marvelous.

If the definition is more toward a design highly desired or prized by a smaller group.... How about a Valiant 40? It certainly deserves the accolades.
And I must add our design. Only 39 were built. Olson 34 (constructed by Ericson Yachts.)
Agree with the vote for the Ericson 32-2. Any of the three iterations of the Ericson 38, as well.

No really wrong answers as we wile away the days and hours, inside where the Covid virus cannot get us!

 

I like that Meadowlark in the picture. Way back in the early 80's we saw one of those when we were cruising our little Ranger 20 up by Bainbridge Island. The Meadowlark was under power, and the putt-putt-putt of the one cylinder engine was just marvelous.

The original Meadow Lark design, as published in Herreshoff's book in 1948, was 33', wood, and powered by a pair of five horse, single cylinder engines. Of course, they were built by amateurs and professionals and the world, with all sorts of variations and customizations.

Allan Vaitses did a version in fiberglass, stretched to 37'. AIUI he built something like 20, each customized to the buyer's requirements. Mine has Yanmar 3GM30 in it. I'm musing over pulling it and putting in a pair of electric pod motors. But I'm not doing anything of the sort until I've sailed her for a season.

 

Vagabond Westwind 42

 

Bayliner Buccaneer 285 center cockpit. This is a beauty! People love this boat. The MacGregor 26x is the successor.

 

 

J30 is 57 chevy of sailboats.

 

I wonder where the Westsail 32 would fit in to this category

 

Being great value for money would be evidence of failing to qualify for this list, right?

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Nonsuch yet. The Nonsuch 26 and 30 sell for way more than similarly sized and aged boats up here in Canada.

They seem to have quite the following.

 

See post #10....