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Oh, I've read a thousand (or more) of these "what do you think of boat x". Now that my long and winding boat search seems to be coming to a head, I get to post my own!
What do you think of a Cape Dory 31 or 33 as a first displacement boat? I expect I'd sail shorthanded or perhaps singlehanded for the most part. Would like a bluewater capable boat (think bermuda capable). Small enough to learn to singlehand in the relatively near term but large enough to provide tankage / displacment for extended cruising at more than minimalist comfort level (but no expectation of generators or big boat luxuries).
My prior experience is limited to charters and dingies and beachcats. I am less worried about sailing a larger boat than about motoring in close quarters, picking up a mooring single or shorthanded and becoming comfortable with diagnosing and maintaining the systems. I figure I can hire an instructor for a week or two, call in all my favors, and finally then beg friends to crew . . . but ultimately, I will still be learning when crew runs out and the wind is up. Is a fairly heavy 33'er simply too much boat?
I think I may be taking the boat progression out of order (maybe not so uncommon?), but it is a consious decision. In the long run, I expect I will own a smaller boat. Near term, I expect to have a window of opportunity to do some extended cruising over the next 2-3 years and really would like to buy and prepare just one boat.
I'd like to buy and outfit for 50-60K and having done so have a boat for which I can predict maintenance costs over the following 24-36 months. There are a handful of CD's which have been on the market for over a year which might meet those criteria. I am interested in any and all views. Experience with the CD33 in particular would be great to hear (I read the cape dory board pretty religiously), but also interested in hearing why its the wrong boat too. I don't need a racer, but I'd like a boat that can make progress to windward (the 330 has a taller rig) and isn't a total dog. Is the full keel totally outdated -- if so what would you look at instead (P365? Old old Cal 39/40 B40? . . . all too much boat?)?
Looking forward to the responses! Thanks!
What do you think of a Cape Dory 31 or 33 as a first displacement boat? I expect I'd sail shorthanded or perhaps singlehanded for the most part. Would like a bluewater capable boat (think bermuda capable). Small enough to learn to singlehand in the relatively near term but large enough to provide tankage / displacment for extended cruising at more than minimalist comfort level (but no expectation of generators or big boat luxuries).
My prior experience is limited to charters and dingies and beachcats. I am less worried about sailing a larger boat than about motoring in close quarters, picking up a mooring single or shorthanded and becoming comfortable with diagnosing and maintaining the systems. I figure I can hire an instructor for a week or two, call in all my favors, and finally then beg friends to crew . . . but ultimately, I will still be learning when crew runs out and the wind is up. Is a fairly heavy 33'er simply too much boat?
I think I may be taking the boat progression out of order (maybe not so uncommon?), but it is a consious decision. In the long run, I expect I will own a smaller boat. Near term, I expect to have a window of opportunity to do some extended cruising over the next 2-3 years and really would like to buy and prepare just one boat.
I'd like to buy and outfit for 50-60K and having done so have a boat for which I can predict maintenance costs over the following 24-36 months. There are a handful of CD's which have been on the market for over a year which might meet those criteria. I am interested in any and all views. Experience with the CD33 in particular would be great to hear (I read the cape dory board pretty religiously), but also interested in hearing why its the wrong boat too. I don't need a racer, but I'd like a boat that can make progress to windward (the 330 has a taller rig) and isn't a total dog. Is the full keel totally outdated -- if so what would you look at instead (P365? Old old Cal 39/40 B40? . . . all too much boat?)?
Looking forward to the responses! Thanks!