[aries95]

Hey all, I've got a wife and a young kid now and my hobie cat and jy-15 aren't going to cut it any more. (Something about needing to spend time together as a family...). I plan on getting a boat between 36-38 ft. long. I'm not going to be racing it, but intend to spend a good amount of time in it on the bay, and, sometimes, near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It also needs to be comfortable on the inside at the dock.

A 1984 and a 1990 Irwin 38, a 1996 catalina 36, and a 2002 Gib'Sea 37 are in my budget. The irwins have generators and is most like a "houseboat." The other two do not have generators; otherwise their non-sailing related equipment is comparable. They are all sloop rigs. Each has a furling jib; only the Dufuor has a furling main. The standing rigging in all of them has been maintained and is seaworthy.

Any thoughts/insight on which to get? My gut tells me the newer Dufuor. Help appreciated.

 

[miatapaul]

Well I looked at an older Gib'Sea before they got bought out by Dufour, and really liked it. Once Dufour bought them out they seemed to become the more the budget model of the Dufor but is likely the best performer of the three. And not bad quality at all. The Catalina will be close behind performance wise and is a very popular boat with a nice layout. You should see if you can find a Catalina 34 (really just a few inches shorter than the 36) and also has nice but different layout. The aft cabin in the Catalina is a bit claustrophobic. I imagine the Gib'Sea is going to be as well, though there are two of them. The Irwin is quite a bit slower and more of a long range cruiser rather than a cruiser/racer. Nice thing about the Irwin is that big separate aft cabin. Depending on the age of your child it can work out well, but if small might make you a bit far away.

I would not worry about the age, as a well maintained 84 is better than a 2002 that has been in a budget charter company and used and abused. Condition is most important. My guess is given the same condition the Gib'Sea would suit you best as your other boats are pretty sporty. Likely the better boat for Wednesday beer can racing as well, with the exception of the in mast roller fuller. All have nice comfortable interiors and would make great extended vacation homes. If you planned on going around the world, or even retiring to the islands then I would favor the Irwin. Irwins are kind of funny some are really nice well made boats, while others seem like they were falling apart when new. It is really down to the boat, and apparently who was working that month, and perhaps how much drinking they were doing. But I still like the 38 and is about he smallest center cockpit that seems to work.

 

[Faster]

Of that list and given that the Gibsea has a furling main I'm leaning towards the C 36. Hard to beat that layout, esp the galley, IIRC a '96 is a mark II. That makes the aft berth darker/more closed in (allegedly 'private' ) but also means a more modern, more attractive deck and roomier cockpit with good stern access.