30 -32 feet blue-water cruisier

[dokondr]

After researching info on Albin Ballad (also discussed the boat here) and finding Ballad's Achilles heel - mast truss problem I continue looking for other 30-32 feet boats for blue-water (Contessa 30 is above my budget).

Thinking about Rival 32, Rustler 31 and Twister 28. I sailed many production boats, but never long keel boats that Rustler and Twister are. I know long keel boats are hard to maneuver under engine, especially in reverse, but one can learn to manage this. Please, let me know some tricks here. For example is it still possible to use prop wash on rudder when springing off pontoon and also doing tight turns in confined space under engine?

All of these three are strong boats, with deck-stepped mast that may compress the deck and bulkhead too much.
It would be great to compare these boats at least on the following:
- Hull strength
- Deck compression, bulkhead problems
- Standing rigging decking problems
- Sailing upwind, downwind, heavy weather
- How good for single-handing?
- Ground tackle problems (chain stuck in the tube)
- Engine
- Storage
- Comfort: 1) bunk length, standing height, chart table, galley, heads
- Most probable amount of work to fix old boat
- Other problems

Many thanks for any info!

[thomm225]

Well, at least the Twister 28 is on the recommended Mahina Offshore Boat List where as none of the others are.

The numbers on the Twister look good also.

https://www.mahina.com/cruise.html

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/twister-28

[AiniA]

What about a Contessa 32 if it has been looked after ... and if you are not too tall.

[boatman61]

It would be a great help if we knew which side of the Atlantic you are on..
The boats you are considering are 30 years old at least and in some cases up to 50 years old.. you also need to share the most you can afford to spend on one before allowing for any work like replacing standing rigging or sails etc..
This can help us point you towards suitable boats as flying across the pond to look at boats can add up the costs pretty quick and the ads usually are optimistic blather by owners and the reality can be very crushing..
I flew into New Jersey to see several what looked on line boats in the NY area.. they all turned out to be neglected heaps of crap so a few hundred dollars were wasted on accommodation.. I then flew down to New Bern.. same again till I settled on a Hunter37 in Oriental not because it was a gem, it was far from it but because I was going to sail home not fly.
I worked on it for 6 months then flew home to earn more money then flew back to finish here and another 3 months saw me start across back to the UK.
I was lucky, the yard owner was a nice guy who helped me out a lot with advice about many things including replacing a shaft after I picked up a sunken mooring in Beaufort that bent my shaft resulting in my having to sail back to Oriental up the ICW and into the creek where the yard was..
Interesting experience to say the least.

[dokondr]

Originally Posted by AiniA

What about a Contessa 32 if it has been looked after ... and if you are not too tall.

I am 1.83 m tall and Contessa 30 / 32 price is too high for me.

Originally Posted by boatman61

It would be a great help if we knew which side of the Atlantic you are on..
The boats you are considering are 30 years old at least and in some cases up to 50 years old.. you also need to share the most you can afford to spend on one before allowing for any work like replacing standing rigging or sails etc..
This can help us point you towards suitable boats as flying across the pond to look at boats can add up the costs pretty quick and the ads usually are optimistic blather by owners and the reality can be very crushing..
I flew into New Jersey to see several what looked on line boats in the NY area.. they all turned out to be neglected heaps of crap so a few hundred dollars were wasted on accommodation.. I then flew down to New Bern.. same again till I settled on a Hunter37 in Oriental not because it was a gem, it was far from it but because I was going to sail home not fly.
I worked on it for 6 months then flew home to earn more money then flew back to finish here and another 3 months saw me start across back to the UK.
I was lucky, the yard owner was a nice guy who helped me out a lot with advice about many things including replacing a shaft after I picked up a sunken mooring in Beaufort that bent my shaft resulting in my having to sail back to Oriental up the ICW and into the creek where the yard was..
Interesting experience to say the least.

Yes, it is quite an ordeal with old boats.

I am in a good Old World, traveling to UK or Sweden is much easier for me then to US. Looking for a boat under $15000 before work on her. I am OK with Spartan way of life, seaworthiness is the main thing for me. Yet I need to be able to stand in saloon down below.

[boatman61]

Shame.. Nice Rival 34 here 3.5grand less than the only Rival 32 at the moment..
https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/647840
Or there's this a Camper & Nicholson 32..
https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/642064

[Stormsignal]

That Rival 34 looks very nice.

[Clivevon]

With your budget have you thought about a Westerly 32 Longbow from mid 70s? Long fin sloop rig. With any of the boats on your list you will need to check for window leaks, wet deck cores in places, availability of engine spares etc

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Clivevon

With your budget have you thought about a Westerly 32 Longbow from mid 70s? Long fin sloop rig. With any of the boats on your list you will need to check for window leaks, wet deck cores in places, availability of engine spares etc

Great boats with good storage, accommodation, decent tankage and sail very well.. Their only real problem is the heading which by now will be drooping as the foam backing deteriorates and comes unglued.
You may be lucky and find one that has been redone.
Owned and cruised one in the 90's before sailing across the Biscay and down to the Balliearics spending 4yrs living aboard.
Designed by Laurent Giles.

[YARGO]

All the Rival designs are Water boats">blue water boats and are capable of going wherever you point the bow.

[JohnHolland]

Rival 34 looks good, and I believe the Rustler 31 was the most popular choice for the Golden Globe singlehanded nonstop round world race...must be a reason. Here in Canada the Alberg '30 has done circumnavigations...many built, look for mid '70s with a diesel. Good luck

[Cowpoos]

Miura 31 ?

SA Yacht Blog: Miura

[dokondr]

Originally Posted by Clivevon

With your budget have you thought about a Westerly 32 Longbow from mid 70s? Long fin sloop rig. With any of the boats on your list you will need to check for window leaks, wet deck cores in places, availability of engine spares etc

Many different Westerlies exist. I sailed Westerly Fulmar Sloop, good boat. Do you mean this Westerly 31 Longbow with GRP hull?
Or similar to this one ?

[dokondr]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Shame.. Nice Rival 34 here 3.5grand less than the only Rival 32 at the moment..
https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/647840
Or there's this a Camper & Nicholson 32..
https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/642064

These are good boats. This particular Rival 34 is cheaper then Rival 32 because it needs much more work on it, I think. The bigger boat the more investments in repairs and maintenance. Most probably engine needs to be replaced. Otherwise would be perfect.

Originally Posted by boatman61

Great boats with good storage, accommodation, decent tankage and sail very well.. Their only real problem is the heading which by now will be drooping as the foam backing deteriorates and comes unglued.
You may be lucky and find one that has been redone.
Owned and cruised one in the 90's before sailing across the Biscay and down to the Balliearics spending 4yrs living aboard.
Designed by Laurent Giles.

What do you mean by heading here?

[Jono as 2234]

Sailed about 500 miles on a Twister, absolute dog. Seaworthy sure, but far too cumbersome. Have a look at a Clansman 30. Oz design but they get around the world