Can I get some opinions? Ketch - Australia

[HankOnthewater]

from above links:
- the vanderstad looks a "Seal" design
- if you look at the Duncanson at Mindaries, then also look at a ketch there called "Helen", she might come up for sale.

[HeinSdL]

Opinion? Boat 2 by a long way

[Ishara]

Hi Franco

Some good advice there but none has addressed you budget constraints or your age....I guess you want to sail now at an affordable dollar value.
I believe there is a place for older boats that have been well maintained and you have the advise of a registered surveyor. But don't be afraid to question what he says to you either..

And yes make sure you put some of your budget aside for repairs. I just bought a 50' yacht in Fremantle and although well surveyed there were a number of issues I had to address. Also I would get a rigging company to do an independent rig assessment.

My preference is also for boat 2 . I like the medium fin keel and the skeg hung rudder. My preference is for a folding or variable pitch prop.

Phil C.

[Franco_oz]

Originally Posted by Hugo

All in all, if I was in the market for buying a ketch under 40 ft and plan to do extended cruising, I definitely would go for the Pearson, although she is in the Philippines.

Hugo, yes the Pearson looks intertesting, I think it just came in the market. If memory serves me right, seeing the year, I think it's solid glass.

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

- if you look at the Duncanson at Mindaries, then also look at a ketch there called "Helen", she might come up for sale.

Hey Hank, can you give me some info about "Helen"

Originally Posted by Ishara

Some good advice there but none has addressed you budget constraints or your age..... SNIP

Ishara, been looking for quite sometime now, lots of traveling and mini holidays with heaps of fun and lot of ... disappointment, including this last boat. We quite set on what we want and budget is flexible (within reasons), in other words, if we proceeded with the Martzcraft we would still have similar amount for maintenance and refitting, I can glass but not confident and skilled to fix what appears to me structural issues. I guess the search continues, now I have to convince the wife we need to go in the Philippines...

[SaltyNomad_]

Is this a crack around the base of the mizzen (see pic)?

[Franco_oz]

Originally Posted by SaltyNomad_

Is this a crack around the base of the mizzen (see pic)?

Yeah it is. She has few structural issues and I don't think I am prepared to fix them all. Looks good on the surface but too many little alarm bells

[s/v Jedi]

For sailing performance and ability, a cutter is the better choice for boats under 50’. The mizzen simply is to close to the main otherwise.

There’s a gray area of course in the 45-50’ range but below that it really hurts performance without giving enough benefits in return compared to a cutter rig.