Full Keel Sailboats

[A-B-Seas]

Originally Posted by Full

I know it is not very reasonable, but I'm planning to pay extra few thousands and go with a new small diesel, something less than 10hp...

Have you thought about going electric? I would love to but it's out of my budget for me to repower, but I'm still working that plan out.

[CarinaPDX]

Sorry I am late finding this thread. I wanted to correct @Benz's statement that the Cape George Cutters are kit boats: they are not. Westsails and Cascades were kit boats, which is to say many modules were available to speed production (such as fiberglass v-berths or head/shower units that just drop in). The Cape Georges only have fiberglass hulls available; not one of them has a molded deck/house. As such, each boat is custom with nothing standardized beyond the hull, and even there some have altered it. The result is that they are very expensive to build (half a million for a 31 today sounds about right). And there is no fixed price: they are built on time and materials. Most of them were owner-completed, with highly variable results in both design and quality. The factory-finished boats were beautifully completed, but again with varying designs to fit the owners' wishes. Since the boat is primarily wood above the hull it is subject to rot, and especially if maintenance has been ignored. Buying a used Cape George it is essential to get a skilled surveyor experienced in wood inspection. The best examples are almost museum-quality but there are a lot of them available for a song that need a lot of help.

The local broker just picked up a CG31, essentially for free. The hull, Volvo diesel, and Max-Prop are in good shape. The plywood deck was inadequately covered with fiberglass and is rotten: the deck and house need to be removed down to the deck beams, a couple of beams repaired or replaced, and then a new deck and house built. The interior is basic and lacking electrical and plumbing systems. For someone wanting to build a 31 it would be a good place to start; others should avoid like the plague.

I knew a couple with a Pacific Seacraft 31 and I would recommend that boat for cruising. It is a good example of a quality production boat.

Greg

[lyl]

Originally Posted by thomm225

One thing I did forget to mention though was that I replaced my 10 hp 352 lb Bukh Diesel with a 58 lb outboard.

I may get a spare when I start cruising full time and possibly carry extra gas in a 5 gallon container on the bow tied down.

But not much more than that.

Here sailing within 100 miles of my marina I usually have 2-4 gallons of gas onboard in separate containers.

I see...

[lyl]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

I'm super biased, but I love my Hans Christian 33. Regarding full-keeled boats, I've owned an Island Packet 35, a Mason 44 and now this HC33. They were all good boats, but the HC is my favorite of the three.

TY, IPs are grabbing my attention lately.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by Linesledaft

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned these boats, but they are worth looking at if you are on a budget and don't mind older designs. Alberg 30, Pearson Triton, Pearson Vanguard, Allied Seawind, Albin Vega, Cape Dory 28, Rhodes Ranger, Bristol 29. You might even be able to find a Nicholson 31-32 if you look hard enough.

Those are all traditional designed boats that will take a pounding.

I have been cruising my Alberg 35 up/around East Coast US since February. I personally find it a little cramped, but the boat more than makes up for that in seaworthiness. I feel most traditionally designed boats are like that.

I'll check them all. TY. A great list.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by PI Robert

I have a 1979 Cape Dory 28 that I have owned for the last 20 years. It is on the market and I have an ad in the classifieds here. http://https://www.cruisersforum.com...le-219600.html

Sadly, I'm currently in MO. We'll move by the ocean soon though. Pandemic has slowed down the plans - long, long story... The good thing when we move, it'll happen fast, and I've decided not to lose time. I'll keep an eye on this beauty, and if we end up being close to TX, I'll say hi. TY.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by jalmberg

If you want to lose your heart, check out an Ingrid 38.

Sometimes, you don't marry a sailboat, you just feel in love with it. Breathtaking!

[lyl]

Originally Posted by PI Robert

Let me try the link again: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...le-219600.html

Looks great!

[lyl]

Originally Posted by captqrunch

for home waters, your solution is fine. But a few hundred pounds isn't a major consideration for a full-keel, heavy displacement monohull. Plus the weight of the engine will be further inboard and further down in the hull, adding to ballast and reducing pitching moment. The extra grunt of a torque-y diesel swinging a larger prop deeper down adds a safety factor, and the prop walk can be useful maneuvering in tight spots. In rough seas, an outboard in a well or hung off the stern will have a disconcerting habit of rising out of the water from time to time, as well as being swamped by following seas. Then too, a diesel absolutely loves running 24/7 for days on end --- which may be desired or required more often than you might expect on long offshore passages; gasoline engines not so much (and are less fuel efficient to boot). I have even grown a bit nostalgic for the smell of a warm diesel. Guess I've been ashore too long.

Maybe, there is not a 'right' answer to this, but I'll go with an in board small diesel.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by psjanker

I would recommend looking at full keel boats built by Carl Alberg. Age of the boat would not be a large consideration rather I would look at condition, and renovations made to key components such as engine and rigging. Owning two Cape Dories (28 and 30b) it is my opinion that we will be long gone and these hulls will still be sailing the seven seas!

Cape Dories are still being made under the Robinhood brand but if you want to know the cost, then you can’t afford one. Why purchase a new version of the Cape Dory
when one can pick up a used one, ready for a summer of sailing for almost nothing! Plus half the fun is working on the boat and understanding its systems. In my opinion, know your boat and being able to work on its components is a key element in safety and boating enjoyment.

I would recommend keeping the small diesel engine and having a large capacity alternator which given power needs can also serve as a generator. During this year’s Salty Dog rally from Virginia to Antigua I found that we never used the generator but instead ran one of the two engines (Lagoon 42) to charge our bank. Generator is useless except for living on board.



V/r

Pete

I'll keep this comment in mind. TY. Mr. Alberg! He is a one of the greatest naval architects, a Rock star in my book.

[hpeer]

Full,

There is no “right” answer to many things sail related. Thats a good attitude you have there. Do what you want, but do.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by tgradyv7m

Where will you sail too? Bluewater? Coastal? Ever sail a full keel before?

The Bahamas. My mind is set with a full keel. TY.

[lyl]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I like the outboard because it isn't in the boat. There are no oil or fuel leaks dropping into the bilge.

For tight spots, you cannot beat having an outboard that can turn through about 190 degrees or more. It's about like a tug boat. I can move the boat 90 degrees off center if need be.

In rough seas, outboards in the well are raised. Those hung off the stern, in my case at least will be moved to the stern railing mount since my outboard is a 5 hp and only weights around 57 lbs.

The new 5 hp 4 stroke outboards are as efficient on fuel as most diesels and I can cross the 20 miles of open bay here on about 1.3 gallons or so of gas which takes 4-5 hours sometimes

But yes, if you plan to motor a lot, a diesel would be better but I just would rather have the outboard since the diesel I had caused quite the vibration.

Also, James Baldwin sailed RTW with an outboard and many others have crossed oceans with an outboard only.

And I paid $1550 for my new outboard in 2011.

The outboard is totally stand alone also unless I decide to use the external tank. There are no cables hooked to it. It has no alternator. All my power comes from solar.

And there's no prop drag with an outboard when sailing.

Good points.

[CarinaPDX]

And any number of boats have circumnavigated without any engine at all.

Just because it can be done doesn't mean it is the best solution.

Stick with diesel...

Greg

[lyl]

Originally Posted by WolfgangSeaLife

with a fin keel I hit a tree trunk and was torpedoed forward, just flew past the mast. Would be impossible to pass the Dismal Swamp route.
But makes turning when tacking fast and easy, better for racing.
Deep draft below 5 or 6 feet is too tricky to pass the ICW.

With my full keel, often, I grounded softly, also made shallow passages in the Bahamas. In tacking make sure you turn smooth and fast or you stop the boat.

Full keel, just my choice.