Help finding the right one

[bernk]

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to look at my thread.

I plan to give long distance cruising a try. My dream has been to sail from Vancouver to Hawaii for some time, but a loftier goal is to circumnavigate the Pacific. I once half-jokingly promised a friend I'd visit him in New Zealand, by boat.

For the past few years I have been looking after and learning on a 1971 Sabre 27. She's not in the best shape, but not the worst either — a perfect learning boat.

I've been reading Atom Voyages and the excellent information provided there. A few boats that have caught my eye purely by the numbers are the Alberg 29, Rawson 30, Westsail 32, and Pearson Vanguard 32.

What are some othetd I should add to that list? I understand that boats take work and maintenance to keep happy, but I want a boat I can sail to faraway places, not a project.

My general criteria:

* $30,000 USD and under
* Reasonably safe offshore
* Easily single handed, but comfortable for two for extended cruising
* Standing head room of 6'1"+ (185cm+)

Is this possible?

[JPA Cate]

Could you fix your present boat up enough to be safe for under $30k? or does it lack the headroom you need?

Headroom and berthroom are very important if long term cruising.

Ann

[LittleWing77]

Here's John Neal's Selecting and Purchasing an Ocean Cruising Sailboat from his Mahina Offshore Services website (formerly known as Mahina Expeditions):

MAHINA SAILING – Offshore Services

Good luck! Too bad that Sabre couldn't be fixed up. If it's one of the Maine-built Sabres (there are also British ones), they're well-built boats and pretty bulletproof...
LittleWing77

[bernk]

Ann, my head, neck, and back couldn't agree more with you on the importance of headroom. Last summer I spent 33 consecutive days aboard that boat while cruising our coast, and my body wasn't too happy about it.

The Sabre 27 is the British one designed by Alan Hill and built by Marine Construction Ltd. Nothing to do with the Sabre brand. Apparently they just liked the sword theme. There was also a Cutlass 27.

Thanks for that PDF, LittleWing! It's an impressive resource.

[Lazerbrains]

Sounds like you are looking in the 30' range. I would add Golden Gate 30 (also sold as Bodega 30 and Farallon 29). I had one and it cruised all over the Pacific without a hitch, sailed quickly for it's size, and held up to 15' breaking seas. Plenty of headroom.

Others to consider - Cape dory 30, Pacific Seacraft 31, Baba 30, Island Packet 29, Southern Cross 31, Hallberg Rossy Monsun 31.

[boatman61]

I would suggest a Hunter Cherubini 33.. they can be picked up in pretty good nick for less than $20K leaving $10K+ for any mods you want to make..
Great designer and my H37 sailed like a witch upsetting more than one Bene 40 owner when I got her across to the UK.. stood up to 60'kt+ winds and big sea's over a 7 day period short of the Azores and if I could solo a 37ftr across the Atlantic you should have no problems on a 33ftr.. another bonus, heavily laid up hulls.
You may find you'll have to go where the boats are and start your voyaging from there.
Example below.

https://allcaptainsyachtsales.com/bo...herubini/7374/

[Scorpius]

And here I thought you were looking for a date!

[maine50]

I'd look at a Tartan 30. S & S design built to take it but sails very well. I had a T30C (competition version) that had 3 ft taller mast, inboard tracks, and deeper keel making it a very stiff boat. Took it to Bermuda from Long Island Sound.
(and back) A fellow from Annapolis area took his 3 or 4 times in the Bermuda 1-2. Not sure how much headroom. They can be bought for 7500 to 15000
depending on condition.

[bernk]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

And here I thought you were looking for a date!

Nope, I’m only interested in a serious relationship.

I’ll show myself out now.

[bernk]

Lazerbrains, Boatman, and Maine, thank you for the suggestions. I’ll take a look at those.

[Canuck_123]

Hey bernk,

I used to own an Aloha 32 and it fits all your criteria. Built like a tank, decent galley, and I loved the 6'4" headroom and the innovative "workshop" up front in place of a full v-berth as it made the salon feel quite big. The starboard quarterberth is almost double bed size and the port salon setee extends out to almost the same size.
Here's an example in Ontario - you should be able to find one for $30k or less CDN:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-sailboat/ott...0142?undefined

[alexanick]

Originally Posted by bernk

Nope, I’m only interested in a serious relationship.

I’ll show myself out now.

Beautiful. That's what I'm looking for also. A serious relationship with a sailing lady. I sail a Cal 29 on Lake Erie out of Cleveland. I'm retiring Oct. 1 and as much as I love the city, I'm ready to escape the weather here.

[Chris Cringle]

You might also consider an Allied Seawind or Seawind II.

[Don C L]

So I am guessing your budget is driving your size choices, or are you choosing that size for ease of handling? There is a considerable difference between a Rawson 30, Westsail 32 and an Alberg 29 to my eye.
Bluewaterboats.org also has a number of good possibilities, but really I'd say look locally for a boat in good shape, in your price range and with the headroom, performance and stowage capacity you need. If you come upon one that looks good, let us know and I bet someone here will know a lot about it, and will be able to advise you on things to consider before purchase.

This social group may have some threads of interest to you too, as far as preparing for coming down the coast before going across, or going more directly from the PNW to Hawaii.
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...t+sailors.html

[Don C L]

This thread may be helpful: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ds-147098.html