Lyle Hess 36

[Johnathon123]

OPINIONS NEEDED

I have been been looking at this boat on the net

2000 Lyle Hess 36 Cutter Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

So I researched Lyle Hess. Good commentary.

What do you think the primary use for this boat design was?

What do you folks see as pluses and minuses with this boat and design (I have already noticed the head - no need to comment there although if you have an idea to make it function for the girls in the family, would love to hear it)

Really appreciate it!

[Cherp]

Hi....they are a very old design. They build quite a few Lyle Hess designs at the wooden boat school at Franklin in Tasmania. I think that in general they're pilot cutter designs. They are probably for the dedicated wooden boat fancier. They would sail OK, but slow I think by today's standards. They also have a small market, so will be harder to sell when the time comes. I have a friend who calls the wooden boat fanatics the Amish of the boating community. You would need to love old designs and high maintenance to go for it, but if that's your bag then so be it.

[Cherp]

Hi again...the one you're looking at is strip plank/epoxy construction, which in my opinion is among the best methods of construction. The comment re maintenance (of the hull at least) will not stand for this boat. It will be as easy to maintain as glass, and probably stronger.

[Johnathon123]

Thanks Cherp.

If your friend is right then yes I am Amish. There is something about this boat for me at least.

The review I have read on many of his designs suggest they are reasonably fast, obviously an Adams 12 is going to walk a bit Faster but I am pretty sure that speed isnt the ultimate

[Cherp]

James...she looks a picture under sail and I get that. If she's from the Franklin school she will be very well built. I suspect she is very well built anyway. There is a quite a fraternity of wooden boat people. However, they are probably still in the minority when it comes to selling. Brokers tell me wooden boats are harder to shift. All that aside though, I can understand why she moves you a bit.

[seacap]

The boat looks like a Hess design, but that is where the similarity ends. it is not a true Hess design. Hess designed all the "pilot cutters" with a full keel. Also, the rig doesn't quite have the same proportions. The sprit is to short.

The Hess designs are fast. Probably the fastest full keelers out there. The 28' Bristol Channel Cutter has consistently logged 160+ miles a day on passages. They are also fiberglass...with a lot of wood. There is a Canadian company now building a 34' Lyle Hess pilot cutter. Drop dead gorgeous. Again fiberglass with lots of wood. But new she has to be 600K+

Disclaimer: I own a BCC 8-)

[Johnathon123]

Thanks everyone, wooden boats will be harder to shift, I agree with your broker mate, but you only live once

So, what sort of sailing would you see her being designed for?

[zeehag]

long distance cruising, off shore passages and general sailing fun. lyle hess had 2 nephews, michael hess is still alive and building bccs...
they are truly a go anywhere , sail anywhere boat.

[blgklr]

If you have the funds to spare and want a solo circumnavigater maybe this is it. Not 4 me though even if I could afford it which I can't.

[Johnathon123]

Thanks Zeehag, blgklr, why would it not be for you, just not your style or a particular reason?

[boatman61]

Nice boat... very nice.. I love the open plan as well...
The toilets an easy solve and the 1/4 berths can be 'privatised easily as well...
As others have said its not the Trad Design but thats no big deal just won't track as well independently...
Yup.... solo or shorthanded I'd go for it... if I had the bucks...
I'd pick it over a similar priced Bendi thats for sure.....
but a Cheoy Lee Clipper... No...

[zeehag]

as i already have a formosa with lines that meke me wet, i have to bypass the beautiful bcc-- i met mike hes in sd at koehlers yard yrs ago-- he is a decent soul and makes a 40 ft now--he has a building shop in aus wherein he does this--or is affiliated with one...i frankly cannot afford the hess boats-- out of my price league-- but they are roomy inside and fleet of foot. good boats. if i had the mney, would eb a very very difficult choice between my formosa and the bcc. both rock.

i lived across a dock in lost angeles in 1994 wherein there was berthed a bcc on board which resided a family of 4--2 daughters and mom and dad...ALL were happy.

[Johnathon123]

Thanks everyone, I think it might be time to shuffle up north.

It is a little more than I wanted to spend but everything in the range I want to spend is less boat than I wanted to have.

So anyway let's see how it goes.

[blgklr]

Well the boat looks to have too much freeboard and windage for my taste. Also looks to be more boat than I would care to solo. But I have had 2 surgeries (one lower back,3 degenerative discs and one in the neck area, nerve damage.Me and Phil Collins have something in common.) But she may suit you perfectly. Hope she checks out and you get a deal you like. If I ever go bigger would be looking for minimum 28 waterline and lod 34 maximum preferably shorter. Rare in older boats I could afford. Good luck in the inquirey.

[Johnathon123]

Hi Blgklr, thanks for the opinion, Ironically i have a triple fusion and ongoing problems.

I have sailed for my entire life and really can't live without it

Appreciate the advice, certainly food for thought