Seeking "Willy's Jeep" of Bluewater Monohulls

[TheOldPilot]

In my scan of boats to take me around the world, I wondered if anyone knows of designs that lend themselves to ease of maintenance, similar to the original Willy's Jeep. By this I mean, it can largely be maintained in the field with simple tools (or at least lean in this direction compared to others).

For instance, I know some (perhaps all) Shannons are designed so the water and fuel tanks can be replaced with simple hand tools and without having to cut anything.



This type of information is hard to locate with just simple internet searches, so I'm hoping this forum can be a more expedient resource. Specifically, I'm looking at something 27-40 feet, preferably cutter rigged, with an encapsulated keel. If not outright designed for ease of maintenance, any insights you have on certain models where the designers "did things right" in terms of planning for maintenance are appreciated.

[Junglebike]

Originally Posted by TheOldPilot

In my scan of boats to take me around the world, I wondered if anyone knows of designs that lend themselves to ease of maintenance, similar to the original Willy's Jeep. By this I mean, it can largely be maintained in the field with simple tools (or at least lean in this direction compared to others).

For instance, I know some (perhaps all) Shannons are designed so the water and fuel tanks can be replaced with simple hand tools and without having to cut anything.



This type of information is hard to locate with just simple internet searches, so I'm hoping this forum can be a more expedient resource. Specifically, I'm looking at something 27-40 feet, preferably cutter rigged, with an encapsulated keel. If not outright designed for ease of maintenance, any insights you have on certain models where the designers "did things right" in terms of planning for maintenance are appreciated.

Interesting question. There's a difference between maintenance & refit. Replacing fuel and water tanks is not something that's regularly done - it may never need to be done if the tanks are designed correctly in the first place. Designing a boat is a series of compromises, and I'm not sure I'd want the designer to compromise, say, storage volume or access, in exchange for ease of removing water & fuel tanks.

Sailboats are really different from cars, so I'm not sure the Willis analogy holds up. It sounds like what you really want is good access to perform normal maintenance (everyone wants that), and few, simple systems (not everyone wants this).

Sorry I can't offer specific suggestions - I'm not sure this line of thinking is going to be terribly productive in finding the right boat for you. I'd wager that almost any simple older sailboat properly prepared for your objectives could be "maintained in the field with simple tools".

[Bill Seal]

Probably looking for a boat that (unlike my little Formosa) doesn't require "sailboat yoga" to just change the oil.
Like the engine under a removable cockpit floor, water and fuel tanks that will fit through that opening or through the hatch, etc.

[thomm225]

Sure.

They are located on the Atom Voyages website and if maintenance is a problem get a smaller one and put a new 5-6 hp outboard on it. (4 stroke , 25" shaft)

I chose a Bristol 27 about 11 years ago that I paid $2,000 for and put a new 5 hp 4 stroke outboard on it plus new sails, solar, autopilot, computers, etc, etc

(and get rid of the old leaky, smelly diesel) I use that area for storage which right now is several cases of bottles water)

I have still done no structural repairs. No thruhull replacements, no new rigging, no rebedding of deck hardware. Nothing of this nature which new sailors seem to love to do to their new/old boats.

I do plan to replace the rigging though in the next 2-3 years as it may be about 20 plus years old but these older boats have like 8 stays (and as many separate chain plates) as compared to newer ones with 4-6 and half the chain plates or they are attached to bulkheads not fiberglass kness.

Also just noticed in his videos he has a Mantus anchor on the bow of his boat which I just recently bought to see if it can perform as well as my old CQR has done.

https://atomvoyages.com/planning/cla...ers-list-html/

https://atomvoyages.com/videos/

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by Junglebike

Sailboats are really different from cars, so I'm not sure the Willis analogy holds up.

Sure it does. You have an engine, transmission, electrical system with the added plumbing and rigging on a boat.

As technology progressed all of these systems became more complex and in some cases you now require industry specialists for diagnostics and repair.
Who fixes there own car any more?

So I would suggest any older vessel would suit your criteria. None are easy maintenance and access is always difficult but they can be maintained by the owner with simple tools and a little general knowledge.

[Searles]

A good old Tahiti gaff ketch ,should fill the bill ,⛵️⚓️

[carlosproa]

Originally Posted by TheOldPilot

In my scan of boats to take me around the world, I wondered if anyone knows of designs that lend themselves to ease of maintenance, similar to the original Willy's Jeep. By this I mean, it can largely be maintained in the field with simple tools (or at least lean in this direction compared to others).

For instance, I know some (perhaps all) Shannons are designed so the water and fuel tanks can be replaced with simple hand tools and without having to cut anything.



This type of information is hard to locate with just simple internet searches, so I'm hoping this forum can be a more expedient resource. Specifically, I'm looking at something 27-40 feet, preferably cutter rigged, with an encapsulated keel. If not outright designed for ease of maintenance, any insights you have on certain models where the designers "did things right" in terms of planning for maintenance are appreciated.

Willy’s had a lot of options for farming tools to even skies for snow!

If keeping to a DIY simple as heck, then any of those British two keel monohulls would afford you to bottom paint anywhere, get a small outboard or even a Yuloh oar to propel yourself, get a basic hand held vhf and manual charts, no rollerfurlers of any kind, chain and anchor only, no pressure water, a bucket toilet, oil lamps, no electrical needed other than a small flexible solar panel for your handheld vhf.

That is as Willie as you can get

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Searles

A good old Tahiti gaff ketch ,should fill the bill ,⛵️⚓️

I was going to suggest a Westsail 32, they're a pretty simple boat and most anything on them is relatively accessible without learning new and improved epitaphs and colorful language.
Caveat: No Teak Decks.

[Caleb_Grey]

Originally Posted by TheOldPilot

In my scan of boats to take me around the world, I wondered if anyone knows of designs that lend themselves to ease of maintenance, similar to the original Willy's Jeep.

Mid 80's Pearson in your size range is what you seek

[Ballsnall]

Where's the fun if no new and improved epitaphs?

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard OldPilot!
When you say old pilot, are we talking about things like a staggerwing Beech? (my dad had a Cessna 195)
For good old boats, I can recommend mine, Columbia 29. The water tank is plastic and under the cabin sole, I don't anticipate it needing anything ever. I have an outbaord, but the inboard models had the fuel tank under the cockpit and I have seen boats like mine where the owner made modifications to the cockpit floor to open it up to get at the tank and inboard engine. My boat, like the old Bristols and Pearsons and Albergs, is simple and strong and I am pretty much sailing on a shoestring and she does well for me and the family for local coastal cruising. With an 8' beam and 22.5' waterline, she ain't very big inside, but she sails very well and is fast for her age (1962.) In my size, and the range you describe (if you are down in the 27' range), it is hard to pack in all the gear you need to be "bluewater" IMO but she is a capable little boat!
Good luck and let us know more about your preferences and discoveries!
Check this site:
https://bluewaterboats.org/

[Russ]

I have a Ted Brewer Kingsland Pilothouse with trap door access to the engine room. My ER is so big you could lie down in it. The Best Feature by far.
My Yanmar 110 hp is unfortunately not naturally aspirated but pretty bulletproof. After that, you go the opposite way to fewer and fewer systems, NO hot water, No engine, No flushing head but composter. Kerosene lights like the Pardys
It All Depends on how many headaches you are willing to deal with for the added "benefit" of whatever.

[MicHughV]

These are always tough threads to get a handle on.

For what it's worth....my first choice would be a steel hull...everything after that is just fluff.

Failing to find a steel boat, I'd go for the older plastics, when fiberglass was still a relatively new building materials and hull were laid up extra thick for " just in case". Quite a few picks from this segment are still around.

[TrentePieds]

Remember Old Man Occam and 'is razor!: Eschew complexity! Reduce the number of mechanical gizmos aboard! Get an old boat innocent of "improvements"!

Make and model are relatively unimportant. Size has SOME importance. Get the SMALLEST boat you can live with.

the Hulls of boats built during the last half century are made from what is so delicately called "frozen snot". It's nearly indestructible, thus nearly maintenance free. All other things that make up a yacht are "bags hung on". The fewer bags, the simpler your life. E.g. Don't bother with complexities such a roller furling. A good seaman/skipper does not NEED such complexities. So don't spend too much time looking for the "perfect" boat. Spend the time and effort on becoming a good seaman/skipper.

Take a leaf from the book of old Joshua Slocum and his Spray. Go for a boat with a LOT of sail (high Sail Area/Displacement ratio) so you can sail in very light airs, and rig 'er so you can reduce canvas to the point where the boat, and therefore you, will be comfortable when "the scattered waters rave and the winds their revels keep".

Remember it is not the boat that takes the crew safely across oceans. It's the crew that takes the boat safely across oceans!

All the best!

TrentePieds

[Bill Seal]

For what it's worth, Ben Carlin circumnavigated in a Jeep.
I liked the part where he stopped in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to pop the head and lap the valves.