Vote On the 'Best Blue Water Cruising Sailboat of All Time'

[sabray]

Originally Posted by speedoo

For a fast, comfortable, blue water capable and roomy cruiser that is also affordable, I would nominate the Kelly Peterson 44.

Peterson Cutter Website - Welcome

My used list
Biased I am, Cambria 44 a little pricey not many around but great sailor ,peterson 44 I love mine, and tartan 37 Agree with the valiant being nominated. So the new one on the list is cambria no longer produced.

[bene343]

I've been fortunate to spend some time crewing and delivering this boat:

1968 Abeking & Rasmussen Tripp Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[dkall]

Although I'm as biased as anyone else on this forum; I'll add that any boat for a couple expecting to do anything on the E coast of the US should have less then 6' draft and less then 65' vertical clearance off the water. To go more either way will definitely limit your options on the East coast. Of course you said "Blue water" but you also said cruising and IMHO cruising means you keep as many options open as possible.

Some might say the draft should be less to increase the number of places one can duck into but if your draft gets more than 6' in the ICW then you almost bump all the way and if the mast height is to much then you really can't go far from inlets in the ICW.

Fair Winds

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by dkall

Although I'm as biased as anyone else on this forum; I'll add that any boat for a couple expecting to do anything on the E coast of the US should have less then 6' draft and less then 65' vertical clearance off the water. To go more either way will definitely limit your options on the East coast. Of course you said "Blue water" but you also said cruising and IMHO cruising means you keep as many options open as possible.

Some might say the draft should be less to increase the number of places one can duck into but if your draft gets more than 6' in the ICW then you almost bump all the way and if the mast height is to much then you really can't go far from inlets in the ICW.

Fair Winds

Yes, there are limitations for such a boat, but in my opinion, these are not significant limitations, unless one wants to spend a lot of time in the ICW and explore throughout the Bahamas. I think there are plenty of sailors with boats greater than 6' and 65' who are able to do as much cruising as they want to on the East Coast. They might use their dinks to explore more than other sailors do, but there's nothing wrong with that.

[dkall]

I didn't see what boat you have.

I know some of the sailors that have a boat larger then the limits I mentioned above and they don't do much exploring and the inlets do limit them. You are right that if you're not planning on spending time in the US east coast then it doesn't matter.

In our case we're spending less then 1 year total on the East coast and every time I go under a bridge the wife sends me below and if I have the depth sounder on the nerves get me when we have less then 6" of water under the keel. That's just me; however, as I speak to others in a similar situation - those feelings are much the same.

My boat has around a 63.5' clearance off the water and our designed draft is 5'8" and loaded we're close to 6'. Up here near the Chesapeake I know we've dragged the keel a few times through the mud.

Fair Winds

[supercharged]

I am looking for a great blue water cruiser in the 20 to 30 LOA size and was wondering what models (any years - old and new) I should be concentrating on. CAL25, O'Day 25, Hunter????

Scottsman

[bobfnbw]

As anyone who has one knows, its the best of many comprimises, aurguably of course.
5.5' draft, annd <63 foot mast, nice aft stateroom with head, good ventilation, nice engine room, fairly large salon, center cockpit, good use of deck space... nice vberth.

True not the fastest, or the best looking, but then who wants to do all that teak work?

But the best thing is price. They can be had for not to much cash, pay it off fast and put the rest into upgrades... if done right you will have a boat that will go most anywhere, comfortably, and still have money to cruise.

My take anyway, and I'm sticking to it.

Bob

[James S]

I liken it to the best shoes.....if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in them the best ones are the most comfortable ones.
For me that means one that has lines a bit like this and weighs a lot.

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by supercharged

I am looking for a great blue water cruiser in the 20 to 30 LOA size and was wondering what models (any years - old and new) I should be concentrating on. CAL25, O'Day 25, Hunter????

Scottsman

If you really want a blue water cruiser, take a look at this book:

Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

By Gregg Nestor

All the boats he recommends are at least 30 feet LOA. The boats are in the Table of Contents:

Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take ... - Google Books

John Vigor wrote a similar book earlier entitled "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere. He focused on smaller boats like the Catalina 27 which is widely available on the used boat market.

Both books will help you a lot.

[S&S]

Best Blue Water Cruising Sailboat of All Time?

Easy: Mine!

[Curmudgeon]

Or look at John Vigor's "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere," which includes a number of boats under 30 feet. Some of these smaller boats, such as the Bristol 27 and Cape Dory 25D, are affordable. I saw a 25D in good condition for sale in Rhode Island for around 10K.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I like to think my Hans Christian is built like a brick $#!+ house. It's based on the Wetsnail 32 to some extent, but I think it really improved on it. Mariah's are nice too.

The crew is really a lot more important than the boat. Crews break before boats do.

You can get a fully equipped and ready to sail Westsail 32 easily for 40,000 and your HC for twice or more the price.

That's a big difference.

[son_of_a_sailor3]

i would have to say to sail at or faster than true wind speed and to have the ability to out point most monohulls and stay even with the high performance racing monohulls. I know we all wait for the right weather window, but in reality we all know that "Murphy" always shows up with no wind or wind from the wrong direction. I would like to Be able to sail well in any wind condition means the trip will be shorter and far more enjoyable for captain and crew. Why do some say sailing in 10 knots or better so important? From my view of it all its all about the safety standpoint of getting to your destination in a shorter time cuts down your chances of encountering unexpected weather changes or surprises of any sort! SO I am going with a Multihull or trimaran, but in this case GUNBOAT 62

[son_of_a_sailor3]

You guys need to stop sailing with that lead Keel stuff! Your waisting time! Life is to short.

[s/v Beth]

Make mine the third vote for a Valiant 40. You done good Bob!