A Full Keel Blue Water Cruiser Worthy of Living Aboard

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

For the most part since most full keel boats are older designs, to me none of them are good live aboards. Doesn't mean people don't do it and claim they are. But you can look at the layout of an older boat (almost a given that it will be full keel) and a 55' boat doesn't have as good a live aboard layout as a modern 40' boat.

Just the way it was and is.

About the only exception are the Island Packets.

I know of two couples living in the Med aboard beautifully restored 1980's vintage Hans Christian 43's along with their pets. Plenty of room with everything one needs for full time liveaboard and comfortable live style.

Presently, I'm in dry dock next to a Belgian fellow with another Hans Christian 43, who's boat would surely kick butt over one of the newer production boats when the weather turns sour. His teak decks and bright work look awesome & his marble galley sink, full teak interior and ceramic tiled shower are a nice touch, you won't see on production boats.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

...
Presently, I'm in dry dock next to a Belgian fellow with another Hans Christian 43, who's boat would surely kick butt over one of the newer production boats when the weather turns sour. His teak decks and bright work look awesome & his marble galley sink, full teak interior and ceramic tiled shower are a nice touch, you won't see on production boats.

Not properly suited for the med, except in what regards living aboard and stay put or motoring. Except the Aegean the Med on the sailing season has mostly weak winds with some occasional very strong ones. On the med one ends up doing a lot of upwind sailing. The Hans Christian is good on strong winds but does not sail properly with less than 10K and does not point very well.

For the med a full keel to have a decent sailing performance has to be a narrow and elegant boat, something like this:





Very nice, even if for having the needed interior space it has to be big and that means expensive in many ways.

[Kenomac]

Mr. Polux,

More of a world view is in order. All three couples with the HC 43's started their journeys in the UK or Belgium, are now exploring the Med, and then will continue to discover the rest of the world over the next 10-15 years. There's no such thing as a boat ideally suited for all locals. But some hardy boats can take you anywhere you wish to go in suitable luxury and safety.

I'm sure when we eventually take our Oyster over to the Bahamas, we'll find ourselves at a disadvantage due to our 7.3ft draft, and wishing we had a catamaran.

[SV Windrush II]

Food for thought;

From The Circumnavigators by Don Holm.


“Varua, which means “spirit” or “soul” in Tahitian, is considered by many aficionados to be the most beautiful and functionally perfect sailing yacht ever built.”

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by Polux

For the med a full keel to have a decent sailing performance has to be a narrow and elegant boat, something like this...

Very nice, even if for having the needed interior space it has to be big and that means expensive in many ways.

Looks like a J-boat.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by leightonyachts

Food for thought;

From The Circumnavigators by Don Holm.


“Varua, which means “spirit” or “soul” in Tahitian, is considered by many aficionados to be the most beautiful and functionally perfect sailing yacht ever built.”

Looks like a clipper.

[goboatingnow]

Presently, I'm in dry dock next to a Belgian fellow with another Hans Christian 43, who's boat would surely kick butt over one of the newer production boats when the weather turns sour. His teak decks and bright work look awesome & his marble galley sink, full teak interior and ceramic tiled shower are a nice touch, you won't see on production boats.,

I wasn't aware that teak decks, marble galleys, teak interior and tiled showers were useful in a handling heavy weather, but I learn something new everyday

dave

[SaltyMonkey]

If you can nap in it, it's gotta be good.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I wasn't aware that teak decks, marble galleys, teak interior and tiled showers were useful in a handling heavy weather, but I learn something new everyday

dave

When people talk teak, teak, marble, teak….

I want to run away into the coconut trees so I don't have to work.

I wanna go sailing. Don't need another job.

[SV Windrush II]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

If you can nap in it, it's gotta be good.

Nice!

[DDabs]

For upwind sailing there are many centerboard designed full keeled boats that would perform quite well, i.e., Hinckley, Little Harbor, etc.

Mason makes very fine full keeled boats.

Alden has modified fins with centerboards, another great choice.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Mr. Polux,

More of a world view is in order. All three couples with the HC 43's started their journeys in the UK or Belgium, are now exploring the Med, and then will continue to discover the rest of the world over the next 10-15 years. There's no such thing as a boat ideally suited for all locals. But some hardy boats can take you anywhere you wish to go in suitable luxury and safety.

I'm sure when we eventually take our Oyster over to the Bahamas, we'll find ourselves at a disadvantage due to our 7.3ft draft, and wishing we had a catamaran.

Mr Kenomac,

Yes I agree with you. Most boats can take you anywhere, if not all in luxury or with speed. The important is to have one suited to your life style be it a luxurious one or a sportive one, motoring or sailing, to each his pleasure

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Yeah the Tartan 34 , beautifull underwater shape, but nothing beat this Swan in terms of beauty... Just kidding...

No kidding, and sails well too. Thou every boat has some flaws just can't remember any on 65' (ok, the engines are in very crambed space, a PITA to maintain)

[Igotnuthin]

Forgive me if I am re-suggesting or suggesting contrary to requirements. Didn't feel like reading ALL 27 pages of posts.......
1976 Hughes Northstar 8020 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
I have one...she's solid, she's stable, she's big inside. Or if you don't want a ketch, a Hughes 40, same boat minus the mizzen.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

For the most part since most full keel boats are older designs, to me none of them are good live aboards. Doesn't mean people don't do it and claim they are. But you can look at the layout of an older boat (almost a given that it will be full keel) and a 55' boat doesn't have as good a live aboard layout as a modern 40' boat.

Just the way it was and is.

About the only exception are the Island Packets.

To those that replied to the above pointing out to me that you could live on a older full keel type of boat, please read what I wrote and not what you wanted it to say in order to correct me on it. People CAN live on any boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn't mean I would.