Best Coastal Cruiser under 30ft?

[Bille29]

Originally Posted by jakenseattle

• My budget is $13,000
• Mono-hull
• Performance is important
• Traditional looks
• Overnight accommodations for 1

I sent you a private email thru this forum re an Ericson 29.

[gulfislandfred]

Can't see the aforementioned private email. Can you send it to

waterrat@island.net

[Silverbullet]

This one is slightly out of the box for what you are asking but I feel I must at least mention it. The Alberg 30' is amazing. The draft is greater than anything mentioned previously I believe. However, Ive never had a problem. Most areas for landfall are dredged in the US. The ones that arent are easily accessible via dingy. Would you even sail a shallow draft without a dingy anyhow? Mine is 9' and I have a couple of small outboards and oars I can use. Your life will be much easier and less stressful if you have a small boat to carry you in and out and you can always moor offshore. The Alberg 30 will do anything you ask of it. Google "The Alberg Site" and find a lot of Chesapeake Bay users...speaking of shallows. Years ago there was a race from the US to the UK. The participants encountered a huge, dangerous storm. The Alberg crews battened down and all finished the voyage. There were several boats sunk, some the more modern designs and a number of people died. This was proof positive to me that this was the boat I wanted. I cant think of anything on this boat I would change except most were fitted with an Atomic 4 gas engine. Nothing wrong with that, just personal preference. Mine is now fitted with a Perkins Diesel. You should be able to get one near your price range, even less for a fixer upper. If there is a safer, more durable, livable boat in this price and size range, I dont know what it would be. Ive sailed boats up to 62' and recently sold my 13 meter Rassmusen. And yes, I trailer my Alberg! Happy sails to you....

[macmanmike]

Having owned and sailed a '76 Sabre 28' and a '84 Catalina 30', I have some experience in the range of boats you're looking at. I currently sail a '81 Alberg 29'. Designed by Carl Alberg and built by Nye Boat Works, only about 80 were made from the late 70s-through '83 or so. Built upon the previously mentioned Alberg 30, Carl Alberg shortened the overhangs and filled out the bilge. The '29 draws 4'6", has a full (cut-away) keel with an attached rudder, keel-stepped mast, 6'1" headroom in the main canine, etc. Displacement is 9,000 lbs. A good solid boat that sails quite well. I was a little concerned with its performance when I bought her, but have been pleasantly surprised by her turn of speed. The cockpit is tight (small), but functional. Check out http:twentynine.ca I recently saw an '83 for sail on Yachtworld for $27K. A little pricey, but IMHO a lot of boat. I have seen them adv. in the low $20s. I would also second the Bayfield 29 recommendation as a slip mate has one and it seems like a nice boat.

[hamburking]

You can get a Pearson 30 for next to nothing.
$5,000 will get you a wide selection and eager sellers.
Be sure you get one with a diesel, and preferably new standing rigging.
Strong boat, simple, good for beginner. Classic looks, and really fast. Don't underestimate the importance of speed when doing a passage.
Did I mention you can get these for almost nothing...save your money for all those beach bars down south.
There are several on ebay right now in the $1k range.
I agree with the previous poster...dinghy with little outboard is crucial...anchor for free, and the dink is your "car".

[ndsailor]

I second the Westerly Centaur. For $13,000 you should be able to find a really nice one, if you can find one at all. They are getting long in the tooth. Have sailed mine in winds up to 65 mph and felt safe.

[woff]

"• Overnight accommodations for 1"

how about a Billy Nomates 29??

Forget it, your not ready to buy a boat! Learn to sail locally and all will be slowly revealed.

[fanderson357]

I love my Nonsuch 26 Easy sailing, plenty of head room and cabin space.

Though they are pricey, the workmanship is excellent.

[tropicalescape]

friend has a Hunter 34 1984 for sale in NC, Good Yanmar,brand new sails and new fully enclosed cockpit..Maybe 10,000-15,000 would get it...

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by jakenseattle

• My budget is $13,000
• Mono-hull
• Performance is important
• Traditional looks
• Overnight accommodations for 1

Pacific Seacraft Flicka comes to mind

Originally Posted by subquanta

I'll throw my vote in for the Albin Vega.

+1
I saw an Albin Vega recently on Craigslist for around $4,000 or so. Good following on those boats.


I would also recommend Cape Dory 27, Alberg 30. Plenty of boats out there. Good luck.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Bestathook

other than that we caught great crabs anchored at Anacortes.

Speak to your pharmacist.

[JonathanSail]

I'll second the Pearson 28 votes. I just sailed/motored mine up to the Potomac from NC and am really pleased with the boat. The 28 and 30 by Pearson are very similar and are solid though fairly simply made and can be had at low prices pretty easily. Pearson made a few boats in the 28 and 30 sizes over the years but none of them were bad and most would fit what you are looking for. The second generation (70's mostly) boats may be closer to what you are looking for though.

All new rigging for my 28-1 was only $1200 dollars or so from rigging only and was easy to install so keep that in mind for any boat this size. I'm also pleased with the atomic 4 and think it has advantages over a diesel for a coastal cruiser, though the main thing for any engine is that it's all in good working order.

As with any boat keep extra $$ in your budget for all of the inevitable expenses that will come up. I'd also add that you'll be best off if you find a boat that is as close to useable and ready to go as possible.

Good luck,

Jonathan

[CPYB Sailor]

At that price, look for a Pierson Triton 28. Circumnavigators. Find one with a diesel, though. NO Atomic 4's!

[billcrowley]

Have you looked at the Nor'Sea 27? It is a take-you-anywhere boat that can readily be single handed. An added benefit is that it is trailerable (1-ton truck required/10,000 lb. tow), so you can reach alternate sailing venues at 50 knots. If you budget is $13k, you may bed hard pressed to find one in that range; typically they are in the 20s.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by CPYB Sailor

At that price, look for a Pierson Triton 28. Circumnavigators. Find one with a diesel, though. NO Atomic 4's!