Cheap-ish Bluewater Cruisers with Speed

[scm007]

I'm currently doing some research and have another question.

What are some of the well known, older bluewater cruisers in the 29' -- 37' range? Something that is setup for in cabin controls, watertight, front looking windows would be great, and fastish. Again age is not really an issue, but newer than 30 years would be great.

[swabbmob]

Well now there is an open question.

Tayana
Valiant
Westsail
Tartan
My Hunter Cherubini
Mason 43
Bayfield
Cheoy Lee Golden Wave
Cheoy Lee Offshore 41
Baba
Hans Christian
Herreshoff
Mariner Wm Garden designs
Ta Chaio

Now get on Yachtworld and start lookin at boats!

[slomotion]

Well, don't know that anything with "in cabin controls" is particularly "fastish." But, among the most respected and reasonably good sailors are Fishers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(yachts)

and

fisher (Sail) Motorsailer/Pilothouse Boats For Sale

[scm007]

Those are way out of my price range, but they do look amazing!

[Pathfinder]

Cheapish, Fast and Blue Water; I think it's pick any two.

[scm007]

Really? Why should blue water and fast be so hard to make?

[scm007]

What about Islanders? Are those good boats?

[SouthernComfort]

I don't know if you will find this boat in a blue water pilot house boat (assuming pilot house is what you mean by in cabin controls).

I have read here and elswhere that certain Beneteau first series of boats make a good blue water boat, and they are fast racer/cruisers. They will not be found with a pilothouse though.

[scm007]

How necessary to you think having a pilothouse is in a bluewater cruiser?

[swabbmob]

a pilothouse is actually a detriment to a blue water boat. the large windows can be crushed by waves in an offshore storm.

the beneteau first series and the Idylle series are tough solid (older) boats

islanders are good boats - the Freeport 41 is a pretty decent cruiser, but may not be the strongest blue water boat. but properly sailed and understanding the proper time to be in a particular place, (like not in hurricane season) it should be a solid boat (requiring plenty of maintenance and myabe refurbishment).

[SouthernComfort]

I'm not a bluewater sailor, but all the folks I know of that do crossings, do so in regular aft cockpit sailboats designed for the task. Most, if not all, do have a dodger to protect from spray.

All your newer boats will have all controls led aft to the cockpit. My boat is a '87 and even it has reefing lines even led aft.

My surveyor told me once that a sailboat has three design elements that people seek. any two of these will work but all three will not.

Comfort
Strength
Speed

If you want strength and comfort, you give up or comprimise speed

Speed and strength you give up comfort

You get the point.

I'm sure someone with real sea-miles under his or hers belt will chime in soon to give you more insight and help than I.

Good luck in your search

[scm007]

Let me ask another question.. do you think any of the cruisers built by the "approved" shipbuilders as it were, are safe for the open ocean? The rest just comes down to comfort, speed, amenities, etc?? This is for general boats, not specific ones.

[Pathfinder]

Here is a web page John Neal of Mahina Expeditions has put a lot of work into backed by 257,000 miles of blue water sailing which lists boats he thinks are suitable for offshore cruising. It is worth a good look and I hope you find it helpful. Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder

Here is a web page John Neal of Mahina Expeditions has put a lot of work into backed by 257,000 miles of blue water sailing which lists boats he thinks are suitable for offshore cruising. It is worth a good look and I hope you find it helpful. Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction

Interesting, though he doesn't mention the Tayana 37, more of which have circumnavigated than any other boat (or so it is said ... I've never seen the stats). He also doesn't mention the Baba.

Maybe just an oversight.

[bob perry]

This is a big target. I'm going to need a shotgun.