The best blue water cruiser under 45ft

[PeteTheDeliverySkipper]

The Rustler 42 has to be right up there as one of my favourite boats in this category.

We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to deliver one from Madeira to the UK:

http://youtu.be/sGO8VxuVihM

What would be your choice?

Pete

[Don C L]

Well, I don't have extensive experience with different boats, but I sure enjoyed the Peterson 44 I chartered years ago. Had it out going upwind in steep short period swells and 25-35kts and she handled it beautifully. If I am ever in that market that one would be on the short list.

[Lowcountry]

That's like asking which anchor is best. There is no answer to that question.

[TheOffice]

My boat! Hylas 44.

(not the C&C in my photo)

[Seighlor]

Don't know if it's the best but I sailed the Dave Perry designed LaFitte 44 for about fifteen years. It's a heavy boat, well constructed and well balanced. She's very comfortable in all sea conditions and, considering her displacement, a good performer.

[Eskimo]

Hard to beat the Outbound 44/46. Designed by sailors for sailors to be fast, comfortable, and is very well built.

[sailing_gal]

I sailed across the pond in my Island Packet 420. Extremely sea kindly and secure and plenty of room inside to be comfortable.

[chowdan]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

Hard to beat the Outbound 44/46. Designed by sailors for sailors to be fast, comfortable, and is very well built.

Recently saw one in my neighborhood. For a modern yacht, I would agree. Not sure of materials but design wise, itd be near the top of my list if I were buying new/slightly used and planning on not doing high latitudes sailing

[JohnHolland]

rustler 42 & KP 44 for sure
uh

[Pizzazz]

Clearly a difficult question to answer, a little bit like which car is the best for long distance driving. I assume it has to be a new build and the 45 feet is approx. in this case, I would be tempted to say either a current Swan 48, a HR 44 or an Amel. You can also look at the selling prices and pick the most expensive, you will not be far off. However, it is definitely not an IP, a Hylas or a Peterson. Not that there is anything wrong with these boats, they are excellent but not state of the art today.

Further, if you ask the people who have the money to spend, they go for a custom boat or a Beneteau. For example, I spent a lot of time convincing a well off friend of mine to look at the proper ocean going boats and he ended up with a Beneteau (twice actually, bought one six years ago, and another one a year ago). For him it was the perfect boat because of the light, the layout, the transom and he had full time crew to do maintenance and fix the boat that was falling apart after a few years. This is why buying a car or a boat is a very personal decision.

Also, look at the ARC boats. This is where the sailing is today.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

Don't know if it's the best but I sailed the Dave Perry designed LaFitte 44 for about fifteen years. It's a heavy boat, well constructed and well balanced. She's very comfortable in all sea conditions and, considering her displacement, a good performer.

I agree with Seighlor, Robert Perry designed some sturdy, sea kindly, well balanced, offshore boats that still exhibit excellent performance. Valiant 40/42 Cutters, (ours), and Nordic 40/44 Sloops come to mind.

[Ericson38]

Norseman 447 (Perry) and Taswell 43 (Dixon). Both built by Ta Shing. I have sailed a KP44 in very rough conditions in Channel Island National Park with Sea Scouts. It is a tough boat, well balanced, and handles the rough stuff as good as any sea boat that size possibly could.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Ericson38

Norseman 447 (Perry) and Taswell 43 (Dixon). Both built by Ta Shing. I have sailed a KP44 in very rough conditions in Channel Island National Park with Sea Scouts. It is a tough boat, well balanced, and handles the rough stuff as good as any sea boat that size possibly could.

Hey me too! When were you there with those scouts?

[Bundyon]

What's the best boat under 45'??
So many variants! IMHO, the boat that you have busted a gut to buy, customise to your requirements and to fulfil your needs. Not everyone has the neccessary funds to buy the latest factory built weapon.
I am selling my Roberts Mauritius 45 (f/g) to help fund the recent purchase of a 42' Roberts Spray (steely) pilot house ketch that suits my needs to a tee! I have spent 2 months on the hard, rewiring, replumbing, updating systems and electronics. Today, we spray the topsides, tomorrow we lay on the antifoul, the next couple of days, we tidy up and hopefully in the water Wednesday. The satisfaction of doing the ol' girl up with the help of my missus is 10 plus! Not fast, bit like the tortoise and the hare, no rush, we will get there in a boat that is built like a brick outhouse!!��

[billburr]

Spencer 1330. Will go anywhere in any weather.