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

[Mark Johnson]

OOPS!

[storyinframes]

Well, I dont have a boat yet but have some sailing experience. anyways, i will put in my 2 cents.

I feel any modern production boat like Beneteau can also prove to be a bluewater boat provided she is handled sensibly by a "good sailor".

because in times of crises/bad weather your experience is your check-off list - it will come to you naturally.

Many would disagree but I think its the man behind the machine that matters more.

cheers

[storyinframes]

And if someone asks me if I would be willing to sail across an ocean in a Beneteau? I would say yes.

[bob perry]

gear guy:
The Westsail was a Crealock knock off of a William Atkin design which was his "interpritation" of the Colin Archer Type.

[boatgearguy]

Originally Posted by bob perry

gear guy:
The Westsail was a Crealock knock off of a William Atkin design which was his "interpritation" of the Colin Archer Type.

I stand corrected Mr. Perry, you're absolutely right.

[Ancient.Mariner]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

After lots of thoughtful contemplation, QM2 best, Titanic worst.

As I'm watching by the QE2 in Port Rashid in Duabi (at this moment) I have to say I can see any sails, unless you count that big red funnel. Just joking but for my vote it would have to be the Tayana 37, what a beautiful and practical SAILboat. Comfortable, great for a single hander and such character

AM

[biltong]

I don't know why, but perhaps the Amel Sharki is the best 12m around.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by boatgearguy

I vote for the Westsail 32 for the following reasons:
1- It changed the face of world cruising.
2- Built in significant numbers.
3- Safety, it protects the crew in difficult situations.
4- Affordable, makes the dream a reality.
5- Serviceable, parts and assistance available.
6- A manageable size yet lots of room below.
7- Classic Colin Archer/Crealock design.

Well there were plenty of Ingrids built too. Same with the Tayana 37, Valiant 40, Bristol Channel Cutter, Crealock/Pacific Seacraft 37, etc.

There were a ton of copycat double-enders built on the Colin Archer/William Atkin formula: Alajuelas, Dreadnoghts, etc. And a few Lyle Hess copycat designs (my boat is one of these). Some were better than others.

IMHO you have to give serious consideration to Steve Dashew's Deerfoots, and other more modern semi-custom and custom cruising designs if you want to pick the "best" all-time cruising boat. You also have to look at cruising cats. If I were planning a single-handed circumnavigation today, the first boat on my list would be a Seawind 1160. Not too big, not too small, easy to handle.

[Arcady]

Anyone mentioned Cabo Rico yet? The CR38 was a Bill Crealock classic and I believe the Chuck Paine CR42 won the accolade of 'Ultimate Blue Water Cruiser' a few years back. Pretty boats and well built by all accounts.

[doug86]

Hands down winner for me, Dashew's Beowulf



DashewOffshore.com - the serious cruising sailor's website

[Dynamo1181]

Passport 40'/41'. Magic Moments(1988 41') has served us well for 18 yrs. Thanks Bob P!

A

[bob perry]

Dynamo:
You are welcome.

[Dynamo1181]

BTW...over 50,000 miles under the keel in that period )
A

[S/V Alchemy]

While I think arguments like this are both futile and fun, like arguing about the superiority of cloves over cinnamon as a coffee additive, maybe, it reminds me that the two designers whose work I've found most appropriate to my conceptions...Bob Perry and Ted Brewer...have designed quite different boats over the years, and to my eye in different "schools", and yet most people who know the work of both seem to admire both.

And of course, the way life plays out means that I will cruise on a boat designed by neither man, so I'd better feel the love even if I can't make a case for it!

[andreavanduyn]

perhaps only 8 produced but I wonder what Mr.Perry thinks , and all of you, on the Orion 50' designed by Gary Mull.
He used a 58' racing hull he designed, took 8' off and added a truly full wood interior alike not many on production boats have; produced all by Ta Shing.

Our last boat was a 36' full carbon produced by ourselves in Eastern Europe and designed by Andrej Justin so to go 'back' to a heavy cruiser needed this Orion to convince us as a family that she is truly 'one of not many' on the water.

She is our ultimate choice and has not disappointed our high expectations yet.

http://sailboatdata.com/VIEWRECORD.ASP?CLASS_ID=2755