Want to know what you think...

[SaltyMutt]

Haven't been on this forum long, but I see that nobody is afraid
to express thier opinion... I really like that about this site.

I ran across a website on blue water sailboats.
Sailboat Reviews of Offshore Cruising Yachts : Bluewaterboats.org

do these people know what there talking about?, or are they
full of it? Are these boats the cream of the crop for Bluewater Offshore?
Or would you say for instance a Bristol 24 is more suitable cruising the ICW?

Just want your feedback..

[Pete7]

I think you will find the selection represents the conservative american view of what a blue water yacht should look like and many of them have made very successful ocean voyages. Other sailing areas like Europe have different views. Neither is right or wrong, just different opinions about the characteristics folk prefer.

You wouldn't go far wrong considering yachts on that list as a start point.

Pete

[JPA Cate]

Some names missing from that list: Amel, Naiad, Moody, Oyster, Sundeer

Others may want to add more.

Frankly, there are some boats on that list that I would not buy if my goal were to circumnavigate.

Ann

[sabray]

Not a bad list. Are you circumnavigating? Or just looking for a blue water coastal boat. Really depends on what you are looking for.


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[Nicholson58]

I think the list is a bit short. Here is another good source. Help in understanding a selection and another list. This is my no means the total optimum list. There are a few less common boats built in smaller numbers that are real gems if they become available. Totally depends on your plans. If you just plan to inhabit the ICW then the field is quite wide. You need only to make sure you get under 63 foot bridges. Shallow draft will get you into your own private anchorages.


Mahina Expedition - Selecting A Boat for Offshore Cruising

[Jim Cate]

Well, to answer your query about "are these boats the cream of the crop...?":

The inclusion of the Catalina 27 suggests that no, these are not ALL creamy boats! I know that at least one (highly modified) C-27 has circumnavigated, but to call them good offshore boats is simply foolish.

And, as others have pointed out, vast numbers of very different vessels are daily making offshore passages. So, IMO, lists such as this may be of use in showing some possible designs, but they are surely not all inclusive.

Cheers,

Jim

[psk125]

Lots of people can express their opinions online. How do you know how valid their opinions are? The Cruising Club of America Technical Committee put together a book: "Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts", edited by John Rousmaniere, that brings up lots of the issues involved. Each boat is a mix of these issues, resolving them in different ways in a delicate balancing act. Reading the book and others like it will help you decide which resolution - which boat - is the right balance for you.

[SaltyMutt]

Originally Posted by sabray

Not a bad list. Are you circumnavigating? Or just looking for a blue water coastal boat. Really depends on what you are looking for.


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Circumnavigationg, I can't honestly say that it has never been a dream of mine. Reality is though; that because of my carear, family obligations, and
finances, I will never do anything that awesome. (Did cross the Atlantic and sail the Med on a AC Carrier not the same thing) Unfortunately
I'm going to be stuck as what you might call a wannabe...or a Coastal weekend warrior. Maybe some day I can cruise the Bahamas,
or U.S. Virgin Islands..but thats about as far as I will probably ever go.

[SaltyMutt]

Originally Posted by psk125

Lots of people can express their opinions online. How do you know how valid their opinions are? The Cruising Club of America Technical Committee put together a book: "Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts", edited by John Rousmaniere, that brings up lots of the issues involved. Each boat is a mix of these issues, resolving them in different ways in a delicate balancing act. Reading the book and others like it will help you decide which resolution - which boat - is the right balance for you.

Well, I don't know how valid the forum opinions are, but I respect each
and everyones opinions. Some of these people have logged quite a bit
of time at sea, and they probably have been around long enough to know
a little something or two.
Have you ever heard of Nick Jaffe?
this man had no sailing experience, no qualifications, very little money, and took a Contessa 26 on a two year round the world solo expedition.
I wonder how many board members of the Cruising Club of America Technical Committee have or could have pull that one off?

Please don't take offense. I am not criticizing your statement in anyway you acturally make a great point. its just that I like to hear from
people who have been there and done that also. I will check out that book thanks for the reference.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by SaltyMutt

Well, I don't know how valid the forum opinions are, but I respect each
and everyones opinions. Some of these people have logged quite a bit
of time at sea, and they probably have been around long enough to know
a little something or two.
Have you ever heard of Nick Jaffe?
this man had no sailing experience, no qualifications, very little money, and took a Contessa 26 on a two year round the world solo expedition.
I wonder how many board members of the Cruising Club of America Technical Committee have or could have pull that one off?

Please don't take offense. I am not criticizing your statement in anyway you acturally make a great point. its just that I like to hear from
people who have been there and done that also. I will check out that book thanks for the reference.

Luckily a Contessa 26 in reasonably good shape is a great sea boat and very much unlike a Catalina 27. However, the Catalina 27 if prepaired properly can go anywhere.

There are boats that are good for certain and several purposes but there are none that are good for all purposes. You kind of have to choose what your sailing is going to include in the next few years and then pick your boat to match.

I do like the list.

[SkiprJohn]

I should add that over the many years I've been sailing my taste in boats has changed considerably and I now find some boats very much more attractive to my taste than I did 40 years ago. You might consider that a factor in what you choose now. You may and probably will be changing boats in the future so get something you know will have a good resale value and take very good care of it.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

However, the Catalina 27 if prepaired properly can go anywhere.

Do you REALLY believe that, John?

I don't.

Jim

[Suijin]

I think safe to say that it's a good list of boats, but far, far from an inclusive list of blue water capable boats. As mentioned, there are many boats not on the list that would be safer and more comfortable than some that are on the list. I'd much rather cross an ocean on a Sundeer or Dashew, or dozens of other boats than on a Flicka 20, lol.

The boats on the list are there simply because they have built a reputation of being blue water capable and someone dug up a review of them. It's fun to peruse the reviews, but don't take them as gospel.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Do you REALLY believe that, John?

I don't.

Jim

Why, yes I do because I see quite a few have made it to the islands on their way to wherever. And too I've been aboard and sailed a few.

I don't think it would be my choice for a world cruiser but if fitted out properly I think it could go nearly anywhere just not with me aboard. Probably not the southern ocean!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Why, yes I do because I see quite a few have made it to the islands on their way to wherever. And too I've been aboard and sailed a few.

I don't think it would be my choice for a world cruiser but if fitted out properly I think it could go nearly anywhere just not with me aboard. Probably not the southern ocean!

John, to me there is a huge difference betwen "made it to the islands" and "go NEARLY anywhere" and your original statement.

I too have sailed on Cat-27s and think they are decent coastal/inshore boats, but the rig and hull scantlings are just inadequate for high latitude sailing. Some improvements can certainly be made, but the basic structure isn't very robust by Southern Ocean standards... or even Tasman Sea standards! The amount of work required to overcome the weaknesses is daunting and IMO impractical.

There are so many better boats in that size range... why would someone pick a Cat 27 for long range cruising?

Cheers,

Jim