Bayfield 32C

[aland]

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to find out more reviews or opinions on Bayfield 32C boats to cruise the blue waters. I am new to cruising and this has been my dream for mostly all my life. Now that I am middle aged, my wife a "land lubber" and myself would like to try this out. Please can you advise me, and also let me know if this boat is suitable as well as other recommendations in the 32 foot range.

Kind regards

Alan

[billangiep]

aland, Boat US had a good write up about the B32c last month...
billangiep/Bayfield 32c - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[Pblais]

Bayfields were solid built boats pretty much the whole line of boats are well done. Many are getting older so the condition of all the gear attached may be an issue.

[billyehh]

I sailed on a bayfield 29 about 15 years ago. Although not fast, its long keel made it track like the devil and was quite confortable. As mentioned earlier these are well built boats, but you had better have a good surveyor to help pick the right beauty rather than the dog

[aland]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Alan,
Welcome aboard!! There are a whole lot of books in the public library on boats and cruising and sailing if you haven't started reading on the subject yet. What I'm saying is that you don't have to buy them, just check them out.
I think the size boat you have picked is great. The Bayfield has a reputation of being solid but slow. Since you are not going to be racing then it doesn't matter how slow they are. When they say a cruising boat is slow that means that it is slow in acceleration and light winds not in top end speed in about 12-15 knot winds. There are a lot of boats in that length up to 36 feet that would be good to look at.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[aland]

Thanks SkiprJohn,

I am really excited, and am looking forward to it. What other boats are good blue water cruisers in the 32 foot range. Again I am not looking for a racer, but a good and seaworthy cruiser with a shallow draft and a decent size beam. The reason why I liked the B-32C was its distinctive shape and its strength... however I am not stuck on it as I yet have to make up my mind....hope it will be soon.

Kind regards

Aland

PS: I also appreciate all the wonderful feedback and the friendly advice from everyone.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Alan,
Westsail 32, Allied 32, Bristol 32 are just a few. If you can find a Fuji or Mariner 32 in good shape they are very seaworthy.
Good luck in your search.
JohnL

[Lydia]

I agrre with John on the Bristol.
Lydia

[Southern Star]

As the previous owner of Bayfield 32 it would not be high on my list for bluewater sailing. The construction is 'reasonably' solid, but if you compare displacement with other cruising boats of the same vintage it is decidedly on the low side. Structurally, it would also need to have the bridgedeck raised to the height of the cockpit seats before heading offshore.

In addition, the original standing rigging is a bit light and the winches are probably a size below ideal. Tankage would need to be significantly increased and, despite what appears to be a fairly roomy interior, storage space is limited. You should keep in mind that it was originally introduced as a '30' - the extra 2 feet are in the bowsprit and not the hull per se.

That being said they are certainly 'salty' looking, have a nice high (read dry) bow, a decent anchoring platform, they are easy to handle, forgiving, well balanced, reasonably shoal draft, have the advantage of a cutter rig for the stay sail/storm jib, have 2 proper sea berths, and all were equipped with diesels rather than the ubiquitous Atomic (bomb) 4 of the 70's and early 80's. For the Bahamas (or even the Caribbean ), it would be fine. For offshore...

Brad