Ken from Melbourne, Australia

[Kenif]

Hi from overcast,wet and windy Melbourne. Well today anyway!

I frequent other forums and attempt not to ask repetitive and inane questions. I tend to lurk and read what others have to offer on the myriad of sailing issues that these forums investigate.

I am a member at Brighton and have been sailing for 12 months on Other People's Boats (OPBs). I like OPBs as I can get a look at a few and try them on for size so to speak.

I have recently figured a way to finance a boat and am now seriously considering ownership. Due to work and family I would describe my sailing future as:

• Day sailing on Port Phillip Bay (20 kmh S-SW 0.5 - 1.0 m swells)
• Most likely solo/short but possibly entertaining friends.
• O'nites to Queenscliffe/ Sorrento
• Out the heads to Apollo Bay, Port Fairy and Refuge Cove.
• Potential for King Island and Tassie.
• Have a preference for a slightly faster boat.

Now attempting to balance the heart with the head (and wallet) is going to be an issue. I'm not in any hurry. Feb will see me in Charter in the Gippy Lakes to experience something different again.

Keep the water on the outside!

Cheers

[JJB]

Hey Ken,
Nice to see you here. I haven't been here that long myself. In Queensland here.
Since I joined, I've seen a few other Aussies join as well as a few Kiwi's.

[Kenif]

Thanks JJB

You guys take care up there and make sure you do not do any unplanned sailing.

Mum and Dad are near the river at Maroochy and when i spoke to them this morning they were not concerned with flooding but I'm not too sure.

Regards

[JJB]

Yeah, I've been listening to ABC radio here all morning, they have been saying the level is higher than usual, but still a ways from flooding badly, alebit I heard they had 100mm of rain there this morning.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Kenif

Hi from overcast,wet and windy Melbourne. Well today anyway!

I frequent other forums and attempt not to ask repetitive and inane questions. I tend to lurk and read what others have to offer on the myriad of sailing issues that these forums investigate.

I am a member at Brighton and have been sailing for 12 months on Other People's Boats (OPBs). I like OPBs as I can get a look at a few and try them on for size so to speak.

I have recently figured a way to finance a boat and am now seriously considering ownership. Due to work and family I would describe my sailing future as:

• Day sailing on Port Phillip Bay (20 kmh S-SW 0.5 - 1.0 m swells)
• Most likely solo/short but possibly entertaining friends.
• O'nites to Queenscliffe/ Sorrento
• Out the heads to Apollo Bay, Port Fairy and Refuge Cove.
• Potential for King Island and Tassie.
• Have a preference for a slightly faster boat.

Now attempting to balance the heart with the head (and wallet) is going to be an issue. I'm not in any hurry. Feb will see me in Charter in the Gippy Lakes to experience something different again.

Keep the water on the outside!

Cheers

great stuff. Just remember that slightly faster can also mean a bit harder to handle in a blow. But like always the boat will come down to budget. What are you thinking about?

Cheers
Oz

[Kenif]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

great stuff. Just remember that slightly faster can also mean a bit harder to handle in a blow. But like always the boat will come down to budget. What are you thinking about?

Cheers
Oz

Well that's the problem Oz.

It all depends on the support i get from the wife.
I can spend up to $120K but if it's just me I find it hard to justify spending that amount of money.
I have considered the whole range of boats that may or may not fit my criteria and I am still no closer. Just to give you an idea:

• IF Folkboat (love the lines, seaworthiness, speed and accommodation?)
• Couta boat - just for day cruising
• Tophat - speed?
• Compass 28/29 - speed?
• Currawong - accomodation?
• Phantom 32 - speed not enough
• S$S 34 - don't like the fit out.
• Pretorian - favourite but hard to come buy and expensive $120+

Obviously i started looking at the $30 - 60k end of the market. I may need to start paying some closer attention to the $100K arena.

If I could I would look at:

• Ovni
• Allure
• Hanse
• Elan 350

Oh well - how confused am I? There is a Swanson Dart for sale at the moment that if it was in Melb I would probably buy just to get something!

Cheers

[Mick C]

Welcome aboart...I'm sailing out of Mornington and use the OPB form of transport quite a bit, find it cheaper....

Re the boat...the thing you are doing which is getting experince on boats is the best way to decide what boat because you ge the first hand feel for what its actually like. So I would strongly advise getting on as many different boats as you can.

In MYC I have been on a few of the boats and have found that the 30 foot mark is around minimum for me. Having said that the best fun I ahve had at 25~30knts wind was on an S80 which seemed to jump from wave to wave. My gut feeling on advise...experience as much as you can and make a decision that fits in both an initial budget and the on-going maintenance costs.

To our Brisbane / Qld friends...thinking of you all in this tragic time


Fair winds...
Mick

[JJB]

If your looking for something that performs a little better you do need to spend some more money, but there are a number of older boats that spring to mind that might just fit your budget of the older variety..
Farr 1020 - These usually have great fit outs and easy to handle
Farr 1104 - Harder to handle but really comfortable and great inside..
Mottle 33 - These are really great older boats, some might just find your budget range too, they aren't Ultra quick but they are no slouch..
Oh also one other just came to mind..
East Coast 31, these things are great little boats, their speed doesn't set the world on fire but again they aren't too bad, and will fit your price range.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and posting! I'm very familiar with the IF26 and there is one for sale in the islands here for $13500. Just check craigslist Hawaii. Looks like it has all the racing equipment for a transpac but no engine.
kind regards,

[Kenif]

I'm back.

Well posting anyway as i read the forum everyday but tend to be quiet unless something constructive to add.

Now I need to know if any of you salty dogs have experience with a Holland 25?

I know it's not what i was originally after but sometimes plans change.

Will be used mainly in PPB day sailing.

Cheers

[stillbuilding]

Hi Ken, I sailed out of Melbourne/Westernport for many years in different boats. Some great sailing options if you have the time to be flexible with the weather. Westernport good fun for a while. the Prom is so close, Bass strait and Tas all within easy hitting distance. Just pick your weather. Marvellous thing about Melb is the regular passage of highs/lows which mean you can actually get back with the change in wind from your destination. Not such good sailing just for a day but weekending over Geelong and the Peninsulars is OK. Need to keep the partner happy so make sure you use the opportunigy for fun time. Maybe better to start off cheaper and move up if everyone is happy.

[Kenif]

Stil....

That's the idea, see if everyone is happy.
Off tomorrow down the Gippy lakes for 3 days on a cruiser to see if everyone likes being on the water.
If everything goes well then I'll look at something that we can get 4-5 pers comfortably. If everything goes pear shape then the Holland is for me!!!!!

I was originally thinking 35 ' but too much risk.

What's your opinion on the ideal; boat for PPb?

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Kenif

I'm back.

Well posting anyway as i read the forum everyday but tend to be quiet unless something constructive to add.

Now I need to know if any of you salty dogs have experience with a Holland 25?

I know it's not what i was originally after but sometimes plans change.

Will be used mainly in PPB day sailing.

Cheers

I looked at one prior to buying my current boat. I was really surprised how much room they have in them. To be honest, I am a little sorry I went with the current boat and not the Holland. I bought speed not comfort, sigh!

Cheers
Oz

[Mick C]

Originally Posted by Kenif

I'm back.

Well posting anyway as i read the forum everyday but tend to be quiet unless something constructive to add.

Now I need to know if any of you salty dogs have experience with a Holland 25?

I know it's not what i was originally after but sometimes plans change.

Will be used mainly in PPB day sailing.

Cheers

I race on a Holland 30 and there is a Holland 25 that goes like the clappers in the club. Mind you he's a bloody good sailor too!
Yes, Holland are good solid boats. Remember that they are IOR boats with small back ends so they HATE going directly downwind. Its like being strapped to a clock pendulem!!!
Mick

[lamita]

Hi Kenif, Yesterday on the site I saw a comment about the Mottle keel being in the wrong place. Hmmmmmmm. Was this your comment and if so would love some info on this. We are looking at buying a mottle 33 and this keel positioning is a concern. We are looking for a yacht to sail around the cans and also as an upgrade from our trailer sailor before the overseas pipe dream.
cheers Anita