Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post - Formosa Boats

Ocean Girl · 01-07-2009, 16:35

Anjou,
As a single handing gal, I will give you my 2 cents

The formosa is too big and will sit at the dock unless you find crew. 41 formosa is almost 50 loa(?). It a great boat with pros and cons. I delivered one, 500 miles in the ICW and her best attributes was the space down below and her thick thick hull. We were caught by a storm, which sent huge logs/trees at five knots or so down the waterway, we hit a few of those head on and she just shook em off. The decks were rotten, and we had to "chop" the mizzen down to keep it from falling down on its own (no yard facilities). she leaked so bad, I slept in a garbage bag in my bunk to stay dry. When I got back to port and told my friends about the trip, they said how sorry they were that I had a bad trip. I told them "are you kidding? I had a blast!" What I'm getting at is I wanted the ocean so bad that I conformed to what ever I needed to do to get out on her. The comforts came later. I'm not suggesting you sleep in a garbage bag, but the more you are around boats the more you will be willing to trade off some comforts in order to get out there.

I think for your experience level, wants, and needs the Hans Christian 33, may be a good one, or the Baba. But they are out of your price range. Thw Westsail 32 would be around your price range and has that traditional lines that you like. Also consider living on a house boat, like rtbated suggested, have a sailboat tied up to her. It also sounds like you are not completely sold on the primitive lifestyle, I call it civilized camping

It is clear that you are being "called to the sea" as they say, you will find your boat, or as I like to say, she will find you. Stay patient, remember to have fun, this is all part of the adventure.

Hope this helps, sorry if it comes off preachy!
Erika

PS - I live on my 30 foot Cape Dory (9 foot beam), at first it seemed small, now it just feels perfect. Also, you can order a real mattress from companies that will cut it to fit in your bunk/v-berth. I have memory foam and love it.

01-07-2009, 16:35	#40
Ocean Girl Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kemah, Texas Boat: Cape Dory 30 cutter s/v Ocean Girl Posts: 855	Anjou, As a single handing gal, I will give you my 2 cents The formosa is too big and will sit at the dock unless you find crew. 41 formosa is almost 50 loa(?). It a great boat with pros and cons. I delivered one, 500 miles in the ICW and her best attributes was the space down below and her thick thick hull. We were caught by a storm, which sent huge logs/trees at five knots or so down the waterway, we hit a few of those head on and she just shook em off. The decks were rotten, and we had to "chop" the mizzen down to keep it from falling down on its own (no yard facilities). she leaked so bad, I slept in a garbage bag in my bunk to stay dry. When I got back to port and told my friends about the trip, they said how sorry they were that I had a bad trip. I told them "are you kidding? I had a blast!" What I'm getting at is I wanted the ocean so bad that I conformed to what ever I needed to do to get out on her. The comforts came later. I'm not suggesting you sleep in a garbage bag, but the more you are around boats the more you will be willing to trade off some comforts in order to get out there. I think for your experience level, wants, and needs the Hans Christian 33, may be a good one, or the Baba. But they are out of your price range. Thw Westsail 32 would be around your price range and has that traditional lines that you like. Also consider living on a house boat, like rtbated suggested, have a sailboat tied up to her. It also sounds like you are not completely sold on the primitive lifestyle, I call it civilized camping It is clear that you are being "called to the sea" as they say, you will find your boat, or as I like to say, she will find you. Stay patient, remember to have fun, this is all part of the adventure. Hope this helps, sorry if it comes off preachy! Erika PS - I live on my 30 foot Cape Dory (9 foot beam), at first it seemed small, now it just feels perfect. Also, you can order a real mattress from companies that will cut it to fit in your bunk/v-berth. I have memory foam and love it.