Blue water sailboats

[glavine]

What are the desirable attributes of a capable blue water sailboat?

[maxingout]

My first consideration is how the boat will stand up in a storm at sea. If I am not confident in how it will perform in extreme conditions, then I don't even consider the design. I am biased toward heavy displacement extremely strong yachts. Once I make it over that hurdle, I can live with lots of different compromises.

[model 10]

It needs to have the capability to have GREEN water over the deck. Screw this BLUE water thing, that can be just outside the harbor.

[glavine]

Ok,

What would you recommend for a green water sailboat?

[S/V Illusion]

Is this the most common question asked here?

[OnTour]

Originally Posted by glavine

Ok,

What would you recommend for a green water sailboat?

Westsail 32....everyone knows that.

[Capt Phil]

One that keeps water on the outside and crew on the inside in ALL kinds of weather! Phil

[Cruiser2B]

Whatever boat you feel comfortable going to sea on.....simple! There is no one correct boat for crossing oceans....fin keel, full keel, skegged rudder, spade rudder, ketch, cutter, junk.... all have crossed oceans and been in storms made it and these same designs have sunk at the dock... anything that floats will cross oceans, so chose what makes you feel comfortable based on your sailing knowledge, skills. Take care of your boat and she will take care of you! Do some reading, research and see what others are sailing.

[glavine]

I do not know if this is the most asked question. Perhaps this should be a separate topic thread.

[Crimea Cruiser]

Originally Posted by maxingout

My first consideration is how the boat will stand up in a storm at sea. If I am not confident in how it will perform in extreme conditions, then I don't even consider the design. I am biased toward heavy displacement extremely strong yachts. Once I make it over that hurdle, I can live with lots of different compromises.

Agreed!

[seandepagnier]

it needs to float or at least be capable of

[kumgang]

Originally Posted by Cruiser2B

Whatever boat you feel comfortable going to sea on.....simple! There is no one correct boat for crossing oceans....fin keel, full keel, skegged rudder, spade rudder, ketch, cutter, junk.... all have crossed oceans and been in storms made it and these same designs have sunk at the dock... anything that floats will cross oceans, so chose what makes you feel comfortable based on your sailing knowledge, skills. Take care of your boat and she will take care of you! Do some reading, research and see what others are sailing.

I agree. But...there are some boats that would stand better than others.
The ideal boat to me would be no more than 30', sloop, small cockpit, small windows and full keeled if possible.

[boatman61]

Have a read... http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ble-95349.html

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by glavine

What are the desirable attributes of a capable blue water sailboat?

A bluewater captain.

[Sailor_Hutch]

It seems to me that the true test for blue (or green) water is whether or not the deck is watertight. Does it matter, in most cases, how big the boat is (within reason?) Does it matter what material shapes the boat's hull (for most storms that are near misses?) Does deformation under stress play a part when the hull is not metal? Really - I don't know, but isn't it likely that any direct hit is an "SOL Davie" scenario anyway? Put a bung in a barrel, and it'll never sink (until it rusts). There may be only mush left in the barrel, but it's dryer mush, and less salty! Seems better.

So, my question, when I look at a boat, is "can it hold out water for awhile?" (maybe even many minutes) whilst it is upside down. The feeling I get from looking at most production boats - is that the companionway "storm hatches" are a joke, and the superstructure around the area of the main entrance is not securable without major redesign. In many cases, you are looking at a plywood on weak member sort of construction, to keep out the raging sea (ridiculous, IMHO). That's just my opinion at this time. Maybe someone can convince me to change it. I'm not the expert here, obviously, but doesn't this idea have the feeling of the truth ... " it just seems to me" ...