Shopping 32' to 34' - your fav?

[malyea]

Originally Posted by Jack Lahr

You may be lucky enough to find a well treated Tartan 33 or 34

Beautiful lines!

[Suijin]

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. The legendary J/35. Well built, will blow past or hold even with pretty much any other racer/cruiser in the same size range, great class racing, lots of them on the market, probably equipped with a good sail inventory for racing, well within your price range. Fun boat to sail.

http://www.jboats.com/j35-performance

Unfortunately it's one foot over your range. But reach for it!

Edit:

Rebel Yell is for sale at $29k. Pictured here dueling with Aunt Jean, a perennial contender for the class national championship. She comes with 13 sails in her locker lol. Looks pretty well maintained in general although the interior teak could use some oiling. She's on YachtWorld along with a fistful of other J/35s:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990...s#.Wb2Cy63MyRs



I'll add that if you want to race offshore, length matters. Every foot of waterline length makes it more enjoyable, not to mention safer.

[SV Sailfish]

Originally Posted by Suijin

Islander 34 (also sold as Nordic 34). Bob Perry racer-cruiser. Very sweet sailing boat with a killer PHRF rating.

+1 Great boats. Fast and solid. Raced one for years. And way, way under your budget. (Unless you are just dying to spend all your money on a floating house like a Hunter).

[TheThunderbird]

Hallberg Rassy, or Nauticat

[sandy stone]

I love J35's too, but after all these years you really have to watch out for core issues. A First 345 is getting a little old, but is a nice sailing, fairly fast boat with a comfortable interior.

[RSB333]

We like our 1984 Pearson 34. Good storage, OK performance, original engine is going strong and they are moderately priced so new sails and electronics won't break the bank

[UNCIVILIZED]

Most of the time people start looking for a boat that they like, including various criteria about the boat, & this isn't bad. But to really enjoy the boat, & sailing, you need to ask & honestly answer some questions about yourselves. For example, is heeling an issue? How much space do you need? Not just physically, but so that when cooped up together you don't get on each other's nerves. Especially since at times you'll be doing this 24/7, & it presents issues for a lot of folks. Particularly when spending little enough time at a dock. There are a lot of other's to ask as well, so think about what matters, & if you're curious as to what, folks here are happy to help.

The other thing is that with your budget you could even step up to 40' or so. Not that by any means you must, or that it's necessarily a good idea. Frankly it's very, very refreshing to see people shopping for something of more modest size. They're a lot easier to deal with. And it's far too common for people to go for the biggest boat that they "think" they can afford or manage. Only to have their budgets go flat in 3 years, or when it's time for a major refit. Which, the latter can sometimes cost as much as the boat.

[foggysail]

There is a lot of used boats out there. My experience with sail or for that matter, any boat is larger will always perform better than smaller. Ours was only 30', a vintage Hunter that we purchased new. It was safe and there were many times I wished it was 10' greater in length and bulk.

Now have a Silverton 40 aftcabin and would never go small again.

[malyea]

Lots of good thoughts here, as always. We've owned a '83 Hunter 30 and currently own a '87 Irwin 43 MkII - love 'em both.

The original post is just a simple question - what's your favorite 32' - 34' boat?

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by malyea

L

The original post is just a simple question - what's your favorite 32' - 34' boat?

My choice always sides with a larger boat

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by malyea

Lots of good thoughts here, as always. We've owned a '83 Hunter 30 and currently own a '87 Irwin 43 MkII - love 'em both.

The original post is just a simple question - what's your favorite 32' - 34' boat?

YOu're right! I just got carried away because I have no favorite in either size.

[Snore]

I am admittedly biased. But the older the vessel the more initial build quality is a factor.

A Tartan 33 or Tartan 34-2 are good choices. The T-33 can be had in the $20's, a 34-2 is almost identical and will go in the 50's.

Figure $3k for electronics and $5-6k for a new main and a 135. A few boat bucks for upgrades to running/standing rigging and to upgrade cabin upholstery. You would then have a nice ride for under $100.

Going with the Tartan means a trip to the Bahamas is doable.