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vicki6 · 16-01-2021, 12:58

Inspired by the Atom Voyages, I'd like to learn how much others have spent on their Blue Water Monohulls Under 32ft.
A little info about me. I have plenty of sailing experience on various wooden dingies thanks to my uncle. I grew up helping him maintain his old boats, nothing classical, mostly junks, but they still sailed fine after fixing them up. I've not sailed anything since he passed. I owe him the best childhood one can ever have.
Now, it's time for me to buy my first sailboat. Old sailboats like Flicka 20 or Dana 24 are what I want. Money is not an issue; still, this doesn't mean that I wanna spend a little fortune. As my experience is on dingies only, I'd hate to jump on something longer than 25 ft. This part is my problem, and this tread is not about that at all...
I had been invited to a few cruises on friends' boats. One of my friends chartered a cat; I hated it so badly. I helped sailing a Hunter and a Beneteau, and didn't like either of them. While going through the posts here, I came across Atom Voyages...
This thread is not about what boat I should buy, or how I should learn to sail, or opinions on certain sailboats, or what I'm doing wrong, or seeking help of any kind.
I just want to learn the story of the real life owners of these kinds of sailboats. I will not be writing many replies so that this can stay as an easy to follow, well organized post.
So if you own one of the sailboats listed on Atom Voyages, please share us your story here. How much money and time you had to spend to finally sail it away, a couple of photos maybe, and what ever you'd like to say about the boat.

EarlWer · 16-01-2021, 13:20

Where are you located?
Unfortunately, with COVID, inspecting boats in a different country is a problem.
I am looking for a similar boat, but I'm restricted to boats in Canada.

Here's a '71 Seawind 30 in Montreal for $22,500 CDN (that under $18,000 US)
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-voilier/vill...ass/1435778662

Very nice but more than I am planning on spending...

EarlWer · 16-01-2021, 13:35

... and an Alberg 30 for $20,000 CDN
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-voilier/vill...979/1497246572

The Alberg 30 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org

I'm going to reconsider my budget...

**boatman61** · 16-01-2021, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlWer

... and an Alberg 30 for $20,000 CDN
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-voilier/vill...979/1497246572

The Alberg 30 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org

I'm going to reconsider my budget...

I don't think Vicki6 is looking to buy a boat..
Just for tales and experiences from people who have owned boats in the Atom Boats List..

EarlWer · 16-01-2021, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

I don't think Vicki6 is looking to buy a boat..
Just for tales and experiences from people who have owned boats in the Atom Boats List..

Ooops, my bad. Maybe she should buy one ;-)

**Adelie** · 16-01-2021, 14:47

Welcome.

**Don C L** · 17-01-2021, 00:15

Welcome aboard here Vicki! You are welcome to see my albums, I have one of those on the Atom Voyages list, a 1962 Columbia 29. I did not get my boat because it was on any list though. It was one I had known of since I started sailing over 40 years ago. At the time then the first boat I got was a Columbia 24, but I knew of a couple who had a Columbia 29 in the harbor. Now to me at the time it seemed like a HUGE boat!

I always admired it and I had so much fun in my 24 that it planted the seed in me that one day I'd get the 29. About 7 years ago when I figured my youngest child was old enough, I figured it was time to go looking for the 29. I actually looked up and down the west coast for a few weeks and then one came up for sale in my nearest harbor! I called the seller and he said, "oh get back to me in a couple weeks after I finish painting her." So I did. When I called him back he said, "oh well I already promised it to another guy." I was crestfallen. But I told him if the buyer decided to bail out, to let me know. Sure enough, the young man who got it found he just could not work out how to keep it. He called the original owner to let him know and within a couple days I was handing him $4000 and with nothing more than checking to see things worked, a friend, my daughter and I sailed her back 30 miles to my, and her, home port. The poor guy was about at the end of his rope with no place to put the boat so I did not haggle with him, I was just happy to get her. Turns out the original owner, who had her for 25 years, had tried to sell her off and on for years, but she just did not attract much attention, probably because of her age, and that she is a bit small for a 29 by modern standards.
Since buying her I have been doing everything myself and on a shoestring since I don't have a lot of disposable cash for a boat hobby. Got a great, used once previously, full-battened mainsail for $500 and felt a bit guilty for spending that much! Re-rigged her myself with a rigger friend, and fixing little things as they come up. But she is simple, stout, sails beautifully, pretty fast for a long keel, has a very nice motion (to me) and is a good size for me, 2 kids and my wife. So now for us the local islands, 20 miles away, are our playground.
As it turns out, the very boat that originally inspired me was recently sent to the crusher because the owner had to move and she couldn't find any buyers she said. There is a picture of her in one of my albums, with a black hull. I was really so disappointed to see that. I would have bought her if I had known, though I am not sure what I would have done with her!
As far as prices for my boat I have seen some beautiful ones where the asking prince was as high as $17,500 and of course all the way down to free. I would expect to see one in good shape with a good diesel to be between $5-10k.

**StuM** · 17-01-2021, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki6

Inspired by the Atom Voyages,
...
While going through the posts here, I came across Atom Voyages...
...
So if you own one of the sailboats listed on Atom Voyages, please share us your story here. How much money and time you had to spend to finally sail it away, a couple of photos maybe, and what ever you'd like to say about the boat.

Maybe a good idea to explain what you are talking about. Most people here will have no idea what "Atom Voyages" is. Or what sailboats are "listed on Atom Voyages"

Presumably, you are asking for experience with the boats listed here:
https://www.atomvoyages.com/planning...oats-list.html

nortonscove · 17-01-2021, 09:19

Just wish someone would ban the term Bluewater when talking about boats. Vagueness is a terrible thing in any language.

vicki6 · 17-01-2021, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortonscove

Vagueness is a terrible thing.

Sailboats listed on Atom Voyages is not vauge.
https://www.atomvoyages.com/planning...oats-list.html

vicki6 · 17-01-2021, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlWer

Ooops, my bad. Maybe SHE should buy one ;-)

It is not that big of a deal, but I'm a dude.

My old cat's name was Vicki; I picked that name here as I'm planning to name my future boat after her.

joelhemington · 17-01-2021, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuM

Maybe a good idea to explain what you are talking about. Most people here will have no idea what "Atom Voyages" is. Or what sailboats are "listed on Atom Voyages"

Presumably, you are asking for experience with the boats listed here:
https://www.atomvoyages.com/planning...oats-list.html

I don't see Island Packet on this list - probably the epitome of a small blue water capable boat with it's full keel, wide beam and shallow draft - not he fastest boat but you will get there eventually.

Scaramanga F25 · 17-01-2021, 11:08

There are bluewater sailors, they all have all various designs of boats

jen1722terry · 17-01-2021, 11:21

Hi,

We recommend looking at the Cape Dory line of monohulls. There's plenty out the on the East Coast in a variety of sizes. Similar build quality to the Pacific SeaCraft models you like.

We love our 31 cutters and have lived aboard for many summers. The 31 is the rare model with a large aft head. Perfect for hanging wet foulies and showering. The cutter rig is very versatile for off shore work.

Check out the postings for Orion Jim, who has sailed his 31 to Bermuda several times. The 28s, and 33s are also nice boats, but you'll find more 30s.

PM us should you have more questions about Cape Dorys.

Cheers and good luck with the search