Couch boat shopping for a boat that...

[crankysailor]

Hi all, I thought I would engage the cruisers forum hive mind in the search for our next boat. So we just sold our first boat, a much beloved Contessa 32. She was good to us and I lucked out with that boat, but with a new member in the family we had to let her go.

So, now I am looking for:

- A boat that will take care of us the day we get caught. A boat that hoves to well and has a sea kind motion on rough seas.
- Has a skeg hung rudder for extra protection.
- Can be had in ready to go state for max 85.000 EUR (100.000 USD)
- It is fast and fun to sail. We like upwind sailing (Contessa 32!!)
- Offers reasonable comfort for a couple with a child.
- Makes me want to throw a glance back at her everytime I leave her.
- Has good chances to be found in Europe.
- Was built after 1990

So far we have:

- Between 36 and 40 ft LOA
- The lines and looks of the Swedish builders (think Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, Malö etc). I have a complete boat porn collection with pictures of these boats.
- The aft cabin of a Moody 36CC
- The sea keeping capabilities of a Contessa 32.

The problem with the skandinavian custom builders is quite honestly price. Even a 1990s exemplar commands twice as much as mass market production boats. We are a young couple with our first baby, no trust fund here. So we are looking at some of the cheaper Swedes that fall into our budget of 100K but I keep thinking there must be similar boats that don’t carry the brand premium like an HR etc.

Moody seems like a good option.. but I was on a 36CC recently and it was unfortunately in a decaying state, but the interior was a dream for us, coming from a Contessa. Sitting on that cockpit however I just didn’t have that „feeling“ that I would want to be in it in rough conditions. High cockpit, somewhat beamy.. but alas I didn’t get a chance to try it so I might be way off. Still.. thinking about it.

Anyhow lots of thoughts here, looking for some brainstorming ideas to help my search. Maybe there are some boats I am overlooking...

PS: canoe style boats don’t do it for me, my apologies to Bob Perry. This is just a personal thing. I say this cause I know someone will mention the Tayanas :-)

Thanks!!

[robert sailor]

We have a Moody 425 and they are a wonderful cruising boat, by the way years ago I also owned a Contessa 32..Moodys are very well built boats but like any boat they have to be kept up. Take a serious look at the 425 last built in 1990 as it was the final refined version in a series that began with the 419. They are built to Lloyd's standards, skeg rudder and several choices in keels. They have an ultra active owners group with several thousand members, monthly magazine and excellent website, typical British. The 425 for its size has the best layout ive been on, its designed for serious offshore sailing so great handholds and set up with proper sea berths. Its also quite quick for a cruising boat with PHRF rating of around 106. When we crossed the Atlantic we had several days in the mid 170's and our average was right around 150 miles per day which is very good for a cruising boat. Light on the helm, very well balanced. Ours has the Scheel keel which is shallow and we love it but the deeper keel certainly sails better to windward. An model in reasonable condition sells for around 100 thousand US dollars but you might do a bit better in Europe. Cheers, R

[crankysailor]

Thanks Robert, we have been looking at them and the few we could find in he market right now all have in mast main furlers.. does yours too?

This is atop of our „must not have“ list :-/

[Boatingbutch]

I like th allieds ,cape dorys salty boats but the good ones are fourty years old and have the dieing Westerberbeke engine .parts are hard to get expensive if you can get them at all .And they want a fortune for them they aren't worth it when they will need a fifteen thousand dollar engine any time.Thery will probably end up in the junk heap so sad.

[psk125]

There are some X-Yachts available in your price range. No skegs, but we've sailed for more than 24 years with unprotected spades (including trips to lobster pot central, in Maine) and haven't felt a skeg was needed.