Deck saloon for circumnavigation

[Sea Dreaming]

Good morning

I've been trying to find information about a particular boats suitability for off shore cruising.

I don't know tons about boats (yet). But I am reading everything I can but not coming up with much on this particular boat's design or construction. I am looking at a Islander Freeport 36. I fell in love with the B plan.

My partner and I are about 3 years off of buying a boat. So no rush or emotional attachment to any particular boat. Just so fact finding.

I've tried the search feature and spent the last 2 days digging through everything that came up. But honestly, the threads get so deep and off topic at times, it's like slogging through quick sand.

Thoughts on deck saloons for off shore, Islander Freeport in particular, would be very helpful.

[MarkJ]

I don't like those old style boats. Too much money in maintenance and not easy to sail.
Have a look at the modern designs too. Like the Jeanneau DS models
Certainly being able to see out when at anchor is a plus. Something I would like.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I don't like those old style boats. Too much money in maintenance and not easy to sail.

Have a look at the modern designs too. Like the Jeanneau DS models

Certainly being able to see out when at anchor is a plus. Something I would like.

Being an older boat owner I can wholeheartedly agree and also offer a balanced disagreement. If you're the type to do all of your own work and have the skills to do it well, you can take an old boat and make it like a ten year old new boat for a fraction of the price of new. I say ten year old new, because unless your made of cash and have regular exfoliations you get the old boat to a point where you're just replacing odds and ends like blocks as they give up.


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[Sea Dreaming]

Boat budget is certainly part of our debate. Who isn't on a budget? Of course we would prefer less rebuild and more bang for our buck. But the reality is that unless we draw a line and make that work we will just spin our wheels and money trying to achieve "perfect".

Frankly our budget is not large. We will be modest cruisers and this will mean sweat equity. But neither one of us will sacrifice safety for luxury. There is a lot of work we can do and will do ourselves. We both bring skills that are useful to cruising but some of our budget will go to hiring out too. Balance!

Our goal at the moment is to decide what we can live with maintenence wise and look for boats the will give the best value over all.

I'm not crazy about the lighter weight builds but we are considering all angles at the moment.

[Tingum]

Try sailing one first!

[PuttingDoctor]

In DS I suggest looking at Moody. Very solid construction.

[Bulawayo]

I would endorse Tingums view - but understand where you are coming from. You are doing your homework before even setting foot near one. Thats a good idea. They are a Robert Perry design and usually have decent Perkins motors. Any boat of this age can mean replacement / maintenance. If you like the design (and they look pretty reasonable from what I can see) then continue with your homework. It may be worth trying to speak to an ex-owner who might give you honest feedback.

[redhead]

I think there must be a website for ownwers/aficionados of Islanders where they will be glad to.share the boat's strengths and maybe even admit to some of it's shortcomings. When we owned our Pearson that group helped a lot. Good luck!

[Scaramanga F25]

That particular boat would require permanent storm shutters, i.e. an
additional plexi.plate window 1/4 in outboard of present windows.

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga F25

That particular boat would require permanent storm shutters, i.e. an
additional plexi.plate window 1/4 in outboard of present windows.

That's a good thought. And I was wondering about torsion in rough weather too. We are pretty good at planning and fore thought so we will be pretty good about avoiding most I'll conditions. But one never knows what mother nature will bring.

[barnakiel]

I think her big salon windows may need some form of protection in serious offshore weather (I actually mean serious). It is easy to imagine a big wave smashing a big window.

I also think you may want some form of shade to block off some of the sun on some days. So probably you may consider building some sort of universal attachments around those salon windows - for external acrylic panels (bad weather) and for canvas screens (very sunny weather).

Otherwise the boat (generic) looks like anything you can ask for - space. light, good designer, reasonable layout, etc.

b.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Sea Dreaming

That's a good thought. And I was wondering about torsion in rough weather too. We are pretty good at planning and fore thought so we will be pretty good about avoiding most I'll conditions. But one never knows what mother nature will bring.

Why in the world would you consider something you know has a structural difficulty in dealing with the use you intend?

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Why in the world would you consider something you know has a structural difficulty in dealing with the use you intend?

I know nothing. I am simply wondering. There isn't a lot of info on build quality or method on this particular boat. Research, education ask questions.....

We have 3 years (aboutish) before we buy a boat. I figure I have time to sus out ideas and learn about structure before we get around to actually consider buying anything.

[wiekeith]

I have a deck saloon, and take great comfort in being able to look around whilst at the chart table, having a meal etc. whilst sailing.

As already mentioned, the windows do need to be protected though if you're considering serious cruising. In my case they're double glazed units of EN12150 safety glass in stainless steel frames. However, I've never been hit by a large breaking wave, so can't vouch for their integrity...

[zeehag]

if you are not into the modern styling and are in love with the islander freeport, it is a good cruiser..
the 41 is also good, and formosas and their sisters and cousins.
passion for the boat you will be occupying and sailing for some time is an important factor in purchasing.
sail it before purchase so you know what she can do, and how she performs. she will be slower like my formosa, but she will feel solid under you as you sail her
if ye dont like her looks ye aint gonna use her.