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Old 05-09-2023, 22:28   #1
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First small cruiser for PNW

I know this question has been asked hundreds of times. I tried searching for similar cases in my location but was unable to find what I was looking for. I'm looking for boat recommendations.

My partner and I would like to buy our first small cruiser that performs decently and can be found in the PNW.

Price: 10-18k.
Length: 30 feet or so
Cabin height: I am 6'4" but willing to slouch a little...
-Full keel or skeg hung rudder makes me more comfortable.
-We'd like to have enough space to live for a week without restocking.
-I'd like an inboard diesel.
-A thickly built 70's fiberglass hull is also comforting



Father-in-law has an Alberg 30. It feels solid and capable. Something slightly more spacious would be nice.


Really appreciative of any recommendations. I'm finding the number of makes and models very overwhelming. Thank you!
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Old 06-09-2023, 00:10   #2
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Welcome aboard RyanCoast. You might look around for a good Rawson 30, they are very roomy. A Cheoy Lee Luders 30 is also a good possibility. Good luck! There are some other boats native to the PNW like Spencer 35 to keep an eye out for.
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Old 06-09-2023, 12:12   #3
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Great, thanks for the suggestions Don. I see you have a Columbia 29? How does it compare to an Alberg 30?
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Old 06-09-2023, 12:28   #4
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Originally Posted by RyanCoast View Post
Great, thanks for the suggestions Don. I see you have a Columbia 29? How does it compare to an Alberg 30?
She's faster.

Mine has about a foot more of waterline and almost a foot less of LOA which translates to better speed and less hobbyhorsing in my case (I think, I have never sailed a A30.) Coming home the other day, broad reaching in 15 - 20 knots of breeze, I caught up to an A30 on the way home and passed him though he had more sail up. To be fair it wasn't an OFFICIAL race.
Mine is skinnier so less interior room too.
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Old 06-09-2023, 12:34   #5
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanCoast View Post
I know this question has been asked hundreds of times. I tried searching for similar cases in my location but was unable to find what I was looking for. I'm looking for boat recommendations.

My partner and I would like to buy our first small cruiser that performs decently and can be found in the PNW.

Price: 10-18k.
Length: 30 feet or so
Cabin height: I am 6'4" but willing to slouch a little...
-Full keel or skeg hung rudder makes me more comfortable.
-We'd like to have enough space to live for a week without restocking.
-I'd like an inboard diesel.
-A thickly built 70's fiberglass hull is also comforting



Father-in-law has an Alberg 30. It feels solid and capable. Something slightly more spacious would be nice.


Really appreciative of any recommendations. I'm finding the number of makes and models very overwhelming. Thank you!


Choosing the right boat can be overwhelming with so many options out there. Based on your preferences, you might want to consider checking out the Pearson 323 or the Cape Dory 30. Both have a solid reputation, decent performance, and fit within your price range. They have a good amount of space for living onboard and often come with an inboard diesel. They also have that comforting thickly built 70's fiberglass hull. Take a look and see if they meet your criteria!
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Old 07-09-2023, 07:25   #6
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Originally Posted by Don C L View Post
She's faster.

Mine has about a foot more of waterline and almost a foot less of LOA which translates to better speed and less hobbyhorsing in my case (I think, I have never sailed a A30.) Coming home the other day, broad reaching in 15 - 20 knots of breeze, I caught up to an A30 on the way home and passed him though he had more sail up. To be fair it wasn't an OFFICIAL race.
Mine is skinnier so less interior room too.



Sounds like a fun boat! I did find one for sale nearby that looks decent, though I can't find it now amongst the dozens of browser tabs I've got open with different boat ads... Not sure I'd go for less roomy than an A30 though.
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Old 07-09-2023, 07:29   #7
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Choosing the right boat can be overwhelming with so many options out there. Based on your preferences, you might want to consider checking out the Pearson 323 or the Cape Dory 30. Both have a solid reputation, decent performance, and fit within your price range. They have a good amount of space for living onboard and often come with an inboard diesel. They also have that comforting thickly built 70's fiberglass hull. Take a look and see if they meet your criteria!

Thanks Mary. I have looked at the Cape Dory a lot. One of my favourites in the 30' range for sure. I love how well finished the interiors are and so roomy! Unfortunately they seem quite rare in my neck of the woods.
I will look up the Pearson 323 and see if I can find any nearby.
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Old 07-09-2023, 09:07   #8
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Good luck on your endeavor! A scan of craigslist has a few good options including this ranger 33 and c&c 34. Both 70s boats. The c&c has 6'2" headroom, is a cool boat and looks well maintained from a glance at the ad. My partner and I spent a year looking for a bigger ~35-40' liveaboard sailboat in the PNW. For us following what was available (Yacht world, craigslist) first then finding out how it sailed, common problems, etc followed. Thought I'd point these 2 out in case you haven't seen them. Happy searching!

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds...653434945.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...662680208.html
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Old 07-09-2023, 11:26   #9
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Originally Posted by RyanCoast View Post
Sounds like a fun boat! I did find one for sale nearby that looks decent, though I can't find it now amongst the dozens of browser tabs I've got open with different boat ads... Not sure I'd go for less roomy than an A30 though.
Yeah, I understand. The headroom in the C29 is 6'.
I think for your neighborhood you may want to find a boat with a dodger too to help keep out the mist and rain, no?
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Old 07-09-2023, 20:28   #10
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Good luck on your endeavor! A scan of craigslist has a few good options including this ranger 33 and c&c 34. Both 70s boats. The c&c has 6'2" headroom, is a cool boat and looks well maintained from a glance at the ad. My partner and I spent a year looking for a bigger ~35-40' liveaboard sailboat in the PNW. For us following what was available (Yacht world, craigslist) first then finding out how it sailed, common problems, etc followed. Thought I'd point these 2 out in case you haven't seen them. Happy searching!

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds...653434945.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...662680208.html

Thanks hberg, those are a couple of nice looking finds! The unprotected rudder on the C&C is unnerving to me, but they are very nice. The Ranger really grabs my eye, but I'm in Canada... What's the deal with purchasing a boat out of country? Do you know if this a big hassle?
Also, I have read on this forum and elsewhere that the Rangers were crudely made and that they're slow. What do you think of this?
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Old 07-09-2023, 20:30   #11
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Yeah, I understand. The headroom in the C29 is 6'.
I think for your neighborhood you may want to find a boat with a dodger too to help keep out the mist and rain, no?

Yes, a dodger is a must up here. The option of an enclosed cockpit is even better. Spring and fall are less busy, but wet and cool.
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Old 07-09-2023, 22:01   #12
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Your described my ‘78 Hunter H30 Cherubini to the exact element. That price range for something usable will keep you no newer than late 7o’s and less than 33’. All of them are narrower than 8os boats. I saw a couple posts about Cape Dorys Not in that price range around here that is usable…..
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Old 08-09-2023, 10:47   #13
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

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Originally Posted by Don C L View Post
Welcome aboard RyanCoast. You might look around for a good Rawson 30, they are very roomy. A Cheoy Lee Luders 30 is also a good possibility. Good luck! There are some other boats native to the PNW like Spencer 35 to keep an eye out for.

+1 on the Spencers, I have one, they are fantastic robust boats if you can find one, most owners don't want to turn loose of them.



Some are still in the hands of the original owners from the 60's and 70's, which means there will be some hitting the market before long as the owners age out.
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Old 22-09-2023, 12:46   #14
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

Hi RyanCoast, I don't know if you want to buy a Canadian boat, but there are a few on Kijiji in British Columbia.

I like this one, a 1981 Bayfield 32, but then I'm biased

Looking at the pictures, it seems like a nice, clean boat. The only odd thing is that they have replaced the nav station under the electrical panel with a fridge freezer - it's understandable, I suppose. It would be a fairly serious job to remake the very large ice chest into a proper marine fridge/freezer.

Good luck with your search!
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Old 22-09-2023, 12:51   #15
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Re: First small cruiser for PNW

A huge number of boats meet those requirements.

I'll throw in my biased opinion to the ring and say the Albin Vega 27 -- great little boats, circumnavigators, cut-away full keel, can be found in the 10-20K range in excellent condition.

Here's a good list: https://atomvoyages.com/planning/cla...ers-list-html/
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