Help with choosing first boat

[Fbrogaard]

I’m torn between the Bianca commander 31 and Bandholm 30. What’s the pros and cons of the fin keel vs long keel? I’ll be using the boat as a live aboard, however an important criteria is the ability to do blue water passages, as I plan to do that in the future.
Thank you very much!

[Fore and Aft]

I can't say either really appeal to me. But I would go for the one with the best bed since you are going to live aboard.
I love small yachts but I love chunky small yachts even more, neither of which these are.
Tiller steer would be my choice and which ever one had an inboard diesel.
Good Luck with your decision and let us know how you get on.

Cheers

[tkeithlu]

"the ability to do blue water passages, as I plan to do that in the future."

Hmmm. Toward the small end for blue water, but it certainly is done. Toward the small end for live aboard, too, but again, lots of people do it. Are you single and single-handed? It would be very tight for two.

Fin keels are a bit more modern, so all other things being equal probably sail a bit tighter. Fin keels and spade rudders are not much fun if you run aground while full keels protect the rudder.

As Fore and Aft suggests, there are bigger issues for a live-aboard than keel design, and neither boat is all that good for your goals.

[Adelie]

For live-aboard the Bandholm for the space.

For offshore: neither boat.
The Bianca is rather lightly built and somewhat under-canvassed.
The Bandholm is built heavier but is very under-canvassed.

Fin keeled boats are usually more maneuverable which is good for getting in and out of marina berths and for racing.

Full keels generally track better so less effort and attention is required to steer the boat. Tracking may be so good that in some cases the boat will steer itself without an autopilot or windvane.