I'd like to get your thoughts on some full keel blue water cruisers

[Miu Miu]

Hey all! So the saga continues..... I'm looking for a full keel blue water cruiser 35' ft and up. I'd like it to sleep more than 5 with a decent sized fuel tank.
I've been looking at Rafiki 37s and Bristol 39s but deals fell through on both for reasons I've stated in my other feeds.
I'd like to get a list of older full keels going that meet this criteria...can you help me out with sone names to search for?

[JJ77]

Hello Miu Miu,

Here are a whole bunch of them;
Full List of Sailboats

enjoy!

Cheers,
JJ

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Miu Miu

Hey all! So the saga continues..... I'm looking for a full keel blue water cruiser 35' ft and up. I'd like it to sleep more than 5 with a decent sized fuel tank.
I've been looking at Rafiki 37s and Bristol 39s but deals fell through on both for reasons I've stated in my other feeds.
I'd like to get a list of older full keels going that meet this criteria...can you help me out with sone names to search for?

35 and up to sleep 5 and go blue water? This part I understand, I will try post something later tonight.

But what is full keel?

b.

[Miu Miu]

Q.What is full keel A. Like Rafiki 37 with greater than 25% of the boats weight in the ballast, keel hung rudder with prop built into the keel/rudder set up I also like an Irwin 42 and Bristol 39/40

[Miu Miu]

JJ77- thanks for the site, I actually sent three more suggestions for boats to their list. They have a really great starting list!

[goboatingnow]

of course "full keel" and bluewater arnt the same

Dave

[Mike OReilly]

Hi Miu Miu, you probably already know about this site, but it's a fun way to compare the bare-bones specs of various boats. You can also specify the specs that turn your crank, and find the boats that meet them:

Sail Calculator Pro

As you know, I'm a full keel guy myself, but personally I wouldn't make that the key factor. Overall hull shape is probably more important. There are plenty of excellent modified fins out there (think Valiant 40). And if push came to shove, I'd probably even agree that there are some narrow fin boats worth looking at .

[Miu Miu]

Thanks again Mike! I haven't seen that page before, I'll be using it from here on :-) did you see the link from JJ77- what do you think of the fins there?
I am starting to look at some modified full keel as well, but I'm leary of fins....I'll take a look At the Valiant 40. I think that for me though the full keel gives me a feeling of more security. I like the stability and low turtle possibility, also I'm nervous that if when sailing a fin keel a random log floating in the water will come along and roll down the hull, damage the fin and knock my prop off....I just think I'm personally better off with all of those things protected in a nice heavy full keel. If anyone has any good information to sway me the other way please share it, I have limited knowledge and am trying stay as safe as possible.

[barnakiel]

Hi, cross-posting here:

@ miu miu

Here some designs/makes with full keels, probably not on the earlier list as they are EU boats:

Amel
Endurance
HR
Rival
Rustler
Tradewind
Oyster

They all make 35+ models, has been on the market for ages (good supply of s/h boats), offer high quality boats (blue water capable), etc..

Happy hunting!

b.

[Cheechako]

Certainly plenty of "fullish" keel boats to look at. Fewer have true full keels like the Bristol Channel cutter. A fin keel with protected skeg hung rudder is pretty safe bet too. 35 feet is a tough size, but 38-40 there are a lot of boats it seems. Really comes down to money.....What's your budget?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

of course "full keel" and bluewater arnt the same

Dave

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Miu Miu

Q.What is full keel A. Like Rafiki 37 with greater than 25% of the boats weight in the ballast, keel hung rudder with prop built into the keel/rudder set up I also like an Irwin 42 and Bristol 39/40

OK, sort of like long keel, but no skeg. You have a list of makes worth looking at in my post above.

Below my 2 €cents, that you may use in your project:

a) consider above 40% in keel, more, if the keel is iron or when the boat is shallow draft,

b) consider some long keel / substantial skeg designs - some are nearly as strong as full keel boat,

c) when considering full keel designs, spend some time looking at the hull from the bow/stern - then think again about how much of a wineglass / tub you want - some volume is what you want to get the carrying ability, some wine glass may give you fantastic hull strength, yet too much of canoe body volume will lead to excessive ballast requirement / SA requirement or else you end up with seriously underballasted / (or) seriously undercanvassed boat - none of which adds to sailablity ,

d) if you want to sail, go for simplicity, strength, sailability, if you want to live onboard, go for volume (beam adds plenty of volume),

e) get a boat you are in love with - one that will fuel and sustain your sailing / cruising dreams.

Bueno, just some ideas, nothing to stick to or worship. ;-)

Cheers,
b.

[barnakiel]

BTW Have a look at Tartan TOCK boats. They are S&S, well designed, voluminous, and can be had at low prices (= you will spend more on getting one shipshape, probably).

There are many similar designs on the market too.

Hugs,
b.

[Miu Miu]

Great info from all!! Thanks again! I have enough research material for a few nights now I'd like to stay closer to $25k but will go to $50k if we must....
I've been looking at some long keels as well and think I can get into these if I find the right one. I'll be back to the feed to post and boats I come across I'm sure!

[Cheechako]

25% ballast would be pretty tender.... wouldnt it?