Visit our Popular Forums

Novice69 · 25-05-2022, 16:31

Hi new to forum 2nd posting about to take the plunge and buy first sail boat, but I want to do it right the first time. To use recreationally eventually passage making. I'm in South Fl. Interested in 30-33 ft range for a couple, that is capable of recreational bay and coastal cruising but is capable of serious offshore passage making , through Gulfstream, Latin America, that can handle lower southern latitudes, I have been in serious talks with owner about purchasing a IW 31..(SHE) size seems perfect it has a flaired bolted iron bulb keel. Owner boasts this boat can take a beating offshore and was designed to race in the North Sea given it's builder location ( Sweden). States he has every confidence this lil boat can handle the roaring forties and go around Cape hope or the Horn if need be. Please share any opinion you might have and knowledge of this boat . I've seen reviews from practical sailor and such but looking for real salty people that can provide life experience insight and take on this vessel. It's a life making decision and do not want to make mistakes. Not considering heavy displacement vessels respectfully. Would Want to sail more often than motor because of lighter winds in my area which is why considering this style of boat. Please respond many thanks

PushingThePen · 25-05-2022, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novice69

Hi new to forum 2nd posting about to take the plunge and buy first sail boat, but I want to do it right the first time. To use recreationally eventually passage making. I'm in South Fl. Interested in 30-33 ft range for a couple, that is capable of recreational bay and coastal cruising but is capable of serious offshore passage making , through Gulfstream, Latin America, that can handle lower southern latitudes, I have been in serious talks with owner about purchasing a IW 31..(SHE) size seems perfect it has a flaired bolted iron bulb keel. Owner boasts this boat can take a beating offshore and was designed to race in the North Sea given it's builder location ( Sweden). States he has every confidence this lil boat can handle the roaring forties and go around Cape hope or the Horn if need be. Please share any opinion you might have and knowledge of this boat . I've seen reviews from practical sailor and such but looking for real salty people that can provide life experience insight and take on this vessel. It's a life making decision and do not want to make mistakes. Not considering heavy displacement vessels respectfully. Would Want to sail more often than motor because of lighter winds in my area which is why considering this style of boat. Please respond many thanks

I started a thread along the same lines. Skipping the first few pages, you'll find a nice selection of recommendations and why they're suggesting them. Plus some helpful equipment lists and what sails. Just look under my posts and you'll see it.

Novice69 · 30-05-2022, 04:06

Many thanks!!

ihe2 · 02-06-2022, 09:45

IW-31 is a Sparkman&Stephens design made in Sweden. For the big seas those low freeboards makes it a bit wet, but it is a sailors boat.

two-rocks · 02-06-2022, 16:46

S.A./Disp.: 14.57 - may not be the best light air boat.
Local PHRF just under 200 - so not fast either.
If you are small people, that may work.
Passage making, depending on how you define it - can change once you become a boat owner.

Novice69 · 02-06-2022, 22:06

Appreciate and thank you for responses. Speaking for myself, a desire to venture out from Florida into the Caribbean and Central America, would be the ultimate goal.
That's what I would consider passage making. For now it would be local bay and coastal sailing. Will figure the latter out lin time just want to sail her and gain experience and confidence. The choice of the IW-31 appealed because of size and It's seaworthiness. If the North Man states it's a sailor's boat, that's plenty reassurance for me..Many thanks again.