Still-in-production blue water smallish boats?

[TernEggs]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm in the process of figuring out my next boat and I want something that can safely cross oceans with two people aboard (as in manageable single handed.) I like the idea of a full keel or a big fin plus skeg - honestly I want a boat as durable and stable as possible.

I know that Rogers still makes Contessa 32s, and Rustler makes the 36. But there must be many more out there. So what other current production boats are out there that you'd be comfortable taking anywhere, by yourself or with one other person?

I've looked at places like atom voyages and bluewaterboats and they seem to have good recommendations, but they're very focused on older boats. I'm curious about what's out there that can be had new or nearly-new.

Thanks a lot

Eggs

[Adrian Chen]

The Rustler 37 is a new design that would certainly be on my list, although Fin and Skeg rather than the R36's long/full keel. I would also look at the Discovery built Southerly 380 which is perhaps outside your parameters with twin blade rudders, (Fin or lifting keel) but Discoveries are very well put together. In a similar vane the aluminium Ovni 365 might be worth a look since these boats seem to go everywhere with their owners although I haven't been on one so know little as to why they are so popular with long distance sailors.

[TernEggs]

Wow that Ovni looks nice!

Another maker I thought of is Island Packet, although they seem a bit "luxury" to me haha.

[Orion Jim]

Budget?

[TernEggs]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Budget?

$300K US, that’s with boat plus any needed repairs or refits

[Adrian Chen]

Originally Posted by TernEggs

Wow that Ovni looks nice!

Another maker I thought of is Island Packet, although they seem a bit "luxury" to me haha.

I like luxury! - I have only ever looked closely at the IP465/485 they were very nice.

Here's an option for you - Mystery 35 by Cornish Crabbers - Traditional looks but actually a modern design so may not meet your needs, but still fun to look!

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by TernEggs

$300K US, that’s with boat plus any needed repairs or refits

For that, Cape George Cutters will probably build you a Bristol Channel Cutter or a Cape George 34. Either will take you around the world. And I think Bristol Channel Cutters still come with Lyle C. Hess's guarantee to bring you back alive.

capegeorgecutters.com

[Pizzazz]

It depends a lot on what type of sailing you want to do and in particular, what will you once you cross the ocean. Once you figure this out, you will be able to choose the right boat.

On one hand, you have the cruising type, where we enjoy spending time on the boats and take our time making long passages. In order to enjoy the time you want a boat that feels like home which means a larger boat. A larger well designed boat will always be more stable than a smaller boat, so most designers went for fin keel boats. A good example is Halberg-Rassy. Check out their range and choose the largest you can afford. Fantastic boats. If you insist on a full keel, I would get an Island Packet if you like modern or a Cape George if you like traditional. However, full keel does not make sense today and while you may disagree, the market has gone in that direction as well. Hence the scarcity of new full keel boats.

On the other hand, you should recognize the reality that no small (or medium) boat comes close to luxury be it a HR or a Malo (another Swedish manufacturer). The alternative is get a fast boat designed for ocean racing and stay at hotels once you get to your destination (to get your doze of luxury). Good examples would be Beneteau Figaro, Jeanneau Sunfast 3200, some of the J-boats. These boats are literally twice as fast as the typical cruiser (exaggerating a bit), designed for single or double handling and able to handle any conditions. It is more like driving a sports car vs. an SUV - the thrill is amazing.

The other day, a Figaro 2 came to our dock, owned by a well known racer. We happened to be day sailing at the same time on a breezy day. I was motoring in the marina, thinking if I should put one reef in the main when she came out, raised full sails within 200 yards of the dock and took off at 10-11 knots in the marina!.

[boatman61]

https://www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk/cl...lot-cutter-30/

[fatherchronica]

We love our 44 year old Cape George for a couple in our 60's. They still make them.

[Juho]

Maybe my boat (nowadays called 321) if you want to have a relatively small cruiser. Or maybe one of her slightly bigger sisters if 32' is too small.

[deluxe68]

Pacific Seacraft.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2006...g#.WrZ7HVplChA

[Captndave1]

Find a Cabo Rico 34, 36,or 38.
Within your budget and an excellent boat for ocean passage.

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by boatman61

https://www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk/cl...lot-cutter-30/

Boaties proposal of the Pilot Cutter 30 (a lovely boat for sure) actually demonstrates a significant problem for boat builders of traditional designs.

Effectively the basic boat build is listed at £163,000 inc VAT. So the Pilot Cutter 30 seems very expensive to me.
And that excludes optional extras like:
Bow thruster £4,750 (which I would never want)
Diesel heater £2,975
Autopilot £2,685
Feathering prop £1,350

That £163,000 is equivalent to NZ$320,000, enough to buy a very reasonable home in many parts of NZ. I’m not suggesting they’re not worth the money, just stating a reality.

But that aside. Just a quick look at used boats and I see:

3 boats available on The Yacht Market:
Priced at £55,000, £60,000 and £89,500 respectively.

On Apollo Duck:
Prices for the same vessel also offer 3 examples at £55,000, £57,500, and £79,000.

So the tragic problem for the boat builder is that the moment the boat is sailed out of their yard it’s basically worth no more than half what it cost to build. That's not a business model that will work for very long at all.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by grantmc

Boaties proposal of the Pilot Cutter 30 (a lovely boat for sure) actually demonstrates a significant problem for boat builders of traditional designs.

Effectively the basic boat build is listed at £163,000 inc VAT. So the Pilot Cutter 30 seems very expensive to me.
And that excludes optional extras like:
Bow thruster £4,750 (which I would never want)
Diesel heater £2,975
Autopilot £2,685
Feathering prop £1,350

That £163,000 is equivalent to NZ$320,000, enough to buy a very reasonable home in many parts of NZ. I’m not suggesting they’re not worth the money, just stating a reality.

But that aside. Just a quick look at used boats and I see:

3 boats available on The Yacht Market:
Priced at £55,000, £60,000 and £89,500 respectively.

On Apollo Duck:
Prices for the same vessel also offer 3 examples at £55,000, £57,500, and £79,000.

So the tragic problem for the boat builder is that the moment the boat is sailed out of their yard it’s basically worth no more than half what it cost to build. That's not a business model that will work for very long at all.

Followed your link and it led me to the 26ftr not the Pilot Cutter.. but.. you want quality you pay.. you want cheap buy a Bavaria.