The best blue water cruiser under 45ft

[furrers]

We're about to cross the Indian Ocean on our Hardin 45 "Kereru". Nothing wrong with slow and comfortable! Slow is a relative term and doesn't matter a damn when crossing oceans. Safe and comfortable is more important. The Hardin has a big wetted area and is relatively heavy so she is slow in light airs but she goes real well in a breeze. We averaged 7 knots over 4 days coming down from Fiji to New Zealand on a fine reach in 30 knots with about 1/3 of the genoa out and a reef in the mizzen. There's also the case of the "devil you know". If you like your boat and know all its foibles, you're probably best to stick with it and prepare it properly for ocean sailing.

[bensolomon]

Originally Posted by furrers

We're about to cross the Indian Ocean on our Hardin 45 "Kereru". Nothing wrong with slow and comfortable! Slow is a relative term and doesn't matter a damn when crossing oceans. Safe and comfortable is more important. The Hardin has a big wetted area and is relatively heavy so she is slow in light airs but she goes real well in a breeze. We averaged 7 knots over 4 days coming down from Fiji to New Zealand on a fine reach in 30 knots with about 1/3 of the genoa out and a reef in the mizzen. There's also the case of the "devil you know". If you like your boat and know all its foibles, you're probably best to stick with it and prepare it properly for ocean sailing.

Well said!!!

[JPA Cate]

^^^^

It is what everyone used to do: buy what they could afford, then fix it up as needed for purpose, and go. Then repairs as needed. Fixing one's boat isn't a once in a lifetime event, it is an ongoing process.

Ann

[Renegde_Sailor]

Originally Posted by Norman_E

Unlike some of the steel boats I have seen, which are more built by a dreamer and sail like an anvil!

Ha ha! I have seen a lot of those out here bobbing at the dock, growing moss, because they sail like a brick.

[HansChristian33]

Pogo 30

[sonnixo]

Mason 44, she looks beautiful and sails all the same. Strong, tough, we’ll built and absolutely a gorgeous yacht!

[MLC]

I have sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 shoal draft fin, in-mast furling with the arch. Winds up to 30 knot gusts. Up to 6' waves. Smooth, comfortable.

I have sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 423. Winds up to 30 knots. Up to 6' waves. Shoal draft fin, in-mast furling. Smooth, comfortable.

I have sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 50. Tall rig, shoal draft fin, in-mast furling. I sailed her in winds up to 35 knots in choppy 10' seas. Smooth, comfortable.

I own a Beneteau Oceanis 321 and used to own a Catalina 30. I am confident that any new or well maintained used Beneteau Oceanis sailboats 35' and above can be safely sailed offshore with two competent crew. This assumes the boats are properly equipped. Thousands of Beneteau Oceanis sailboats are sailing offshore every day.

[Boatguy30]

Mono- Wauquiez Amphitrite owned hull #105 4 years

[Exile]

If the OP changed the thread to 47' I'd definitely have a strong opinion.

[letsgetsailing3]

Best boat?


Whatever I have or am selling at the moment.

[TheOffice]

My wife is very used to our Hylas 44. Last winter we chartered a Jeanneau 44 in Martinique. Winds wre 25, seas 6-8 feet. The difference in offshore comfort was remarkable. I had to tell her she was confusing (lack of) comfort of the Jeanneau with safety. I'd opt for a heavier boat than many of the high volume boats.
Find the boat that YOU like. With older boats, condition is more important than age.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

My wife is very used to our Hylas 44. Last winter we chartered a Jeanneau 44 in Martinique. Winds wre 25, seas 6-8 feet. The difference in offshore comfort was remarkable. I had to tell her she was confusing (lack of) comfort of the Jeanneau with safety. I'd opt for a heavier boat than many of the high volume boats.
Find the boat that YOU like. With older boats, condition is more important than age.

According to sailcalulator data
Hylas 44 displacement 22,320lbs
Jenneau 44i. 21,891
The Jenneau is beamer and sports more sail area.

[TheOffice]

The keel of the Hylas is about 3,000 pounds heavier - over 11,000 pounds, compared to 8,155 for the Jeanneau.

[Airis]

There is the all new Hallberg-rassy 40 C... A very nice craft !

[nwdiver]

Originally Posted by Airis

There is the all new Hallberg-rassy 40 C... A very nice craft !

+1..........