The Most Monohull Brand For the Least Money?

[crankysailor]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

Older, Olle Enderlein designed Hallberg-Rassys. Lotta boat for little money, solid.

I suspect the OP had something else in mind when he said “little money”. Hallberg-Rassy and little money just don’t usually go well together. Even older ones.

My vote goes for Contessa 32.. a proven world cruiser and I just sold mine for chump change to a friend... but can be had on the market for well under 30K USD in top condition

[BlackHeron]

Originally Posted by crankysailor

I suspect the OP had something else in mind when he said “little money”. Hallberg-Rassy and little money just don’t usually go well together. Even older ones.

My vote goes for Contessa 32.. a proven world cruiser and I just sold mine for chump change to a friend... but can be had on the market for well under 30K USD in top condition

Yes, $30K for a Rasmus. They can be found.

[double u]

if people praise their own boat/car/kids/... highly I always discount these "statements"...

[sailorboy1]

So you more highly regard statements from those with less direct knowledge and experience

[double u]

no, of course not! what I meant: people extolling the virtues of their own whatevers are imho much less believable than people criticizing ther own boats/kids/cars/...

[crankysailor]

Well then a previous owner who has no longer a vested interest on the boat and had direct ownership experience and can still praise how good it was is probably the best reference you can hope for ;-)

[dwedeking2]

Lol you usually buy a boat for a reason - you like it. Whether its 10 K or 500 k its a major buying decision. I'd discount the person that says "my boat sucks" as he (or she) has poor decision making skills

[crankysailor]

On that topic.. yes.. nothing is perfect, and if the Contessa was such a boat I would still own it :-P .. main drawback: space! I am convinced Jeremy Rogers employed Irish Leprechauns to build this boat. And you pretty much have to be one to live aboard one. But bang for your cruising buck.. unmatchable!!!

[BlackHeron]

Originally Posted by double u

if people praise their own boat/car/kids/... highly I always discount these "statements"...

I dunno. My sailing club owns and operates 4 different boats, all of which I have spent hundreds of hours sailing and working on over the years, both before and after we bought ours. There are half dozen other skippers in our club who own their own boats as well, which I've had the pleasure of sailing on as well as hosted them on our boat too. I've sailed on just about every major boat design made over the past 10-40 years in the 30-45 range. Some I've liked more than others. Some have been better for one purpose or another...racing, cruising, coastal or offshore work.

But whatever. My boat probably sucks. I likely made a huge mistake after spending years and much effort researching what boat to buy. Maybe go buy yourself a nice Hunter. That's my advice for you. Discount it if you want to. Whatever.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

...I've sailed on just about every major boat design made over the past 10-40 years in the 30-45 range...

Come on!

[Don C L]

There was a nearly free Spencer 35 for sale in San Diego a month ago. That would have won the prize for the most monohull for the money in my book but I think it is being scrapped now.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Don C L

There was a nearly free Spencer 35 for sale in San Diego a month ago. That would have won the prize for the most monohull for the money in my book but I think it is being scrapped now.

That could wind up being the most expensive free boat imaginable by the time it was done.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

That could wind up being the most expensive free boat imaginable by the time it was done.

Yup, unless you plan to devote full time work to restoring a boat (ie your time is not valuable)- I️ think it’s never a good deal to get a very cheap/free version of the boat you want, compared to a restored and well maintained version at a higher price

[Don C L]

Ordinarily I'd agree. And it is certainly true if you are not big on DIY and you want a like-new boat. But the Spencer 35 has a hull as a starting point that is hard to beat. And it looked like it was in decent condition too already.

[double u]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

Lol you usually buy a boat for a reason - you like it. Whether its 10 K or 500 k its a major buying decision. I'd discount the person that says "my boat sucks" as he (or she) has poor decision making skills

there is a middle ground too between
"my boat is great"
&
"my boat sucks"