what would you chose Alberg 37, Elizabethan 33, Hughes 38

[dmdelorme]

I am looking for a bluewater cruiser. two boats are similarly equipped all 3 similar price range $35,000 Canadian.The Hughes lacks wind vane and life boat and a few other items. The other 2 have similar equipment. i will be a solo for the most part. of coarse if a nice woman is reading this and thinks she can change my mind please send picture of your boat. kidding. The Elizabethan it the only one rigged for solo sailing but that is not a big issue. All are built around 1981. All need a bit of love. The Hughes has a soft spot on the deck and will need to be rigged for solo and standing rigging and sails for off shore. I don't have a survey on the Alberg. The Elizabethan needs cleaning and a new fuel tank and cushions. i don't plan to go off shore for a few years so i have time to make the changes needed.

[sanibel sailor]

Alberg #1 in a jiffy. Hughes #2.
Elizabethan is smaller, British built, fairly unknown here in US and may have hard to source equipment aboard. hard pass for me.



Look at displacement. Alberg biggest.
The Hughes (assuming 38-3) is not terribly pretty to me. Underwater shape better (S&S design) for sailing, but prop placement at upper edge of keel is not ideal. Implies V-drive.
SA/displ same between Alberg and Hughes. LWL similar.

Resale probably better for the Alberg as they are many built and have a dedicated following.

Fuel tankage is only 35 gal on Alberg but 12/15 on others.

[tejeda]

I would agree with Sanibel. I at one time had an Elizabethan 31. They are built in Lymington England. I had some serious osmosis probs. It did sail well and had some neat stuff in it. Had the engine, a Bukh destroyed. Had cost me a lot of dollars. Had a heck of a time selling it as no one in North America knew the boat. In the 2 yrs I had it for sale only one person had come to look at it and he bought it for a song.
To me the Alberg is a no brainer. As for the Hughes, sure it may not have those looks that you want but that, for me , is not an issue.

[AiniA]

I know it is tough to find good used boats these days but none of these would make my day.

Something like this makes more sense for me at US$24.5k
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ra-35-3823931/

Similar price with a lot of offshore gear
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...na-36-3787092/