Which Other Boat ?

[theonecalledtom]

Say you were lucky enough to have some money (lets say 100k USD) come available and you wanted a short range (one night at sea max) family cruiser combined with the potential to race in Socal what boat would you chose that isn't the Beneteau 36.7 I've been thinking about?

The facets to this question are:
- You have a baby
- You want to cruise locally
- You want to race with a crew
- You want a new (post 2000) boat because you haven't got time to work on her.
- Finding a boat on the west coast would be preferable but we could ship something from elsewhere in the continental US.

[theonecalledtom]

The two main other contenders I've come across are the C&C110 and the J110. Having the chance to race one design in San Diego on the 36.7 is a positive (and actually getting one more boat in the area seems like a decent reason for buying something elsewhere).

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by theonecalledtom

Say you were lucky enough to have some money (lets say 100k USD) come available and you wanted a short range (one night at sea max) family cruiser combined with the potential to race in Socal what boat would you chose that isn't the Beneteau 36.7 I've been thinking about?

The facets to this question are:
- You have a baby
- You want to cruise locally
- You want to race with a crew
- You want a new (post 2000) boat because you haven't got time to work on her.
- Finding a boat on the west coast would be preferable but we could ship something from elsewhere in the continental US.

A buddy just bought a ~5y/o sun odyssey 36 out of charter. We have been beer can and passage racing with it and are contenders. 2 podiums in a row on handicap against a mixed fleet that also contains some fast boats.

It is nicely laid out inside has the mod cons and he paid around $75-80k.

I would choose this boat over a hunter and probably a benne over this boat.

[theonecalledtom]

There's a pretty tidy centre cockpit Jeanneau on our dock (I think a 42) that looks rather sweet. I guess I'd be after a performance model if they do them on the older boats - how do they hold up in a blow against a 36.7? One of the things I like about the benne is that there's a fair amount of evidence that it can take strong winds and enjoy them.

[Bash]

Think of yourself buying into a fleet rather than buying a boat. You're in a perfect range for one-design racing, which is 100% more enjoyable than PHRF racing. But different fleets have different personalities, and you should look about to find one that matches your ideal investment. Pay close attention to fleet rules about purchasing sails, this will tell you a great deal about how seriously one-design a fleet is. More important, however, is to figure out how a fleet manages itself. I avoid J fleets because they tend to spend enormous amounts of time in the protest room.

[theonecalledtom]

Hey Bash that's a really good point, going to try and get some crew time before I purchase.

The One design aspect is a big plus for me. I've not been racing much over the years but being able directly match against other boats has always been a catalyst for learning how to sail better.

I think 36.7 allows two new sails per year - what does that tell you about the class? There is prevision for replacing a full suite of sails after purchase, and for that happening after sailing on the original sails for a while to learn the boat. Reading the forums there are some very serious sounding captains who know a lot more than me and are going to show me a clean set of heels..... that's fine.... for a few years until I've caught up!

[theonecalledtom]

Damn taking a look at a 36.7 and some other Beneteaus at the weekend I have some difficulty picturing the happy family (and friends) evening at anchor in it. Probably doesn't help being spoilt by our Downeaster that has such a lovely cosy atmosphere at night. Probably didn't help that the boat I looked at was moldy. Can't see the smile on the admiral's face. Might have to rethink it....

On the otherhand topsides it looks awesome