WWP15 vs. Manta 16 vs. Victoria 18

[Selecra11]

Help in choosing the best option

Context: The impossible happened and I got a drydock at the lake of Zurich City (Switzerland, not Illinois) for a sailboat with the maximum dimensions of width 1.79m, length 6m. For anything longer, I'd have to wait around 7-10 years more. I don't even know if I'll live that long. I had to take it.

Having sailed in nothing less than 34ft. with thousands of miles, I can't sit in something that doesn't make me feel independent. Meaning, I should be able to sleep (even if supercramped), have a mini-solar (20-40W, which I prepared already), a fan if it gets too hot, and have a little camping stove inside. Without those, a boat doesn't really feel like a boat. Don't ask where the toilet is.

Issue: Now the challenge is to find a boat that resembles a nice bluewater cruiser (!) within those dimensions. Sailboatdata pulled up a few options:

• West Wight Potter 15: I know this boat, and its super slow and super cramped. Its not that tough to find one in the UK, and virtually impossible in Switzerland/Germany. Here's the specs - https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/we...tter-15-mk-ii/

• Manta 16: Looks as if it has more interior space. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/manta-16/ Anyone sailed this before?

• Victoria 18: Looks sexy. No idea where to find one. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/victoria-18/

All opinions welcome...if you ever used any of the boats above, ping me!

[deltaten]

Vic 18 fer sure. I had a whole list typed out but finger-fumbled and lost it! End result? Big as ya can go, slipwise.

[Selecra11]

Ever been in one? Regardless of what dimensions we're shown, the actual living space changes drastically by design.

Originally Posted by deltaten

Vic 18 fer sure. I had a whole list typed out but finger-fumbled and lost it! End result? Big as ya can go, slipwise.

[psk125]

Is the beam really that tight? A Lightning https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/lightning/ might be a better sailer than the others you've mentioned. People cruise them with boom tents and sleeping bags. There's a good bit of stowage under the foredeck and dry bags for wallets and phones can go into the seat tanks. It seems there are fleets in Neuchatel and Murten, Switzerland.

[Selecra11]

Yes, the beam is really that tight. This is practically a "parking spot" which is built for boats and to get anything wider than 1.79 is a whole different process.



There's quite a few options available, the moment I go to a standard dinghy, also available at the marina. But what I'm aiming for (and not sure if I even can, tbh) is to get a boat that's not just sportive, but gives the same feeling I've been having for decades in a boat - protection from the elements and surroundings.

Originally Posted by psk125

Is the beam really that tight? A Lightning https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/lightning/ might be a better sailer than the others you've mentioned. People cruise them with boom tents and sleeping bags. There's a good bit of stowage under the foredeck and dry bags for wallets and phones can go into the seat tanks. It seems there are fleets in Neuchatel and Murten, Switzerland.

[OldManMirage]

If you can find one and it fits your dimensions I can recommend the Catalina Capri 18. I owned one many years ago and it was a fantastic trailer sailor. Nice long bunks in the quarter berths. Roomy enough down below and nice cockpit. And it sailed really well for a small boat, very responsive.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/capri-18-catalina/

[Selecra11]

Won't fit, Beam: 7.58 ft / 2.31 m.

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

If you can find one and it fits your dimensions I can recommend the Catalina Capri 18. I owned one many years ago and it was a fantastic trailer sailor. Nice long bunks in the quarter berths. Roomy enough down below and nice cockpit. And it sailed really well for a small boat, very responsive.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/capri-18-catalina/