New from Newcastle!

[Perfusser]

Hi everyone,
I am a mature sailor, new to this site, from Newcastle Australia.I am currently looking for a boat to buy (I regularly crew), after finally convincing my wife it would be a good idea.
I expect to be spending most of my time afloat on the waters on Lake Macquarie, with the occasional trip to Newcastle or Port Stevens. I hope to do the Friday twilight's and the occasional over-nighter.
I am currently looking for boats in the 26-30 foot mark, that is easy to sail short handed, with enough cock pit and internal room to be comfy. Of course I have a limited budget. my eye is on a Tasman 26, Welcome to Australian Boat Brokers - View Listing .

Any advice or suggestions, or even offers of good clean and cheap boas will be gladly received.
Cheers

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Perfusser.

[ozskipper]

The tasman 26 is a well respected boat.. You could also look at Bonbridge27s in a similar price point and quite a few bobbing around lake mac.

Some others are
RL28s
S80
Cavalier 26
northshore 27
Sonata 8/26

All good fun club racers with a variety of comforts

Either way enjoy the journey :-D

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here on the forum.

[boatman61]

G'day mate.. Welcome to CF..

[Perfusser]

Well I got the Tasman, she is quite comfortable,sails pretty well too.

[Johnathon123]

Welcome mate, Just a bit north of you at Forster!

With the type of sailing you are likely to do out of Port Stephens, Newcastle etc I wouldn't look to far past a Bonbridge, My father had one built new (the builder was Mike Bannel if I remember correctly and they were built in Sydney just up near thornleigh) and they were built strong as the proverbial.

Another to consider (although a little more expensive - you will be amazed at the offers people will accept these days) is a traditional 30 (Built by Mike Barrett at Terry Hills in what is now the the Buizen factory I think), significantly bigger volume, nice turn of speed and capable around a twilight course or an offshore wander - not as strongly built but they knew more about fiberglass by then so still strong - more than adequate

Whatever you choose - tell us and post a lot of photos!