Newbie from Australia

[HankOnthewater]

Hi Johnathan
Some info here, mainly focused on Oz. This info is far from complete and I am sure some others will disagree or comment that many brands have been omitted. Hehehe, and they are right. On this early Sunday morning, in gloomy weather, I am just having a coffee, working the keyboard, just typing what comes to mind.

There are several sailing boats for sale by Pugh, Roberts, Boro and Boden. But most of these were home built from a plan. Quality of built and finish vary widely. You might find a good one, but the word “hens’ teeth” comes to mind. Most of these were in steel, I have seen only Roberts sometimes in fibreglass.

Then there is a range of production boats designed/built in the late seventies early eighties: mostly in fibreglass, mostly heavy and well built, sometimes slowish, and not offering much interior space compared with newer boats. examples of that era: Westsail 32/33/42, the S&S range 34/36/39/42, Tayana 37, Crealock 37/40, Hans Christian 33/38/41/43/48, Vancouver 42, Passport 42, Slocum 43, Noreseman 447, Bowman 47, Vagabond 47, Transpac 49, Durbeck 46/50, Kelly Peterson 44/46, CT 47/49, Hudson 50 and I guess Irwin 52 fits here as well. Looking back on this range, quite a few boats sail very well, and others …not so.

There are some….. hmmm, there were many premium boat builders: Hallberg Rassey, Rustler (hmm have only seen one of them in Oz), Moody, Swan, Amel, Naiad, Sweden Yachts and some other good boats were made in Taiwan, and not all people consider these ‘made in Taiwan’ as “premium”.

Then there are some builders of alu boats: Ovni, Via, Boreal. Expect to pay premium prices for a good alu boat.

As mentioned in previous posts, there are good boats to had by Beneteau, Bavaria, Hunter, Catelina and the like. Mostly lighter built compared with premium boat builders.

You may already have found this database of boats: https://sailboatdata.com/

Here are some links to boats. No, I have no affiliation with any of them.
https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...ord-415/255452
https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...ford-45/255789
https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...ventory/259406
https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...othouse/258893
https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...e-world/256138

I noticed there are 4 boats by Adams/Radford, all in steel. Not sure if you prefer the strength of that or abhor the thought of rust.
There is not really a large range of cruising boats on offer in West Australia.

There is a beautiful GRP Alden design 50-ish footer in Mindarie. Been on the market over 2 years. If you like traditional boats go for that, but it is a bit short on comfort and equipment. https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...hore-50/213897

Anyway, something to do while you wait for the cyclone Seroja to travel south. Stay safe.