Taking the Plung

[Big_JP]

Hi Guys,

Hope everyone is keeping safe during this lockdown.

I was just hoping to get some general advice from everyone. With he lockdown I have decided to take the plunge and (when this is over and is save to do so) finally think seriously about buying my own boat. I have being crewing on yachts in my spare time for the last few years and sailing on dinghys for as long as I can remember so it only feels natural to take this step!

I have not got much cash, but i'm in a fortunate position where my current outgoings are limited enough that this is affordable. I am looking at buying a Sadler 32 or something of a simalar style. I'm 22 now and its being a dream of mine to cross the Atlantic for the Caribbean by the time I am 30.

So to stop rambling. my questions are...

my budget for the boat is around £20,000 to £25,000 I can see a lot of boats in this price range online with a array of equipment onboard suitable for Bluewater cruising such as plotter, radio, Solar panels, AIS receiver, good living space. Assuming it is all in good working order would it be naive of me to think I would not need to replace this equipment?

I will defiantly be sailing around costal waters of the UK for a few years before this so that should give me time to work out any issues that need fixing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, anything you can think to say to help would be much appreciated. Perhaps all the waiting at the moment is making me dream a bit to big!

Thanks,

[claymore]

Welcome,
At 22 you have time on your side and perhaps need to list your priorities?
It isn't the buying of a boat that is the tricky part - it is the running of it that will run away with your pennies.
My advice would be to wait a while - the current coronacrisis will produce results we haven't even dreamed of yet - give it 18 months then see how you are fixed.
Do some dinghy sailing - its much less costly and the skills you pick up will serve you well when you get on something bigger.
Sail with someone else who can be trusted and who will teach you
Good luck

[Big_JP]

Thanks guys,

Not sure I mentioned in the OP but I’m a qualified dinghy instructor, sailing most weekends (or was before the virus) I just have ambitions beyond my local waters haha.

Done a lot of crewing during races but it’s a lot of getting shouted at and told where to go. I’m not learning loads as there isn’t much time to think about what’s happening.

Good to hear that I wasn’t being optimistic about thinking this could be done with simple equipment. People at my local club seem to think it would be mad to buy a older boat without fancy electronics. But as you said, people have done this for a long tine without. Is there anything you’d consider essential to ensure is there?

When looking at boats, is there a “base level” to look for condition wise? Will a slightly worn hulk make a difference?


Any more insights about this would be much appreciated!

[Big_JP]

That’s brilliant Alister,

Thanks for that, more information there than in hours of reading!

Very much appreciated

[claymore]

It was very comprehensive wasn't it?
I would disagree with one tiny element. It is safer, when on your own or short handed to be able to 'dial a sail' rather than going onto a bucking foredeck to change a sail.
It is 25 years since I was sailing back from the Isle of Man to Fleetwood in a biggish sea and falling breeze. I took the genoa up onto the foredeck and whilst changing sails we came off a wave top, I executed a single point landing (knee) on the most solid bit of boat in the area (Foredeck cleat) and it (knee) has never been right since..thank God I'm not a catholic.
Furling headsails are - in my view - a basic essential.

[marisca]

I tend to agree with Claymore (there has to be a first time!) re furling headsails but in my opinion some means of hoisting another headsail is also advisable. Rolled headsailsails, aye, even those with a foam luff, tend to produce a horrible shape as they get smaller. I have a removable forestay for the storm jib which moves the centre of effort closer to the mast and on the rare occasions I need to use it gives good windward performance.
One of the things that put me off the Sadler 32 was the baby stay which seemed to get in the way when tacking and spinnaker gybing.
Just nosy, but which is your local club that values instruments so highly?

[Big_JP]

I wouldn’t want to give a exact club name in case any of them use this as they could probably easily place me. But somewhere along the North east coast Humber area.

What do people think to the Sigma 33 compared to the Sadler 32? Seems to be a lot of these within my price range that claimed to have been well looked after.

[Nick]

.
The Sigma 33 is a great boat, great fun to sail, but if you are buying one for cruising make sure it is a masthead rig - known as the 33C. I've sailed one quite a bit, but if it was a choice between it and the Sadler for offshore work I would definitely go for the Sadler (which I have also sailed, though less than the Sigma). You might also want to consider a Rival 34

. . . and if prices really tank after the pandemic, who knows, you might just pick up a Vancouver 32 within your budget. They are lovely boats.

The issue with all these designs is that the accommodation layout is rather old-fashioned, with a not too generous forepeak being the owners stateroom. However, if you are happy with this then you can get a good safe boat fit for offshore passages and have plenty left for upgrades and running expenses.

Otherwise, you might just pick up something like a Moody 34 or 346 just within your budget, a decently built boat with a good sized aft cabin.

One thing to look for in an older boat is a relatively new engine - there is nothing more frustrating than having a boat that sails really well but spending all your time nursing a decrepit engine.

Upgrades I would look at if you have money burning a hole in your pocket after the purchase of an older bargain are:

a) Removeable inner forestay for storm jib/staysail
b) Def. furling headsail, but maybe with a second heavier furling jib which can be rigged for longer offshore passages.
c) Cruising chute to get your relatively heavy old tub moving in light airs, with snuffer for tranquil operation
d) Radar if possible, otherwise or as well as, AIS transponder
e) Webasto (best) or Eberspacher for UK cruising, otherwise it;s a short season
f) Fridge for when the sun comes out or the butter melts
g) Lots of solar to power fridge and other goodies - consider a stern arch
h) The best anchor you can afford, with a decent windlass. 15Kg Spade or Knox is what I would recommend for the Sadler or the Rival

Looking forward to hear what you eventually purchase if we ever get out of this lockdown.

[wully]

Heater? Worth having here if you like being dry and warm....

Save a fortune if you must have a blown air one by fitting a Planer - Eberspacher/Webasto are massively overpriced.

Better still fit a Reflecks of Dickinson and avoid the power consumption and noise issues.

[Big_JP]

Thanks for all the responses so far,

I have been looking at three boats in particular after reading the above info.

Sadler 32
Rival 34
Nicholson 32

Looks like there’s a lot of good options for around and below my 20k budget and have some cash spare to fix up anything that needs attention.

Has anyone got any experience or insights into these boats?

Thanks