Best Small Cruisers (22-24ft)

[CAPAqua]

Ness, Lomond or Tay

I spent quite few years on Lomond - Ardlui.

Initially in a twin keel Leisure 17, and then a long keeled Albin Vega.

Only moved to Kip in January this year.

Ash

Thanks Ash - Worth a look. Are all the Vegas 27ft?

[aquaplane]

A point about lake sailing, it's not always the most reassuring for a novice. I introduced a former partner to sailing on Windermere and it put her off sailing, she was happy to go boating but lost interest once the sails went up. One minute you can be sat sunbathing with the sails slatting the next the boat is over on it's ear as a gust hits you from nowhere and you loose control until you can build up some steerage and ease sheets.

I think the wind is much more consistent on the sea, it may be stronger but more predictable so you feel to be more in control.

[ubergeekian]

What is the most robust sea-going 22-24ft cruiser available?

Here are my key requirements:

• fin keel
• road trailer
• 4 berths
• Good for short passages
• Budget - c£8k on a road trailer

Be careful what you wish for, as they say. The smaller Westerlies (Pageant, Warwick, Cirrus) are certainly "robust", but then so is an anvil, and robustness isn't actually one of your key requirements ...

At that size, spaciousness and looking-like-a-yacht-dammit-ness are, alas, more or less mutually exclusive. Corribees look lovely to my eyes but they are very cramped inside. Westerly 21s have loads of room for their size but are, erm, a bit boxy. Are you dead set on a fin keel, by the way, or would a long keel like a Hurley 22 be acceptable?

The good news is that the golden years of the sub-25' yacht are long, long past, which means that secondhand prices are very reasonable indeed. Good Centaurs (bigger and heavier than you want, I know) can be had for eight or nine grand, so for a budget of £8k you should be able to find something very nice. Don't rule out buying something a bit tatty and doing it up, though.

I'd recommend a look at the Boatshed website. Unlike most brokers, they don't turn their noses up at the smaller end of the market and they do 50+ pictures of each boat so you can get a good sense of what's available and possible in your size/price ranges. No connection, save that I bought Jumblie through Boatshed Wales and found it a very smooth and pleasant experience.

Finally, if I was looking for a yacht to match your specifications (and more of my own, of course), I'd look for an Arden 4.

[ash]

Thanks Ash - Worth a look. Are all the Vegas 27ft?

The Vega is 27ft - over 3,500 built in a very short time in the 1970's so lots of them about.

There are other yachts built by Albin Marin - The Viggen is smaller, and the Ballad is longer.

The Vega is fairly light for it's size - 2,300kgs design - so although not trailable - could be towed.

See this photo from MJS Boat Transport website


Ash

[CAPAqua]

A point about lake sailing, it's not always the most reassuring for a novice. I introduced a former partner to sailing on Windermere and it put her off sailing, she was happy to go boating but lost interest once the sails went up. One minute you can be sat sunbathing with the sails slatting the next the boat is over on it's ear as a gust hits you from nowhere and you loose control until you can build up some steerage and ease sheets.

I think the wind is much more consistent on the sea, it may be stronger but more predictable so you feel to be more in control.

Bob. I agree entirely... I've raced dingys long enough to know how unpredictable a loch is when the wind is funneling off the hills. However, it's a matter of getting plenty of use opposed to occassional trips over to the west. Thanks. Craig

[Mavanier]

Maybe consider the Achilles 24 as well, if you value performance over accomodation.

[claymore]

A point about lake sailing, it's not always the most reassuring for a novice. I introduced a former partner to sailing on Windermere and it put her off sailing, she was happy to go boating but lost interest once the sails went up. One minute you can be sat sunbathing with the sails slatting the next the boat is over on it's ear as a gust hits you from nowhere and you loose control until you can build up some steerage and ease sheets.

I think the wind is much more consistent on the sea, it may be stronger but more predictable so you feel to be more in control.

Bob. I agree entirely... I've raced dingys long enough to know how unpredictable a loch is when the wind is funneling off the hills. However, it's a matter of getting plenty of use opposed to occassional trips over to the west. Thanks. Craig

Well Bob - and were you walking on water in those days - presumably not - I couldn't see any woman dumping a guy with such talents....

[ubergeekian]

A point about lake sailing, it's not always the most reassuring for a novice. I introduced a former partner to sailing on Windermere and it put her off sailing, she was happy to go boating but lost interest once the sails went up. One minute you can be sat sunbathing with the sails slatting the next the boat is over on it's ear as a gust hits you from nowhere and you loose control until you can build up some steerage and ease sheets.

A pal of mine bought a Cornish Crabber 17 and based it on Ullswater. he's keen, but not very experienced. Took his wife out for her first sail and had much the experience you describe, but more so. I don't think she has ever gone sailing with him again.