names of the top sailing yachts used for ocean sailing, for instance circumnavigation and long ocean voyages?
Apr 23, 2009 in
Yacht Charters
I want something that I can sail back and forth from the Med. to the virgin Islands on a regular basis. I need a vessel that is not restricted to coastal waters.
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3 comments
Mike on April 23, 2009 at 10:32 am
If you're looking for a boat, its like looking for a car. Just because that kia you own says 4wd on the back, You may want to think twice before you follow that jeep or land rover into the bushes. It might make it, but there are other things to consider like weather, terrain, skill level, etc. Same with boats.
Also choice should depend on design charactaristics and not nessissarily a brand name. Although manufacturers reputation means a lot, each boat is an individual. For a cruising boat I'm looking for things like hull shape and sail plan are number one considerations. I want a long keel or at least a modified long keel and a skeg in front of my rudder. Sailplan, I'd stay away from a sloop. I'd have a cutter, ketch, yawl, or schooner. If you are down between two boats, same size and even manufacturer, I'd get the one with the most sails. A ketch with a staysail devides your sailplan into 4 working sails where a sloop, you have two. Advantages are smaller sails, smaller lines, etc. This makes things cheaper when you go to replace something. Also you have more options when the wind does pick up and you need to reduce sail. Its easier to balance the boat.
I also look for things like a nice wide deck and outboard chainplates. I hate having to jocky around shrouds when going forward. Chainplates on the hull allow free movement, more room on deck and makes it easier to go forward and do work on the bow (changing sails, etc) when underway. Disadvantages are less sheeting angle so you cant point as close to the wind, but if you're cruising, a few degrees on each tack isnt going to be a big deal.
Lin and Larry Pardey have been cruising since the mid 60's. They have several circumnavigations with two different boats and almost 200,000 sea miles under their keels. They did a survey of cruisers in different parts of the world and saw a bunch of different kinds of boats. They found what design charactaristics are good and which dont work quite as well. I'd recommend any book that they've written. They are minimalists though. Their first boat was 23 feet on deck and they sailed it for 11 years and one circumnavigation. They sold it and built a bigger boat. Their big boat is 29 feet on deck. Neither boat has an engine or electronics. They navigate with a chart, sextant, compass, and watch.
The Pardeys found that normal cruising boats for couples (even with one child) was around 30 feet. They found that for every 10 feet after that, your cruising costs double! So if you're in a 50 foot boat, cruising the same waters as a couple in a 30 foot boat during the same seasons, your cruising costs are 4 times as much.
Another thing about a small boat is that a single person can manage it. To me, this is important, even though I'm planning on cruising as a couple…If something happens to me, lets say I'm sick. My wife can safely navigate and manage the boat by herself.
As far as boat names…I'd stick with something simple, unique and easy to say on the radio. Makes life easier when you're calling for help. Stay away from names that sound offensive and think about what may be offensive in another language but sound cute in yours.
Okay….Cruising boat! Something dependible, proven. Me…I'm cruising with my wife and we live on and plan on sailing around the world on a Pacific Seacraft Mariah 31. I'd like to keep things around 30 feet. Something managible. Westsail 32 (or 28) is a good choice and lots of them have been around the world. My first choice is a Bristol Channel Cutter. She's only 28 feet on deck but almost 40 feet overall with the bowsprit and boomkin. Baba 30, Hans Christian 34 (robert perry design) Crealock 34, Crealock 37 (both bilt currently by Pacific Seacraft) Island Packet makes a bunch of different size cruising boats. Tayana 37 is also a sturdy proper cruising boat.
I'm not big on which boat won which race. I'm personally looking for something that will get me there safe, keep me warm and dry. What else can we ask of a little boat?
Good Luck, Fair winds and following seas!
rabbit on April 23, 2009 at 10:32 am
This is a Test, Right!!!
to bad, i was never good at tests…….
but i have spent a lot of time out in the middle of the "Big Lake". and i don't mean crossing the damn thing on normal shipping routes either. i mean staying out there where people shouldn't be, and watching the people who shouldn't be there.
i got so i liked it out there in the middle of nowhere; almost like i was home when i was out there. but then i was the one who always knew exactly where the hell we were, and where we were going next; that makes a big difference. there actually are very subtle differences in the pacific between one area and another if your out there enough to see them. but after you been out there long enough, you start missing the sun shining through green trees and on the grass. and then when you have enough of that, you need the turquoise blue/greens, and dark grays of miles-deep waters…..
Ok, so those are my particulars.
and i own a boat that i picked out years ago; one of the most over-built hulls ever made. in point of fact, this one boat was built and has lasted the last 42 years with little done to it. and i could probably take it out and run the "64th Swiftsure International Yacht Race " with it this year. there are a lot of new boat's in her class you wouldn't do that with. i am talking about a Cal-28 flush-deck. built by Cal-Jensen Marine of California. and designed by "Bill Lapworth". it was the hull He used to test the design for the famous Cal-40 the dominated the trans-pack race for so many years, and changed sailing for ever.
don't get me wrong; i wouldn't hesitate driving a Cal-28 flush-deck over to Pearl, and doing a lone-term island cruse as far as midway. as long as i started from San Diego; no further north. but if i am really going to sail the ocean-deep! that takes a real boat as far as my experience is concerned. one good place to start is the well proven Cal-40. it takes a betten, and keeps on sailing. and that isn't just my opinion. feel free to ask anyone whos done a trans-pack. but get your head out of the books and start talking to people who have been there and done that. face to face. and i don't mean in places like this where any Bozo can and will give his or her opinion. not even me. go out there and look them in the eyes when you are talking to them.
i have been out there, sure. but even i have never been out there in the middle of the big lake in a blow-boat…….
the1much on April 23, 2009 at 10:32 am
morris yacht,,or a hinkley,,i've been from maine to california in an able apogee,,most sailboat builders in state of maine are known for their seaworthiness , the last one i built for morris went to africa and back.hope you got lots of $ tho, most of the sailboats are custom built.