Boat comparison
Posted by Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 26 comments
This will be by first sailboat. I have plans to go down the eastern seaboard USA. Mostly only anchoring. I want comfort and safty over speed. It will be full time budget travel/liveabord situation.
I’ve narrowed down my list of boats and would love some input from yall.
27ft Bristol hull #174
1965 Pearson vanguard 27
1978 albin Vega 27
1976 c+c 33
I think the C+C is my top choice.
No-Sail-6510@reddit
I’d rank them: 1. Album Vega 2. Bristol 3. Cc 4. Vanguard.
Wait isn’t a vanguard 32? Maybe you mean a triton? If so it’s basically just like the Bristol.
Strenue@reddit
How much sailing have you done?
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Minimal, 5x 2hr sessions in good weather
morologous@reddit
This may be unwanted advice but: I think you may overthinking it - start by get a small sailboat (25-27’); something just big enough to “camp” in. Sail it like crazy every weekend in your area until you feel comfortable sailing at night, dealing with high or gusty conditions, anchoring in bad weather, navigating shallow water, etc.
Once you’ve got that under your belt, move up to 30-36’ and live aboard.
overthehillhat@reddit
Good question
Beat me to it
canofmixedveggies@reddit
those boats are all very different. my first big boat was a cal 27, it was a little big for me to take it out by myself but I could. docking was interesting.
I have a Catalina 30 now, it's almost 3x at much boat. it's really not easy to get the sails up and going by myself, like I can't flake my main how I want.
so my advice is get the best condition boat in your price range and walk and and try to imagine taking it out by yourself unless you absolutely know you'll have help.
Mehfisto666@reddit
It vastly depends on the condition of the boat. But 27ft to 33ft is pretty much double the volume. It's a huge difference.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Good to know I didn’t think it would be all that different
Mehfisto666@reddit
I just switched myself from a 28ft to a 34ft, the extra space for liveaboard is fantastic. Although for one person my 28 feeter was very fine i lived on it 2 years just wish it had a little more standing height.
I'd advise you to go through the old sailingzingaro youtube videos where he goes through boat ads and picks up red flags and tells you money and time cost of things that need fixing etc etc.
If you plan to cruise and liveaboard definitely make sure you have standing height and you're not buying a racer you want something a little heavier
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
I haven’t heard of that YouTuber thanks I’ll check em out
Mehfisto666@reddit
He's the goat
SigNexus@reddit
Miss my '86 Pearson 303 everyday. Had her for 10yr. Kids got into HS and boat wasn't used enough. Great boat, designed as a cruiser/racer. Easy to single hand and Yanmar 16 was bullet proof.
PrizeAnnual2101@reddit
Giant size difference in 27 and 33 especially cost of everything like sails rigging etc
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Price of sails… goooood point!
Plastic_Table_8232@reddit
The way a 33 handles in weather compared to a 28 is a huge difference.
Personally I would give a Catalina 30 serous consideration for its excellent support, documented fixes, nice interior volume without sacrificing to mix performance. Good aftermarket support if you don’t care to source everything independently, and a great online community. Might even check out the c30 group for boats for sale. They are a big little boat.
A tall rig with bow spirit and full fin keel is the way to go.
Since most folks buy them as a first boat you can find some rather nice refit models for sale at a very reasonable price.
They are a great first boat for so many reasons. Highest production run in the history of sailing by a huge margin.
Don’t let the nay sayers fill you with fear over an atomic 4 either. It is hands down the best power plant for the c30. With electronic ignition and an indigo prop they run like a sewing machine. Good parts availability and also knowledgeable support.
johnbro27@reddit
This. Those 5 feet are huge, now you're in a mid-size boat and everything is bigger and more expensive. Also boat is more comfortable, faster, and has more stowage.
Bwomprocker@reddit
27 feet doesn't offer you alotta breathing room for a liveaboard situation.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
I’ve been in a van for 5+ years I think I’ll make do. But I can always upgrade later too
Wado@reddit
I went from van to sailboat as well. Something I would recommend is buy a boat where you can drive the van. Use the van as a home while you get to know the boat. There will be projects and adjustments to be made on any boat. Live in the van while you work on the boat. As you know from vanlife, working on a project makes living in the space very difficult.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Oh man it’s so hard to live within your project space haha! Yes this is great input thank you
Infamous-Adeptness71@reddit
What's the outboard/inboard situation here?
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Both are outboard idk the HP
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Sorry most of them are outboard the C+C is inboard diesel 300 hrs
Extreme_Map9543@reddit
I’d do the Pearson vanguard personally.
Mental_Formal_8806@reddit
As other have said a 27 is small, but there is nothing wrong with that.The C+C have a 10.5 beam. But the stern is pinched so it is like a 30 foot boat. If it was me I would do a Catlina 30 it has a 10'10" beam. In small boats beam is all importance for room below (comfort).
I am sitting here thinking I should not be giving any advice, I just do not know enough about your situation. you need to find someone that has done this and sit down and talk for a couple hours, there are just too many thing that would go into a decision like this. All the above list could be the right or wrong boat for you
Infamous-Adeptness71@reddit
Kinda depends on what's available in your area, does it not?