Hi everybody,

I am currently looking for a boat that I can sail single handed and also liveaboard. I work away so it will be in a Marina/ Mooring while I'm at work and then I will live and sail on it while back. I am having lessons on Dinghy sailboats at the moment and will move onto keelboat training. Then I will get lessons on my own boat when purchased.
I live on the Gold Coast, Australia, I plan to sail north to the Whitsundays during Winter and then down towards Tasmania during the Summer. Eventually I will sail SE Asia and across the PAcific.

Now the question, I like the look of the 1986 Duncanson 34's which are an Aft cockpit, and there is the 1979 Duncanson 37 which is a center cockpit.
Which would you recommend out of these two boats, or are they not even suitable for offshore cruising? They are both about the same price point.

Cheers, thanks for reading.

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bronto13 said..
Hi everybody,

I am currently looking for a boat that I can sail single handed and also liveaboard. I work away so it will be in a Marina/ Mooring while I'm at work and then I will live and sail on it while back. I am having lessons on Dinghy sailboats at the moment and will move onto keelboat training. Then I will get lessons on my own boat when purchased.
I live on the Gold Coast, Australia, I plan to sail north to the Whitsundays during Winter and then down towards Tasmania during the Summer. Eventually I will sail SE Asia and across the PAcific.

Now the question, I like the look of the 1986 Duncanson 34's which are an Aft cockpit, and there is the 1979 Duncanson 37 which is a center cockpit.
Which would you recommend out of these two boats, or are they not even suitable for offshore cruising? They are both about the same price point.

Cheers, thanks for reading.

Quite a few Dunc 37s have circumnavigated the globe not so sure about the 34s. Most 37s have a smallish aft cabin which is good for storage and sleeping.

Both boats are suitable for offshore sailing but they are very different boats. Some people like centre cockpits and others find them claustrophobic. I would suggest finding a crew spot on one of the local yachts to get a feel for what you really want.

Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

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bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

If your single and want to follow the dream and lifestyle choice you have posted a dunc 37 is a good yacht within your price range. I built and sailed mine from south oz to tazzie and up the east coast as far as lizard island over a 5 year period. The centre cockpit is great as you sit above decks and have a good view for watch keeping and easy for mooring to a dock as your fairly central to hopping off and grabbing midships of the vessel when you berth.

Thanks again for the added comments. I also like the look of the S&S Prestige 34 as per link, looks to have a bit more room and more extras but unsure of the winged keel. Any thoughts?
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/prestige-34/219345

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bronto13 said..
Thanks again for the added comments. I also like the look of the S&S Prestige 34 as per link, looks to have a bit more room and more extras but unsure of the winged keel. Any thoughts?
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/prestige-34/219345

34 foot is border line as a day sailor sandwich/weekender boat. The wingkeel looks great but why? Shoal draft?

Also how long will 50 litres diesel and 200 litres of water last? I have 1000 litres of water and 300lts .

I am not after a winged keel in particular, it just happens to have one. Ok so 34ft is a bit small for liveaboard? It looks to have more internal space that the Dunc 37, I could be wrong through. I am just looking at a variety of boats at the moment.

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bronto13 said..
I am not after a winged keel in particular, it just happens to have one. Ok so 34ft is a bit small for liveaboard? It looks to have more internal space that the Dunc 37, I could be wrong through. I am just looking at a variety of boats at the moment.

I understand , jump on a 34 foot boat and think to yourself could I live , work, sail this through all seasons of the year. I am a 10 year liveaboard , 37 foot dunc 5 years and 42 foot Adams 5 years . If you don't mind spending time in a small space with minimal requirements a small boat will suit you fine.

Great advice, thanks, I will start physically looking at some boats. My Uncle had a 30ft Roberts which I helped him sail from Whitsundays to Port Maquarie. Although it was only 30ft, I could have been happy on that by myself to start with. Also I am away for work 50-70% of the the month, so plan to work, then sail north in the winter and South during summer and then berth it while I need to go back to work. Also I will be doing this single handed.

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bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brunswick-heads/sail-boats/35-ft-cole-bounty/1239133085

The Cole 35's are a much larger boat than a Duncanson 37. Big and powerful and maybe a bit of a handful for solo sailing. In that price range now there are hundreds of suitable boats. I would recommend starting off with a starter boat, something nice and cheap that you could afford to lose. No one really finds the right boat first up.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compass-29ft-yacht-full-keel-fiberglass-diesel-Newcastle-NSW-No-Reseve/392648908165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

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Ramona said..

bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brunswick-heads/sail-boats/35-ft-cole-bounty/1239133085

The Cole 35's are a much larger boat than a Duncanson 37. Big and powerful and maybe a bit of a handful for solo sailing. In that price range now there are hundreds of suitable boats. I would recommend starting off with a starter boat, something nice and cheap that you could afford to lose. No one really finds the right boat first up.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compass-29ft-yacht-full-keel-fiberglass-diesel-Newcastle-NSW-No-Reseve/392648908165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

How can the Cole 35 be a much larger boat than the Dunc 37? =Cole 35ft beam 3.2 feet , Dunc 37 ft beam 3.2 feet. Both boats 6 to 7 ton. My Dunc had double spreader masthead rig as the cole you suggest is only single spreader?
Don't get me wrong I like the Cole but my thought are that the higher topesides would make it more difficult to singlehand during berthing and wouldn't say it's a much larger boat than the Dunc.

Thanks again for the replies. I am also looking at the Swanson 36 as well.

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southace said..

Ramona said..

bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brunswick-heads/sail-boats/35-ft-cole-bounty/1239133085

The Cole 35's are a much larger boat than a Duncanson 37. Big and powerful and maybe a bit of a handful for solo sailing. In that price range now there are hundreds of suitable boats. I would recommend starting off with a starter boat, something nice and cheap that you could afford to lose. No one really finds the right boat first up.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compass-29ft-yacht-full-keel-fiberglass-diesel-Newcastle-NSW-No-Reseve/392648908165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

How can the Cole 35 be a much larger boat than the Dunc 37? =Cole 35ft beam 3.2 feet , Dunc 37 ft beam 3.2 feet. Both boats 6 to 7 ton. My Dunc had double spreader masthead rig as the cole you suggest is only single spreader?
Don't get me wrong I like the Cole but my thought are that the higher topesides would make it more difficult to singlehand during berthing and wouldn't say it's a much larger boat than the Dunc.

The Duncanson 37 is a small boat on the slips. The much higher freeboard of the Cole combined with an aft cockpit makes them enormous inside. The Cole is a lot harder to board from a dinghy.

Cole single spreader???
Mines got two, same with the others I've seen, and on the original hand drawn sketches from Cole himself!

Its very easy to single hand with a Autopilot, and berthing/docking/mooring is actually quite easy due to 7 tons of over built yacht under you... very predictable, no race boat, however 6-7's easily done while sipping on your beverage of choice. Yes high topsides, but my 78 year old old man with a replaced knee still got up and down from my tender.
Cant speak for the Dunk, never been on one

Nothing wrong with a single spreader rig for a 35 footer as long as the mast section has been designed for it - which it must have been by the look of that Coles 35's age and the mast (assumed original) is still in it - as long as it was sailed enough through its life till now including in gale force winds on the odd occasion - with suitably reefed main and small jib of course.

Swanson 36's are a good boat but are getting a bit long in the tooth?

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Ramona said..

southace said..

Ramona said..

bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brunswick-heads/sail-boats/35-ft-cole-bounty/1239133085

The Cole 35's are a much larger boat than a Duncanson 37. Big and powerful and maybe a bit of a handful for solo sailing. In that price range now there are hundreds of suitable boats. I would recommend starting off with a starter boat, something nice and cheap that you could afford to lose. No one really finds the right boat first up.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compass-29ft-yacht-full-keel-fiberglass-diesel-Newcastle-NSW-No-Reseve/392648908165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

How can the Cole 35 be a much larger boat than the Dunc 37? =Cole 35ft beam 3.2 feet , Dunc 37 ft beam 3.2 feet. Both boats 6 to 7 ton. My Dunc had double spreader masthead rig as the cole you suggest is only single spreader?
Don't get me wrong I like the Cole but my thought are that the higher topesides would make it more difficult to singlehand during berthing and wouldn't say it's a much larger boat than the Dunc.

The Duncanson 37 is a small boat on the slips. The much higher freeboard of the Cole combined with an aft cockpit makes them enormous inside. The Cole is a lot harder to board from a dinghy.

For a liveaboard an aft cabin is much more comfortable then a v berth

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Ramona said..

southace said..

Ramona said..

bronto13 said..
Thanks for the replys. Are there any other boats that you would recommend with my requirements withing the 30-40k price?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brunswick-heads/sail-boats/35-ft-cole-bounty/1239133085

The Cole 35's are a much larger boat than a Duncanson 37. Big and powerful and maybe a bit of a handful for solo sailing. In that price range now there are hundreds of suitable boats. I would recommend starting off with a starter boat, something nice and cheap that you could afford to lose. No one really finds the right boat first up.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compass-29ft-yacht-full-keel-fiberglass-diesel-Newcastle-NSW-No-Reseve/392648908165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

How can the Cole 35 be a much larger boat than the Dunc 37? =Cole 35ft beam 3.2 feet , Dunc 37 ft beam 3.2 feet. Both boats 6 to 7 ton. My Dunc had double spreader masthead rig as the cole you suggest is only single spreader?
Don't get me wrong I like the Cole but my thought are that the higher topesides would make it more difficult to singlehand during berthing and wouldn't say it's a much larger boat than the Dunc.

The Duncanson 37 is a small boat on the slips. The much higher freeboard of the Cole combined with an aft cockpit makes them enormous inside. The Cole is a lot harder to board from a dinghy.

For a liveaboard an aft cabin is much more comfortable then a v berth

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r13 said..
Nothing wrong with a single spreader rig for a 35 footer as long as the mast section has been designed for it - which it must have been by the look of that Coles 35's age and the mast (assumed original) is still in it - as long as it was sailed enough through its life till now including in gale force winds on the odd occasion - with suitably reefed main and small jib of course.

Swanson 36's are a good boat but are getting a bit long in the tooth?

The Cole's are in the " getting a bit long in the tooth " also ?

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jbear said..

r13 said..
Nothing wrong with a single spreader rig for a 35 footer as long as the mast section has been designed for it - which it must have been by the look of that Coles 35's age and the mast (assumed original) is still in it - as long as it was sailed enough through its life till now including in gale force winds on the odd occasion - with suitably reefed main and small jib of course.

Swanson 36's are a good boat but are getting a bit long in the tooth?

The Cole's are in the " getting a bit long in the tooth " also ?

It seems that most yachts in my price range are a bit long in the tooth.

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bronto13 said..

jbear said..

r13 said..
Nothing wrong with a single spreader rig for a 35 footer as long as the mast section has been designed for it - which it must have been by the look of that Coles 35's age and the mast (assumed original) is still in it - as long as it was sailed enough through its life till now including in gale force winds on the odd occasion - with suitably reefed main and small jib of course.

Swanson 36's are a good boat but are getting a bit long in the tooth?

The Cole's are in the " getting a bit long in the tooth " also ?

It seems that most yachts in my price range are a bit long in the tooth.

You will find most under 50k will be in the long in tooth range my last dunc37 I rebuilt sold for $47k and I spent $120k and was still hard to sell!

Seems like we have got the phrase of the week or more......."a bit long in the tooth"...........

Cripes southace that's a more than totally amazing refurb on the dunc 37 right there.............guess the expenditure and sale price sort of don't match as you indicated with due chagrin...........such a difficult equation to balance the effort to keep the cherished yacht and the refurb budget........have been guilty myself............

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r13 said..
Seems like we have got the phrase of the week or more......."a bit long in the tooth"...........

Cripes southace that's a more than totally amazing refurb on the dunc 37 right there.............guess the expenditure and sale price sort of don't match as you indicated with due chagrin...........such a difficult equation to balance the effort to keep the cherished yacht and the refurb budget........have been guilty myself............

r13 said..
Seems like we have got the phrase of the week or more......."a bit long in the tooth"...........

Cripes southace that's a more than totally amazing refurb on the dunc 37 right there.............guess the expenditure and sale price sort of don't match as you indicated with due chagrin...........such a difficult equation to balance the effort to keep the cherished yacht and the refurb budget........have been guilty myself............

it matches . I no longer look at receipts I throw them in the chart table. I have a mental balance and know what boat bits cost. The true cost is when you sail miles and reap the rewards that most things work and are nice. Not like many of the under 50k boats I see on the net!

Wow, that refurb looks great

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bronto13 said..
Hi everybody,

I am currently looking for a boat that I can sail single handed and also liveaboard. I work away so it will be in a Marina/ Mooring while I'm at work and then I will live and sail on it while back. I am having lessons on Dinghy sailboats at the moment and will move onto keelboat training. Then I will get lessons on my own boat when purchased.
I live on the Gold Coast, Australia, I plan to sail north to the Whitsundays during Winter and then down towards Tasmania during the Summer. Eventually I will sail SE Asia and across the PAcific.

Now the question, I like the look of the 1986 Duncanson 34's which are an Aft cockpit, and there is the 1979 Duncanson 37 which is a center cockpit.
Which would you recommend out of these two boats, or are they not even suitable for offshore cruising? They are both about the same price point.

Cheers, thanks for reading.

Hi Bronto,
I bought a 1985 Duncanson 34 about 12 months ago. I have a bit more sailing experience than you off Western Australia, but not long term cruising. My intention is similar to you. The history of my boat is that it has cruised from Victoria up the East coast, to Singapore, England, South Africa, Darwin then WA. It is still in very good condition. Therefore to answer your question, it is very capable of blue water cruising.

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Cabron said..
Cole single spreader???
Mines got two, same with the others I've seen, and on the original hand drawn sketches from Cole himself!

Its very easy to single hand with a Autopilot, and berthing/docking/mooring is actually quite easy due to 7 tons of over built yacht under you... very predictable, no race boat, however 6-7's easily done while sipping on your beverage of choice. Yes high topsides, but my 78 year old old man with a replaced knee still got up and down from my tender.
Cant speak for the Dunk, never been on one

Had below Bounty which I raced in 70/80s Single Spreader . The other Coles in PP Back then
were also single spreaders. Large interior ,plenty head room. Great , dry sea boats.

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Bananabender said..

Cabron said..
Cole single spreader???
Mines got two, same with the others I've seen, and on the original hand drawn sketches from Cole himself!

Its very easy to single hand with a Autopilot, and berthing/docking/mooring is actually quite easy due to 7 tons of over built yacht under you... very predictable, no race boat, however 6-7's easily done while sipping on your beverage of choice. Yes high topsides, but my 78 year old old man with a replaced knee still got up and down from my tender.
Cant speak for the Dunk, never been on one

Had below Bounty which I raced in 70/80s Single Spreader . The other Coles in PP Back then
were also single spreaders. Large interior ,plenty head room. Great , dry sea boats.

Looking good there!

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lydia said..

Bananabender said..

Cabron said..
Cole single spreader???
Mines got two, same with the others I've seen, and on the original hand drawn sketches from Cole himself!

Its very easy to single hand with a Autopilot, and berthing/docking/mooring is actually quite easy due to 7 tons of over built yacht under you... very predictable, no race boat, however 6-7's easily done while sipping on your beverage of choice. Yes high topsides, but my 78 year old old man with a replaced knee still got up and down from my tender.
Cant speak for the Dunk, never been on one

Had below Bounty which I raced in 70/80s Single Spreader . The other Coles in PP Back then
were also single spreaders. Large interior ,plenty head room. Great , dry sea boats.

Looking good there!

Thanks Lydia, Derwent (Westcoaster 81)

Other forums have mentioned structural problems with the Duncanson 37 skeg and this would need to be checked out. I would expect the costs for the 35 and 37 would be similar, so would go for the larger boat.

A

Come for a sale at Southport Yacht Club for Thursday twilights. The best boat for you will be the best one you can afford. These 30 to 40 year old fibre glass boats are still going strong. All the boats mentioned are great boats. Watch out for rotten balsa cored decks and corroded keel bolts. Make sure you get a pre purchase inspection before you buy and be prepared to some work in. good luck