For background, see this post;

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/My-Background-Sailing-Courses-in-Sydney

So my next question is which boat?

To get started on Sydney Harbour to build my skills and experience for the next three years, I am thinking something along the lines of a Cavalier 28 or Northshore 27. My preference is for the Cav 28 simply because of the heavier displacement compared to the Northshore 27, but I have not been on board either boat, so would definitely want to spend time on both boats before narrowing the decision to search for the specific boat I would buy.

I made a list of desirable attributes and realise the above two boats do not meet all of these criteria, but have used these criteria to keep me focused;

Fibreglass
Inboard Diesel Engine (Yanmar or Bukh)
Shaft Drive
Encapsulated Lead Keel
Enclosed Head
26-34 feet
Sloop Rig
Headsail Furling
Lazy Jacks and Boom Bag
Tiller Steer

The boat will be used on Sydney Harbour, mostly single-handed and focused on cruising around the harbour, with some short offshore stints up to Pittwater and maybe even a passage to Jervis Bay to re-live my old Creswell days. Not interested in racing.

I have a few requirements with respect to space inside the boat, such as the ability to stretch out a 6' frame on a quarter or salon berth. I have a preference for the types of interiors in the Cavaliers or Northshores vs the older more enclosed Compass 28 style interiors.

Budget will initially be around the $20k mark for purchase, but could go up to $30k for the right boat. Preference is to initially spend less, so I can upgrade to a 34' class boat once in Mooloolaba, as I am not sure the Cav 28 would be ideal for the run to New Caledonia.

I have also thought about a shared ownership 50:50 with a more experienced sailor, with a view to purchasing the other 50% over the next three years and then taking that boat to Mooloolaba.

Other boats I have considered and researched are as follows;

Martzcraft 35
Jarkan 10.5

UFO 34
Duncanson 34
S&S 34
Carter 33
*Northshore 33
Cole 32

Cavalier 32
*Eastcoast 31
Cole 31

Duncanson 29
Compass 28
*Cavalier 28
*Northshore 27

*Top Hat 25

Sonata 7
Noelex 25
*Investigator 563

Spacesailer 22
Sunmaid 20

The asterisks denote my first preference in each class.

So what say you? Cavalier 28 or Northshore 27 for my requirements?

That's a very broad spectrum of boats there! Very few people get their first yacht right. My advice would be to buy cheap first up and then decide what you really need. Something like this, but not necessarily that one, there are heaps about.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pacific-27-Yacht-1977-and-Mooring-Apparatus-Point-Clare-NSW/283615673112?hash=item4208cfbb18:g:TrEAAOSwC2JdcEQG
Keep an eye on what Maxiyachts has for sale on eBay or Gumtree [Jonathon/Regatta yachts} Sail that about for a few months while you decide what is your ideal boat and then sell on cheap or give it away. Once you have a boat on a mooring you will be part of a community of like-minded people and often there is word of mouth of excellent boats for sale. Don't be too set on a particular yacht either as there will be bargains that drop into one's lap like that Duncanson 34 that sold last Saturday in Adelaide for $5,500! There is a local Northshore 33 here that was bought for 17 grand.
Of the two choices, I would go Cav 28.

Hi,

we owned a Cav28 for a number of years. A lovely boat, sails well, comfortable cabin spacious cockpit for the size. I never regretted buying her.

The Cav is a mast head rig, meaning that the jib is fairly large and my wife struggled to winch in for a work. I think that the NS is fractional, so winching in should be easier. Depending on your fitness level that might be a consideration.

Of the two, unless there are other considerations, I would buy the boat in the best condition. Learning to sail is a great experience , but why complicate that by selecting a boat that needs constant maintenance, upgrades and repairs. Unless you are looking for a project, not having to worry about the boat gives you the best opportunity to enjoy the experience.

Biased opinion but the Cav 28 has better space below. I am 6' 1" and no problems.

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Ramona said..
That's a very broad spectrum of boats there! Very few people get their first yacht right. My advice would be to buy cheap first up and then decide what you really need.

[SNIP]

Of the two choices, I would go Cav 28.

Thanks for taking the time to respond Ramona. Understand your point about starting cheap. And yes it is a broad spectrum on that list. It was just showing an example of what I have researched, but have narrowed down the choice to something in the 28'-30' range.

Good tip on Maxiyachts. I had not seen that name before. Will do some searches. And yes I saw the Dunc 34 sale the other day and also read about the Northshore 33 for $17k. Right time right place I suspect!

My concern with something like the Pacific 27 you linked is off-loading it later. I do not want to be stuck with something I cannot move.

Appreciate your advice.

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LMY said..
Hi,

we owned a Cav28 for a number of years. A lovely boat, sails well, comfortable cabin spacious cockpit for the size. I never regretted buying her.

[SNIP]

Of the two, unless there are other considerations, I would buy the boat in the best condition. Learning to sail is a great experience , but why complicate that by selecting a boat that needs constant maintenance, upgrades and repairs. Unless you are looking for a project, not having to worry about the boat gives you the best opportunity to enjoy the experience.

Not looking for a project. While I have no problem with the off maintenance and repair job, I am not looking for a complete refit project. No issues with fitness or handling the sails on a 28' boat. I go to the gym three times per week and can run 5 km's non-stop. All good, but understand your point.

Good tip on focusing on specific examples and their condition/price ratio vs getting stuck on a particular make.

I did however have two Cavalier 28's in my focus, both in Sydney that I have shortlisted.

Appreciate your comments.

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troubadour said..
Biased opinion but the Cav 28 has better space below. I am 6' 1" and no problems.

Good to know. Thank you. I do not want to be hunched over when down below.

I've just moved up from a 20ft trailer-sailer (Austral 20) to a Cav28, and love it. I've not sailed a Northshore 27, so can't make a direct comparison.

The previous owner of the Cav28 kept the boat in good condition, using it regularly until he had a health crisis. It has tiller-steering, and a roomy cockpit. Last Saturday, I took a family of four out for the day (2 parents plus 2 kids), and we had plenty of room. The boat has good manners, and the 15 knots of wind didn't worry us (we had reefed the main and didn't fully unfurl the headsail, as a precaution).

I'll be spending most of my sailing-time on day-trips in Moreton Bay, mostly solo, and might work up to something more ambitious.

What really benefited me was the involvement of the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club members. They suggested the sale to start with; I started to ask about my next boat, and the previous owner of the Cav28 was looking for someone who would continue to look after it and enjoy it. They also helped with "after-sales" service, e.g. a short in the wiring killed the batteries between purchase and maiden voyage, and they volunteered their time to help sort it out. Also, it was a private sale, but I got a professional survey in any case.

I also had a look at a Cav30, but it was a sale through an agent. I backed out when the owner began to get tricky about what was, or was not included in the sale price.

The moral of the story is that it is better to buy a boat in a community. There is an active Cav28 association in Sydney, which would likely help you out.

Finally, look carefully at the boat's condition. You'd want to be sailing, rather than spending your time fixing up a host of small problems.

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Achernar said..
I've just moved up from a 20ft trailer-sailer (Austral 20) to a Cav28, and love it. I've not sailed a Northshore 27, so can't make a direct comparison.

[SNIP]

The moral of the story is that it is better to buy a boat in a community. There is an active Cav28 association in Sydney, which would likely help you out.

Finally, look carefully at the boat's condition. You'd want to be sailing, rather than spending your time fixing up a host of small problems.

Thanks Achernar. Appreciate the feedback and yes I have found the Cav 28 association in Sydney. There are two boats for sale by members at the moment, so I am sure going down this path would be quite beneficial.

Former NS27 owner. If deciding on a NS27 make sure you get a year that has the shaft drive engine not the Bukh sail drive. They haven't been manufactured for 20 years so your options are limited to a motor that has been rebuilt again and again.
I am biased but the NS27 is much prettier than a Cav 27 ;-)

Come out for a sail on MB. I think you will find it cheaper to buy the best boat you can afford for your purposes.
S&S34s are very simple and easy to sail. Extremely forgiving of the inevitable cock ups.

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MorningBird said..
Come out for a sail on MB. I think you will find it cheaper to buy the best boat you can afford for your purposes.
S&S34s are very simple and easy to sail. Extremely forgiving of the inevitable cock ups.

Yes I have read a lot about the S&S 34. Definitely of interest.

Go the Northshore 27!

Me and the (late) Old Man, great times we had.

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shoodbegood said..

[SNIP]

Go the Northshore 27!

Me and the (late) Old Man, great times we had.

Nice pic.

Thanks