G'day all. I'm currently looking at a few different options for a cruising boat that'll be suitable for me and my partner to do some trips up and down the coast maybe even a trip around Australia one day. Most likely in the 30-40ft range. Just after you're recommendations.

I'm thinking along the lines of a magpie 34 or s&s 34. Are the s&s's still a good rig? Or are there better options These days? Iv rebuilt boats in the past and a diesel mechanic by trade so will be spending the time and money on setting the boat up properly with all new gear before any trips obviously. trying to keep it on as much of a budget as possible (we all know there's no such thing with boats ?? ). But I'll look into whatever y'all come up with. Thanks guys.

Good similar prior post here albeit it started off in a bit smaller size range. The Arends 33 gets good recommendations along with numerous others.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Australian-cruising-yachts-with-good-sea-motion-Help-needed-?page=1
Obviously searches at the usual spots brings up many candidates including larger S+S models than the 34.
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/sail-monohulls/?Lengthfrom=10.67&Lengthto=12.19&feetfrom=35&feetto=40&order_by=price_asc&state%5B%5D=QLD&state%5B%5D=NSW&state%5B%5D=VIC&state%5B%5D=TAS&state%5B%5D=SA&state%5B%5D=NT&state%5B%5D=WA&pge=3
What does "low cost" mean - not trying to pry but your initial purchase price and yearly maintenance budget could assist in more focused responses. If you have to renew standing rigging straight up and fix the numerous other typical used yacht issues money can quickly get away. Good used sails can be got cost effectively if you wait for the right ones to come up. All the best with the plan and the voyages.

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r13 said..
Good similar prior post here albeit it started off in a bit smaller size range. The Arends 33 gets good recommendations along with numerous others.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Australian-cruising-yachts-with-good-sea-motion-Help-needed-?page=1
Obviously searches at the usual spots brings up many candidates including larger S+S models than the 34.
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/sail-monohulls/?Lengthfrom=10.67&Lengthto=12.19&feetfrom=35&feetto=40&order_by=price_asc&state%5B%5D=QLD&state%5B%5D=NSW&state%5B%5D=VIC&state%5B%5D=TAS&state%5B%5D=SA&state%5B%5D=NT&state%5B%5D=WA&pge=3
What does "low cost" mean - not trying to pry but your initial purchase price and yearly maintenance budget could assist in more focused responses. If you have to renew standing rigging straight up and fix the numerous other typical used yacht issues money can quickly get away. Good used sails can be got cost effectively if you wait for the right ones to come up. All the best with the plan and the voyages.

Under 50-70k. I definitely should have mentioned that I'm the original post sorry mate. I'll take a look at those threads. Agreed with maintenance costs I don't think a cost friendly boat exists haha. Thanks for the advice though

No problem. For that $s you will get a nice yacht and expect the choice will be difficult and depend on the specific type of yacht you want - probably any yacht we post up you would have already have found on line.

You listed the Magpie 34 - this one is the 3ft longer bigger sister but I am not sure if it was designed before or after the Magpie which is proportionately fuller in the stern - expect the Magpie would be a bit later design.

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cape-barren-goose-37/309201

So if you want a good sailing yacht which can cruise this Cape barren Goose type would be hard to beat. If you want a lot larger volume cruiser of the similar length which doesn't sail as well then there are lots for sale in that category.

This one is probably a bit later designed and seems it could suit;

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cal-39-2-sloop-mkiii/305550

Note that there are so many "Cal 39" yachts around it would pay to find out exactly which model this one is, if it is of interest. Some apparently had shoal drafts...........assume (if interested) that you would be after the standard deep draft tall rig. I have nothing to do with the Cal yachts or the seller.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_39_Mark_II

www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/cal-39-mkii-mkiii-displacement-131556.html

www.cal39.info/cal39roster.shtml

I'm a S&S34 fan having owned Morning Bird for nearly 15 years and sailed her many thousands of offshore miles.
They are small for a 34 and many other boats will be faster.
But there is no other boat I would want to be in when in a gale offshore. They are extraordinarily solid, robust or whatever you want to call it. I've been in 50kt+ storms in the deep ocean and never felt like the boat would break or roll over.
They sail very sweetly, no need for self steering on the wind and a light touch off the wind.
I do miss sailing that boat.

After just replacing the gearbox in my SS34 I would say the best boat to own is a 34 foot yacht with the engine and gearbox in the saloon above a lead keel!

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Ramona said..
After just replacing the gearbox in my SS34 I would say the best boat to own is a 34 foot yacht with the engine and gearbox in the saloon above a lead keel!

My gentle suggestion is this is improved by spending the extra 20 mins once every 40 years putting the new engine and gearbox under the cockpit out of the saloon above a lead keel in a 33ft boat.

www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1982-sparkman-stephens-39/SSE-AD-15617615/
A little bit higher than 70k but with a little sweet talking you never know!

Can visualize Ramona tearing hair out...............

The totally valid reasons the diesel is in the saloon above the keel on some yachts is to centralise the masses of both hence assisting to reduce the total rotational inertia about the yacht's centre of gravity lateral axis - ie reduce the inertia in pitching - and reduce the motion in a seaway especially upwind. So look at rotation of the yacht in pitching - a diesel located under the cockpit has a larger moment arm from the rotational axis than one in the saloon.

Not many web links are around on this topic..........this has some useful text..............

forums.ybw.com/threads/yachts-with-engines-in-the-saloon.164087/

Of course many S+S34s had the diesel under the cockpit/companionway stairs.

It was supposed to be tongue in cheek, I must of missed the mark.

For that money you should get current rigging + a good survey = insurance + sailable .
Take your time !
Mason

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EastCoastSail said..
It was supposed to be tongue in cheek, I must of missed the mark.

Great apologies, my bad.

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EastCoastSail said..
It was supposed to be tongue in cheek, I must of missed the mark.

I'm actually impressed with the room you have above that engine. While you can't dance around it it certainly has decent access.

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r13 said..
Can visualize Ramona tearing hair out...............

The totally valid reasons the diesel is in the saloon above the keel on some yachts is to centralise the masses of both hence assisting to reduce the total rotational inertia about the yacht's centre of gravity lateral axis - ie reduce the inertia in pitching - and reduce the motion in a seaway especially upwind. So look at rotation of the yacht in pitching - a diesel located under the cockpit has a larger moment arm from the rotational axis than one in the saloon.

Not many web links are around on this topic..........this has some useful text..............

forums.ybw.com/threads/yachts-with-engines-in-the-saloon.164087/

Of course many S+S34s had the diesel under the cockpit/companionway stairs.

I thought that link was familiar. Message number 19 is me, Fishermantwo.

How about the Adams 35

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Ramona said..
After just replacing the gearbox in my SS34 I would say the best boat to own is a 34 foot yacht with the engine and gearbox in the saloon above a lead keel!

When I bought Morning Bird I pulled the engine and gearbox out, took them home to overhaul them and refitted them. I had help from an onsite mechanic but it was very straightforward. Could have done it all myself.
Afterwards I had a hatch installed directly above the engine. This aided ventilation but also allowed the use of an engine hoist down through the hatch.
There are many things that contribute to a yacht's motion. I reckon the engine mounted above the keel is a significant contributor to the seakeeping of the S&S34. It is not only central to the ships moment arm but is also lower than anywhere else it could be installed.

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MorningBird said..

Ramona said..
After just replacing the gearbox in my SS34 I would say the best boat to own is a 34 foot yacht with the engine and gearbox in the saloon above a lead keel!

When I bought Morning Bird I pulled the engine and gearbox out, took them home to overhaul them and refitted them. I had help from an onsite mechanic but it was very straightforward. Could have done it all myself.
Afterwards I had a hatch installed directly above the engine. This aided ventilation but also allowed the use of an engine hoist down through the hatch.
There are many things that contribute to a yacht's motion. I reckon the engine mounted above the keel is a significant contributor to the seakeeping of the S&S34. It is not only central to the ships moment arm but is also lower than anywhere else it could be installed.

I welded up a square tube frame that sits on the edge of the saloon bunks and used a ratchet winch to haul it up in the air. Fits down through the hatch easily and is now in the backyard. Probably never get used again! The SS34 has heaps of room all around the engine. That new gearbox is a delight to use.

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Ramona said..

EastCoastSail said..
It was supposed to be tongue in cheek, I must of missed the mark.

I'm actually impressed with the room you have above that engine. While you can't dance around it it certainly has decent access.

Gained heaps more space than the Bukh that preceded it, also dropped 360kg down to 139kg. Also suprised it's smoother than the Bukh. Kubota's are great.

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EastCoastSail said..

Ramona said..

EastCoastSail said..
It was supposed to be tongue in cheek, I must of missed the mark.

I'm actually impressed with the room you have above that engine. While you can't dance around it it certainly has decent access.

Gained heaps more space than the Bukh that preceded it, also dropped 360kg down to 139kg. Also suprised it's smoother than the Bukh. Kubota's are great.

Yikes that's a lot of weight!
I thought I would be replacing my Bukh very soon after purchasing the boat but it doesn't miss a beat so it stays.

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Yikes that's a lot of weight!
I thought I would be replacing my Bukh very soon after purchasing the boat but it doesn't miss a beat so it stays.

My DV36 had 42 years of raw water cooling and 4,500hrs, without fault for all that time. But parts availability when remote and an offer to buy my engine prompted the change over. I think a large part of the improvement was due to changing from a rigid coupling at the output shaft to a flexible coupling, the shaft noise has dropped noticeably.