G'day crew! I'm in the market for a first yacht, and I'm hoping to be pointed in the right direction. I've never sailed before, however upon purchasing a boat I'd learn over time with courses and first hand experience. I'm after a boat in the 30 - 36ft range priced between 20 and 40k that would be comfortable enough to live on while I'm gaining experience, but seaworthy to take on a long offshore haul from Brisbane to Indonesia and beyond. Any suggestions welcomed. Cheers!

Jake

im guessing "Jake" that people on here may be reluctant to spend any time bantering away with new posters as a result of some troll/s wasting everyones time and making up flippant stories...
Id suggest cruisers forum .sorry if that seems harsh.

Cheers Steve

cole 35 sloop,
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bundaberg-north/sail-boats/cole-35-sloop/1116287999?utm_source=com.android.mms&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android
Price: $25,000

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/airlie-beach/sail-boats/adams-13-kickatinalong-/1089775334?utm_source=com.android.mms&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android

Price: $38,000 Negotiable


33ft fibreglass yacht,
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/blacks-beach/sail-boats/33ft-fibreglass-yacht/1118041066?utm_source=com.android.mms&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android

Price: $37,000 Negotiable
There are 3

Start small and learn to sail. Something like a 25ft Top Hat will look after you and not break the bank. Also easier to handle the sails while you are learning.
Then, when you have confirmed that this lifestyle is what you want, you can get the bigger boat.

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Yara said...
Start small and learn to sail. Something like a 25ft Top Hat will look after you and not break the bank. Also easier to handle the sails while you are learning.
Then, when you have confirmed that this lifestyle is what you want, you can get the bigger boat.

But he wants to live onboard a tophat is a bit small for that

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twodogs1969 said..

Yara said...
Start small and learn to sail. Something like a 25ft Top Hat will look after you and not break the bank. Also easier to handle the sails while you are learning.
Then, when you have confirmed that this lifestyle is what you want, you can get the bigger boat.

But he wants to live onboard a tophat is a bit small for that

Was thinking he would live ashore until he has learned how to handle a boat. That said, couples have sailed around the World in Top Hats.

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Yara said..

twodogs1969 said..

Yara said...
Start small and learn to sail. Something like a 25ft Top Hat will look after you and not break the bank. Also easier to handle the sails while you are learning.
Then, when you have confirmed that this lifestyle is what you want, you can get the bigger boat.

But he wants to live onboard a tophat is a bit small for that

Was thinking he would live ashore until he has learned how to handle a boat. That said, couples have sailed around the World in Top Hats.

Just what I was going to say Yara. Top Hats are liveable, if you set them up right and you're not after a palacial style of living. Bit like living in an 18 foot caravan, instead of a Winnebago. You'll get a pristine one for $15k, an average one for as little as $6k. It was my first keelboat and I still have it 8 years after making the decision to buy a boat instead of renting one when I wanted one.

We chose the Top Hat after reading Jan Mitchell's story of their circumnavigation in the 70s. Their son Jamie did it again about 8 or 9 years ago, again in a Top Hat. So a good one will certainly look after you.

We had a limit of $12k for the first 12 months of ownership, including the purchase, mooring fees, rego and insurance. As well as upkeep like the first slip and antifoul. We imposed that limit, not because we didn't want to spend more money and get a more luxurious yacht, but because we still weren't sure if we would like being boat owners. We didn't want to be too much out of pocket if we felt that it wasn't for us and we wanted to sell the boat on. As it turned out, we still love our Top Hat, with the slight patina of wear and aging gelcoat. However, the view from her cockpit is just the same as on a Hanse 525 without the pricetag.

I've been looking for boats with my cousin, he's settled on a nice Cav 28, needs a little work and a clean up, but he got it for $3k less than asking. It has some brand new sails, a re-con saildrive and loads of room for two to spend extended periods onboard. It can be sailed single handed too. There are loads of 28/29 Compasses around for $25k that you'll get for way less. There is a Mutiny 28 in Church Point that needs gutting and re-painting that you might get for a song, but is plenty roomy and quite quick apparently. It currently looks like ****e though....

Something to remember, the price you pay for a boat is really just the down payment on the maintenance and repairs. Be prepared to budget a few $$ every year for the standards of mooring, antifoul, insurance and rego. Plus all the doodads you'll ogle on ebay and at Whitworths.

Have fun looking......

My first boat was a Skiff Moth then I sailed on "Other Peoples Boats" that's the best way then I lived for 6 years on the mighty Folkboat then finally my current boat an Adams 35. I sailed on Kickatinalong on a pervious post its a great boat sad to see it go for $38k you get a seriously fast boat for that money!

You can live on anything and ceicumnavigate on 6.5m it depends on comfort. A tophat is a very capable boat but I would not like to spend three weeks of raining weather cooped up in one or a folk boat where you can't stand up in.
Personally I don't think he cold go pass the bounty for value but I am partial to the mottle33 and the aft cabin would make the liveaboad so much better. Another plus for the mottle is an encapsulated keel.

Thanks everyone for your responses, I'm really liking the looks of the Cole 35 posted above. Amazing what you can get out of a sail boat for that kind of money compared to power.

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Henderjake said..
Thanks everyone for your responses, I'm really liking the looks of the Cole 35 posted above. Amazing what you can get out of a sail boat for that kind of money compared to power.

That Cole is an excellent buy. Just remember it's a big powerful yacht and a handful for a small crew. I would suggest something smaller to start out with. Very few people buy the right yacht first off. Tophat, Compass/Northerner 28 or similar in the cheap line and then move up when your confident. This Northerer has had 23 grand spent on her and is available at a starting price of 15 grand. Very few boats sell at their starting price!

Read a lot of stuff. Listen to good advice.
Go out to deep water in a friendly forecast of 10 kn and just @&$*ing do it.

Look at the link I posted the other night... hundreds of subjective opinions on different vessels. Prob best once you home in on a few.

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Sectorsteve said...
im guessing "Jake" that people on here may be reluctant to spend any time bantering away with new posters as a result of some troll/s wasting everyones time and making up flippant stories...
Id suggest cruisers forum .sorry if that seems harsh.

I wish we still had red thumbs

Hi, I have a aft cockpit sloop rigged Duncanson 37 yacht that meets your needs and more boat is in Sydney and not advertised contact me and I can tell you what to look for in the Cole 35 and if you choose to have a look at my Duncanson you are most welcome I will sell Cheers Tom.

H Jake,
I started out from scratch as a beginner to sailing with my Tartan 37. 4 years later I'm still very happy with her but I just may buy a bigger one so she may b for sale soon

It is not steel it is timber sheathed in glass.

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Henderjake said..
Hey guys, sorry to start this chat back up! This Roberts 36 looks like one hell of a deal, in my price range and close to where I live. It's a steel hull, any thoughts on that? Also how seaworthy will she be or are they known to be?

Thanks in advance

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-3826926/1997-ROBERTS-36?cr=8&psq=%28%28%28BoatType%3D%5BSail%5D&%28%28%28SiloType=%5BDealer+used+boats%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer+new+boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate+used+boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo+and+near+new+boats%5D%29%29&Service=%5BBoatsales%5D%29&Make=%5BROBERTS%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Price

that one is not steel , its epoxy glued timber with fiberglass sheath over the timber .

Sorry guys I just read that on post and jumped on to edit, is this a good seaworthy hull for extended ocean trips?

My answer would be a No

The bounty 35 is much better

There is an S & S 30 Defiance at Scarborough marina. It have basically everything you need. I think is listed at $35 thousand. Good boat for live a bord and sailing.

Defiance is a great yacht but I would pay no more than $25,000 for one and it would have to be right up to scratch.

Always great to see a topic like this Guys! I am waiting for the mortgage to be paid, kids to leave, etc etc before I have a crack. Meanwhile happy to crew for a local bloke and get some experience.
I have been browsing boats in similar range but nothing seriously just yet. Then I stumbled across this on the seabreeze buy/sell page - what's the catch????

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Boating-Sail-Boats/~tdywm/Adams-30-30-0.aspx?search=$ok7$nvRv5HDh5ZxWfzIkg==

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Fieldie said..
Always great to see a topic like this Guys! I am waiting for the mortgage to be paid, kids to leave, etc etc before I have a crack. Meanwhile happy to crew for a local bloke and get some experience.
I have been browsing boats in similar range but nothing seriously just yet. Then I stumbled across this on the seabreeze buy/sell page - what's the catch????

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Boating-Sail-Boats/~tdywm/Adams-30-30-0.aspx?search=$ok7$nvRv5HDh5ZxWfzIkg==

It's in WA is probably a stumbling block for most. Lot of people shy away from alloy yachts especially in the smaller sizes. They can feel a bit cold and can be very noisy in the cabin. If the hull is left bare alloy they can be an outstanding cruising yacht. The trouble is when you try to keep them painted. Have to be careful with antifouling paint choices and careful of other yachts or boats parked alongside with non compatible antifoul paint.
I like it and would certainly own it.