Hi All,
Looking for a boat around 30' and being in WA the choice is much more limiting than enjoyed on the eastern seaboard. I want a cruiser/racer that can perform when sailed well and has some visual appeal to non sailors for social sails etc. There are some yachts I've seen that though structurally sound and no doubt sail well, such as Viking 30's, have been used as weekend racers and upkeep has been neglected resulting in a shabby appearance to put it diplomatically.

There are some Peterson 30's currently advertised here but I haven't been able to find out much about the Peterson 30 in general apart from they were one of the old half tonners of the era all of which seem to be fairly well regarded.

I've also been looking at Spacesailer 27s but they don't come up very often though do seem to sell fast and hold their value better than most. Probably vindicating the loyal following they have here as designed by local designer Swarbrick and Co.

I will be sailing single handed at times so I think a furler is almost a must and was wondering what a self furler and headsail would cost approx if I find a yacht that is worthy of consideration but has hanked on sails etc.

Any comments and wisdom welcome.

Hi Dmarco

I sold my 20 foot Spacesailor and bought a 28 footer and given the choice again i would go for something a bit larger probably around the 30 to 32 foot mark

All of the Spacesailor range seem to have a good reputation but a extra 3 foot of boat length in comparable designed boat would make a fair bit of difference in size but still be easy managed for myself and my wife

I don't know anything about Peterson's but i am sure that others on the forum will be able to give you feedback

Regards Don

Perhaps try contacting the Spacesailor27 Association if your in Perth, or speak to the owners at South of Perth YC, and ask them if any boats are for sale...boats for sale often don't make it to Gumtree etc when a class is popular.
Other classes to consider that are fairly common in Perth S97s, Vikings as you mentioned, UFO 34, or Spirit 28s.

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Donk107 said..
Hi Dmarco

I sold my 20 foot Spacesailor and bought a 28 footer and given the choice again i would go for something a bit larger probably around the 30 to 32 foot mark

All of the Spacesailor range seem to have a good reputation but a extra 3 foot of boat length in comparable designed boat would make a fair bit of difference in size but still be easy managed for myself and my wife

I don't know anything about Peterson's but i am sure that others on the forum will be able to give you feedback

Regards Don

Im with Donk on that also 28ft is a tight squeeze after youve owned a 28 ft a couple of years you think it may have been a little roomer cabin inside. with enough room for a shower

Should have bought that Cole 32 that was for sale. There are a few over there that come up for sale occasionally. Peterson 30's are apparently a nice boat, I have heard they are a bit tender but if there are a few over in WA they can't be that bad.

Good source for hafttonners here. www.histoiredeshalfs.com/index%20anglais.htm Hafttonner link at the top.

Search on here . forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?act=idx

Another good link to search. http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/index.php

Lusty Lady from a few years back. I would love to have bought her.

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Ramona said..
Should have bought that Cole 32 that was for sale. There are a few over there that come up for sale occasionally. Peterson 30's are apparently a nice boat, I have heard they are a bit tender but if there are a few over in WA they can't be that bad.

Good source for hafttonners here. www.histoiredeshalfs.com/index%20anglais.htm Hafttonner link at the top.

Search on here . forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?act=idx

Another good link to search. http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/index.php

Lusty Lady from a few years back. I would love to have bought her.

Hi Ramona,
I looked at the Cole32 and as everyone said for the money was probably a good buy. Would have needed some work and I thought a bit big for me as a newbie. However I dare say I would have coped one way or another. Anyway so be it.The Peterson 30 I'm interested in presents very well and has everything I'd want, at least to start with ie furling head sails and self tailing main winches and has had some upgrades to engine, electrics etc. My only wish would be for a bimini! I'm going to inspect it soon as well as the Spacesailer 27 that also looks good but doesn't have a self furler or self tailers.There are at least 2 Cole 32's at Hillarys marina that looks like they have been "parked" for a ages and one has the decking as per your pic, I must try and find out what it's name is. There is another under covers that has also been "parked" for ages, sad really.

Thanks for your interest and I'll have more of a troll through the links you suggested.

What would you want a bimini for? Wear a hat and face screen. There can be variations in Peterson 30's too from various builders. The differences is mainly in the cockpit layout. The Peterson is mainly a racing boat and so will generally come with better quality fittings etc compared to a Spacesailer 27 which is really more of a cruiser/racer. Check out this thread from awhile back.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Santana-30s-Peterson-30s/