Hi all. Have been lurking on the forum for a while but after being landlocked in Melbourne for too long have finally found myself with the means and motivation to look at getting my own boat, so have been drawn out for my first post to ask some advice from the hive mind.

I have a bit of a checklist in terms of what I am looking for but now that I am ready to actually start going out and looking at some boats there is a big range out there that fits the bill to varying degrees, so any advice to narrow things down a bit would be much appreciated.

I am looking for a good solid cruising yacht around 35 foot to do some coastal cruising in the near future with a view to getting further afield and out into the south Pacific in a year or two. So something ok to live aboard and good on the open water is important, as well as something relatively easy to handle short handed. Performance is probably less important than reliability/ease of use. After much consideration of the pros and cons I think I probably want to go for something in steel for a number of reasons including some previous good experiences with steel boats.

The type of stuff I am seeing out there that looks like it will fit the bill includes things like some Adams 40s, some nice Van de Stadt 34s (have heard good things about them but they seem a bit pricier), quite a few different Roberts style boats, and a few others. Much experience with these types out there?

As an example this is the type of thing I have been looking at but have heard mixed reviews about them, although often probably related to build more so than design...


http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-102757/1982-ROBERTS-38-OFFSHORE


Cheers!

Roberts 38s I have been told have a reputation as the worst dog sailer Roberts ever put out.

Steel yachts appeal to many novice sailors because of a perception of strength in steel. Weight for weight, aluminium is much stronger than steel and when aluminium is exposed to air it immediately oxidizes on the surface which protects it from further oxidization unlike steel which just continues to oxidize until it has reached 7 times it's original volume by which time there is no steel left, just ferrous oxide.

If you insist on a metal yacht I highly recommend getting an aluminium yacht. Properly built they will probably out last any material except fibre glass. Nobody knows yet how long a fibre glass yacht will last because to date no properly built fibre glass yacht has fallen apart.

I owned this aluminium yacht for 7 years and never had a problem with the hull or deck. It's real name is ENVY II. The guy who bought it from me insisted he had to rename it after his daughter. It is listed for $89,000 but I think a realistic price is in the $45-50,000 range. It will need some money spent on her as all yachts do. An amazing yacht and she could accommodate 11 people easily.




Listing here. http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/peterson-44-serendipity/189650

However with your criteria listed:-

"I am looking for a good solid cruising yacht around 35 foot to do some coastal cruising in the near future with a view to getting further afield and out into the south Pacific in a year or two. So something ok to live aboard and good on the open water is important, as well as something relatively easy to handle short handed. Performance is probably less important than reliability/ease of use."

Performance AND reliability/ease of use is most important. Do you want to be anchor down and sipping sun downers before dark or still slogging your way in to the anchorage at 2300 hours??

I have something else that, if it does not warm the cockles of your heart should at least tickle your fancy.

"Starlight Express" is an S&S 36 built by Prestige Yachts in W.A. that I have been looking after for a friend (a fellow Seabreezer) for the last year and also showing it to buyers that he sends occasionally.

I went down to her today to check her lines, bilges, batteries and engine. The Kubota engine fired up first kick but the house batteries have gone flat due to something not switched off. The stereo I think. So I rang my mate to keep him up to date and he informed me he has dropped the price from $50,000 to $40,000 as he just wants it sold so he can concentrate on his new yacht charter business.

This is a rock solid yacht and it is a bargain. If you or anybody else is interested send me a private message.

This is her. Notice the brand new Flemming on the back of her.








sparkmanstephens.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/design-2432-prestige-36.html

This is the listing:- www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-3568466/1985-Sparkman-Stephens-36?

It was originally for sale at $65,000.

sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6511

If this doesn't keep you awake tonight, it should.

Edit:- Re the comment by the lister of the Roberts 38 about whales and containers sinking "plastic" boats.

I was recently on a "plastic" boat doing about 10 knots in the middle of the night when we hit a whale. I and the boat are still here to tell the tale. The boat suffered a minor scratch.

Starlight Express is a gift. I could even put up with the running backstays for that sort of money.

Thanks Cisco, yes I had heard the same thing about the Roberts 38s, and I have to say many of them aren't exactly easy on the eye either.
Although I will be a novice owner I do have a bit of experience with steel boats, and whilst I obviously don't plan on bumping into anything some peace of mind given the areas I plan on spending some time in (lots of coral!) is a factor. That said I would also admit some of this preference is probably based on some older stereotypes and stories about fibreglass boats too so might be open to being persuaded on this point if the right thing comes along.
Your first suggestion is probably not what I am after but the S&S is very nice and I know they have a good reputation. Might message you for some more info.
And Southace that is indeed a nice yacht but unfortunately out of my price range!

Starlight would be worth looking at as it has already been setup for short handed cruising.
Another type worth looking at are the bounty 35 there are some going cheap.
I would suggest looking at glass boats a lot less maintenance.

Cisco I should sell my Roberts 34 steel boat & invest in that S&S. It looks like a nice boat.
Dont know if I would have the skills to sail it form Vic to lake macquarie NSW though

Cisco, that hurts. I loved that S&S 36 and came close to phoning up about it, but I put my money into a rental property instead. Maybe next time.

Select to expand quote

twodogs1969 said..
Starlight would be worth looking at as it has already been setup for short handed cruising.
Another type worth looking at are the bounty 35 there are some going cheap.
I would suggest looking at glass boats a lot less maintenance.

What 2 dogs said. Only epoxy saturated wood, fibreglass and stainless steel are forever imho!!
Ive been researching for my next boat for about 2 years.....non stop.
And unless that S&S has a totally buggered motor or needs lots of sails immediately it has to be a bargain. Nobody puts a new Fleming into a boat that they dont envision keeping for another 5 years at least.
The new wind vane speaks volumes.
If the market wasn't terrible the owner would be wanting 60k. Clearly he's cutting his losses.
Fwiw. Brian.

Thanks for the advice all. Considering my options on the type of thing I am after and definitely seeking some more info on the S&S. Cheers.

Hey Cisco, was ENVY II a sister ship to Inch By Winch? Loved racing on that boat and the owner spent quite a bit getting her back to racing condition.

Hey Cisco, I had a whale swim into me on anchor in my Olympic 40. Rattled the entire boat and barely a mark on the side of the hull. Digby Island about 11 years ago.

I think it's worth keeping in mind that a boat that is said to sail like a dog may be a good cruising/ live aboard boat.
A boat that sails well may not be a good cruising boat as I have found out,,, the hard way. I wish I had gone with the cruising instead of the sailing ability .
I once heard Jon Sanders talking of the Ideal cruising boat and In his opinion it was to have a steel hull.

A modern steel yacht may have it's benefits, but the old stuff is pretty dicey. My dad's friend in NZ recently purchased an old Steel yacht. After having hauled and water blasted for the first time the years of rust hiding beneath the antifoul literally opened up leaving a drive.

He removed the Bukh 20 and managed to find a scrap Metal yard that would take the boat without charge.

Give me fibreglass anyday. And like Cisco said, we still don't know how long a fibreglass yacht will last.

Select to expand quote

FreeRadical said..
Hey Cisco, was ENVY II a sister ship to Inch By Winch? Loved racing on that boat and the owner spent quite a bit getting her back to racing condition.

The same era, ilk and designer but not a sister ship. I went on board inch by Winch at Mooloolaba some years ago. Her topsides and deck are higher than Envy II and she is 44 ft and Envy is 42 ft. Fatter in the belly too I believe.

There were many Peterson IOR 2 tonners around at the time. One of them, "Big Schott", I think was the closest to Envy. Someone told me that of all the 2 tonners Peterson designed at the time none of them were exactly the same. He would add a bump here or take a scallop out there trying to get a bit more out of the boats within the IOR rule.

I just love the Peterson yachts and was hot to buy a Santana (Peterson) 30 before I found my Lotus 9.2. I am well and truly sold on her now as I think she has everything one could want in a 30 footer though if someone wanted to trade me a Pogo 30 for her I would shed a little tear for the Lotus and jump on the Pogo.

Steel yachts can be great and I think the best steel yacht design is the Van De Stadt 34. At 5.4 tonne it is one of the lightest. They are roomy and sail very well. For me to buy one though it would have to be spotless.

Anyway the bargain of the day is Starlight Express. She needs a slipping and antifoul, oil change and a check of the electrics and she is ready to go.

Select to expand quote

cisco said..


Steel yachts can be great and I think the best steel yacht design is the Van De Stadt 34. At 5.4 tonne it is one of the lightest. They are roomy and sail very well. For me to buy one though it would have to be spotless.

Anyway the bargain of the day is Starlight Express. She needs a slipping and antifoul, oil change and a check of the electrics and she is ready to go.

A bargain.. but maybe not a bargain for every one, Realistic price maybe getting close.

@ Futurecruiser.

This is another boat in Bundaberg now up for sale. It is very well built. It has to be moved out of the yard by the end of January I think. Needs a little bit of work (mostly paint work) before she can go back in the water. I think you could negotiate a lot lower price for it.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bundaberg-central/sail-boats/well-loved-professionally-built-van-de-stadt-34-yacht-/1128574200

They are really nice boats. The VDS 34 "Ruby Tuesday" that was for sale over here in the west, disappeared off the market when the price fell to $30k.

Yeah thanks Cisco, I had noticed that one and if I can get up to Bundaberg to look at the S&S will check that one out too. Do like the look of the Van De Stadts, there are a few on the market at the moment, a couple in Tassie and a nice one here in Victoria I am going to look at. Might be a bit of a stretch for me price wise but looks pretty good.

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-3802033/1996-Van-De-Stadt-34-SLOOP?cr=0&psq=%28%28%28Make%3D%5BVan%20De%20Stadt%5D%26Model%3D%5B34%20Sloop%5D%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

That is an exceptionally nice VDS 34 down there in Vic.

Futurecruiser that '96 VanDerStadt (20 years old) looks in v.good nick but that price is just dreaming'. Didn't there used to be a rough guide of $1000 per foot for a run -of-the-mill yacht under 35ft.

Check out the jarkan and amends good boats

[arends

Select to expand quote

HG02 said..
[arends

Two good cruise designs oldies but goodies The Arends was a sort after cruise boat years ago
http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/sailing-boats/arends-33/185863



Jarken center cockpit usually well finished inside there's a few owners on Seabreeze

www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-13578968/1982-JARKAN-105?cr=1&psq=%28%28Make%3DJARKAN%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..
Two good buys in Adelaide.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-haven/sail-boats/duncanson-scandia-32-for-sale/1128765546

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/outer-harbor/sail-boats/exceptional-value-for-a-35-foot-production-yacht-/1128457518

Nice Nice
I have always thought I should have given you my money to buy me a boat Ramona
Old add
north-haven-sa.australialisted.com/5018/boats-yachts-parts/duncanson-skandia-32-beautiful-boat-with-solid-practicality_18443790.html

Theres a S and S 36 up in Bundaberg also looks ok Cisco would know it
I see up above Cisco know it well
Boy oh boy prices have come down a lot over the last few years that's for sure
Mast heads finished on mine old girl so it wont be long before the stick up in the air
I think Im in love
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-862254/1971-SPARKMAN-STEPHENS-39?cr=2&psq=%28%28%28%28%28BoatType%3D%5BSail%5D%26%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20boats%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20new%20boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20boats%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%5D%29%29%26Service%3D%5BBoatsales%5D%29%26HullType%3D%5BMono%5D%29%26Usage%3D%5BCruising%5D%29%26Make%3D%5BSPARKMAN%20%26%20STEPHENS%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

Mark Twain would be a beautiful boat to own. Very powerful boat to sail and might need a handful in the crew in a breeze. Maintenance of that deck would be a concern to a pensioner!

Ideal boat for an old codger!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Swanson-36ft-crusing-yacht-fiberglass-excellent-diesel-Sydney-Harbour-No-RESV-/162279037869?hash=item25c8959bad:g:Ym0AAOSwo4pYKDyH

Or if you want to spend 10 minutes of repair work on a small boat.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/Northshore-27ft-yacht-production-fiberglass-very-tidy-sydney-harbour-No-Reser-/162282810768?hash=item25c8cf2d90:g:0wMAAOSwiDFYLDIZ

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..

Ideal boat for an old codger!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Swanson-36ft-crusing-yacht-fiberglass-excellent-diesel-Sydney-Harbour-No-RESV-/162279037869?hash=item25c8959bad:g:Ym0AAOSwo4pYKDyH

Those Swanson 36 are really nice. There was a similar one for sale in Freo a few years back "Lady Jane",,, needed work,,, I looked at it twice, went back to buy it and it had sold for around $20k. Still regretting it.

Thanks for all the tips folks. There is definitely plenty out there to think about at the moment! Hopefully dipping my toe in the water and going to check out a few boats next weekend. Cheers!

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..
Mark Twain would be a beautiful boat to own. Very powerful boat to sail and might need a handful in the crew in a breeze. Maintenance of that deck would be a concern to a pensioner!

Ideal boat for an old codger!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Swanson-36ft-crusing-yacht-fiberglass-excellent-diesel-Sydney-Harbour-No-RESV-/162279037869?hash=item25c8959bad:g:Ym0AAOSwo4pYKDyH

Or if you want to spend 10 minutes of repair work on a small boat.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/Northshore-27ft-yacht-production-fiberglass-very-tidy-sydney-harbour-No-Reser-/162282810768?hash=item25c8cf2d90:g:0wMAAOSwiDFYLDIZ

I think the best thing I can do is not look at boats while sailing up the Eest coast next year.I could see my self stuck some where in the lollie shop; so to speak

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..
Starlight Express is a gift. I could even put up with the running backstays for that sort of money.

It is unbelievable. I have shown the yacht to a number of people and they either can't make up their mind or they want to gin around bargaining the price down further and even then they cant commit.

Where are the true sailors who know their stuff??

The guy today wants to take it down to the Hawksberry and use it as a live aboard while he is working in Sydney. He doesn't want a yacht. He wants a floating apartment.

Is there a true blue water sailor out there who wants a ripper of a yacht at a bargain price??

S&S 36 IOR designed yacht for $40,000. Price non negotiable.

Anybody want to go halves in it with me??