Hi all,

I am currently in the market for a yacht for a dream of mine of completing a long passage and was wondering which of the above yachts would be best for this? Or, is there another breed of yacht (at a similar price point) that is built like a tank but can move along relatively well that I am missing. Thanks!

I really like the SS34. There might be another, similar type of yacht that you might be missing, see what you think (I really like the look of her lines):
www.berrimilla.com/BerriThe%20Doc.htm

I like them all and in that order. What's the best buy is going to depend a lot on where on this planet you reside. Probably more UFO's in WA. SS34's are spread all about, tempting one coming up for auction shortly. Think about Cole 31's, 32's,35's and Van De Stad 34's and Duncanson 34's. Pretty much any of the production yachts of this era.

Decide whether you need something all shiny or would go for a project like this example. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/seven-hills/sail-boats/yacht-fibreglass-centre-cockpit-s-33ft-carter-passage-33-brand/1095030716

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Seacam83 said..
Hi all,

I am currently in the market for a yacht for a dream of mine of completing a long passage and was wondering which of the above yachts would be best for this? Or, is there another breed of yacht (at a similar price point) that is built like a tank but can move along relatively well that I am missing. Thanks!

If you are in the Sydney area come out for a sail on my S&S34. It might be for sale in the near future. PM me.

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Ramona said..
I like them all and in that order. What's the best buy is going to depend a lot on where on this planet you reside. Probably more UFO's in WA. SS34's are spread all about, tempting one coming up for auction shortly. Think about Cole 31's, 32's,35's and Van De Stad 34's and Duncanson 34's. Pretty much any of the production yachts of this era.

Decide whether you need something all shiny or would go for a project like this example. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/seven-hills/sail-boats/yacht-fibreglass-centre-cockpit-s-33ft-carter-passage-33-brand/1095030716

wow, can't believe that Carter is going for 12k
they are a very good boat
guess if you could afford to sit it on the hard stand for 12 months and chip away at the interior etc it would be good.
Nearly bought one in very good nick 3 years ago for 46k

Needs bunk cushions and the varnish could be touched up. Certainly would not put it on the hard standing, its got fresh antifouling.

I would prefer the aft cockpit version.

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Seacam83 said..
Hi all,

I am currently in the market for a yacht for a dream of mine of completing a long passage and was wondering which of the above yachts would be best for this? Or, is there another breed of yacht (at a similar price point) that is built like a tank but can move along relatively well that I am missing. Thanks!

Here is another gift, especially if your in WA. Lot of work and a little money required to replace the interior though.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/esperance/sail-boats/ufo-34-bargain/1092365576

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Ramona said..

Seacam83 said..
Hi all,

I am currently in the market for a yacht for a dream of mine of completing a long passage and was wondering which of the above yachts would be best for this? Or, is there another breed of yacht (at a similar price point) that is built like a tank but can move along relatively well that I am missing. Thanks!

Here is another gift, especially if your in WA. Lot of work and a little money required to replace the interior though.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/esperance/sail-boats/ufo-34-bargain/1092365576

I second that Ramona nice little project

What's the Best Buy for you depends on when you want to go on along passage cruise and how much time/money you want to put into your boat before you go.

In my experience everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you thought it would.

A fully fitted out seaworthy boat for 50 - 70 k is probably better value than something for less than 35k that needs work and time.

I gave myself 2 years to get my boat seaworthy for long ocean passages and after 16 months I am close but not there yet.

On the type of boat I'm biased S and S 34 you might pay a little more but imho it's worth it.

Nice boat. How do they sail?

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MorningBird said..
Nice boat. How do they sail?

Not sure,,, You might have to get someone that owns one like it to answer that. But I'm sure it would sail good enough to get you anywhere.

This is a cheap boat...................hahahah

Both look uncomfortable to sail. Old blokes need back rests!

Thanks for your input so far everyone. I didn't know much about a couple of the above suggested breeds. Having said that my goal is to tackle the furious 50's in a couple of years so possibly something of steel construction such as the van de stadt could be worth considering depending how they handled in big seas. Cheers!

Azzuro, in the photo above is the expensive S&S34 that won the Gold Coast race. She has a non standard deck but is otherwise a MkII S&S34 with lots of expensive kit.

On the other hand my S&S34, the last Swarbrick S&S34 (hull number 118 launched early 1984) and a cruising MkI with back rests for old sailors like Ramona, is being cleaned up after the Lord Howe trip (amazing how grubby a boat can get with 3 blokes onboard for nearly two weeks on an ocean passage) and will be available for prospective new owners to have a look and test sail in a week or two.