Advice on similar yacht types

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice from the knowledge base that makes up this forum.

I'm looking at getting my first yacht and I've got my mind set on an Eastcoast 31. I want to ask the forum for some yachts similar to an Eastcoast so that i'm not overlooking other very good yachts.

Basically i'm looking for something that can do coastal sailing along with the normal club racing each week. I'm not looking to win each week, more just going for the fun of it. I eventually want to get into offshore passages, up and down the east coast and so on, and in a few years time maybe some of the offshore races.

She needs to be a good seakeeper in all weathers and ideally would have berths for 6 or 7, 30 feet long +. Probably $50000 to $60000 is the sort of figure i'm looking at.

I know thats alot to ask of one boat, and that anything that can fulfil all those requirements won't be very good at any of them, but thats life and i expect that.

And i know some people will probably think that aiming for those things on my list is a silly idea for a first yacht, or that i don't have enough experience. Don't worry I'm not about to go in the Sydney to Hobart a couple of days after getting my first yacht, I fully intend to start simple and work up those list of things, training myself and my crew as we go. (And myself and two others of my crew are currently serving Naval officers, trained in navigation, shiphanding, seamanship and survival at sea)

Thanks everyone for your help in advance.

David,
If you go to page 3 of these forums you will see a thread for ex pussers. Buying a yacht is not something to rush into, especially these days when they are so cheap and tempting. I have always been a fan of the East Coast 31 and any Cole yachts as a matter of fact. Trouble is they are always over priced for some reason, several in the Sydney area have been for sale for years. 6 people is a bit of a crowd on a 30 footer, my yacht has 8 bunks in theory but more like 3 in practice. I agree with Cisco that an SS34 is more your size and would suggest you check out their forum. John McCormack is a regular there and is an ex Commander, naval officers seem to be regular owners of SS34's. He will talk your ear off on the subject and point you in the right direction. Like a lot of yachts the SS34's vary a lot in quality and equipment and models. UFO 34's are also top boats along with Carter 33's.
Best bet is to partake in some club racing as a crew and keep your ear to the ground, really good buys pop up.
Just be aware the costs increase markedly once you go above 30 foot.

There is a reason Cole yachts are expensive, because they are GREAT and
desireable..."Peter Cole never designed a bad boat".
My opinion (for wat its worth) is get yourself a Carter 33 centre or aft cockpit.
I had one for 5 years raced and cruised really well. Good offshore and quick
around the track.

Lovely yacht Bryan. I used the picture off your web page on my desktop for sometime last year when I was tempted by all the UFO's on the market in Perth. I was heading back there at the time anyway for a navy reunion but had a nasty case of shingles. Then a Currawong 30 appeared at a price I could not refuse in Sydney and the rest is history. Sydney yachts used to be in Nowra, they were the largest yacht building company in the southern hemisphere, most were exported. Bit depressing seeing this enormous complex idle. Probably in China now!

Thankyou to all for your advice.

@Cisco: Thanks for the suggestions, although the S&S you had the link to only has 3 berths, beautiful boat however. I will however keep those two in mind when i eventually make a choice.

@Ramona: I'm well aware buying a yacht isn't something to rush into, this is just the initial investigation. I'm expecting to buy the yacht in about 8 months. And i would have popped into the navy thread, but the software told me "This thread is too old for replies"

@Plainsailing: On the Carter 33, whats the difference between a Carter 33 and a Carter Passage 33? Is one the centre cockpit and the other the aft cockpit?

@Bryan: She is a lovely yacht, but unfortunatly as i said, i'm still 6-8 months away from buying my yacht. If she's available when the time comes I'll seriously consider it. (However for your sake I hope its well and truly sold)

It actually has 7 or 8 berths!!

Yes. I have read the pdf brochure but it was a while ago. I have a sister ship to Western Morning and I suppose I am referring to my set up.

If one of these boats is set up for serious regular racing, the fore peak probably needs to be sacrificed to sail stowage but at a pinch it could also have a pipe berth or two.

My port side quarter berth is currently a single because of some fairly useless lockers fitted onto the tumblehome. They will be coming out to create a reasonably generous double berth.

Also the Vee in my Vee-Berth will be filled in to create similar in the fore peak.

My intention is for a fast cruising yacht for two couples accomodated in double berths at opposite ends of the yacht and the saloon settees not often used as berths.

However with retractable pipe berths in the saloon it is possible berth eight people in one of these boats. Whether it would be liveable with farting and other odours is a different question.

This marque of yacht has a generous stbd side cockpit locker which can store several sails. If an inflateable dinghy is to be carried there is adequate room for it under the port quarter berth.

For such a small yacht they have a remarkable amount of space below.

A bit late maybe but I just saw my name mentioned here. I am absolutely delighted with my S&S34 and would recommend one to anyone who wants to go sailing. However, they are not "cocktail" boats and there are much roomier boats for those who prefer social sailing in Broken Bay etc.
Cheers

We have a Carter 33 Passage and could not ask for a better yacht.

Have owned South Coast 36 Ketch, Seaway 25, Challenger 39 motor sailer and Compass 29.

Sailed on S&S 30 Defiant, Northshore 33, Nauticat 38.

Value for money, the Carter leaves them dead in the water.

Good luck with your quest.

Dusty