Hi All,
I'm getting interested in a Eastcoast 31 which is up for sale 1979 model, they seem to be very simular to the carter 30's in specs and I was wondering if anyone could advise on the boat handling and money value?
Keithw
Lovely boats. Much bigger than a Carter 30 though, even though they were both built to the half ton rating rule as was my Currawong 30.
I would own one.
Can't belive my luck!! the Broker rang and informed me that the boat has sunk after a diver was cleaning the hull, a[[arently hr tried to clean off some rust and put a hole in her with a screw driver, don't think I want to be in his flippers
Keithw
A steel East Coast 31? I guess it's possible, but the other question that comes to my mind is "What size screwdriver was he using?"
Ok I've decided not to give up this time and I've turn my attention to a S&S 30 no year mentioned moored at Lake Macquarie NSW anyone one have any points of view on these boats? Its up for sale on the Australian Boat Brokers (link below)
www.australianboatbrokers.com.au/ausboatbrokersyachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/s-s-30/100859
Keithw
A small version of the renowned S&S34. Very similar hull shape but I haven't been onboard one. I went hard against one in the Hawkesbury a few years ago in a brisk noreaster. He had newish sails whole mine were ancient but he gave me a good challenge. It was quite blowy at about 20kts and he was sailing very well, pointing high, minimal heel and in control.
Not sure who built them but they seem to be well regarded and there are a few about.
@ keithw
You might want to consider this yacht:- http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-34/116052
Buy it for that price and spend the same amount on it and you will still have the lowest cost S&S 34 in the country. A fully restored S&S 34 for $36,000.
WITH brand new rigging, sails, paint, wiring, ground tackle, radio, instruments, dinghy and a whole heap of spares.
If it is not sold very soon, it will get a cradle and go into my back yard to await my pleasure.
I have often thought about restoring a classic English Sports Coup'e like an E Type or a DB5 but I think this will be a lot more satisfying.
As sexy as those Coupe's are they are hard to have sex in. 
Who knows?? If you campaigned this yacht in the 2019 Sydney-Hobart, 50 years after it did it the first time, the Australian Maritime Museum might offer you big bucks for it. 
The way the government is legislating lately, one could be excused for thinking the government wants to turn the concept of, the average guy having a boat and going sailing, into a museum piece too.[}:)]
there is only one "version" of the S&S 34. Different cabin tops and rigs and interior configurations, yes, but;
there is only one "version" of the S&S 34. Different cabin tops and rigs and interior configurations, yes, but;
I wasn't aware there were different S&S30s, learn something new everyday.
The one I was refering to was an S&S30 Defiance, like this one: http://yachthub.com/list/boats-for-sale/used/boat-share/s-s-30-3rd-share/102371
I don't recognise the version in the link at Lake Macquarie.
There are cheap S&S34s around. They may not be pretty and will need much work but, as Sisco says, there are S&S34s and there are imitators.
Sorry Cisco, there are two "versions" of the S&S34, the original Mk1 and the later Swarbrick option for the MkII. The hull and deck are the same shape except for the removal of the skeg, a spade rudder and the reshaped keel. MkIIs had the two spreader taller mast. Some MkIs also have the taller mast as a later modification. Above the water line the only difference is the taller rig.
I have sailed both and the MkII is considerably better, especially downwind. The keel mods and the deeper and larger spade rudder did make a noticeable difference.
Both options were available to the end of Swarbricks production run, Morning Bird is the last 34 made by Swarbricks (standfast the current three which are all MkIIs I believe) launched in Sydney in March 1984 and is a MkI. The MkII cost more which may have influenced some buyers. Maybe they just wanted the stronger skeg hung rudder.
I know some Marbrook built boats, made after Swarbricks production, were MkIIs but I'm not sure whether the they were all MkIIs.
The history lesson for today!
Sorry, you are right. I posted the wrong link. I meant to attach the one of the Defiance that was above it on Yachthub.
On a similar tack, this ad has bugged me for some time. I am pretty confident this boat isn't an S&S34.
http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/s-s-34/73741
While the deck and coach house is similar to the UK built 34s, the hull is quite a different shape to an S&S34, particularly the lack of tumblehome and the area around the cockpit/transom.
The records indicate that the S&S34 moulds went from Swarbricks to Maybrook on the NSW Central Coast and were repatriated to Mike Finn at Cottesloe Yachts in WA after they were apparently found in a paddock near Gosford or Wyong. There is no record of the moulds going to NZ as referred to in the ad.
However, anything is possible so if anybody can make me wiser on this yacht it would be much appreciated.
There are more than 3 SS 30 models available in Australia. I agree the Defiance version built by Savage is probably the best in my opinion but there are even variations of Defiance models about including Jack Savages own boat with timber decks and cabin, there are more than one of these getting around. Then there are the late model defiances built with full fibreglass furniture, built up to about '93.
Swarbick built the long cabin version in WA and these would be a nice choice too.
The model you are looking at I'm not sure of its origins though I have seen one very similar in Sydney. This one had the same deck in fibreglass on a cold molded timber hull, obviously the plug and it had tiller steering. The only other one like that was on eBay a couple of years ago.
The ss30 was on the top of my list but its one of those boats that I would not consider unless it had tiller steering!
I would be looking carefully at Cisco's 34. New rigging and a set of sails in cruising laminate, minimalist interior and go sailing.
Cisco or Ramona, I thought one or both of you might have an opinion on what that boat portrayed as an S&S34 in the link above might be.
Thanks mate. Now that you have identified it I can see the Townsend shape.
The photo angles are not ideal to be certain and I knew an S&S34 that had a flush timber deck that was quite different to look at. I wanted to give someone advertising their boat a bit of benefit of the doubt.
I think they would do better advertising it for what it is.
