VITA is a formidable competitor in the 9 metre class. If the budget is insufficient for the "Van de Stadt 34" and the "Dolphin" doesn't quite offer enough room, the VITA is the alternative. We drew a hull according to the multi-chine quick assembly method for steel or aluminium. A round bilge in wood is equally possible.
The VITA is a very spacious and fast 30 footer. Two couples can sleep in separate cabins. The toilet is particularly large and offers space for a shower. Also the galley has the space that is usually only encountered in larger yachts. The proven 7/8 rig is uncomplicated. A crew of two is sufficient to handle the VITA without problem. And with four aboard you still don't get in each others way. This superbly manoeuvrable yacht can be built relatively fast. There are three keel versions. The VITA is a low budget proposition for those who want to sail a new 9 metre yacht.
looks very dated and bludy slow to me - a masrm920 would destroy that in any conditions!
not to mention what a multihull would do to it...
I know what i would be rather on in a 40 kont gale in Bass Straight and it sure wouldnt be the Masrm920! The Van De Stadt looks like a very roomy and comfortable boat and they do sail well, very comfy cruising boat
hey smash - thats because u wud already be in port on a masrm920 or similar - by the way - why r u called smash?
hey cisco - u r right - there is no comparison! my pescott does 8 - 10 knots to windward, double reefed in 40 - 45 knots, 35 degrees apparent, with neutral steering. Its all about efficiency - just like the farriers - Hows the steering on the floating footpath with no main? fair dinkum...
Hey Ciiiisco, that Vanderstat looks like a ripper. are there many around in aus? I recon your spot on, 30 fters dont get any better than that layout wise , I looked around for !8 months and never saw anything as roomy as that. Is the aft cabin a bit a bit squeezy though?
Heres one to throw in the mix, mottle 33 , vee beth on those is pokey though, but awsome cockpit and deck area aft for the odd perskillier.
Cheers James
Hey smash - thanx for pointing out another purposeless comparison - e780 is a small volume sports boat and is handicapped as such and u know it. Masrms (920's) mostly have standing headroom and fit-outs and were ahead of their time and u know that too. My point is/was to give up on dinosaur designs - if u like them thats ok but dont push them on newcomers - the sport/hobby/lifestyle needs to move forwards
I tend to agree with the criteria, but depending on your budget, compromises can be made.
I've owned one boat, a Top Hat. Sure, it's old and a little sad looking, but on her last haul out was given the all clear "solid as a rock". For my money ($10k) is what we paid, she's quite OK in some of the categories listed, with a few adjustments because we're only two and would never take another couple overnight. It's not our thing.
1. Affordable for common folk. Therefore less than 40 ft.
$10k, 25 feet.
2. Two double berths/cabins apart from the saloon.
1 double berth apart from the saloon
3. We do not crewz without booze. Therefore refrigeration for Icy Ales. Ice don't do it.
Not yet fitted, but space available
4. Minimum 5 knot capability punching a swell under iron topsail. Smooth water 7 knots.
More like 3-4 punching, hull speed of 6.8
5. High windward sailing ability for clawing off lee shores.
Absolutely, if the sails weren't 20+ years old
6. Stores capacity over and above emergency food and water rations for minimum 14 days at sea.
There have been accounts of circumnavigations, and a Top Hat was the only boat to finish without relinquishing sail in a Trans Tasman race http://users.tpg.com.au/kateh1/tophat/files/transtasman.pdf
7. For the ladies, for short trips, at least 8 private enclosed stand up hot showers.
Would you settle for two solar showers and cold running water?
web.aanet.com.au/lamoore/frametophatmkIIIextras.html
homepage.mac.com/clatimer/TopHatYachts/FileSharing11.html
BTW, this isn't by any means blowing my own trumpet, it's just an illustration that sometimes, for some people, older, slower boats are all that's within reach and suitable for their style of boating. If I had more money perhaps it would have been a Van de Stadt or an S&S if there was one around, but all I had was $10k and since we've owned our Top Hat, she's given us many days and nights of great times and always looked after us when the going gets tough.
Why post all this info on a Top Hat? Well, the links above with the research is the reason I bought one. Plus, the definition of "An Ideal Coastal Cruiser" is going to differ depending on where you're cruising and who you're taking, not to mention budget. So, whilst I quite like the VITA and think it could be quite good, "ideally" it's out of my price range.
So, to add some further criteria,
Single handed ability, in case of injury or illness.
Back up systems such as batteries, Nav and Comms, in case of failure.
Additional water capacity, especially for all those showers!!!.
Ability to stow either a hard tender on the foredeck, or davit, or a rubber dinghy for those forays to shore for some skinny dipping with the crew.
Water catchment?
Just some thoughts to liven up the forum...
[}:)]
Mick
Sands - in answer to your question - I owned a summersalt (fridge, hot shower, etc, etc) but have sold it and moved ashore again (hairy lassoo got me). The summersalt is a powerful performance cat and certainly not for beginners - It requires (double-reefed with jib @ max trim) the traveller to be about 18" or more from centred to control speed upwind in 3 - 4 metre seas which you'd expect with 40 knots of breeze. Triple-reef is needed beyond this. In these conditions (rarely sailed by me due to lack of interest) I only use the windward board fully down and maybe a third of the leeward board to allow leeway if a bullet lifts the windward hull. I easily beat into a southeaster from Gloucester Island to Nara Inlet in 42 knots peak wind speed in daylight. And motored right up to the waterfall. Pilot found these conditions a bit challenging though...
