Folks,
After 30 years of wanting a boat, I???m looking at buying a boat. I???m a canoe stern tragic and I???m interested in two boats a Frances 26 (Brisbane) and a Swanson 28 local (Sydney). As an overseas boat you can find quite a bit of information on the Frances not so much on the Swanson. Would anyone have any information, experience or opinion on either of the boats.
I???m not an experienced sailor with lots to learn and would see that I???d be solo more often that not (the first mate is happy for the purchase but not that interested in the boat, got to love her honesty). I???m looking for an easy boat to sail, stability when the first mate does want to go and capable of coastal trips. Any information would be welcomed. As a side note if anyone needs fibreglass repair information try the boatworks today web site it???s quite good.
Swanson 28 is a long keel cruiser/motor sailer. Lots of them around. I would stick to mainstream yachts and avoid one offs. The market is awash with some phenomenal buys at the moment and its only going to get worst. You could always start with Daydream http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/28ft-leisure-Yacht-8-5m-Timber-built-cruiser-sailer-No-Reserve-/251432190150?pt=AU_Boats&hash=item3a8a86c0c6
If it does not work out, put it back on eBay.
Carefull guys, I had a look at that Daydream years ago and it was full of dry rot even then.
Noticed he has photos with the mast up and then broken off.
Sailed in one during the 80's and it leaked like a sieve, hard to get any sleep when its raining from the cabin roof.
I think Daydreams, as an old timber boat, are really only suitable as mooring minders now!
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..
Carefull guys, I had a look at that Daydream years ago and it was full of dry rot even then.
Noticed he has photos with the mast up and then broken off.
Sailed in one during the 80's and it leaked like a sieve, hard to get any sleep when its raining from the cabin roof.
I think Daydreams, as an old timber boat, are really only suitable as mooring minders now!
This one has changed hands several times recently. I was tempted to buy it and junk rig it for fun. If I did not like it what have you lost. I have a spare mooring and I'm regularly tempted by boats like this. I was tempted by the Tasman 22 Jonathon is selling on eBay at the moment but fortunately it has suddenly got a lot of interest.
The tubby little Swanson 28 sails like a brick draped in canvas, slow and won't point. Nice and roomy for a small boat but don't expect to go very far very fast.
I believe the Daydreams have a self-sinking feature that works very well when it rains a lot and the cockpit fills with water.
Select to expand quoteMorningBird said..
The tubby little Swanson 28 sails like a brick draped in canvas, slow and won't point. Nice and roomy for a small boat but don't expect to go very far very fast.
What a surprise as I always thought they looked good on the water, I guess its what's under the water that counts. Well at least with production boats if one is a lemon then all are, my advice to anyone buying a yacht is to take it out on a windy day.
Manitou 32? Canoe stern, comfy liveaboard, pocket cruiser, weekender, nothing happens fast onboard one, easy to sail single handed, fun boat, not a lot of financial outlay so not too many tears if it all comes unstuck....not the prettiest or fastest, you may not like looking at it to begin with but it'll grow on you....like an ugly girlfriend with a great personality 
