tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post1297751556361706763..comments2024-02-20T08:14:16.619-05:00Comments on Sail Far Live Free: You Can't Have Offshore Sailboat Cake and Eat it TooSailFarLiveFreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-89345988759688874012023-11-19T07:24:01.024-05:002023-11-19T07:24:01.024-05:00I have been sailing /living aboard since 2009, tha...I have been sailing /living aboard since 2009, that makes it some 15 years , , used tpohave an endurance ferro cement for 10 years , that was a slow boat if not enough wind, but man she served me well, then I got a westsail, I loved for its features, specially beeing tiller, and having the same cutter rig (same sail area) same water level , though the endurance being biger LOA and maybe more room , specially for dinghy and etc, I love the sailing features of westsail, Sails way much better , well balanced (never had autopilot) avrage speed been 6,5 KT last trip from panama tp st marin with a stop in jamaica, way faster than I had calculated , and a VERY easy trimming and handling , it literally goes alone, I have no engine , so tacking when getting to marigot bay while blowing 25 kt in shallow water with big waves, it was chalenging and fun , of course it has its problem ( chain of the anchor has been rolling itself around itsefl by every wave I have been hitting , so when it comes to anchor was almost impossible to take the chain out , was tough. the westsail is not slow for its size, its just that it needs sail area, and most people reef way to early , up to 25 kt I am only on one reef in main sail, full workng jib and a little of genoa to halp the balance, and that the same except for genoa , from 15 kt to 25 kt , and thats what I love about it ,,, sailing aloe , is much easier even tough you have 3 sails up,<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-47990746285005929182015-04-26T21:25:13.564-04:002015-04-26T21:25:13.564-04:00V Hull is calculated 1.34*lwl^.5 - so you can get ...V Hull is calculated 1.34*lwl^.5 - so you can get a feel for speed just from the specs (ex. Westsail 32 has a Vhull of 7.03 knotsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-4932185314842268872015-03-17T16:57:35.611-04:002015-03-17T16:57:35.611-04:00The First 38 is an interesting boat to consider th...The First 38 is an interesting boat to consider that does seem to offer speed, value and offshore capability. I haven't sailed one myself, but I've been told the First series from that era were quite well made.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-24166174696194100562015-03-08T11:50:11.109-04:002015-03-08T11:50:11.109-04:00Beneteau First 38, mid 80's boats can be had ...Beneteau First 38, mid 80's boats can be had for around 50k. They have the pedigree and check out Slick52921 on YouTube for some vids of her making the passage from the GalagoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-5952059619504292792014-03-28T11:18:30.074-04:002014-03-28T11:18:30.074-04:00Good points, Mark. I agree, cruising is a journey...Good points, Mark. I agree, cruising is a journey best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-15479588587669764812014-03-25T23:34:25.511-04:002014-03-25T23:34:25.511-04:00The design I can't get out of my head is the T...The design I can't get out of my head is the Tartan 34c or maybe the Bristol 35.5. I think performance is over rated unless you are talking about comfort performance. You know, we are out there for the experience. Why are people so enthusiastic about getting it over quickly? Urgency is a mind set not particularly compatible with cruising. Good luckmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849805588990658902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-38190310296750154862014-03-25T22:43:27.351-04:002014-03-25T22:43:27.351-04:00I was reading a blog of a couple cruising on one a...I was reading a blog of a couple cruising on one and they seem to average 5 knots (120 mi/day) over the long hall, but they didn't push it too hard. Like you said, 2 out of 3.markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849805588990658902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-25260491842335661522014-03-25T12:32:06.108-04:002014-03-25T12:32:06.108-04:00Mark - Good call! I love Bruce Bingham designs (Fl...Mark - Good call! I love Bruce Bingham designs (Flicka 20, Allegra 24, etc.) and the Fantasia is a beauty. Not sure how fast it would be with that long full keel, but it sure looks salty and seaworthy. Thanks for commenting.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-44893897655004760572014-03-24T22:15:30.736-04:002014-03-24T22:15:30.736-04:00For a family, I would check out the Fantasia 35? ...For a family, I would check out the Fantasia 35? I think you will find a nice layout.<br /><br />mstkmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849805588990658902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-30203921097635293432014-01-28T12:08:20.532-05:002014-01-28T12:08:20.532-05:00A good suggestion, thanks for sharing. The surviva...A good suggestion, thanks for sharing. The survival of a Contessa 32 in the 1979 Fastnet race is proof enough of her seaworthiness. Prices seems very reasonable. Speed is good, particularly considering the age of the design. SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-2942213226761627302014-01-28T11:16:30.153-05:002014-01-28T11:16:30.153-05:00Contessa 32 fits all three categories. Bought mine...Contessa 32 fits all three categories. Bought mine for 17k. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-64542517845569856412013-09-07T12:03:43.466-04:002013-09-07T12:03:43.466-04:00Just found your blog and think you are doing a gre...Just found your blog and think you are doing a great job of presenting information and outloooks and valid opinions about boats and sailing.....I'll check in regularly......thanks<br />Rich<br />SVZOSHA<br />Westsail 28svzoshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06102666962297687267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-71458030695738526142013-02-21T10:17:32.681-05:002013-02-21T10:17:32.681-05:00Got it!Got it!SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-84786820022345834362013-02-20T23:36:01.383-05:002013-02-20T23:36:01.383-05:00Tried to type racier not racist :)Tried to type racier not racist :)Team Giddyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10547473588977308684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-32204052820499674952013-02-20T22:28:55.666-05:002013-02-20T22:28:55.666-05:00Thanks Carol & Livia, I was hoping you'd w...Thanks Carol & Livia, I was hoping you'd weigh in on the Pretorien. There's nothing better than getting the perspective of someone who's been out there doing it in the real world.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-11752178889451313382013-02-20T18:29:57.993-05:002013-02-20T18:29:57.993-05:00I like to say that when she (our Pretorien) was bu...I like to say that when she (our Pretorien) was built in 1983 she was a racer-cruiser and nowadays she is barely a cruiser-racer. Certainly faster for her waterline than the sturdy/tubby trad boats and in light air we can often catch larger, longer boats. In heavier air of course waterline rules. Because we like to have the option to go off the coconut milk run we like that she is stout enough that we aren't afraid to do so. If we bought again we would buy her or racist but not stouter. Once we left N America we only see N Americans in the heavy trad boats. Also, one thing that argues against bigger for us is that we left room in our budget to fly away, to play off the boat, etc. Some people put all of their money in their boat and that works, we like the flex of not being boat poor.Team Giddyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10547473588977308684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-6709644473682505392013-02-18T23:42:38.752-05:002013-02-18T23:42:38.752-05:00Downeaster 32 or Downeaster 38.
Most beautiful blu...Downeaster 32 or Downeaster 38.<br />Most beautiful blue water voyaging sailboat ever glassed.<br />Downeast32noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-87937312204955068782013-02-09T09:31:21.885-05:002013-02-09T09:31:21.885-05:00In the ARC 2012 fleet we were 6 inches shorter tha...In the ARC 2012 fleet we were 6 inches shorter than the average of 50'. But that isn't representative of average cruisers I think. best, Paul<br />www.distantshores.capaul shardhttp://www.distantshores.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-56832825797887781532013-02-09T08:01:10.821-05:002013-02-09T08:01:10.821-05:00RW - Thanks for commenting. What do you think of t...RW - Thanks for commenting. What do you think of the Freedom 38 for offshore work? I'm vaguely familiar with the smaller Freedom models, but not the 38. Does it have a free standing mast? Any pros and cons you could offer would be helpful.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-62373621938385243432013-02-09T07:59:21.480-05:002013-02-09T07:59:21.480-05:00Paul - Thanks for the input. Your real world persp...Paul - Thanks for the input. Your real world perspective is always appreciated. I was looking through the Pacific Puddle Jump fleet list for 2013 and noticed just what you're point out - that most of these boats are at least 40 feet, many much larger.SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-36444205904876109292013-02-09T07:15:02.785-05:002013-02-09T07:15:02.785-05:00Can I put in a plug to increase the loa/budget a l...Can I put in a plug to increase the loa/budget a little? Nowadays the average "family-cruiser" is 40-42 feet or so from what we are seeing. You want to keep everyone happy to enjoy the experience!! Modern cruisers like the beneteau often do long passages and have much more liveable space than most older designs for the same length.<br /><br />Hope to see you out cruising soon!!<br /><br />Kind regards, <br />Paul Shard - SV Distant Shores IIPaul Shardhttp://www.distantshores.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-21737933632686221932013-02-08T20:12:11.368-05:002013-02-08T20:12:11.368-05:00I offer my Freedom-38, a performance cruiser.I offer my <a href="http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/29424" rel="nofollow">Freedom-38</a>, a performance cruiser.R W Rawleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06602434711520754614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-53135826147575152212013-02-07T09:11:06.839-05:002013-02-07T09:11:06.839-05:00Thanks for response, Dani. It's always good to...Thanks for response, Dani. It's always good to add some real world experience/knowledge through reader comments. We too are big Westsail fans. Between their good looks, seaworthy design/build, and value, what's not to like? SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-69829961989447746332013-02-07T09:09:09.157-05:002013-02-07T09:09:09.157-05:00I'm a big fan of the HR Rasmus. We once consid...I'm a big fan of the HR Rasmus. We once considered them as an option for our cruising plans, but with three small children and an aft cabin separated by the cockpit from the main cabin we thought the arrangement just wouldn't work. However, I think they are well-built and capable. I particularly like the ketch versions. Also, they came with 75hp diesels, which is a ton of power for a 35 foot sailboat. If you're interested in hearing some firsthand experiences, contact <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net" rel="nofollow">Scott & Brittany over at Windtraveler.</a> SailFarLiveFreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874321318453218893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739679449353990436.post-36546014195657674942013-02-06T16:58:42.197-05:002013-02-06T16:58:42.197-05:00LOL, aww now you've gone and hurt my feelings ...LOL, aww now you've gone and hurt my feelings ;). Nah just kidding. The Westsail is definitely on the slower side they say, but so far we've never had a problem. We average about 6 knots and have even gone a consistent 6.7 knots over 8 hours! That was a fantastic day. <br /><br />We LOVE Westsails, the 28, 32, 42(maybe one day) because the romantic lines, proven capability, and the history. She is also a boat that will keep on steady during rougher weather, when maybe some of the faster and lighter boats get delayed. <br /><br />Glad to see the Westy on the list! Love the blog, I read a few times a week. Thanks! <br />Dani Danihttp://sundownersailsagain.comnoreply@blogger.com