What would be an ideal sail boat for an ocean passage?

Question

There are so many boats to choose from. I plan on sailing alone. From Washington state to Melbourne Australia. any tips would be great!

Answer 1

The main thing is a heavy displacement cruiser. Size is debatable among the brave and the free. LOL!

There are couples that have traveled around the world (Circumnavigation) in 28 foot Pearson Tritons. Though they a little tight for two, they are ocean worthy.

Here what I am looking for. 28-35 foot, cruiser, ketch/yawl with a full keel. It not too concern with the type auxiliary engine, but, would think a Diesel be best as the fuel not as flammable. The reason for a ketch/yawl is it spread out your sail area into more one person can manage. But, all this depends on what you want, need and can handle.

I get you a few pics of what I like, but, I looking for the right price. I will try to include a Triton.

Cheoy Lee is a classic of mine. Well made in Hong Kong.Some have Fiberglass Hulls and Teak decks.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/756...

I like the Bruce Roberts, but, it hard finding a Ketch/Yawl. This is a sloop. Also, this is a Fin keel with rudder, I refer to this as a split keel. It a good keel, but, I just want a full keel. Personal preference.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/587...

Sparkman & Stevens are nice boats. This a racer/cruiser so, for myself may be light on Stability. It a pretty boat. It all wood and would be a head turner in any port. But, wood may not be your cup-o-tea.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/745...

This a few I like as far as Designs. I want to say. Cheoy Lee is the builder. The others are the Desingner and we not know who built them. Though most are probably built well or they would have sunk long ago.

Here the home page of the boats I show you;

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/

This a good site to browse by Design to see what they look like and then you can narrow your search to States.

I have to show this boat. I very tempeted as she is a beauty in my book. This a 28 foot Herreshoff. She a wood boat, wood masts and from 1959. But, I bet she can still cut-a-rug.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/454...

Answer 2

Personally I would look for a cutter rigged ketch.  Lots of sail plan options.

Some kind of mechanical self steering

Solar pannels

Answer 3

Crealock 43

Answer 4

Transpacific single handed?

I implore you .... Don't do it until you have amassed years of transoceanic crossings as a crew member!

Answer 5

Be careful when looking at purpose-designed boats. You can get too much of a good thing.  If you were to go with a Westsail, Crealock, Hans Christian or something of that nature, you get a very strong boat but they sail very slowly unless there's a lot of wind.  On a long passage like what you're suggesting, this can add a considerable amount of time to the trip.  Conversely, you could go with a fin keel "go fast" boat, get there quickly and have rattled your teeth out along the way.

Personally I prefer a full keel style similar to what you would find on an Alberg, Classic or Reliance.  The split rig is really the way to go if your single-handing and the cutter rigged ketch is one that gives you lots of sail configuration options.  Size wise, it depends on how competent you are at single-handing a boat but somewhere in the 35-45 foot size is good for the trip.  It's more about how much or how little comfort you can live with than anything else.

Answer 6

DON'T DO IT!!!   not only will you probably die from boredom while keeping your own company, the ocean can cripple you and/or your boat in a heartbeat.  3 people minimum and a 70 footer.  anything smaller and you're asking for trouble unless you are one of the greatest seamen in history.  BUT, best of luck!

Answer 7

How about a 28' Westsail check this site out

http://www.projectbluesphere.com/index.a...

Answer 8

Something tells me that if you need to ask this question, you probably don't have enough sailing experience to do a singlehanded transpac passage.

If you've got your heart set on it, though, I'd suggest you check out John Vigor's book "25 small sailboats to take you anywhere". It covers a lot of ground.

Myself, were I to contemplate such a voyage, I'd opt for a heavy displacement/full keel boat along the lines of a Cape Dory, Alberg, Westsail, Contessa.... all of which can be got (in the U.S.) for a reasonable sum in the 25'-32' range that you'd want. A split rig would be nice, and windvane steering almost mandatory.

That said, almost any modern production boat can survive long passages, IF properly fitted out and crewed. h**l, Manrey crossed the Atlantic in his homemade 12' TINKERBELLE.

So- the best boat to take might just be the boat that you happen to have right now... Just be sure to be prepared.