Shallow Draft Blue Water Cruisers

[Jmandre]

Also, fwiw, I was very conscious of draft when I picked my B27. With the centerboard up she only draws only about 2.5ft, giving me access to many locations a deep keeler could never go. I would reflect hard on that point before you move on that junk-rig boat you mentioned.  Not trying to steer you one way or another, just give it plenty of thought before you move on it

[Owly055]

Totally understand refitting. Many here have seen these two pics before, but here they are again-

Before and after on Tehani

What an ungodly mess.......... but it clearly looks worse than it is.  One nice thing about a refit like this one is that you know every inch of the boat when you get done, and you can make it really "yours".  Nice job!

I always thought the Redneck Riviera was from Panama City Florida to Pensacola Bay, not South Texas..........


                                                       H.W.

[Frank]

My girl is a humble Balboa 27 (also known as a Balboa 8.2). Just a coastal cruiser, but a fairly heavily built one from the desk of Lyle Hess. For me, a large part of the confidence I have is borne of knowing my vessel, every nut and bolt. So in my case, I deliberately went looking for a cheaper derelict worth putting the time into. It is possible I will end up building a bigger vessel if time and circumstances allow. But if not, I spent the couple of years living aboard the B27 and confirmed that she'll work just fine if she has to. Much comfortable than I had imagined it would be, to be honest. Everything I'm doing now is toward refitting the B27 and streamlining shore bound life to the greatest extent possible. But a great part of my enjoyment comes from refitting and understanding the vessel (or machine) in every way. Many people derive nothing but stress from fixing things, so my path is not for everyone. To me, it seems that is the key here... Come to know what your strong suits are, discover what it is about the life you seek that brings you the greatest peace and happiness, and focus like a laser on those things. To be sure, a fair amount of self reliance is simply prudent in a long distance cruisers life, but all the rest? Fluff and bs, for the most part. Develop a firm understanding of what you seek, and then move on it.  Just my humble opinion... :)

Great post!
Loving these exchanges!!
A bit of the "passion" shown years ago when this site started!!
Keep it going!

[CharlieJ]

I always thought the Redneck Riviera was from Panama City Florida to Pensacola Bay, not South Texas..........


                                                       H.W.

My ex and I used to host a 4th of July Cruise here on Matagorda and surrounding bays, called "The Redneck Riviera Cruise"

and then there's this- give a listen This is Gary P  Nunn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtS3-f-H2C4

[Owly055]

Also, fwiw, I was very conscious of draft when I picked my B27. With the centerboard up she only draws only about 2.5ft, giving me access to many locations a deep keeler could never go. I would reflect hard on that point before you move on that junk-rig boat you mentioned.  Not trying to steer you one way or another, just give it plenty of thought before you move on it

     My arbitrary maximum draft is 4', but less would be preferable....... however shallow draft often results inability to point high into the wind, and excessive leeway.  To loosely paraphrase an aviation saying, every boat is a bunch of compromises sailing in close formation...... Note that I just found conflicting draft information.  One place lists 1.5 meter, and one lists 1.1 meter (3'8")........ perhaps there are two versions.    The lower portion of the bilge keels are bolted on cast iron pieces, so it's possible.

     As I've said before, junk rig is non-negotiable for numerous and very good reasons......   A conversion is a complex task, particularly when it's a boat built with liners as virtually every modern boat is, due to the need to move the mast significantly forward.   I've done many non-marine conversions, and have few illusions with regard to the cost and time involved in doing a good job.   The only possible conclusion is that a boat that has been well converted, as this Sunbird conversion has, is worth far more than a boat and a dream.  I know how people are inclined to simply make do because it's cheaper and easier.   If for example I were to purchase a Westerly Konsort in the UK, which is where most of them are, I would not be well positioned to do the conversion in a boatyard there, as I have no resources even remotely close, however knowledgeable people willing to give advice and perhaps even a helping hand might be easier to find there than here..... with a little leg work.   Not quite so outrageous would be purchasing a BF29 in Michigan or somewhere in that neck of the woods, that while thousands of miles from home is still well within driving range.  Alternatively the MacWester in Tenrife would take relatively little to get ready to put to sea, though would entail some research as far as import, and what actually constitutes importation.   Presumably you have to "import" it at least on paper to register it with the US Coast Guard, and US flag it.   I'm not at all sure what happens if you don't actually "live" in a US state as far a registration fees and sales taxes.   There is a lot of stuff to research.   

                                     H.W.

[Jmandre]

Solid points, all. You'll hear no argument from me on the junk-rig.  If I do end up building a larger boat, I'm strongly considering a junk-rig myself. 4' or less should work well, and you can always pack a nesting/sailing dinghy if you really want to shallow-water sail... ;)


J. Andre

[Owly055]

Adding a somewhat larger boat to the list.   The Tartan 34, which has a solid reputation.    Draft minimum is about 4', draft max about 8'4",  beam 10.17.   The keel is kind of a hybrid that starts out like a modified full keel, but stops short a bit over 2/3 of the way to the stern, with a swing down centerboard, and a skeg hung rudder aft, a mast a bit over 40', and 526' of sail area as a masthead sloop.   There appears to be more to like about this boat than to dislike.   The compromises all seem to be decent ones.

                                           H.W.

[Jmandre]

That's exactly the keel design my B27 has. Shoal-draft integral keel that is longer than your typical fin-keel, with a centerboard that drops down to around 6ft. Very versatile setup, at least it seems that way to my eye.


J. Andre

[Owly055]

That's exactly the keel design my B27 has. Shoal-draft integral keel that is longer than your typical fin-keel, with a centerboard that drops down to around 6ft. Very versatile setup, at least it seems that way to my eye.


J. Andre

Andre:
     It seems versatile to me also, though it's more moving parts, and I have a distinct preference for a keel hung rudder..........   Sailing over an unseen fishing net, or grounding, etc, a full keel has the full length of the hull to support it, as well as beam strength in and of itself.     This however is an excellent compromise, as you always must give up something to get something it would seem.   In this case the shallow draft in a roomier boat.   My concern with this boat as I intend a junk rig conversion is the amount of canvas.  That's a lot of sail area for a single sail, and a lot of weight to lift on the halyard.   Junk rigs normally use a multi line block setup due to the weight of the sail and battens, and most folks don't use winches with them, though there is no reason not to.   Every additional system, is an additional failure point, weather it be a pivoting center board, or a winch.
     It's smaller sibling, the 27 is on my list.......but only marginally, as I don't consider the interior layout suitable for passage making except for the 28-2.   The galley gobbles up one sea berth, and I feel that there needs to be a good sea berth both port and starboard so there is always a lee berth.  A lee cloth is a solution but not an ideal one.   The -2 corrects for this.  There is an abundance of the Tartans out there, at seemingly very attractive prices.............   The question being why?

                                           H.W.

[Lars]

Here you go

https://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/5527813452.html

[Owly055]

Here you go

https://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/5527813452.html

What a beautiful boat!!   A labor of love.   

                                            H.W.

[CharlieJ]

Very nicely done