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Better hold on to your boat. It doesn't seem like they are building pretty little sloops anymore.
Mostly you see these horrible tubs with a high freeboard. They try to cram extra berths and standing headroom into a little boat. Doesn't work.
Very few new boats with sweet, graceful lines. The Alerion comes to mind. And some Catboats.
This is a nice little boat.
http://www.bridgespoint.com/specs.html
Here are some pictures of one being built.
http://www.stanleyboats.com/specialJudith.htm
And those Bridges Point 24s look even sweeter in person. I've seen half a dozen or so up close and personal.
They're the kind of boat you see in an anchorage that you simply have to take the dink and row around for a closer looksee.
Joel White designed boats that just looked right, much like Alberg did. His passing was a loss, but his designs endure.
Tim
Bridges Point should have a few better pictures of their boat on their website. Here is a couple more.
http://www.portlandcompany.com/bpoint/
There are two new books out about Joel White. He sure designed some pretty boats.
http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/arc..._06-20-02.html
The Alerion 26 and 28 are fine looking boats.
I think the 28 will set you back about $80,000.
I don't know about the rest of you, but even after buying a Sabre 32, I find myself with an almost uncontrollable lust for an Alerion 28. Please, Commanderpete, stop posting boat porn photos.
Oooooh......A Sabre 32....Now that is a fine boat. You've done well Al.
I guess a picture of a Catalina 25 won't stir any juices.
http://www.catalinayachts.com/galler...250/C25011.jpg
Not a bad boat, of course. And anything that gets people sailing is OK with me.
But, it seems that interior volume is what sells nowadays.
http://www.catalinayachts.com/galler...0/C2504int.jpg
Nobody wants a classy little daysailor?
End of Rant
Regarding that new C25...I saw one at the Annapolis boat show last month with a guy who was ready to buy one based on what he'd read and seen in photos. She's completely different when you actually see her. The cabin looks big in photos but is actually only about 4' from the sole to the overhead. It was like everything was in miniature (look at the door to the head - it's only about as tall as my waist). I felt like Gulliver in there. With the stanchions on top of the cabin and angled down into the cockpit, she's ugly too. My friend was thoroughly disappointed.
WRT the Alerions, there's an Express 28 in my marina. She looks better than in the photos. This one's flag blue and the owner is very meticulous - perfectly coiled docklines, etc. She's a sight.
Dan
Personally , I think that Catalina is ugly as a bus , no side decks either . I don't like boats without side decks and wide ones at that .
I have a friend with an Olsen 25 and he is quite jealous of my side decks on the Ariel .
Those advertising photos sure can make a boat look huge inside. These are Hunter's promotional photos for the 24.
http://huntermarine.com/models/240/240photo.htm
The boat draws 1' 6" with the board up. I can't see the boat as being very forgiving for the new sailor.
If you find tiller steering too complicated, you can get the Hunter 26 with a wheel.
How about this boat.
http://www.tofinou.com/gamme/index.php?bateau=TAD
Click on the bottom right corner for another photo.
Only problem is the boat is French. I won't even buy French wine.
Now come on Pete , you haven't lived unless you have owned a diesel Peugeot or six .
You couldn't give me the Hunter ( if I had to keep it ).
French boats aren't that bad ,not like French beer .
That little boat is hauling butt .
I suppose I'm just out of touch.
Hunter has been using this photo in magazines to sell their new 45 footer.
http://huntermarine.com/models/450/450photo.htm
What do I see?
Loose glassware, unsecured items on the shelves, open candle flames, white leather cushions.
There are coasters under the wine glasses on the left. Coasters!
Is this boat supposed to leave the dock?
There are boats and there are floating RV's, and there are some vessels that try to be both. Most folks who can afford a 40-plus foot boat seem to like their creature comforts. Perhaps a boat kitted out to RV specs won't sail as well as something saltier, but it will sail. At my marina, a stunning percentage of truly lovely, truly salty, boats almost never leave their slips. And the folks who have the Hunter in the slip next to mine actually sail it virtually very weekend.
I wid you Pete , kinda wussy boat .
Al ,
As long as you enjoy it and dont know better , sailing a Hunter is like dating sluts . Once you meet a lady like an Ariel , well , you'll be glad you had your raingear on when you were on the Hunter .
Mike
I don't want to start a long debate here, but this is beginning tio sound like the WoodenBoat forum, where they argue about whether the use of epoxy in a cold-molded boat disqualifies the boat from being "wooden." Sure most Hunters are ugly, but some people actually sail them and think they're OK and get more sailing us out of them than folks with claissier boats. We may prefer our Ariels, Commanders and (and, for me), Sabres, but just remember, to the WoodenBoat folks, they're trash, too. All a matter of perspective, isn't it?
Further deponent sayeth not.
Al is right, of course. Keep the digs polite or we'll expunge the posts :D