The cost of AI, a needful quote, and in the “a tenable state of affairs” department…
Over the last few weeks I’ve been looking at a lot of 27-foot boats. I’ve come to the conclusion that most all work just fine.
Seriously, they all float right side up and will get you where you want to go. The 27-foot cruising boat is a niche and just about everybody did a pretty good job filling it.
The problem is not availability. There are affordable boats wherever you go in the 27-foot boat niche. The problem is I’m unsure if anyone has the required mettle and mindset to do significant cruising aboard such a beast these days.
First of all, you’re not going to impress anyone cruising a small boat. It’s all been done before so you’re not breaking any new trails. Throw in the fact that compared to most other boats, the average 27-foot cruiser costs less than everyone else’s dinghy. No one is going to lump you in with the rich folk playing with expensive toys.
On the other hand, cruising successfully on a 27-foot boat might go a long way to burnish your street cred as a real sailor, rather than some credit card captain following the hordes to yet another beach bar somewhere tropical. I sleep a lot better when some small cruising boat anchors nearby as opposed to a fifty-foot condomaran who missed the “How to anchor” segment of his/her boat orientation.
Since a 27-foot cruising boat costs less than a week on a bareboat charter, it’s something you might want to ponder in terms of budgetary sanity.
The freedom of a small affordable sailboat combined with a common sense mindset is all you really need. No matter what you need to do.
Imagine a 28 foot Dave Zeiger designed sailing barge “triloboat”…… max-sized for a 27-28 footer and fairly easy to throw together responsibly. We bought Dave Zeigers 31X 8 foot Luna (Bolger AS-29 sharpie variant) and lived aboard with good elbow room for 5 years then Dave later built a 32X8 sailing barge that he figured had about 50% more room than even Luna had. Compare a 28 Pearson Triton to a 28 sailing barge triloboat…… amazingly more space. Toss in super shoal draft, unsinkability, and junk rig for a awesome coaster that can do bluewater in a pinch…. on a shoestring. Hmm, hmmm, hmmmm.
Nothing to disagree with. All my own boats that i have done offshore work have been under 30ft. Caveat that as mostly as single hander with simple living tastes, but did do 9 months with a female on 28ft with no issues. Having to use the cockpit as a shower was balanced by coming below to a proper woodburner. Never had pressure water, hot or cold. If the aim is to travel to see places and not spend months in one place, small boats work. Venus 28 was my dream ship, by Paul Johnson, still have the plans but the 6ft draft is not as attractive today for getting further away from the crowds.
We (family of 4) spent a couple months this summer on lake Superior (C&C 27). You and your yammering are much to blame!! (Thank you) Will email you with pictures and spew.
Looking forward to it