The big issue with a lot of possible VolksCruisers is that there a bit challenged where displacement is concerned. Here’s an example… One of my favorite small cruising boats is the Balboa 26 designed by Lyle Hess. It’s small, shoal draft, seaworthy and has a considerable amount of room/livability for its size. The problem is …
It’s funny how many times I’ve heard the term ‘comfort’ when folks explain to me why they need a boat bigger than they need and more expensive than they can afford. “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people they don’t like.” —Will Rogers Now, don’t …
Talking about performance where cruising boats are concerned is somewhat problematic at best. Most folks’ first thought when the subject of performance is breached, immediately think in terms of speed and going fast. However, speed is not the only way to think of performance. Obviously, a cruising boat needs to be able to get from …
I’m obsessive in monitoring the used boat market, especially where inexpensive VolksCruiserish candidates are concerned. I find the used market insane and trying to make sense of it is an ongoing conundrum that is entertaining. One thing I’ve learned so far is there is zero rhyme or reason where the cost of boats is concerned. …
How big is it? It’s a question I hear all the time regarding boats. When I answer giving it’s displacement people tend to look at me as if I’m speaking a foreign language. Most people, when confronted with the task of choosing a boat think in terms of length, Which, considering that a lot of …
I’m pretty sure that all of us have a quick list of things desired in a VolksCruiser and mine runs something like this… Somewhere between 26 to 36 foot Shoal draft Well built Reasonable condition Good performance Simple or no rig Sensible and comfortable interior Outboard propulsion Enough displacement to live on Reasonably priced Pretty …
A very long time ago we were rafted up in Honfleur and got invited to have tea and cookies on a Westerly Tiger. It’s a nice memory of a half-dozen people chatting about boats inside a very nice, small boat. As it happens, I saw a Westerly Tiger for sale up in Seattle for $1K …
I get a lot of email pointing out that, as far as some are concerned, a good cheap boat is nearly impossible to find. So, let’s look at a good cheap boat… The boat in question is the first boat that caught my interest in the PNW Tempest search of Craig’s List for sailboats. Three …
and in the “no good cheap boats out there” department… Read More »
An Albin Ballad project worth checking out…
