Howdy guys,
Im new to this forum but it looks to have a good deal of advice, opinions and some pretty knowledgable old salts.
okay so Im back on the market after 8 years land locked and raising my 2 squirts. My previous keel boat was a Compass 28 'Charley Mudlark'. At the moment Im sailing about on a fun little Explorer 16. She is a great boat, but given she does sail more like a large dingy Im a little hesitant to take out the family, since we don't have any nice sheltered bays, its all great southern ocean sailing.
Ive got about 30k all up to purchase a good solid cruiser and get her home, probably up to 30', setup for single handed, that can accommodate 4, a dinette is a plus. For now just day sails with the occasional weekend and hopefully one or two longer coastal cruises a year. The distance between ports or even good anchorages is lengthy.
With what is on the market at the moment and within reach of me sailing back home are these two.https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/currawong-30/227359
I see this boat has changed hand a few time in the past 10 years, maybe because of the custom flush deck, which creates a small dodger over companion way and subtracts the high coamings of the original Currawongs. I could imagine it getting pretty wet and cold in our winter months down south with no where to shelter when working to windward, there are custom spray covers that when fitted completely encompass the cockpit but would mean climbing around and over them if a quick trip to mast or foredecks was required.
Otherwise she presents pretty well, gel coat is good, engine regularly serviced, good set of sail, electronics and windvane, even an 8 man life raft is included though it is out of date, looks like she needs a little cleaning up down stairs but it seems to be only cosmetic.
derwentboats.com.au/derwent/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/compass-29-excellent-condition-great-value/229801/
Next step up from my former boat, but knowing that they over built these yachts gives me a lot of peace of mind.
Exceptional condition though out, just been surveyed and got the nod. the Yanmar doesnt have an hour meter installed so no one can tell me exact hours but its been serviced yearly and looks to be pretty clean, it couldn't be over 10, good set of sails, main is standard cruising with 2 reef, Good electronics. But i will need to purchase a furler, windlass and Solar panels (mostly solo or short handed sailing). She is a good base to build off of.
I heard the 29 was an almost subdued sail, very stiff boat and slow? can anyone give me there account of sailing a C29 in light and heavy conditions. Its mostly blowing its socks off down in Warrnambool and ive heard from a few accounts that cold air is far denser and thus more loads on the rigging for comparative wind strength in the north and south, so maybe a good stiff boat is what is in order. If she is slow that is another matter, considering the length of passage between safe water. But i wouldn't really expect anything over 5 knots.
This is all just my own observations so please inform me otherwise, as Im always learning.
Please offer me your opinions and guidance.
Thanks.
Nath
Mr Baker died about 1979 I think. My Currawong was built in 1979 by Lloyd Northam who took over the moulds from Geoff Baker after his death so I have no idea who built this one. I have seen this one for sale a couple of times over the years. Certainly has had some money spent on it.
I hate the idea of the outhouse over the cockpit and the wheel steering would be a serious handicap and limit the usable space in the cockpit. If the cockpit is the same as the stock Currawong cockpit then it would be a very comfortable safe and dry spot to steer the vessel in a seated position from. Interior is OK but I'm not sure where the head is.
The Monitor windvane is not shown in the photos but that adds about 3 grand to the value.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Mr Baker died about 1979 I think. My Currawong was built in 1979 by Lloyd Northam who took over the moulds from Geoff Baker after his death so I have no idea who built this one. I have seen this one for sale a couplcouplede of times over the years. Certainly has had some money spent on it.
I hate the idea of the outhouse over the cockpit and the wheel steering would be a serious handicap and limit the usable space in the cockpit. If the cockpit is the same as the stock Currawong cockpit then it would be a very comfortable safe and dry spot to steer the vessel in a seated position from. Interior is OK but I'm not sure where the head is.
The Monitor windvane is not shown in the photos but that adds about 3 grand to the value.
I disagree with the Dodgers and wheel comments.
Yes a tiller gives a lot of advantages but he wants to take his wife and family. Both my ex and current partner love the Dodger and are much more comfortable with wheel steering.
Depends if you want to be a guy solo sailing or have the family happy to come along.
Select to expand quotetwodogs1969 said..Ramona said..
I disagree with the Dodgers and wheel comments.
Yes a tiller gives a lot of advantages but he wants to take his wife and family. Both my ex and current partner love the Dodger and are much more comfortable with wheel steering.
Depends if you want to be a guy solo sailing or have the family happy to come along.
Wheel steering in a Currawong makes the cockpit very crowded and limits the access to the stern. With a tiller the crew can sit aft of the helmsman. In the sailing photos of the ad the dodger is not in place, but the bimini is and it effectively stops the helmsman's view of the mainsail. For a family friendly yacht what is critical is the head. I mentioned above that I could not see where the head is and if you want your wife and teenage girls to go sailing they will demand some privacy. A head with a door placed in the boat far enough away from the rest of the crew to save any embarrassment.
Isn't the head behind the slatted door to port, aft? Perhaps not the greatest spot for a family boat but not all women die with embarrassment about such things, thank god.
The Dunco looks interesting - I wonder if she was a prototype with a 29 cabin chucked on the 35 hull? I wonder why the tiller and the pedestal are both still in place; perhaps the owner just likes tillers. Good for the dollars!
Select to expand quoteChris249 said..
Isn't the head behind the slatted door to port, aft? Perhaps not the greatest spot for a family boat but not all women die with embarrassment about such things, thank god.
The Dunco looks interesting - I wonder if she was a prototype with a 29 cabin chucked on the 35 hull? I wonder why the tiller and the pedestal are both still in place; perhaps the owner just likes tillers. Good for the dollars!
I thought that might be the head but there is a high step to get in and it seems a bit narrow. More like a hanging space I think.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..Chris249 said..
Isn't the head behind the slatted door to port, aft? Perhaps not the greatest spot for a family boat but not all women die with embarrassment about such things, thank god.
The Dunco looks interesting - I wonder if she was a prototype with a 29 cabin chucked on the 35 hull? I wonder why the tiller and the pedestal are both still in place; perhaps the owner just likes tillers. Good for the dollars!
I thought that might be the head but there is a high step to get in and it seems a bit narrow. More like a hanging space I think.
head is starboard behind the louvre .
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
Select to expand quoteLandofNod said..
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
thats seems a bit odd , if you signed up for a 9 . 0 berth how can he change the rules ?
Select to expand quoteSandS said..LandofNod said..
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
thats seems a bit odd , if you signed up for a 9 . 0 berth how can he change the rules ?
Im thinking its all very odd....... keel boats, THs, new member's, mmmmmmmmm maybe just me
asking all sorts of questions about them. I would buy one but I'm saving up for something bigger to do a non stop Australia circumnavigation in. Two people on this forums currently have their Top Hats for sale. Blue Moon and Sectorsteve, this means you can ask them questions like I did. I believe sectorsteve has had his in a fair bit of weather on the south coast. 4Metre seas he says, he was going to do a Tasman crossing in one. Below are the links to some quality Top Hats worth your time.
Select to expand quoteSandS said..LandofNod said..
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
thats seems a bit odd , if you signed up for a 9 . 0 berth how can he change the rules ?
i just signed up for a birth about 3 years ago, one has come up and they were mostly 9m births. but recent changes have been put in place and now its an 8m birth. Its in Port Fairy, there are all of 15 pens and about 20 jetty moorings?. The trouble is the price is so cheap that no one ever gives them up.
asking all sorts of questions about them. I would buy one but I'm saving up for something bigger to do a non stop Australia circumnavigation in. Two people on this forums currently have their Top Hats for sale. Blue Moon and Sectorsteve, this means you can ask them questions like I did. I believe sectorsteve has had his in a fair bit of weather on the south coast. 4Metre seas he says, he was going to do a Tasman crossing in one. Below are the links to some quality Top Hats worth your time.
asking all sorts of questions about them. I would buy one but I'm saving up for something bigger to do a non stop Australia circumnavigation in. Two people on this forums currently have their Top Hats for sale. Blue Moon and Sectorsteve, this means you can ask them questions like I did. I believe sectorsteve has had his in a fair bit of weather on the south coast. 4Metre seas he says, he was going to do a Tasman crossing in one. Below are the links to some quality Top Hats worth your time.
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Select to expand quoteLandofNod said..
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
I got some quotes for moving a 2 ton 4ixed keel 28'er of 8'6" beam. To bring one from NSW you'd be looking at $6k+++, I'd say. Then add the crane to get it on and off.
I lucked into a trailer which cost, in the end, not much less when you allow for hiring a big 4wd, but now I can just tow the boat anywhere.
I looked at that currawong a few years back. It was in a marina at the top end of Phillip island back then. Nice boat but I dithered for another couple of years before getting something else (Swanson 31). Sounds like you've moved on to looking a size down now. Road transport is very expensive unless it's an actual trailer/sailer. Assuming from port Phillip i wouldn't think it would be difficult to find someone to sail across for you, providing the boats in sound condition. Nice spot port fairy. Visited once back when i was crewing in orcv races.
Nath, if be checking withthe marina manager, as a 8m berth might take a longer boat, for example Gladstone marina will happily put a 9.75m boat into a 8m berth.
Select to expand quoteBlueMoon said..
Nath, if be checking withthe marina manager, as a 8m berth might take a longer boat, for example Gladstone marina will happily put a 9.75m boat into a 8m berth.
Are you at Gladstone mate, that's up in my neck of the woods. I just drove down to Brisbane for a week doing work on Tugs.
Nah Mick, was up therea couple of months ago, great place Gladstone, really liked the area,cheers
Select to expand quoteBlueMoon said..
Nah Mick, was up therea couple of months ago, great place Gladstone, really liked the area,cheers
Rodds bay is where I live now. Absolutely beautiful. A little bit south of Gladstone
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..SandS said..LandofNod said..
Hey thank you all for the feed back.
Its just me and my two boys so we don't mind too much about ****ting near each other, that said i was down at the marina today looking over my new birth and apparently the new harbour master is squeezing everyone along a little to make some more space, so what was potentially a 9m birth is now an 8m birth.
Guess I'm squeezing down to a Top Hat.
If anyones knows of a good one on the market please let me know. Im new to these pocket cruisers but there reputation is very sound.
Also is land transport a worthy option when it comes to less expensive keel boats? has anyone had any experience with the process?
Im thinking its all very odd....... keel boats, THs, new member's, mmmmmmmmm maybe just me
yeah haha sorry Craig, i think its a bit of local slang, growing up racing 420s and hobies it was common to use the term 'keel boats' to refer to fixed keel.
Select to expand quoteBlueMoon said..
Nath, if be checking withthe marina manager, as a 8m berth might take a longer boat, for example Gladstone marina will happily put a 9.75m boat into a 8m berth.
thanks mate, yeah i called him and he said 'as long as i'm not hanging out all over the place' it should be fine to fit what i can in there. Its around $1200 a year for a pen and a lot of city folk have there holiday mansions on the beach down here. so there are a lot of bigger yachts of which there sails haven't felt the wind for years, and they have grown some very shaggy beards on the southern sides, hang out all over the place. So he's tightening up to hopefully move some along and make some space for those who use there boats. Thanks for that mate.
Select to expand quotewildemann said..
I looked at that currawong a few years back. It was in a marina at the top end of Phillip island back then. Nice boat but I dithered for another couple of years before getting something else (Swanson 31). Sounds like you've moved on to looking a size down now. Road transport is very expensive unless it's an actual trailer/sailer. Assuming from port Phillip i wouldn't think it would be difficult to find someone to sail across for you, providing the boats in sound condition. Nice spot port fairy. Visited once back when i was crewing in orcv races.
Thanks mate, i think im just a little envious of the plethora of boats for choice up in the northern parts. If i could just get one down here. Its not a problem to bring her back from within Victoria, South Aus or Tassie, just with the little ones (im single dadding it) i haven't the time to be away to sail one on a lengthier passage, holding up for weather windows etc.
If you do hear of anything for sale over your way mate, throw me a line. I took blue moons advise and contacted the harbour master again and he is okay with me fitting in something a little larger as long I'm not hanging out over the ends. happy with the swanno?
Select to expand quoteLandofNod said..wildemann said..
I looked at that currawong a few years back. It was in a marina at the top end of Phillip island back then. Nice boat but I dithered for another couple of years before getting something else (Swanson 31). Sounds like you've moved on to looking a size down now. Road transport is very expensive unless it's an actual trailer/sailer. Assuming from port Phillip i wouldn't think it would be difficult to find someone to sail across for you, providing the boats in sound condition. Nice spot port fairy. Visited once back when i was crewing in orcv races.
Thanks mate, i think im just a little envious of the plethora of boats for choice up in the northern parts. If i could just get one down here. Its not a problem to bring her back from within Victoria, South Aus or Tassie, just with the little ones (im single dadding it) i haven't the time to be away to sail one on a lengthier passage, holding up for weather windows etc.
If you do hear of anything for sale over your way mate, throw me a line. I took blue moons advise and contacted the harbour master again and he is okay with me fitting in something a little larger as long I'm not hanging out over the ends. happy with the swanno?
Did you consider checking out that clansman that somebody else listed link to, given its right in port fairy already. The outboard motor in a well might put me of a bit. The Swanson's great fun, but I did have succession of issues to fix. None cost a lot to resolve but mainly owing to guidance and assistance from helpful club mates with more expertise than me.
Select to expand quotewildemann said..LandofNod said..wildemann said..
I looked at that currawong a few years back. It was in a marina at the top end of Phillip island back then. Nice boat but I dithered for another couple of years before getting something else (Swanson 31). Sounds like you've moved on to looking a size down now. Road transport is very expensive unless it's an actual trailer/sailer. Assuming from port Phillip i wouldn't think it would be difficult to find someone to sail across for you, providing the boats in sound condition. Nice spot port fairy. Visited once back when i was crewing in orcv races.
Thanks mate, i think im just a little envious of the plethora of boats for choice up in the northern parts. If i could just get one down here. Its not a problem to bring her back from within Victoria, South Aus or Tassie, just with the little ones (im single dadding it) i haven't the time to be away to sail one on a lengthier passage, holding up for weather windows etc.
If you do hear of anything for sale over your way mate, throw me a line. I took blue moons advise and contacted the harbour master again and he is okay with me fitting in something a little larger as long I'm not hanging out over the ends. happy with the swanno?
Did you consider checking out that clansman that somebody else listed link to, given its right in port fairy already. The outboard motor in a well might put me of a bit. The Swanson's great fun, but I did have succession of issues to fix. None cost a lot to resolve but mainly owing to guidance and assistance from helpful club mates with more expertise than me.
Yeah i did have a look at it, but as you stated, the outboard in the well put me off, especially at 30f and she seemed a little rough around the edges. A bit much of a project for me. Ive got around 25k to spend so I'm looking for something pretty neat really. After reading a buyers guide it kind of said to not use all of your finance to purchase and have nothing left to repair or upgrade anything. So I'm looking for something modest but neat, a nice little Top Hat with an inboard and all the other equipment would be great. Then i can spend a bit on it also and have a great boat for many years, i would also love to start using a windvane as i have only used tiller pilots and well its very appealing to use nothing but the wind and the water to propel and steer you anywhere you wish to go. Gee thats lucky you have all those year of experience around you. what a great resource. Good luck with it all mate, hope the winds are fair.
