Nantucket 31 Blue water capable?

Hi all. I'm eyeing off a Nantucket 31 for sale in Tasmania. It will be my first sailboat and I'm just wondering if it's capable enough offshore to eventually cross Bass Straight and sail round Australia? Or am I better off holding out for something a little more serious like a Cavalier 32?
Thanks in advance

I don't really see why the Cav 32 is "more serious" than a Nantucket. The Nantucket was designed by Peter Cole (who had his own one, called Nantucket itself) as a half tonner back in the days when half tonners were regularly competitors in the Sydney-Hobart, Sydney-Noumea, etc. The Cavalier was basically a slightly earlier design for the same sort of task; although they are now known as cruisers they were very much leading edge half ton racers in their day.

Cavs and Nantuckets have both crossed Bass Strait happily.

Looks like a nice boat. The basics are there.
But there are some potential big tickets costs.
The rig..probably 5k minimum.
Unless you can service the motor yourself it's really costly.
Electronics can cost a lot or just use an ipad but either way could be a few grand.

I am saying this as l have spent more than $11k on my new to me boat (in the first year) and it didn't even have any issues! This was rig and motor service but also basic electronics and battery etc. Similar size to the Nantucket.
Don't tell my wife.

We met people cruising their 31 back in the 90s. Great boat and sailed to windward like a witch. They would pass lots of bigger cruising boats when anything forward of the beam was called for, they loved their boat for living aboard. Nicer looking than the Cav - I mean Peter Cole could make a turd look gorgeous. And when you go cruising you will spend lots of time looking at your boat from a beach, or a hill, or someone else's boat, it's gotta look good.

Pucket was initially owned by Gary Appleby, who owned the manufacturer Comprador Yachts. He was also known as a top racer with Pucket (NSW Half Ton champ), Pawtucket (the first 35), and particularly his Farr 40s including his Hobart winner.

As the company owner's boat and (IIRC) the demonstrator she's obviously been beautifully fitted out and looks very well kept; a bit like a baby classic Swan.

There can't be too many riggers in Hobart so surely a few calls would track down someone who can tell you the rough age of the rigging, and if the engine's going well she may not need much cash. I think she's actually a year or two older than the stated 1979 from what I can recall (she was used in ads when new so was in Australian Sailing, and I think there was a nice full colour test in Modern Boating magazine as well) but our boat's of a similar era and while I'm biased I rate those generations pretty highly for durability. Most of them were built by companies owned by the people who raced the boats offshore themselves (as with the Nantucket range) rather than companies owned by shareholders and run by accountants.

What about this one if you can stretch a little further;

I think you might be interested in this listing for sale on Yachthub.com yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-34-brand-new-engine/296441

It all comes down to condition, condition, condition and therefore how much money needs to be spent. They are both good boats.

You will get the vibe once you go on board and start looking at things and pulling up floorboards and looking inside lockers. Don't forget your sense of smell either.

We owned a Nantucket 31 for a number of years and absolutely loved her. They sail to windward beautifully. A couple of things to look out for, ours had a few leaks around the toe rail and tracks when we bought her. Not a problem, just a matter of replacing some screws and using sikaflex. Because they are keel stepped we did get some water in around the mast. Not a huge issue, but be aware they have a very shallow bilge. In heavy seas we noticed some flexing near the keel, so had some extra stiffening ribs put in by a local shipright. They are a beautiful looking boat and lovely to own, ours drew admiring glances and comments wherever we went.

Derek is still racing Flying Colours most weekends. There is now a 3 way battle between him, a Traditional 30 called Alibi and our East Coast 31.

Over winter, he has been a bit reluctant to get under the boat and remove the crud. Come spring, no doubt he will be back up to speed.

It is a lovely boat. and has been well cared for.

I have Nantucket 31, Oasis out of Paynesville Vic. They are a great boat, sail to windward like the best of them and have a design that defies their age. The tassie one looks great in orange and overall looks to be well maintained in and out. The Bukh DV20 if well maintained is renowned for reliability, other than general maintance keep a close eye on the water pump seals at the back of the pump - if in unsure replace the seals. I didn't and it was an expensive mistake. This one has an extensive running rigging and sail wardrobe so it will get you around across bass straight and beyond without a problem but worth getting surveyed if age can't be confirmed. Leaks from the toe-rail/stanchon mounts seem common especially mid-ships where people typically step on/off the boat are cheap to fix but can be fiddly if you DIY.

Hi MissJackson, others here can comment on the quality and suitability of this design better than I. I would be suspicious of the claim that the age of the standing rigging is unknow though. That's often code for, it's old and therefore probably more than 10 years old. It's likely uninsurable if the standing rigging is older than 10 years and it will need to be replaced, so factor that in to the cost. Get a rigger to assess it. If you're planning some longer voyages, it'll be money well spent. Good luck with the purchase and have fun sailing!