Boat Review

from Blue Water Sailing, Spring 2022

by Blue Water Sailing

Summer Sailing

A Dozen Worthy Cruising Boats Under $50,000

From 31 to 42 feet, here are 12 boats for cruisers on a budget

by George Day

AFTER TWO AND HALF YEARS OF

Covid, during which many folks who were locked out of their normal lives, decided that boats and cruising was a safe and enjoyable way to do things as families without the stress and danger of crowded spaces. The brokerage markets for sailboats has been very active and inventory has been picked pretty clean. But, there are still great deals out there for sailors who are willing to take an older boat and make her new again. The dozen boats we selected here are a very personal choice and are of two distinct types; first there are the full displacement cruisers and double enders that were so popular among blue water sailors at the end of the

last century, so most of these will be 25 to 40 years old; second, we have selected several of what you might call racer-cruisers but which are in fact solid fin keel designs with large rudders that hang on partial or full skegs. These boats will be 20 to 30 years old in the under $50,000 price category. When you buy an older boat, you have to expect that there will be a long list of projects big and small to tackle to get the boat up to a standard worthy of coastal and offshore sailing. One good thing about older boats is that they were built with heavier scantlings than more modern designs and good ones will have been maintained and upgraded by loving owners. The other thing that is plainly noticeable in older boats is that they have a lot less living space below than modern designs. That’s just a fact of life when on a strict budget. With all of that in mind, here are dozen worthy cruisers that cost about $50k or less.

ALBIN NIMBUS 42

This Swedish built, Kauffman and Ladd design is not all that well known in the U.S. despite the fact that quite a few were sold in America. The Nimbus came out at about the same time as the Beneteau First 42 and both boats were homages to that generation of Swans, but much less expensive. The cockpit is small and will be good at sea. The rig has a smaller mainsail and a large foretriangle with a large overlapping genoa. It would make sense today to go with a 110 percent jib instead of the genoa and a larger mainsail with a lot of roach. There is a bridgedeck and access below is via a ladder through the companionway. The accommodations have a full aft cabin with a single and double berth (hence the bridgedeck for headroom) and then there is a V-berth forward. There are two heads with “wet” showers. The saloon has the galley aft to port, a large dinette to port and bench to starboard. The chart table is at the aft end of the bench and faces aft. The Albin Nimbus 42 has stylish looks, sails very well and will be easily managed by a couple. If it has teak decks, these may need upgrading, but the boats have good bones and are worth the effort it takes to bring it up to date.

ALAJUALA 38

This classic, displacement double ender with a bow sprit was designed by William Atkin and harkens back to cruising boats of yore and in a way is a precursor to modern classics like the Valiant 40. With a deep, full-length keel and an attached rudder, the hull can take a pounding without much worry and the rudder is well protected from flotsam. The boat’s displacement is very heavy by modern standards and will give the boat an easy comfortable motion in a seaway. The double-ended stern is excellent when running before large ocean swells. The cutter rig breaks the sail area into manageable sized sails and offers a built-in storm sail in the staysail. See the wind top 40 knots? No problem. With just under 12 feet of beam and a 32-foot waterline, the 38 does not have a huge amount of interior volume. But, it does actually have berths for five people, with a double V-berth forward, and single berths on the settee in the saloon and a pilot berth above the port settee. The U-shaped galley aft is a proper sea-going galley where you can cook and clean up even in bouncy weather. And, she has a large chart table with storage under it reminding us of cruising in the days before chart plotters. Steady, comfortable and safe, the Alajuala 38 is a proper old-fashion blue water cruiser that will look after her crew while making stately progress around the world.

BENETEAU FIRST 38

Designed by Jean Berret and introduced in 1983, the First 38 was billed as a racer-cruiser for a family. With its fin keel and spade rudder, it was quite modern at the time and had some dyed in the wool old timers shaking their heads. But the concept proved incredibly successful and the First line grew to include the 34, 42 and 456, all worthy cruising boats. In the 80s, the boats were very solidly built and known for stiffness and good seakeeping. The standard rig was quite tall so the 38 needed to be reeded early and often. With almost 13 feet of beam, the design liked to be sailed upright instead of rail down, similar to most modern cruisers. Also, Beneteau broke with tradition and put the

main traveler on the cabin top which got it and all the mainsheet spaghetti out of the cockpit. The accommodation plan was revolutionary, too. This was one of the first cruising boats to have double quarter cabins, as well as the V-berth forward and a pilot berth above the port settee – all in all berths for up to 10 souls. There was a tiny head aft between the quarter cabins and a larger head forward. The galley was small but perfectly useful and across from was a large full-size chart table. We have several friends who have circumnavigated in First 38s and found the boats to be fast, handy for a lone watchkeeper to handle and roomy enough for extended living aboard.

CAL 39

In the 70s and 80s, Cal yachts become one of the world’s largest sailboat builders. The venerable Cal 40 was a huge success early on and then the series of Cal 39s filled that space in the company’s line. Hundreds were built and there are still many out there sailing. The MK III version which was built after 1983 would be a boat to consider for extended cruising. The Bill Lapworth design is similar to the First 38, with a spade rudder and a deep fin keel. It has a beam of 12 feet and a 32-foot waterline so it doesn’t have quite as much interior volume as the First 38, but otherwise is of the same design concept. The cockpit is roomy enough for a crew of four or five, the side decks are quite wide and the fore deck large enough to carry an eight foot dinghy when on passage. The rig is very much of the 80s era with a short main boom, tall mast and large fore triangle. The standard huge genoa should be replaced with a smaller jib of about 115 percent as a working sail; then a gennaker or code zero could be used for down wind sailing. The acommodation plan has a V-berth forward and a double quarter berth aft to port. There are two heads, one forward and the other aft. The galley is small but will work both at anchor and at sea. The saloon has a centerline folding table with bench settees on both sides. In a pinch, the 39 will sleep six. Like the First 38, the Cal 39 would be a great sailing perfor

mance cruiser that will take a cruising couple anywhere reasonable – ie., mid latitudes-- they want to go.

CATALINA 36

The Catalina 36 is the most popular mid-size cruising boat ever built, with 1785 of the MK I version and close to a thousand of the MK II version built over a span of 25 years. And there are still hundreds of 36s in good condition out there and ready to cruise. The Frank Butler design is moderate in all dimentions with a 12-foot beam, that is caried quite far aft, a 30-foot waterline and a standard draft of five feet, eight inches. A shoal wing keel was also an option. The rig is moderate with a sensible balance between mainsail and headsails that will make sail handling easy for a lone watch keeper or a couple. The living spaces below are set up for two couples or a family of four. There is a V-berth forward and a large athwart-ships double berth aft in its own cabin. There is one large head forward. The galley L-shaped galley has plenty of counter space and enough storage for extended cruising. The saloon has a dinette to port and a bench to starboard. The Catalina 36 was designed as an every-man’s coastal cruiser but many intrepid sailors have fitted them out for extended cruising to the Caribbean and South Pacific. The construction is robust and the interior joinery worthy of such an amazingly popular boat. There are usually many used 36s to choose from on the market and prices vary depending upon age and condition. You really can’t go wrong choosing a Catalina 36 to fulfill your cruising dreams as many thousands of sailors have done over the years.

C&C LANDFALL 38

During the great sailing and cruising boom of the 70s and 80s, C&C, based in Canada dominated the racer-cruiser market in North America. And, there are still thousands of their racy fin-keel, spade rudder designs out there sail-

ing. To enter the cruising side of the market, C&C launched the Landfall series. In the price category we are looking at here, the Landfall 38 is an interesting and attractive possibility as there were some 180 of them built. The hulls and decks are balsa cored, so that will be an important part of any survey. But, that also makes the boats lighter and faster than some of their counterparts. The rig is moderate and designed for a cruising couple. Draft also is only five feet so the L38 will make a good choice for the Bahamas, The Chesapeake Bay and southern New England. The layout below has a V-berth forward, a double quarter berth aft to port and bench settee with a folding dining table on the centerline between them. The boat will sleep four in comfort and six in a pinch. Designer Rob Ball pulled out all the stops in the large U-shaped galley, which will be great for both cooking at sea and at anchor. Landfall 38s check off a lot of boxes for a couple’s cruising boat that promises to sail very well. For living aboard, the L38 has the space, storage and galley for full time cruising.

CHEOY LEE PEDRICK 41

The Cheoy Lee Perdrick 41 is a classic from the Hong Kong builder that was in production from 1982 through 1994. The design has a cruising fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder so it is a good mix of traditional rudder security with the sailing performance of a fin. The rig is moderately tall and designed to be sailed with a 130 percent overlapping genoa. As noted above, cruisers might chose to reduce the headsail size and add downwind sails. He cockpit is fairly large and deep enough to be secure in a seaway. Down below, the layout has a V-berth forward with it’s own sink but no head. The head is aft, just forward of the starboard quarter berth cabin and has

a separate shower stall, something you don’t often see on vintage cruisers. The U-shaped galley across from the head has a lot of counter space, double fridge hatches and double stainless steel sinks; this is as good a sea-going galley as it gets. Built in Hong Kong when labor was cheap, the Pedrick 41 has a fine traditional teak finish and lots of interesting details. If you can find one in good condition, you would have a boat that will take you safely and comfortably just about anywhere.

CORBIN 39

The Corbin 39, built in Canada to a Robert Dufour design, came along in 1979, just at the beginning of the cruising boom. A true blue water cruising, the 39 has a rounded stern similar to the Valiant 40 and has a 32 foot waterline with a five foot draft. Under the water, she has a modified full keel and a large skeg-hung rudder. This is a conservative approach that will make her owners sleep better at night. With a short bow sprit, the standard rig was as a cutter with a Yankee foresail and a smaller staysail. The cockpit is small by today’s standards as was the preference in 1979 and there is a small raised pilot house for the raised saloon area. Down below there is the aft saloon with inside steering for bad weather. Down a step into the saloon, the galley is to port and the dinette has a folding table so those seated on the opposite bench settee can join dinner. Forward there is a angled double berth and a small sofa. There were 200 Corbin 39s bult between 1979 and 1991 and many of them sailed over the horizon on voyages large and small. The boat has large fuel and water tanks and ample storage for supplies and spares, so this is a boat that you can live aboard in remote cruising areas for a long time.

ISLAND PACKET 31

The smallest design in our dozen boats, the Island Packet 31 is truly much larger than she looks. With almost 12 feet of beam and a 27 foot waterline, she has nearly the interior volume of boats five feet longer. Plus, her relatively high topside creates a lot of interior headroom. The 31 has a roomy cockpit and is set up with a cutter rig that has a small genoa on the headstay and a staysail inboard. With roller furling, a lone watch keeper will be able to reef and reduce sail easily from the cockpit. The bow sprit doubles as an anchor roller. Down below the layout has a V berth forward and a double quarter berth aft to starboard. The single head compartment is forward and relatively large for

a 31-footer. The galley is a true seagoing galley and also is relatively large for a cruiser of this size. The saloon has a centerline table with folding leaves to up to six can sit comfortable for dinner. This Bob Johnstone design was introduced in 1983 and over the next six year 262 of them were built. These salty little cruisers have crossed oceans many times and taken their owner on voyages to the Caribbean, South Pacific and beyond. With a full keel and attached rudder, the boat is bullet proof and capable of handling big seas and high winds. Island Packets hold their value very well, but you may be able to find one in the $50k range and you wouldn’t go wrong become its new owner.

PACIFIC SEACRAFT 37

MOODY 37

The Moody 37 is the only center cockpit design in this collection and presents an interesting contrast the aft-cockpit sloops and cutters. Designed by Bill Dixon and built by Moodys in England, the 37 was introduced in 1985 and over the next two years 310 of them rolled out of the factory making it one of the most popular mid-range cruising boats of that era. The hull has pleasing lines, a moderate cruising fin keel with a draft of five feet, six inches and a skeg-hung rudder. The rig is a simple masthead sloop design with a smaller fore=triangle most of that era so it will have a smaller genoa to crank in. Down below the aft cabin has a double berth to starboard, an en suite head and a settee to port. The forward cabin has a V-berth and access to the forward head. The saloon has an L-shaped dinette with a settee across from it, a large U-shaped galley and a chart table to port. There is a single berth in the passageway aft to the after cabin. This is a great mid-size 80s cruiser that will take you anywhere in quite a lot of comfort and style.

One of the most iconic cruising boats from the 80s is the Pacific Seacraft 37. More of these boats have voyaged far and wide than almost any other double-ender, except perhaps the more expensive Valiant 40. Design by Bill Crealock, the hull is narrow, at 10 feet, 10 inches, and has a moderate fin keel with a rudder hung on a full skeg. The cutter rig breaks the sail plan down into mainsail, staysail and Yankee, all of a very manageable size. The cockpit is small, as was popular in the 70s when the boat was designed so a boarding wave in a storm will not flood the boat. At sundowner time, you’ll be able to fit five adults comfortably.

Down below, space is limited by the narrow hull and short waterline but is laid out in a very seaman-like way so it is safe and convenient while at sea. There is a quarter berth aft and a diagonal double berth forward. The head is large and has a separate shower, something rare on a boat of this style and vintage. The saloon has a good seagoing galley, a full chart table, an Lshaped dinette and a good bench settee that will make a great sea berth, as will the quarter berth. This boat is an old-fashion blue water cruiser that will be comfortable and safe in all types of weather and sea conditions. It just begs for a wind-vane on the stern.

TARTAN 37

Over the years, Tartan Yachts based in Ohio, built three 37 footer, one by Ted Hood in the 60s, one by S & S in the 70s and 80s, and one by Tim Jacket in the 2000s. The 37 we’re talking about that is a great buy un $50k, is the S&S design. It is a keel-centerboard configuration with a minimum draft of four feet and a large skeg-hung rudder. The boats is fairly wide, has a long waterline and has quite high topsides for this generation so interior volume is maximized. The cockpit is large enough to be comfortable both sailing and at anchor with friends. The mast-head rig has a small mainsail and a large genoa; with modern sail technology, you could easily get by with a 115 percent headsail instead of the huge 140 percent spec’d. Down below the 37 has a large quarter berth and a V-berth up forward. The saloon has a good Ushaped galley, an L-shaped dinette, a bench settee with a pilot berth above it and a chart table. This is a comfortable, fast and well-built couple’s cruiser that is great for coasting but perfectly capable of ocean passages. There were 386 of the 37s built, so you can be choosy about the one you decide on.