From: dmb@IEDV4.acd.com ( Dave Barker )
Subject: Re: Cruising Boats (was Re: Book "Maiden Voyage")
Organization: Applied Computing Devices, Inc., Terre Haute IN
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 14:25:49 GMT


Wayne Simpson writes:
>
> She was poorly prepared skillwise for her trip. Look at it this way:
>if she wanted to sail in a singlehanded trans Atlantic, she would not
>have been accepted because she hadn't made her 2,000 mile solo qualifying
>sail! But she survived, she learned, she improved and she grew more
>competent as time went by. You have to give her credit for that.
 
	Her intention was not to sail in a singlehanded Transatlantic, though.
	From what I gathered reading the book, her sole intention was to sail
	around the world alone.
>
>   The Contessa 26 os based on the design of the Folkboat (Danish? Sweedish?).
>It's a pretty boat and very seaworthy but a real peanut inside. A normal
>sized adult has no better than stooping headroom. Engine access is good
>with a lift-out cockpit sole but overall there are much better choices for
>a small long distance cruiser. Like almost any yacht by Pacific Seacraft,
>for instance.
 
	Do the smaller Pacific Seacrafts have standing headroom? I
	have read many good things regarding the Pacific Seacraft line of 
	cruising boats, but the prices (gasp!) take my breath away-the going
	price for a used Dana 24 starts at around $40K, from the broker ads
	I've seen. On the other hand, I've seen used Contessa's (26) for as low
	as $11K.  These two boats seem very similar, at least in regards to the 
	purpose for which they were designed. I admit to not knowing much about
	the Contessa 26, although I feel intrigued by it after reading the book.
	Is the company still in business, and if so is the 26 still being made?
	Were the engines diesel ?(I don't remember Tania mentioning the
	type of engine in the book.)
	Any specs or sources of information anybody could supply would 
	be greatly appreciated. E-mail would be fine.
 
>   By the way, I know where Tania's boat ended up. It was bought by
>a man living in or near Atlantic City, NJ. He dry stores it at a 
>marina near Little Egg Inlet. I was passing by one day on my way to
>Smithville for lunch with my wife, and saw a maroon hull that looked
>familiar. Sure enough, it was Varuna!
 
	Hum... I wonder if he would be willing to sell it? Surely a boat such
	as Varuna must be in possession of some Good Karma.  After all, it 
	did get Tania safely around the world (albeit, with a few problems here and
	there.) On the other hand, if you think about everything this poor little boat 
	went through it may not have much Good Karma left.
>
>   You could look at an old Swiftsure 33, or a Pearson Vanguard, or
>an Allied Seawind or Seabreeze, or a Tartan 34. Almost any of these boats
>can be had for under $30K if the seller is motivated enough. Careful how
>you define "efficiency" in an offshore layout. An interior that seems 
>cramped at the dock may be great in a seaway because there are a great
>many thigs to hold onto as you move about. A boat that seems more open
>only gives you a longer distance to fall before something hard stops you.
>
>**************************************************************************
>                                       Wayne Simpson, Technical Editor
>(insert standard                       National Catalina 27 Association
>        disclaimer here)               wms@spin.ho.att.com
>                                       (908) 949-0482
>**************************************************************************
>
 
	Thanks for the suggestions. Another boat I've seen a lot of around 
	the midwest (Greats Lakes area, especially) that looks like it would 
	make a good distance cruiser is the Tartan 27.  From all appearances 
	it is a solid boat with some pretty significant ballast. The cabin 
	top seems a little excessive for my tastes, athough I think this 
	illusion is due to fairly low freeboard.  

					Dave


 

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