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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

1450.0. "Swap, is this a good one?" by GIAMEM::T_MOORE () Thu Mar 01 1990 15:07

    I have a friend that has been offered the following deal.  Personly
    I do not think much of it, however he has asked me to put it into the
    "file" to see what the comments are.
    
    "THE DEAL"
    
    Swap his shallow draft 1984 34' Pearson for a 1990 Pacific Seacraft 24'
    Dana.
    
    The reason he is interested is that he has been trying to sell his boat
    for two years with out a bite, and he has vissions of doing more than 
    costal sailing;
    
    Comments anyone????
    
    
    Cheers,
    
    Tom
    
    
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1450.1Go For ItSQPUFF::HASKELLThu Mar 01 1990 17:1512
    The Dana 24 is one of the most seaworthy, ruggard, well made yachts
    afloat on th eseas today. I would give my right hand to trade my
    30 foot Pearson for a Dana. More of these small pocket yachts have
    made long passages, crossed oceans and have even sailed around the
    world.
    
    True, they a smaller and do not have as much room, but for two people,
    they are great.
    
    Tell him to go for it, he will be getting the very best of boats.
    
    Paul
1450.2I wouldn't do itMSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensThu Mar 01 1990 20:354
See Notes 803 and 1057. My views as expressed in 1057.12 haven't 
changed. I think 24' is too small for serious offshore sailing. Sure, it 
can be done, but it is much more risky and much less safe than offshore 
sailing on a larger boat. 
1450.3It's been doneSWAM3::MILLMAN_JAFri Mar 02 1990 18:336
    Remember that Lin and Larry Pardey sailed world wide for 11 years on
    their 24 foot boat..... of course Lin is only 4'9" or so and Larry is
    about 5'4".
    
    Big question is what do they want to do with it and can they really
    down-size.
1450.4Small can be beautifulAIADM::SPENCERJohn SpencerWed Mar 07 1990 13:3020
Would you consider trading a Buick Park Avenue or Chevy Suburban for a 
Mercedes 190?  

I'd take the Dana any day, though Alan's caveats re: ocean voyaging are 
valid.  It takes longer to become competent to make long voyages in a 
24-footer than it does in an equal-quality 34-footer, due to longer
passage times which force the compromise between needing more supplies 
while having less space to store them.  Small boat voyagers have to make 
do with less, and thus be much more independent and resourceful.

There are other advantages, however, including cost & upkeep, more
anchorages, shortcuts in some areas like the Bahamas, etc.  Most
inmportantly from my perspective is the way you are received when arriving
on a small boat vs a large one.  Everybody wants to talk with you and help
if your vessel is small--you're one of them; big vessels engender distance
and cooler receptions. There's nothing like coming in from a substantial 
trip in a vessel people are surprised would try it, believe me.  It adds a 
whole new dimension to cruising.

J.
1450.5Go for ItSQPUFF::HASKELLWed Mar 07 1990 16:463
    The Dana has six foot headroom, plus an inch or two.
    
    Paul