Would You Sail In The High Latitudes In A Fibreglass Boat?

by John December 1, 2005

Question: Would you cruise the high latitudes in a fibreglass hull?

What Should I Look For When Buying An Older Aluminum Boat?

by John January 1, 2006

Question: What advice and cautions would you have regarding buying older aluminum boats? I have been told to pay particular attention to the area under the heads and engine and around the through-hulls. Is there anything else you might be wary about in an older aluminum boat?

Used Colin Archer Design Sailboat

by John December 1, 2006

Question: We have reached a stage now where we want to be cruising very soon (world in 4 to 5 years, local waters well before that), and so we are looking at boats to do this. In two weeks or so we will travel interstate to see this boat: She is a Colin Archer design, [...]

Is A Macgregor 26M Suitable For A Trans-Atlantic?

by John January 1, 2007

Question: I am a 46 year old professional in fairly good health and in good shape. I am wanting to reverse the steps of my great-great-grandfather, sailing from Belfast, Maine to Bantry Bay, Ireland. I plan to leave June 3rd, 2011. The boat I want to take is a Macgregor 26M. Is this solid enough?

Used Boat For Trans-Atlantic On A Budget

by John February 1, 2007
Ted Brewer designed Hullmaster 32, an example of an older but solid boat that could probably go to sea if carefully checked over and upgraded (this one is, though it's not for sale)

Question: I am trying to buy a boat to go cruising with my family. Over the course of a few years, we will cruise in the Chesapeake and then the Med with a trans-Atlantic in between. My budget is modest (US$50,000 give or take 20%); however, the choice of boats is MIND BOGGLING! Is there [...]

Tips On Buying A Used Boat For The High Latitudes

by John May 1, 2007

Question: We are looking for a used boat to buy, and wonder if you could give us any pointers. We plan to cruise the high latitudes and circumnavigate with two people. The features we are looking for in a boat are: Full keel 32 to 37 feet long Cutter rig Over 11 foot beam

Motorsailer Versus Sailboat

by John May 1, 2007

Question: We are considering the purchase of a 52′ motorsailer and wanted to know your thoughts regarding at what age (we are 62 and 60) should a couple consider a trawler versus a sailboat. After reading your very detailed descriptions regarding handling of sails while voyaging we were just wondering if we are taking on [...]

A Motorsailer For Offshore Voyaging?

by John May 1, 2007
A rough sketch of the motorsailer’s deck profile superimposed over a picture of Morgan’s Cloud. Keep in mind that the boats weigh about the same; in fact, in a fully loaded comparison MC is probably lighter. Also, the profile difference is much more dramatic than this image shows since MC has a lot of reserve buoyancy (flare) in the ends. A water plane plan of both boats would show a much larger difference.

Question: We are a couple aged 60 and 62 considering a 52’ motorsailer for extended cruising to Alaska, Hawaii and beyond. We have attached some details on the boat and would like your opinion of its suitability for our plans. The #1 reason we like the motorsailer concept is the raised and fully enclosed pilothouse, [...]

Is An Aluminum Catamaran Suitable For The High Latitudes?

by John May 1, 2007

Question: I would like to do some cruising in the high latitudes and am in the process of planning a boat to take me there. You and others, like Jimmy Cornell, are very partial to alloy boats and I agree it seems to be the way to go. But I also like catamarans. I can [...]

Trans-Atlantic Singlehanded

by John August 1, 2007

Question: I’m at a point in my life when it’s time to live the dream that I’ve had since childhood and that’s to sail across the Atlantic single handed. I’m a complete beginner to sailing. I’m currently doing a skipper’s course which will take me up to advanced cruising, coastal navigation and radio operation, although [...]

Sailboat Stability Contradiction

by John August 1, 2008

Question: I recently had an interesting discussion about stability with a cruising yacht owner, and I thought this topic would be of real interest to any high latitude sailor. And I also suspect that you would have traversed this terrain long ago and have an opinion. After the 1979 Fastnet race, the Joint Committee on [...]

Homebuilding A Boat

by John October 1, 2008

Question: I am a novice at sailboat construction, but found a beautiful fiberglass hull on eBay and couldn’t resist the challenge of building my own [boat]. It’s 45’ LOA, 36’ LWL, 5’-3” draft, 14’ beam and 9’-6” depth of hull amidships. The hull is believed to have been built in the early 1970s, but there [...]

Voyaging Safely On A Small Budget

by Phyllis May 1, 2009
A Vertue 25 at Svalbard

Question: I’ve been dreaming about my Europe to Caribbean trans-Atlantic trade wind voyage for years, but now I’ve decided to do it in the next 5 years time. I know I won’t have the money to buy an expensive boat so I’m trying to figure out what is the minimum budget to do it without [...]

Interior Layout And Boat Selection

by John September 1, 2009
1978 A Plan Endeavour 37 interior layout

Question: I am looking at a cross-Atlantic trip and was thinking about a 1978 A Plan Endeavour 37, mainly because of the layout. Would you advise against this boat for such a long journey even with a good survey?

Limited Production Run Of Aluminum Expedition Sailboats

by John December 1, 2009

Question: I have this notion of building a modern expedition (aluminum) fast cruiser that would include many of your ideas/opinions, not necessarily because they are your opinions but because you and I have reached many of the same conclusions. In considering a project, the thought has become, not to build ONE, but to build a [...]

Crossing The Atlantic In A 32-foot Boat

by John June 21, 2010
Cris Craft 32 Sailboat Drawing

Question: I received a Cris Craft 32′ cruiser/racer as a gift. This is my first boat and I’d like to sail it to France from NYC. I’m preparing it for solo sailing and would like your opinion on it’s survivability. A Sparkman& Stephens design…it has a fin keel and a lovely interior. It has been [...]

Q&A—Ferro-Cement Boats

by Phyllis February 22, 2012
JHH5II-12568

Question [edited for brevity]: I was perusing the boats for sale on the web and came across a number of ferro-cement hulled boats and I was wondering what you thought of that material in general for use in a cruising boat. Is it ever a good idea or is it a matter of manufacturer and [...]