Tom Cunliffe Looks at How to Choose the Right Boat for You 

Very nicely explained indeed and yes wise words for sure. When I first took up sailing some 6 years ago, I didn’t know anything, nor what sort of boat I might like. The truth these years later now having sailed on other people’s boats is that yes I am pretty certain what I would like, the type of boat, where I would want to sail with it, how, and features I would want/need. I remember a marine surveyor/friend saying early on to me there were three key aspects in buying a boat, you need to like the look of it, you need to know what you wish to do with it and you need to be able not only to pay for the boat but have funds to maintain it. After this, everything is else is mere details. It all makes good sense to me. Hopefully, one day I will get that boat I would like.

Our Amber is just short of 14 tonnes of ferrocement. A nightmare to berth, deep draft so we can't get into close shore in most places. At sea she is perfect; steady, smooth and reliable. I'd feel safe going anywhere in her. And as we sail in the Irish Sea often, the steadiness outweighs anything.

Their was no boat out their for me... Everything was too big, & did not have what I need to be happy. However sometimes in life you pick your boat... However other times, your boat picks you. I purchased a 77 Bayliner Victoria fly-bridge. I purchased it because I needed a bigger boat for my family to handle some larger chop & waves, But I did not want too big of a boat, & I wanted single screw with a V8. She fit the bill nicely. She was junk when I purchased her. I fixed what needed to be fixed & used her for a season. We fell in love. It was the strangest realization, but I realized one day that she was livable. I could do it. Since then we have been inseparable. She had no interior when I purchased her, so I was able to make her how I wanted & I will say with a high degree of certainty their is no other boat out their quite like mine. The only other old salty dog I had on my boat said she was very eccentric but in a good way. I have brought this boat from a foot in the grave back to life. She is my home, my castle, & my life now. I know she would do anything to keep me safe. I loved watching this video of how to chose your boat. I thank the Lord I did not get a larger boat, as handling my 27ft boat at times takes everything I have in me. Maybe next time you can cover some of the sporting boats, like a the sailfish yachts & whatnot.

Hi Tom I especially enjoyed your video as it speaks well to both neophyte and seasoned boater alike. You do a wonderful job of comparing and contrasting boat types , given the brevity of your presentation .Tom the the Contessa 32 is a sail boat for the ages. Like the Alberg , she lacks an expansive interior but that is the point to be made. The boat is a child of our oceans. And yes the Contessa 32 has circumnavigated. I am an old salt like yourself and have come to realize that like ones mind , so goes the boat. They are inexorably entwined. Tom , your speak of beam and comfort but let us not forget self righting moment. There is today , a sad lack of understanding of hull design , ballast ratio , hull speed ratio , form displacement verses self righting. And most galling of all , a child like dependance on electronic navigation. Paul in Canada

Words of wisdom, take note and listen. Such a good article, thank you Tom And so nice to hear you leading the cheer for the Contessa 32. The boat I learnt to sail on and had so many wonderful times on 👍

its all in the timing, Tom, all in the timing....... I was completing on my "New" boat just as you were publishing this video. Damn you, Tom Cunliffe, damn you!!! (Another great video Tom, many thanks)

Another great Tom Cunliffe video. Did you notice he didn't mention catamarans?

Tom the last power boat looked like it was a Ray Hunt PT boat design from the 40s. Large spray rail keeps the water off the front windshield

You should also look at your future partner in this way and make rational choice, but we don't. I do love my boat, and just like in any RelationSHIP you need to make some adaptations on both sides to make it work.

Top drawer as per usual

Marvellous, thank you for this. I do love my Sadler 32, but I have yet to test our limits together 😁

Great video Tom. Where did you get that jumper, looks great and above all very warm?

Thanks Tom.

Thank You,Sir.

Love your vids Tom Have you had much to do with bilge keel boats.?

Brilliant advice. Thank you, Tom.

Hi Tom, what are your thoughts on bilge keels? I’m looking at buying a Snapdragon 21, are you familiar with these? Love your videos, thank you 🙏

I love your videos Mr TC (and your articles in CB for that matter) We are trying to embark on our trip of a lifetime around the med and had identified the Contesa as a good boat for us (only 2) and I do like good sailing performance of an extra ice maker. The issue is not buying the boat but running it, especially on a limited budget. May end up still being just a dream......

Great video, Tom. Great knowledge and I love your enthusiasm. I did my RYA comp crew in a Contessa 32 in July 1984. HMSTY Explorer of Hornet. I lived on it for a week during the training.

Great . great . GREAT

I would have loved to hear more about what makes some boats more suitable for blue water cruising that e.g. a Sun Odyssey is lacking.

Great video,keep it up!⬜⚪

Amazing review and really helpful. Thankyou

Looking at a Nantucket Clipper 32.. i think its gorgeous with its 2 masts and large keel weight of 1.5 tons lol i want to sail bleu water and i think this 32 footer will do the job but i am not familiar with the Yawl rigging.. anyone has experience with these type of boats?

Interesting

I’ve early memories of sailing our family Super sovereign 35 up to Buckley hard 4o years ago May I ask you a boating question Forgive me if this is not the right video but it was the one I remember most Its relating to buying a boat that has storages charges I ve been told it equates to £1700 but that verbal so could be a lot more Boats asking price is £12000 Boats yards phones been off the hook and then I went in to chat with them and they couldn’t tell me the The actual figure I suggested he knocked the fees off the asking price but that’s risky for both of us as the number might not be right or he thinks I may not pay him So unfortunately the deals broken down do you have any surjections how all three of us feel safe to move forward?

Love your stuff, but you fail to identify each vessel! Oh well, if you would, next time tell us the brand, model, and size of each boat. Thanks, and keep up the very good work.

Hi Tom, what do you think about catamarans, I haven’t heard you discuss them much?

contessa 32, done

Krogen Express 52. 🤩

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