Hello All,
Long time sailor looking to get back into budget single hander , would do a refit , fit vane etc.
Any comments on below vessels appreciated
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-30-defiance/242417
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/currawong-30/244515
Thanks in advance
That is my pick out of the SS30's for sale. Very nice Currawong though and I like the interior. Not sure why it needs a self tacking jib setup. I hate the CQR having off the bow though, should have a real anchor in the anchor well.
I'm biased towards Currawongs and I'm just leaving the keyboard now to head offshore for some more self isolation!
If you were thinking of using for offshore I would look at a 34 footer. Difference in price between an SS 30 & 34 is marginal. Here on the WA coast I have seen 30 footers unable to make headway when trying to head into a 20 knot offshore breeze. The constant wave action meant they were sailing sideways. Where the extra length with a 34 footer meant they could keep going and make meaningful progress. My old UFO 34 was like a train heading upwind in a 20-25kt offshore breeze.
Ilenart
Select to expand quoteIlenart said..
If you were thinking of using for offshore I would look at a 34 footer. Difference in price between an SS 30 & 34 is marginal. Here on the WA coast I have seen 30 footers unable to make headway when trying to head into a 20 knot offshore breeze. The constant wave action meant they were sailing sideways. Where the extra length with a 34 footer meant they could keep going and make meaningful progress. My old UFO 34 was like a train heading upwind in a 20-25kt offshore breeze.
Ilenart
I have sailed a D30 in plenty of breeze offshore, provided sail plan is balanced, never had an issue., but hear what yr saying.
Select to expand quoteIlenart said..
If you were thinking of using for offshore I would look at a 34 footer. Difference in price between an SS 30 & 34 is marginal. Here on the WA coast I have seen 30 footers unable to make headway when trying to head into a 20 knot offshore breeze. The constant wave action meant they were sailing sideways. Where the extra length with a 34 footer meant they could keep going and make meaningful progress. My old UFO 34 was like a train heading upwind in a 20-25kt offshore breeze.
Ilenart
Nothing wrong with defiance 30 to windward offshore !! they sail to windward like a witch !!
Select to expand quotePerry500 said..
Hello All,
Long time sailor looking to get back into budget single hander , would do a refit , fit vane etc.
Any comments on below vessels appreciated
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-30-defiance/242417
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/currawong-30/244515
Thanks in advance
Hiya Perry,
I like the S&S', but I really like the internal layout of the Currawong. I didn't know that's what they looked like.
I find when I'm solo I spend a lot more time at the chart table. That layout looks perfect for nipping in and out from nav to cockpit. It even looks like thought has been given to being in sodden wets.
Me like.
That's a far better interior than the stock Currawong interior. The layout is the same except for the folding table in the centre. The normal set up is with a fold-down table on the stb side of the saloon. I would suggest this has had an update with all that extra timber trim at some time. The hatch on the foredeck has been modified from a life raft storage to an actual hatch as well.
This is my nav table. With tiller steering the plotter is easy to see from the normal seated position though 99% of the time the Aries is steering.
Previous owners crew during one of the 5 Syd-Hob races. The owner used the port side quarter berth which is the best berth by far. The stb quarter berth is a pipe cot and is used for storage and when folded gives access to the engine and shaft etc. The fore peak berth is a waste of time.
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..Perry500 said..
Hello All,
Long time sailor looking to get back into budget single hander , would do a refit , fit vane etc.
Any comments on below vessels appreciated
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-30-defiance/242417
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/currawong-30/244515
Thanks in advance
Hiya Perry,
I like the S&S', but I really like the internal layout of the Currawong. I didn't know that's what they looked like.
I find when I'm solo I spend a lot more time at the chart table. That layout looks perfect for nipping in and out from nav to cockpit. It even looks like thought has been given to being in sodden wets.
Me like.
Thanks for the great feedback guys, much appreciated, let you know how i go, only Just leaning towards the D30 due to many upgrades.
I was also interested in the Currawong 30 and rang the dealer. Standing rigging hasn't been replaced in current owners time (~17 years) and the inner forestay seems to be missing, not sure why.
I have owned one of each over the years.
Does not matter which design just which is better fit out and equipment etc.
The Currawong is quite tidy and original
There is a Savage defence for sale in old at present to $12k
looks factory original which is what you want.
I reckon a 30 footer is just about the right lenght for short handed sailing be it racing or cruising.
A battle of the 30 footers has to encompass more than Currawongs and Defiances.
How about Spencers, Knoops, VDS,Holland, Clansman, Farr, Hick, Carter and of course the venerable Lotus 9.2 from the pen of Alan Wright. 
As long as a 30 footer is not too narrow beamed and not a slug it will take a crew of 2 or 3 far and wide in a timely fashion.
I think the choice comes down to what sort of lead keel you want. Bolt on lead or encapsulated lead. I would not contemplate cast iron keels or steel with lead like the Knoops. In the long term the ease of maintenance with encapsulated lead seals the deal for me but I would still own an SS30 as long as it had an anchor locker.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
I think the choice comes down to what sort of lead keel you want. Bolt on lead or encapsulated lead. I would not contemplate cast iron keels or steel with lead like the Knoops. In the long term the ease of maintenance with encapsulated lead seals the deal for me but I would still own an SS30 as long as it had an anchor locker.
Some SS designs have a F/glass stub with a bolt-on lead shoe. If the bolts are bronze, I am OK with that. I have seen 100+ year old bronze underwater, shining like new. Otherwise I am with Ramona on bolt-on keels.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
I reckon a 30 footer is just about the right lenght for short handed sailing be it racing or cruising.
A battle of the 30 footers has to encompass more than Currawongs and Defiances.
How about Spencers, Knoops, VDS,Holland, Clansman, Farr, Hick, Carter and of course the venerable Lotus 9.2 from the pen of Alan Wright.
As long as a 30 footer is not too narrow beamed and not a slug it will take a crew of 2 or 3 far and wide in a timely fashion.
How about the Duncanson Offshore 30.....not a bad ride either
There are lots of good 30 footers about. I think it is a great length for a balance of capability, manageability and economy.
If I had the money to spare this is the 30 footer I would have. 
Select to expand quotecisco said..
There are lots of good 30 footers about. I think it is a great length for a balance of capability, manageability and economy.
If I had the money to spare this is the 30 footer I would have.
Ah Cisco, would you really enjoy such a wet ride? Yes, it is fast, but what about comfort? At our age, I think that kind of boat is a dream of our youth.
Are you sure you weren't thinking of the Pogo 30 Cisco? That's a Pogo mini in the video, she's a little bit shorter at 22'. I do agree though a mini would be awesome fun if you could get off it at the end of the day!
I test sailed a 30' for a day, loved it to bits, easily singlehanded and surprisingly stable.
This is three guys doing a trans-atlantic crossing on a Pogo 30, it's cool just to see how much stuff they put on board 
.
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..
Are you sure you weren't thinking of the Pogo 30 Cisco? That's a Pogo mini in the video, she's a little bit shorter at 22'. I do agree though a mini would be awesome fun if you could get off it at the end of the day!
I test sailed a 30' for a day, loved it to bits, easily singlehanded and surprisingly stable.
This is three guys doing a trans-atlantic crossing on a Pogo 30, it's cool just to see how much stuff they put on board .
Edit: It's interesting they have a WattnSea hydrogenerator, I didn't think a 30' would be quick enough to drive one.
Loved the gimbaled stove in the storm!
What about the mighty Adams 31 ???..."Plum Crazy" still holds the Sydney to Hobart race record for it's length, record has stood since 1975
www.sail-world.com/Australia/Plum-Crazy-returns-to-Hobart-for-Wooden-Boat-Festival/-53697?source=google
Not actually correct.
Red Rock Communication, Krakatoa and Towtruck are all quicker with Red Rock almost a day quicker.
Having said that, a good mate has done about 10 to 15 Hobart's and has never beaten his 1975 time in his 30 footer even on a 57 footer.
Proving 30' is no issue for being able to get up and boogie.
Hull speed? What is this theoretical hull speed of which you speak?
Anyone got a spare 300K?
Select to expand quotelydia said..
Not actually correct.
Red Rock Communication, Krakatoa and Towtruck are all quicker with Red Rock almost a day quicker.
Having said that, a good mate has done about 10 to 15 Hobart's and has never beaten his 1975 time in his 30 footer even on a 57 footer.
Okay, thanks for the update Lydia, nonetheless, a brilliant run considering moderate draft of the older design, pretty hard to keep up with more modern designs. I think i would rather be in a blow in the Adams !
Hi
Crashing the discussion here...
My daughter and I have been sailing small dinghies on a lake for the past 3 years. This with the intend the have weekend fun and learn sailing.
Last year we joined someone on a 40ft yacht in the bay of Melbourne and both loved it. Ever since that day I have been contemplating that it's time to swap the dinghy for something bigger and learn more. This with the ultimate goal to sail up north and do some Pacific islands during my long service leave.
Anyways started to look at some boats and thought that 30-32 ft range would work well. Atm i've got my eye on a Spencer 30 which is reasonably priced given that my budget is not large in boat terms <20k
Keen to get your views on the Spencer 30? '75
Would also be helpful to get some insight all costs associated? Registration , berth, mooring, insurance etc. Hoping to stay under 7.5k a year.
This as I never owned a boat...
Am I dreaming or possible?
It will be hard to go wrong with a Spencer 30. Properly equipped and maintained they are a capable blue water yacht.
Select to expand quoteSail0nWater said..
Hi
Crashing the discussion here...
My daughter and I have been sailing small dinghies on a lake for the past 3 years. This with the intend the have weekend fun and learn sailing.
Last year we joined someone on a 40ft yacht in the bay of Melbourne and both loved it. Ever since that day I have been contemplating that it's time to swap the dinghy for something bigger and learn more. This with the ultimate goal to sail up north and do some Pacific islands during my long service leave.
Anyways started to look at some boats and thought that 30-32 ft range would work well. Atm i've got my eye on a Spencer 30 which is reasonably priced given that my budget is not large in boat terms <20k
Keen to get your views on the Spencer 30? '75
Would also be helpful to get some insight all costs associated? Registration , berth, mooring, insurance etc. Hoping to stay under 7.5k a year.
This as I never owned a boat...
Am I dreaming or possible?
Nothing wrong with Spencer 30's, I considered them as well years ago. They are getting a bit old now and you may have trouble getting comprehensive insurance for them. If your prepared to have 3rd party property cover only as I do then the running costs per year are greatly reduced. You will require at least 3rd party insurance to use public slips etc.
The other fees then are very much dependant on where you live and if you were from NSW whether you are a pensioner or not. 30 foot is a handy size when it comes to mooring and slipping fees etc. I'm a pensioner in a country zone in NSW and if I slip annually my total fees are something around 2 grand. Occasionally you will have the odd expensive bill, this year for me it was replacing the bottom chain on my mooring which is really just real insurance. Victoria is a different story and I would suggest checking out moorings first and go on from there.
Thanks for the input!
I am Vic based (far south east Melbourne).
Have
- contacted the seller but haven't heard back yet.
- looked for some good mooring/berthing options.
Most are ~5k a year though. Would probably prefer something near Hastings Westerport to Phillips island area instead of the bay.
Also thought to get some professional to inspect before I buy - even though the price is less that 20k.
Any thoughts on a good one?
Probably to more to give me some insights in what I'm signing up to.
Fingers crossed it happens. Looking fwd to it.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
That's a far better interior than the stock Currawong interior. The layout is the same except for the folding table in the centre. The normal set up is with a fold-down table on the stb side of the saloon. I would suggest this has had an update with all that extra timber trim at some time. The hatch on the foredeck has been modified from a life raft storage to an actual hatch as well.
This is my nav table. With tiller steering the plotter is easy to see from the normal seated position though 99% of the time the Aries is steering.
Previous owners crew during one of the 5 Syd-Hob races. The owner used the port side quarter berth which is the best berth by far. The stb quarter berth is a pipe cot and is used for storage and when folded gives access to the engine and shaft etc. The fore peak berth is a waste of time.
I looked at your boat when it came onto the market and made an offer, obviously not successfully! If I remember rightly it had a cork material on the cabin ceiling which looks like you've replaced...good job! Have you still got the Volvo engine? Nice big monitor! Being so big simplifies things a bit ie you don't so much need a complicated arm so you can see it from the tiller.
Where that foreward hatch is on the advertized one I have an anchor chain locker thingo on my Currawong which I think is the standard configuration. Not sure why you'd need two forward hatches on a Currawong. He's got the cabin interior looking good. Yes, the forward cabin is useless on these boats. I need to replace my foreward hatch, leaking like a sieve, not sure how I'm going to do this yet.
Select to expand quoteclaverton said..R
I looked at your boat when it came onto the market and made an offer, obviously not successfully! If I remember rightly it had a cork material on the cabin ceiling which looks like you've replaced...good job! Have you still got the Volvo engine? Nice big monitor! Being so big simplifies things a bit ie you don't so much need a complicated arm so you can see it from the tiller.
Where that foreward hatch is on the advertized one I have an anchor chain locker thingo on my Currawong which I think is the standard configuration. Not sure why you'd need two forward hatches on a Currawong. He's got the cabin interior looking good. Yes, the forward cabin is useless on these boats. I need to replace my foreward hatch, leaking like a sieve, not sure how I'm going to do this yet.
Still have the Volvo. It was or is a remanufactured one fitted the weekend before I picked her up. The electrical cables were not even refitted. I'm expecting another 40 years or so out of it. The plywood behind the cork started to delaminate so when I had to lift the mast up and I had to access the wiring in the deckhead I decided the easiest way to replace the cork was wood panelling. Check the drains to the forward hatches are not blocked. That is often an easy fix.
