We have finally reached the stage of buying our first yacht. All you Seabreeze folks seem really good at locating good buys. So, my question is, have you spotted a little gem that we have missed in our obsessive internet searching?
We are after a yacht with just over 6'1" headroom some where in the cabin. We like the older style full keel boats although a fin is not out of the question. We prefer a tiller. 28 to 32 feet is our target length although we have included Top Hats because of their excellent headroom and handling for the size.
We are aiming at cruising, starting with the East Coast. We have lived in a lot of remote places so small and basic is fine. We are not looking for a project, preferring to get sailing. We don't mind catch up maintenance such as rigging or antifouling. We're pretty handy so minor repairs or installation are ok. A sensibly sized decent engine is on our list, we not looking at a repower. Oh, we are a couple and neither need showers, fridges, microwaves or a built in spa bath.
We have looked at quite a few boats in Vic and Tas and are just starting a road trip from Sydney to look at a few more.
We have seen nice Compass 28s, Top Hats and H28s that we have liked. As you realise, we are a bit "Old School".
Budget (depending on the package) up to, say, $40,000 for the boat (or a bit more if it is really nice). Obviously, 20k for a nice Compass 28 would be good.
We should probably restrict ourselves to the Eastern States at the moment.
Any suggestions for a model we may have overlooked would also be gratefully received. Oh and, of course, I'm happy to provide any clarification of what we're looking for.
Cheers.
This Tahitian is out at Yaringa western port its a couple of boats down from mine one owner elderly gent it has a Yanmar not sure of its size but 40 hours on it.
Lin Pardey and her husband built one out of Teak this one fiberglass .Ive never been on board but the hull and rig are very sound I can just make out a butterfly hatch on the cabin roof from my boat. $24000 He has genuine reason to sell
If your planning on cruising and want a full keel yacht then there is only one yacht worth considering, Nicholson 32. They will sail rings around them other full keel boats you mentioned.http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/dealer/used/OAG-AD-1711384/1970-NICHOLSON-32?cr=0&psq=%28%28%28Make%3DNICHOLSON%26Model%3D32%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20used%20boats%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20new%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20used%20boats%29%7CSiloType%3DDemo%20and%20near%20new%20boats%29%29%26Service%3DBoatsales%29&pso=0&pss=Premium
My pick at the moment is this Cole. Big boat but good value and in the right place.
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bundaberg-north/sail-boats/cole-35-sloop/1116287999
Cheers Ramona, but no boat I'm in charge of will sail rings around any boat! 
great tip, thanks
Oh, and we are in Sydney so will certainly be looking at the 28s. They are plenty big enough for us after too many nights to recall in a hiking tent! Thanks for all comments so far, it is so useful.
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
3 boats inspected today, 3 hopefully 4 tomorrow. We're getting warm!
good luck
Ramona always has his finger on the pulse of used yachts. Id say hes an old trade a boat reader
Probably while he was fishing for a living
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
This Tahitian is out at Yaringa western port its a couple of boats down from mine one owner elderly gent it has a Yanmar not sure of its size but 40 hours on it.
Lin Pardey and her husband built one out of Teak this one fiberglass .Ive never been on board but the hull and rig are very sound I can just make out a butterfly hatch on the cabin roof from my boat. $24000 He has genuine reason to sell
She is beautiful ... The name is 'Walrus' and she is on Gumtree with a lot more photos. Interior is just fantastic.
I have just bought my first keeler (about 4 days ago), a sweet little Swanson 28 up Bundaberg way. My Dad and I drove up in his camper-van from Tasmania to Cairns and back and we took about 4 weeks of searching before we found her. The hunt is hard work and money seems to flow out like a gushing tap, but the yachty lifestyle is worth it in the end. Good luck with the search.
Seahorse.
swanys a nice boat always wanted the 38 canoe stern
fair wind to you
Found walrus thankshttp://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/williamstown/sail-boats/john-hanna-neptune/1115891229
We have bought our 1st boat. Arranging survey etc tomorrow. Pictures to follow after the scrub up.
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
We have bought our 1st boat. Arranging survey etc tomorrow. Pictures to follow after the scrub up.
looking forward to that nothing wrong with a before and after photo shoot
before
Last novemeber
right now
your turn come on 
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
We have bought our 1st boat. Arranging survey etc tomorrow. Pictures to follow after the scrub up.
Hi
What did you end up buying
Regards Don
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
She looks lovely HG
It will be a shame to stick her back in the water and get her dirty
Regards Don
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
swanys a nice boat always wanted the 38 canoe stern
There is an immaculate Swanson 38 in Bundaberg that should be coming up on a deceased estate sale soon.
Keep a lookout for that one. It is a good'un.
It will be a shame to stick her back in the water and get her dirty
Regards Don
In the flesh shes dirty Don out side she looks OK but Ive a lot of dirt and crud to clean up inside and also the cockpit .
About finished making and fitting the battery area under the settees and also the fridge compressors have a permanent home finally. just cleaning and painting in those areas now.
I may still make a nav station out of the starboard bunk area not sure yet finish off all the wiring .Hose up the Bukh motor. The TMC heads just sitting there may still use a portapotti
buy and swag the rigging wire . run all ropes for the masts and finish off the hull top sides and anti foul all before October November when Id like to have a sail and not be doing boat work
Almost forgot
I have that Huon pine veneer set on some marine ply should be ready next week for pick up ,with bit of luck hope to make cupboards similar your boat above the settees
Its been a journey that's for sure if I did it again Id spend an extra $10,000 on a boat and go sailing instead of the nonsense I did
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said...
Oh, we are a couple and neither need showers, fridges, microwaves or a built in spa bath.
Cheers.
32 feet is small but you can sometimes find conversions where people installed proper amenities and those yachts are meant to be sailed only by 2-3 people. Believe me after a few days out at sea one can feel pretty rubbish and a hot shower is exactly what the doctor has ordered 
Our "no shower" record so far is 21 days on a Tassie trek. Luckily we didn't see anyone that was not in the same state. Yes, boy oh boy, were those suds good at the end!
Ok, I'll stop being coy and paste some "before" shots in the next few days. Right, off to spend the money!
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
Our "no shower" record so far is 21 days on a Tassie trek. Luckily we didn't see anyone that was not in the same state. Yes, boy oh boy, were those suds good at the end!
Not having a shower in Tassie for three weeks is not unusual. Walk into Centrelink in Georgetown some time ... make your eyes water.
Select to expand quoteKit3kat said..
Bristolfashion said...
Oh, we are a couple and neither need showers, fridges, microwaves or a built in spa bath.
Cheers.
32 feet is small but you can sometimes find conversions where people installed proper amenities and those yachts are meant to be sailed only by 2-3 people. Believe me after a few days out at sea one can feel pretty rubbish and a hot shower is exactly what the doctor has ordered
I'm happy with 28 feet. mizzen main and jib and she will do me fine for the next 20 years hot shower is possible on my little boat but Ill probably use the cockpit most of the time
Ive fridge /freezes 80 litres all up, 1000 watt anchor winch opening port lights with fly wires plenty of ventilation completely rewired. plenty of LED lights and circuits a 400 watt wind gen and some solar more to fit yet plenty of house batteries. A food draw that's over a meter long and 500 deep good strong Bukh DV24. Has a Taylor parraffin 030 stove /oven so a roast or bread is no problem Ive collected around 5 TB of entertainment music .ebooks and videos
Plus I don't intend to have three people on board for any long period of time
She will have fresh rigging and be as user friendly as possible . Happy as any pig in a poke .
Select to expand quoteHG02 said...
This Tahitian is out at Yaringa western port its a couple of boats down from mine one owner elderly gent it has a Yanmar not sure of its size but 40 hours on it.
Lin Pardey and her husband built one out of Teak this one fiberglass .Ive never been on board but the hull and rig are very sound I can just make out a butterfly hatch on the cabin roof from my boat. $24000 He has genuine reason to sell
I love that boat too and know off a unfinished one for sale in Brisbane. ..all there...just needs a fit out if your interested?
Hg is right too. ....its not about length but useable space. A shorter boat....with more beam is something to put in the equation. 
Its "nearly " always cheaper too maintain a shorter but beamer boat as well
And here she is. A Compass Northerner 28 shown in all her splendour in Kirribilli, Sydney (well, a cat can look at a king!). In date rigging, a volvo md2020 repower engine and a bit of original cuteness inside. For those that worried about my no shower comments, I found a cockpit shower on poking around (although the water is not connected to anything at present ). Survey and sea trial came up well and she's looking great after the antifoul. The teak, decks and inside were very dirty but have scrubbed up very well.
We found a few presents lurking in the odd corners of the boat; a hand held radio, a brand new Plastimo 130 bulkhead compass and new rope. A nice bonus. The box of goodies in the boat yard included a tender and 20l of diesel in a jerry.
No major jobs, just the normal long list of minor ones. A good first yacht at a great price I think. When I've honed my boat repair skills on this one, I might join HG in an H28 - quite fancy a ketch!
Thanks to forum members for their comments. Whilst I'm doing her up, there will be lots more questions. Once I've done it, I'll be boring you with my "wisdom"
If you see Alibi on your travels, please come and say hello.
Did you at least have lunch at the Squadron ..... or sink a few ales to celebrate?
congrats Bristol, well done.
Welcome to boat ownership, and having a long list of things to do.
Brunch at Bill's in Bondi plus several bouts of drinkies and nosh with friends. Still, the Squadron is lovely, maybe tomorrow while the boat is still on the slip.
Interesting, not the original rig or sail plan.
Actually that is a much bigger rig!
Select to expand quotelydia said..
Interesting, not the original rig or sail plan.
Actually that is a much bigger rig!
I'll report on her sailing as we go. Mast was out and re rigged in2011
I've got a vague feeling that John Duncanson, who was involved in building the Northerner early on and then modified the moulds to create the Duncanson 29, put a fractional rig on some early 29s - maybe this boat was built with a Dunco rig?
