Alternatives to Sabre 30 Mark III?

Crash

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Of course a nicely redone J-27 would sail rings around any of the boats mentioned so far...


I frequently consider buying one and adding a J/80 sprit and a small inboard with a saildrive. It would make an outstanding daysailor so configured. And even the nicest J-27 for sale can be had for 1/3 the cost of a nice Alerion 28.
 

SemiSalt

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If you are daysailing, do you want a boat designed for sailing upwind with 4 bodies on the rail, that has the sail controls well separated from the helm, and that is powered by a miniature outboard that pulls its propeller out of the water every time the boat pitches a little?

A friend has a Catalina 270. He singlehands a lot. I think it's a pretty nice boat all around. They seem to go for high prices though, and of course, they are way slower that a J-boat (but faster than a C&C 25) .
 

Crash

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If you are daysailing, do you want a boat designed for sailing upwind with 4 bodies on the rail, that has the sail controls well separated from the helm, and that is powered by a miniature outboard that pulls its propeller out of the water every time the boat pitches a little?

A friend has a Catalina 270. He singlehands a lot. I think it's a pretty nice boat all around. They seem to go for high prices though, and of course, they are way slower that a J-boat (but faster than a C&C 25) .
Ummm,

Have you looked at the cockpit of a J-27 Semi? Trav, Mainsheet, Backstay and Jib Sheets all readily within reach of the helm. But a non-overlapping jib on a furler (led line back near helm), and you can easily single hand it. Its easy to board out and depower a J-27 main.

In fact, cockpit layout is almost identical to the Alerion 28...

Your right about the outboard, hence the "add a small diesel and saildrive" as the outboard is a PITA to deal with. Or maybe an electric pod drive like Bull installed in his H-Boat.

Why have standing headroom, and full galley and berths (which take away from cockpit lounging space and room for guests) when you have no intention of sleeping 4 people on the boat?

Nothing against a Cat 270, my dad had a Cat27. They are great little cruisers, and not bad boats to day sail on. But nowhere near as fun and rewarding to sail as the J-27 or Alerion 28 would be...
 
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Alex W

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Seattle, WA
I've always loved the looks of the J/27, I think it is probably the prettiest boat that J ever made. I've seen then do really well in our area too (but haven't sailed on one).

J/100 is another slightly more modern take on the daysailor. It's a nice size bump up from the J/27 and Alerion 28.
 

Dervish

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Boston, PRM
J/100 is sweet but they seem to be selling for close to $100K and don’t want to tie up that much in a boat.

When I retired in 2016, wanted to buy a J/105. But my wife was dead set against it.

Solved that problem ;) but it‘s a lot of boat for one or two people.
 

SemiSalt

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Ummm,

Have you looked at the cockpit of a J-27 Semi? Trav, Mainsheet, Backstay and Jib Sheets all readily within reach of the helm. But a non-overlapping jib on a furler (led line back near helm), and you can easily single hand it. Its easy to board out and depower a J-27 main.

In fact, cockpit layout is almost identical to the Alerion 28...

Your right about the outboard, hence the "add a small diesel and saildrive" as the outboard is a PITA to deal with. Or maybe an electric pod drive like Bull installed in his H-Boat.

Why have standing headroom, and full galley and berths (which take away from cockpit lounging space and room for guests) when you have no intention of sleeping 4 people on the boat?

Nothing against a Cat 270, my dad had a Cat27. They are great little cruisers, and not bad boats to day sail on. But nowhere near as fun and rewarding to sail as the J-27 or Alerion 28 would be...

Not going to argue with you. But the 270 is a very different boat from the 27 launched in the 1970s. If you want a small cruiser from Catalina, you want the 28.
 

Crash

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I don't feel argued with. I was just trying to say that for what they were/are designed for, on a dollar for dollar basis, Catalina are good boats. A straight up 27 rates around 213, the 270 around 198 and a tall mast 28 rates 174. Along with obviously improved accommodations, each version sails faster and better.

I just think for a guy coming out of a Melges 24 who is looking (now maybe) for a daysailor, he'll be much happier in a J-27 then a Catalina 270. That isn't meant to imply the Cat 270 isn't a good boat, just that its not maybe the best fit for his likely preferences and requirements.
 

Crash

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Another option with traditional looks above the waterline, fin/modern underbody is the C&C Redwing. This one looks to be in good shape. https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/98998
"Modern" being relative right?

redwing_30_drawing.jpg
 
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