Seafarer 31

Hi Everyone, I am considering a Seafarer 31, and would love some input from owners of this beautiful boat I have owned a Rhodes 32, and so, I am familiar with Rhodes designed boats, but would like the particulars of this boat, as it is quite different from the Rhodes 32, and as all boats have their very own personalities, and characteristics. Please feel free to contact me through my email as well. curtisprincewoodworking@gmail.com

Thanks,
andboats210

 

You probably have already seen this:

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=678

 

Based on my study of The Nature of Boats book by Gerr, this boat has an unusually short LWL for a 31 foot LOA. The Displ/Length ratio puts her in a "Very heavy" class, but her displacement is low. If you use Gerr's rule of thumb that a long range cruising boats displacement should be about 7.5 times the total weight of crew and stores, this boat will fall way short in long range cruising ability. I know nothing about design other than what I have read in books, so I may be totally misenterpreting what he is saying. Below decks space must also be on the low side. Her waterplane loading will be high so she will have a low tons/inch immersion. This also means she will push nicely through an oncoming wave. My gut feel is that this boat woulld make an outstanding overnighter for coastal cruising, but would not be a good ocean crossing vessel. Again, no experience whatsover, just having fun learning by reading books.

 

Hi Richard, I did see that link already, but thanks And actually, you sent me the link for the Seafarer 32'1, which as it turns out, after some research on the boat, I discovered the one I am interested in, is indeed a 32'1, and not a 32'2.
Additionally, I agree with your opinion, that she would make a better coastal cruiser, than a passage maker, which is all I am looking to her for.

 

ive almost bough one of these before. its short LWL is due to the classic lines,or long stern overhang. the atomic four gas engine has a bad rap, but they arnt that bad realy.they are very narrow at 8.75 feet,making them tender and have a funny motion at anchor the yawl rig performs pretty awful and sometimes they remove the rear mast to hide the fact that it was a yawl, measure the sails to make sure you are looking at the sloop version. other than that the ballast to weight ratio is incredibly light at 38% meaning its quite tender and the capzie righting will be poor.some of these were sold with no interior and the owners built them up, and quality could be all over the spectum here, usualy not great.on the good side is the bill trip design, the best in the biz imho. skeg mounted rudder,and perfect shape keel.

if the price is great, and your a avid sailor who is capable of keeping her out of trouble reefing early and keeping her within sight of land, then id say go for it. its not a terrable boat, but they do have quite a bit of shortcomings to take into consideration.feel free to post up all the info you have and pm me the price and id be happy to advise you. i buy and sell boats for a living and live on one now.

 

p.s. Both the Rhodes 32 Chesapeake and Traveler are about as serious a ship as you can own, esp the traveler. it weighs in at almost 15000 lbs, just the ballast alone weighs 2/3 of the total weight of a Seafarer. Two differant boats for two differand types of sailing. i dont mean to make the seafarer sound so bad, it might be ok for your intended usage if you like the boat, then its the one for you, just all boils down to condition and price.