[frers-list]frers33 for cruising

[Arthur Kelley]

Rob,

I've only had my boat a little over 2 seasons now.  My delivery from 
Buzzards Bay to Long Island in November 2002, included 2 days of 25 kts 
straight upwind with 6-8 foot seas, and it was my first time sailing the 
boat.  #3 and double reef was the best balance.  Absolutely solid, but use 
the checkstays in this kind of sailing to protect the mast.

Last summer we went to Newport (for Nationals), and our return trip included 
about 10 hrs of 30 kts directly on the stern, at night, with at least 8' 
seas, but we really couldn't see the waves through the heavy rain and of 
course, darkness - we were trying to keep to a schedule.  We really 
shouldn't have been out there, but I never really feared for the boat.  For 
cruising, I recommend wheel steering on this boat since it has such a large 
rudder.  We had a tiller originally and felt it could get out of control. 
With the wheel, it is easy to control in most conditions (I have an Edson 
CDi steering system).

We haven't done much cruising yet, but we did a 3 day Memorial Day weekend 
with our two kids (ages 6 & 9).  With 15-20kts on the bow 2 out of 3 days, 
the kids got a little seasick since they insisted on staying below, but the 
good news is that we made great time so were able to minimize the time they 
were uncomfortable.  When you cruise this boat with a group of other boats, 
plan to be one of the first to the destination.  I think there is plenty of 
room for the 4 of us for quite a few years.  I am 5'10" tall and the head is 
a little cramped for me, but I would rather have the lower freeboard that 
affords, than the taller headroom.

John mentioned the accumulation of water under the stove.  I drilled a 
limber hole through that member, and coated it with epoxy resin and it helps 
a lot.  The bilge is fairly shallow, so a leaky stuffing box (like mine on 
my delivery) can quickly develop into water sloshing over the floorboards. 
You just have to keep an eye on it, and adjust the stuffing box carefully - 
or go to a dripless system.

Certainly have the boat surveyed and check the mast step and for moisture in 
the core, but most boats have fared very well.

Hopefully some of the other owners who do a lot more cruising than us will 
chime in, but after a lot of research we settled on this boat, and have not 
been disappointed.

Art
"Brilliant"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <slrd903@comcast.net>
To: <frers-list@lists.frers33.com>
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 10:14 PM
Subject: [frers-list]frers33 for cruising


> I'm looking for a clean frers33 and am looking for some candid advice.
>
> Can anyone comment on the overall cruising capability of the boat? This is 
> truly going to have be a dual purpose boat and will have to accommodate a 
> few long weekends (maybe up to 5-7 days) per year (usually just me and my 
> wife), up and down the New England coast.
>
> Is the boat dry enough for cruising?
>
> Has anyone managed to fit a short dodger in front of the traveller?
>
> Has anyone been caught in a blow in a frers33. How did she manage?
>
> Any advice on what to look out for in terms of typical survey issues 
> (i.e., mast step issues, delamination, etc.). Any serious moisture issues 
> with the cored hull?
>
> Any other advice?
>
> Thanks for any info,
>
> Rob
> _______________________________________________
> frers-list mailing list
> frers-list@lists.frers33.com
> http://lists.frers33.com/mailman/listinfo/frers-list
>