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After two years of research, study, and surveys this is what was
learned. Scandinavia has their folk boat, England has their Virtue and the
United States has no small pocket cruiser.
Sailors wanted a good
sailing boat, sea kindly and one that could be sailed anywhere in the world,
should they need to set out. Their mates wanted full head room, enclosed head,
and two separate compartments. Some liked an inboard diesel, some were fed up
and wanted a hidden outboard, not one hanging off the stern. Some were very
experienced sailors and were downgrading, for all of the obvious reasons. Some
had boats but wanted a real sea boat because they didn't feel comfortable going
offshore with their present one.
The big boats cost big money and all
good boats cost more than they should or is expected. We learned that the
smallest boat to do this, in many experienced opinions, was no less than 25
feet with a waterline in excess of 20 feet and displacement in excess of 3
tons. A shallow draft boat was favored in the Chesapeake area as well as south,
and the minimum draft of a boat that sailed well appeared to be the answer. The
Cutter rig was favored by offshore sailors as well as an outboard rudder for
several reasons. Adequate sail area was the final criteria, as the average wind
appeared to be in the short range, and those surveyed favored a traditional
design versus a modern one.
These were the general guidelines that we
came up with. After taking these guidelines to a number of design firms and
discussing them with many respected sailing aficionados, the result was the
Offshore 25. It is extremely difficult to fit these requirements into a 25 foot
hull and still have a good sailing boat. Creating a roomy interior within these
restraints becomes very hard considering that you are trying to design the same
systems from a 30 footer into a 25 foot vessel.
Generally a builder can
not make a profit with smaller boats, which is why there are very few 25 foot
blue water pocket cruisers. Taking all this into consideration any pocket
cruiser is a compromise. We didn't agree that it had to be much of one, thus
Eastsail was born. Everyone said that it couldn't be done, but here they are,
pocket cruisers of traditional lines carrying a full keel and full headroom,
designed for the long voyage. Compare our specifications, pictures,
testimonials, and comments to any 23 to 26 foot cruiser and judge for
yourself! |
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