Berend de Boer 2 Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 What do you guys know about the Easterly 30 Keeler? Goal is coastal cruising, i.e. Hauraki gulf, sail to Bay of Islands and further up, longer term goal sailing around NZ. I was looking at H28, but the Easterly 30 definitely has more room, a lot wider. I'm interested in how it sails. What would be typical speeds if trimmed well and with favourable winds? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Romany 162 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 as I understand it Easterly 30s are great boats, stiff and while theres more to it than just that, you could make worse choices. I maybe wrong (again) but I think a few have gone farther afield quite successfully Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Battleship 100 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 I'd definitely go for the easterly over an H28. They are a better sail boat, both are pretty slow by today's standards but capable sea boats. They are getting old now so make sure you get a good marine surveyor and listen to what he says carefully. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Pretty sure they have balsa core above waterline if it bothers you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berend de Boer 2 Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 Pretty sure they have balsa core above waterline if it bothers you. What does that mean? I thought balsa was only used for the deck? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,719 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 No some boats had it as a hull core. The Cavaliers 32 does. Not sure about easterly s . Very stiff. No problem if you don't puncture the skin. These old boats have pretty thick skins so don't panic. Just have it surveyed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Priscilla II 414 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 While you are at it have a look at a Cavalier 32 and a Townson 32. As to speed the H28 will be slower than a Easterly which will be slower than a Cav which will be slower than a Townson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
splashprincess 20 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Way way back in the day the very first Easterly 30 did the 1978 Solo Tasman but was rolled, dismasted and abandoned by skipper John Jury after Tropical Cyclone Hal. It was salvaged and still lives on in Oz I believe. Tough boats! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chariot 244 Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 I believe several have been offshore. I would also look at the Cav 32. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crocket 12 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 My dad built the original chined version of this. To my knowledge only 2 of them were ever built (Searcher and Mischief) before the plans were drawn up for a round bilge production variant. Both launched in the late '60s. They rated 1/2 ton and performed quite well, but they very quickly got outdated by the Cavs, Lidgards and many other 1/2 ton designs through the '70s. Searcher went to Noumea in 71 and placed quite well amongst a pretty competitive fleet of 1 tonners. From my memory, the Cavs were just a click faster, being a larger boat but the racing was always close. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex Elly 229 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 About 10 years ago there was an article in Boating NZ about affordable boats you could sail to Fiji. The Easterly got an OK review, but the Davidson 31 and Cav 32 were rated slightly better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Priscilla II 414 Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 Add the venerable Davidson 28 and Wright Lotus 9.2 to the list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chariot 244 Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 You would pay a bit more $ for a good Lotus 9.2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin McCready 83 Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 I haven't commented because I'm biased and selling one. I've had a ball with it. And now that I've checked the other Easterly 30s on trademe I've just dropped the price. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/yachts/keeler/auction-1347514608.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MuzzaB 14 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 I did a lot of sailing on Easterly 30s in the late 70s. Fine cruising and sea boats except for the limitation of their age today. They felt similar to a Cav 32 at sea. They were slow, even by the standards of the day, but they felt bullet-proof. The late Tony Corbett (ex BBYC commodore) soloed Karona back from Mooloolaba after racing there circa 1981 (or was it '83?). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john rist 0 Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Would the GRP on an Easterly still be sound for cruising today 2023 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.