Question:
Lancer 30 Sail Boat-- experience, comments?
My opinion is based upon the quality of the two boats at my club, and the
Lancers I looked at in the late 70s before I purchased my Pearson 26.
The cabin sole of the Lancer I looked at is actually inside the keel, which
gives the headroom in the boat.
The Lancer 28 I'm familiar with is very, very poorly ventilated, and
filled with mildew.
The Lancer rigs I know are light, the masts are short.
They are not good sailers.
However, IMHO, boats like these are not to be looked down upon. They fill a
needed market niche for those seeking an inexpensive sailboat.
It's just that, should one be considering the purchase of such a boat, it
should be with one's eyes open.
They are certainly not blue water boats, nor are they good quality coastal
cruisers. They are OK for those who are seeking an INEXPENSIVE daysailing
or weekend type boat.
My opinion is just base upon my familiarity with the Lancers I have seen.
For all I know, the fabled Lancer motor sailer is a great boat!
Answer:
- The Lancer 30 that I am familar with is a high quality boat with a
beautifully finished interior!
- The Lancer is an excellent sailing boat and offers high quality for a
reasonable price. Go to www.sailnet.com and do a "boatcheck" and let the
actual owners of these boats tell you what they think. Be wary of an opinion
based on a boat "looked at" 20 or 30 years ago!
It is a fine boat and an outstanding value.
I agree with you David. The 25's and 28's were cheeply built boats
based on Lancer attepting to fill marketing price nitch.
But...basing an opinion on the quality of an intire boat line by the
fact that you've seen one boat that's mildued, musty and blaming it on
poor ventilation is a pretty strong statement and really stretching it.
Ventilation is probably not any better nor any worse than your Pearson
28. Interiors are maintained by owners and are usually not a direct
result of design. Espectially on a smaller 25 or 28 foot boat.
Now let's talk about the 25, 27, and 29 power sailors. The 29, and 30
C&C based sloops. The 36 foot modified Bill Lee design IOR. And a vast
array of Motorsailers and sloops from 38 to 65 feet.
These are all well built boats that were expensive even back in the
early 80's. The Lancer 27 that I personally own cost 40 grand out the
door new. I have the original receipt. All of these boats would be in
poor condition if their respective owners hadn't taken care of them.
We're looking at boats that are getting up in years. As far as your
remark about them not being 'Blue Water' boats there are quite a few
that have done extensive off shore cruising. My 27 has been up and down
both the east and west coasts. I'd say that's coastal cruising. -And-
I'd do it again anytime without compromising safety. I've also been
through the dreded South San Francisco bay chop in 45 knot winds and
survived.
Your Pearson is one that comes from a great line of boats. But because
a few of them had serious rudder failure's just prior to Pearson going
out of business during the crunch of '85, and that Pearson bailed on the
those owners and any warantee work, doesn't mean their intire production
should be labled 'just OK or not of a good quality'.
You have to be careful and chose your words wisely when opining on the
internet. Especially when your 'expert' opinion is based on limited
exposure... You might piss off a lot of Lancer owners.
