Here you go. Boat Point search criteria, 34 to 42 feet, $30k to $80k, Australia wide you have 171 to choose from.

http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/results.aspx?base=1456&vertical=Boat&eapi=2&N=0%200%20607%20610%201586%201587%201599%201588%201454%201595&silo=Stock&Range=Price:30000,80000|LengthFeet:34,42~1&sort=~Price&Page=1

Of those 61 are in Queensland and 5 are in WA.

www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/results.aspx?base=604%20896&base=1456&eapi=2&silo=Stock&sort=default&sort=~Price&N=0%200%20607%20610%201586%201587%201599%201588%201454%201595+83&vertical=Boat&Range=Price:Min,Max&Range=Price:30000,80000%7CLengthFeet:34,42~1

The first boat, the Alan Payne Koonya at $30,000 might fit the bill accommodation wise but hoisting the main will be an effort. Later IOR style yachts have higher aspect ratio main sails that can be full battened and a lot more manageable short handed if they are set up with lazy jacks and a boom bag. The IOR yachts of the 80s vintage are fin keelers and usually more head sail powered yachts and can be balanced very well and be very light on the tiller.

A great feature of the IOR style yachts is their powering to windward ability and how they will heave to. Sailing along, if you want to stop, without touching the sheets, just haul the tiller to windward (ie, gybe the yacht) and lash it hard over and the boat will stop dead in it's tracks and creep to windward at a half to one and a half knots. Very useful if somebody falls overboard.

I have always owned fin keeled sloops and I would have nothing else. Fast, predictable, easy to manage and they just look good.

The S&S 34s are a magnificent yacht as are the 39s but I doubt you will get a 39 worth owning within your budget. A 34 maybe, however for you and your tribe I think a little bit squeezy.

So what happened with you?? Children 13, 11, 8 and then 1. Did the tube tying or snipping fail??

Until recently I owned two yachts, both 34 foot long. One an S&S 34, the other a Van De Stadt 34. There is bugger all between them in performance but I sold the S&S in favour of the VDS because of the room and intelligent accommodation layout of the VDS.

Most importantly it has a stand up shower and head and that is what keeps the ladies happy. It has a double berth forward and another aft plus two settee berths with the possibility of two pilot berths.

Another contributor to the forum in WA bought an aluminium VDS 34 recently and took it on a surfing safari with 5 or 6 adults last year and he swears by it.

I just found this one below and it is new to the market. Certainly by the photos this a magnificent example of the marque. The accommodation layout is non standard but extremely well thought out and executed.

Damn, if I didn't have the one I already have, I would be buying this yacht. Look at the paint job on it!!!! It's within your budget too!!! and the owner is prepared to assist with delivery!!!!

Now I am really pinged off and I am going to bed. Shoot!!

www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=16282023&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=4&eapi=2

Everyones opinion will differ depending on what they expect from sailing of course, you having a large family and wanting to do long voyagers
I would say room is important! A 34 footer is a small yacht, well that's not always the case, mine is only 32 ft but being 12ton she makes an
S an s look small when side by side.
So volume is key on size, and with that many kids having extra cabins to escape one another in port would be like having your home with you.
Funny everyone thinks boats are cheap but only 6 to choose from in WA, and I just imagine only one is a good one.
$80,000 should buy a big yacht like a Roberts 38 off shore, ect. Condition is key of course!
A lot of people expect amazing sailing fun from a cursing yacht when really a well behaved one does the trick.
Iv always had fun sailing dinghies with me on deck lazer, gaff and outrigger. Next trip I'm taking a 12ft surf cat with an outboard to explore.
Your kids would love something like that and you too.
Good luck.

Simply READY for Tasmania in winter.

Ramona said..
I like it. Not sure why the secondary steering is required.

I like it too ..... secondary steering I guess for those times they spent in Patagonia and around the Falklands, be rather nice to be inside with a hot brew in your hand rather than freezing your gonads off outside.

I think it belongs to a forum member. Very nice yacht.

Very nice and good yacht but it looks like the owners may have imagined sailing to be a bit different.

Ramona said..


They went to Queensland where its always windy.

What!!! If only it was.