Quarter Ton Offshore?

I have recently seen a Quater Ton "Quarto" boat for sale at an attractive price. I have ambitions to sail offshore single/short handed however don't have huge amounts of funds to throw about as am still student.

The thought of sailing out in a slow plodding boat such as a hurly 22 however doenst really do it for me, quite like a little bit speed when it comes to sailing.

So the question is; Would a 1/4 ton Quarto be up to going offshore single / short handed?? has it been done before? or would it be a case of hamering nails into your own coffin?

regards,

Scruff

Yeah, i understand doing it on other people's boats, thing is when i graduate in a couple of years, i want to take 6 /12 months out to go sailing - scandinavia / baltic / azores / canaries or possibly carribean an to do that on my own boat would be my preference.

thats not to rule out my not being interested in other sailing oppertunities in other boats mind!!

Stefan,

Thanks for your input, I will admit, my sailing experience is 90% sailing / racing dinghies and small yachts inshore and I have so far only done one North Sea crossing.

I do intend on extending my experience over the next couple of years both theoretical and time offshore but the main impetuous of my questioning was about the capabilities of the 1/4 ton boats, which through the information available to me; the web have been sailed with 4/5 crew and the associated moveable ballast.

I appreciate that perhaps the 1/4 boats may not be the most comfortable boats to go offshore upon; on but I have no experience on a boat built to that rule set and as such, have little idea whether they will perform to the 30ish foot beneteau I crossed the north sea in or the 19 foot lift keel day sailer / racer that I sailed when I was growing up

Regards

Scruff.

 

From what I remember, they were pretty skittish, and benefitted from a bit of weight on the side: you are also better with a couple of experienced guys to keep a hand on the sheets, to keep them moving. I remember seeing one doing circles trying to change down the foresail, cos the main had nothing to balence it....inexperienced helm, obviously, but it illustrates the point! They did race offshore, but bear in mind they must be about 30 years old now. We have an IOR 1/2 tonner from the same era, which sails well, and went to Portugal a few years ago, but it is showing its age.