I got to thinking.....

[ozskipper]

Its bucketing with rain outside right now. Its a great day to spend on the internet searching for that perfect boat. So far I have been looking for 4-5 months. Having had a variety of boats in the past I am really quite picky.

Then it really hit me. I want this boat for some Longer Term Cruising. For the first time ever, one of my larger considerations is finding a cabin I will be happy to be stuck in on rainy days. I have just negated so many more boats.

[JPA Cate]

Well, ozskipper,

We looked almost full time till we found this boat for three years. Yes, we kissed some frogs. ...Actually, too many! We were close to making an offer on a (gasp! '-)) catamaran, when the owner decided he was ready to sell this one.

Good luck with the search. What we found was a lot of exaggeration about how good the boats were, then went to see them, and the steelies had lots of hidden rust; the alloy boats had filth lying next the welds, and we had to be extremely careful lookers.

Look at the boats you're interested as if your life depends their integrity *right now*, and I wish you the best of luck!

Ann

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

Its bucketing with rain outside right now. Its a great day to spend on the internet searching for that perfect boat. So far I have been looking for 4-5 months. Having had a variety of boats in the past I am really quite picky.

Then it really hit me. I want this boat for some Longer Term Cruising. For the first time ever, one of my larger considerations is finding a cabin I will be happy to be stuck in on rainy days. I have just negated so many more boats.

How about this one!
TVA

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Wotname

How about this one!
TVA

haha.. That may be a little too comfortable. Also I really want tupperware.

[oregoncycle]

My first sailboat was purchased in Juneau Alaska in the dark of winter in an area that has massive amounts of rain. Going down below in boats I was looking at purchasing was often entering a dimly lite cave, then I went aboard a pilot house cutter and was sold (bought that boat). So there were a few things on my list of must haves in getting my current boat and #1 on that list was must be a pilot house. Being able to look outside with the larger windows as you sit drinking your morning coffee watching the rain come down is sweet. I also like the defined space of two levels a pilot house offers. So that's my 2cents.

[jheldatksuedu]

I am just getting done with a roof over the cockpit and cloth side curtains down to the cockpit sides. I built a hard dodger last year, it makes so much difference being able to climb out the companionway into a dry cockpit and be able to leave the companionway open and not fear rain. So building something onto an existing boat is a possibility you might consider.

[redhead]

I second the cockpit enclosure idea. So much usable space. Rain was just a word until we moved to the Pacific Northwest and I'm told it's been drier than usual this past winter, kinda hard to believe. I should have wondered why the boat was named Raincoast when we bought it.

At most, I've been stuck for 5 days and if I didn't have the cockpit enclosure I would have gone bonkers. Also gives me a chance to hide from the UV when
it is dry.

Good luck with your search - it can be fun too.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

Its bucketing with rain outside right now. Its a great day to spend on the internet searching for that perfect boat. So far I have been looking for 4-5 months. Having had a variety of boats in the past I am really quite picky.

Then it really hit me. I want this boat for some Longer Term Cruising. For the first time ever, one of my larger considerations is finding a cabin I will be happy to be stuck in on rainy days. I have just negated so many more boats.

Keep looking! There is no such thing.

[mserafi1]

There's another alternative with no construction required: sail in Florida. It is the sunshine state with plenty of coastline. I sit in my cockpit and look around all the time and don't feel the need to build anything except, perhaps, another rum and tonic......I'll leave the light on for ya.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

Its bucketing with rain outside right now. Its a great day to spend on the internet searching for that perfect boat. So far I have been looking for 4-5 months. Having had a variety of boats in the past I am really quite picky.

Then it really hit me. I want this boat for some Longer Term Cruising. For the first time ever, one of my larger considerations is finding a cabin I will be happy to be stuck in on rainy days. I have just negated so many more boats.

Funny, I found a boat I really liked, 6 ft shorter than the one we have now but much newer and a really well kept boat. I'm sitting there thinking I have found "the" boat. I asked my Wife what she though of it, and her exact words were. "It's going to be really small in here on a rainy day". Now admittedly she was thinking of us and the two kids, where I was thinking just us.

[rpmbnsf]

Why not a catamaran? I seem to see many scoffing at the idea of sailing in a cat, and have yet to see any real reason why. If your looking at getting a boat where interior space and views are a priority a cat I would think is the most logical solution.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Well, ozskipper,

We looked almost full time till we found this boat for three years. Yes, we kissed some frogs. ...Actually, too many! We were close to making an offer on a (gasp! '-)) catamaran, when the owner decided he was ready to sell this one.

Good luck with the search. What we found was a lot of exaggeration about how good the boats were, then went to see them, and the steelies had lots of hidden rust; the alloy boats had filth lying next the welds, and we had to be extremely careful lookers.

Look at the boats you're interested as if your life depends their integrity *right now*, and I wish you the best of luck!

Ann

LOL.
Ive been looking for just over a year and seen some lulu's. Your comments struck a chord with me. One broker got upset that I had not bought from him after seeing 5 boats........... I pointed out that the "ideal boat " at an "amazing good value price" that he showed to me all would have needed another 30k-50k to bring to operational service.

Screw it......... I will keep looking till a vessel fits MY requirements.

[kapnkarl]

Originally Posted by weavis

LOL.
Ive been looking for just over a year and seen some lulu's. Your comments struck a chord with me. One broker got upset that I had not bought from him after seeing 5 boats........... I pointed out that the "ideal boat " at an "amazing good value price" that he showed to me all would have needed another 30k-50k to bring to operational service.

Screw it......... I will keep looking till a vessel fits MY requirements.

I realize the broker/salesperson is just trying to make a living, but I object to some of them trying to sell you their old grandmother of a boat...sometimes deceased, while telling you how great she looks & runs. YOUR requirements are the ONLY requirements. I'm on the same hunt. I have found myself shaking my head as i walk away. At least it gives me a chance to look around at some of the things i DONT want in a boat. Keep on lookin...she's out there!

[jheldatksuedu]

I'm in Florida and I built the dodger and cockpit cover more to get out of the sun than the rain, But I also plan to travel up north where the wind protection will be awful nice. I do my best to stay out of the sun and plan to have some skin lift when I'm 90.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by kapnkarl

I realize the broker/salesperson is just trying to make a living, but I object to some of them trying to sell you their old grandmother of a boat...sometimes deceased, while telling you how great she looks & runs. YOUR requirements are the ONLY requirements. I'm on the same hunt. I have found myself shaking my head as i walk away. At least it gives me a chance to look around at some of the things i DONT want in a boat. Keep on lookin...she's out there!

Some decided it may be more lucrative than selling used cars. I get a kick out of some sales posts by a "broker". Two toilets, 12 wide, etc. Hell, everyone needs to make a living. You may cut down on wild goose chases by listening to the salesman? Excuse me salesperson.