Quest for the Perfect Cruiser

[letsgetsailing3]

"Old man boat vs beach bottle. What the heck is a beach bottle boat?

I'd like something in the middle. Is there nothing that handles weather, that's also comfortable ( You know, for the wife... heh heh)? Oh, and that I can afford? This is where I live these days. There is, but it is probably whatever you are calling a beach bottle."
.

I was using the vernacular from CealPotts, but I think most of us know what she means.

Like I said, I'm not crossing the Atlantic. But I'd like to be able to handle 20 knot winds without it being a harrowing experience. That's why I brought up the Island Packets as an alternative.

I spent a month once on an Oyster. That was nice, but I don't really have that kind of budget.

[sailpower]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

I didnt forget! ok, yes I did im sorry no im not .ha ha ha

Hmmm? A Hunter 40.5? A Beneteau 393? Wait, no, I know....A Douglas 32!

All boats are compromises. There would be some excellent Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina choices given the OP's stated criteria.

[sailorboy1]

20 knots of wind, heck that isn't any wind to think about

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Don L

20 knots of wind, heck that isn't any wind to think about

Yeah? At what wind speed do you start thinking about it? 25 knots?

I've got a healthy respect for wind.

[sww914]

There was a Beneteau that I really wanted to buy, 38 or 40 or something that needed a new engine for $25,000.00. It sold before I could get there. Instead we found an old man boat that is super comfortable and sails well when it's blowing. It just doesn't really move in light wind. I got a boat that has crossed the Pacific a bunch of times and has survived three hurricanes for very little money. Our electronics are old. I don't care. If you're the happiest new speed meter owner in the entire world, how happy is that? Not really that happy. Not $1000.00 happy, more like $75.00 happy or so, IMO.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by sailpower

Hmmm? A Hunter 40.5? A Beneteau 393? Wait, no, I know....A Douglas 32!

All boats are compromises. There would be some excellent Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina choices given the OP's stated criteria.

Thats not fair...

[Therapy]

This is one of the better "what boat should I get" threads.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

Yeah? At what wind speed do you start thinking about it? 25 knots?

I've got a healthy respect for wind.

Well "think" was a poor choice of word and it should have been "worry". I'm thinking about the wind if it is hitting 20 (unless I'm running/broad reaching) as that is when we start getting pissed about the heeling (it also pisses off Ray the autopilot when we start staying at 30 degrees) so put in a reef.

I only worry about the wind if we run out of reef options for the conditions, which hasn't happened yet. So I guess I would start to maybe worry around 45-50 knots.

Now do worry more about sea state that I can not do a lot about except heave to. But just wind, I can do a lot about that as far as controlling the boat.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Therapy

This is one of the better "what boat should I get" threads.

Yeah, people have offered pretty thoughtful opinions, and talked about their own boat buying experiences, which I find helpful.

[neilpride]

There you goo!!!
1975 Blue Water Ingrid 38 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com This is a Ingrid 38 ...

1979 Morgan 462 Center Cockpit Ketch Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com A morgan 462, enough for bahamas and caribbean and who know? RTW...

1985 Beneteau First Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com A bene , first 42...

1980 Rival 41 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com a Rival 41.. a hell of boat for the money, need lots of work...

1976 Whitby Center Cockpit Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com Whitby 42 CC , price sounds good, probably need some work..

1986 Jeanneau Sun Legend Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com Jeanneau 41 ....

Cheers. All this boats are in your budget i guess....

[vtsailguy]

I think I know your perfect boat.


I recently went through the same search
http://sailingwithkids.net/2013/03/2...with-children/

You need a boat in the 36-40 range. You have a couple of choices, one is a more modern production boat, huntbennecataljean'er. If you go that path however, you'll end up with a boat that is wasting interior room to accommodate more than just the two of you.

A far better choice would be to find a late 70's/early 80's higher quality boat that has been recently outfitted and overhauled. They are out there, you just have to keep looking. There is a tartan 41 in Puerto Rico that has had $100k dumped in it recently. I know of. A Morgan 36 with similar outfitting investment.

Going the path of the older, outfitted boat, you get something more suited for two that isn't wasting room, more seaworthy and durable, and with all the modern bells and whistles.

Look for tartans, Morgan's, pearsons, c&c's in the 36-40 range.

A great boat would be a c&c 40 from the late 70's that someone had just outfitted and put a new engine in to go to the Carribean, but then changed their plans and is having to sell.

[cealpotts]

Must of hit a nerve with the "old man boat" comment. Sorry 'bout that. Also...meant bleach bottle, not beach bottle. Freudian slip.

Best advice I've heard, ever, was "Go Simple, go small, go now." From a cruising couple we met who were in their 80s.

Old boats are beautiful. Elegant over hangs, etc. Just a lot more work. Bleach bottles are just more modern. Heck, any--old or new-- boat is a lot of work. Gotta love it if you're going to jump in full-time.

[Suijin]

I think the answer is "it depends". In general, if you can find an older boat that has been recently refit, then you are getting as good value as you're going to get. The previous owner has done the work and they are not getting their money back in resale value. So that is the sweet spot in the market where you get the most for your money. That said, be wary of choosing a boat because of the "bolt-on" goodies; electronics, solar and wind, arches, steering vanes etc. They are easily replaced, or added as you need and bear little on the underlying quality and condition of the boat.

Buying an older boat that needs a refit can be problematic, and cost you more in the short term than you might think. Older boats that have not been kept up (which is why they need a refit) are very likely going to have myriad hidden problems that won't be immediately apparent during the purchase/survey inspection. They will likely have many items that are still functional and at the end of their service life, and many items that have not been maintained, are still functional, but ready to fail.

One approach is to focus on boats that have been used by liveaboards or for extended cruising. Live aboards and near live aboards are much more likely to stay on top of hte maintenance of their 2 boats. It's their home, after all, and not some toy that they use a few weeks a year.

I'm going to suggest that you put Valiant 40's on your list. Decent performance, outstanding blue water capability, lots of storage space, and they will hold their value well now that they are no longer being made. But I'm biased as I live on one. You can pick a mid-eighties example (avoid boats from the Uniflite "blister" era of the late 70's to the early 80's) for @ $75-90K. You'll be hard pressed to find a better built boat in that price range that meets your stated needs or one of comparable length that is better in a seaway at any price.

http://bluewaterboats.org/valiant-40/

[sailorboy1]

I'll throw out a boat model (and not even my brand).

For the OPs stated use a Morgan 41 Classic would be a great boat!!!

[vtsailguy]

One last piece of advice that became very clear to me after looking at 100+ boats online and 30+ in the flesh.

You buy the owner, not the boat.