Want To Buy: Pocket Cruiser in the Caribbean

[Zolo]

I'm looking for a cheap bluewater boat under 30 foot to sail the Caribbean for a season to explore the region. I own an Albin Vega 27 in Europe but not confident enough to cross the pond yet.

The search has been hard.

Sadly, I can't get a visa for USA. (Delivery to Bahamas an option).

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

[boatman61]

Shame your looking for under 30ft...this would be perfect for what you want to do and.. she's capable of being sailed back to Europe should you choose.

https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/...2-mkvii/346581


I have no connection to owner.. just noticed her in my searches.

[DefinitelyMe]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Shame your looking for under 30ft...this would be perfect for what you want to do and.. she's capable of being sailed back to Europe should you choose.



https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/...2-mkvii/346581





I have no connection to owner.. just noticed her in my searches.

That is indeed a lovely looking boat. One of these days I'd like to down-size and that will be exactly the sort of thing I'll be looking for. :-)

[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Shame your looking for under 30ft...this would be perfect for what you want to do and.. she's capable of being sailed back to Europe should you choose.

The OP feelings about sub-30 foot boats is well placed.
While I was in Antigua living in Jolly Harbor Marina, a couple of German Brother sailed in an 21 foot aluminum boat. They were both very tired and disenchanted on sailing across the Atlantic in such a small vessl.

One brother left the island immediately. The other stayed a few days arranging listing the boat with a local broker and then left.


When I left the island six months later, the boat was still for sale.


I looked at another 21 foot boat with a deep keel, before I bought my Ericson 32. The owner, a airline pilot, was afraid to take it out around Antigua, even to sail to Guadeloupe or Barbuda.



I felt safe, sailing in 12 foot waves in my Ericson, whereas, I am unhappy in four foot waves on my Potter.


Fair winds

[Adelie]

Take the Vega.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Zolo

I'm looking for a cheap bluewater boat under 30 foot to sail the Caribbean for a season to explore the region. I own an Albin Vega 27 in Europe but not confident enough to cross the pond yet.

The search has been hard.

Sadly, I can't get a visa for USA. (Delivery to Bahamas an option).

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

Spend this summer sailing the European W coast and the Biscay... come November you should be comfortable enough to run from Portugal down to the Canaries (maybe 8 days at sea) and in December head S to the Cape Verdes (700nm) then W to Trinidad or one of the islands to the N.. 2100nm or 21 days at 100nm/day with steady settled trade winds and current in your favour.
Use the money you save sailing the Vega to fund the voyage.
The trip back.. depart St Martin end of June and head direct to the Azores (2500nm) once there explore a bit coz they're beautiful islands then E or NE to the mainland depending on where you want to end up.. 800nm to Portugal or 1500nm to UK.

[PaulvR]

I have a Muira. (google the Muira), arguably the most seaworthy and circumnavigated one design in history.
Structurally and functionally excellent.
2 circumnavs behind her.
My staff use her as their educational barge.
Spartan but ready to sail.
Trinidad.
Keen?

[Adelie]

Muira 31 from South Africa?

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/miura-31

[PaulvR]

they are all from South Africa. either built by Nebe Cape or Halstead.
I lived and cruised on one for years until children demanded more space.
There are many on the market.
One sold in Saint Maarten for 500USD last week.
They will be in a variety of conditions, from beautifully finished cruisers to rough and ready racers.
They were designed for the Cape to Rio.
They sail like a million bucks, they go to windward like a train, and they sail in anything....I mean ANYTHING
I have had them at sea in a full storm.....as have many others.
The one I have now, (as a memoir which I use for staff and guests), was rolled around the horn, and kept it's short stout rig intact!

[Scaramanga F25]

go to: boatsforsailinthecarribean on Facebook

[carlosproa]

Originally Posted by DefinitelyMe

That is indeed a lovely looking boat. One of these days I'd like to down-size and that will be exactly the sort of thing I'll be looking for. :-)

It ticks just about everything, even has a windlass. What is wrong with this boat?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by carlosproa

It ticks just about everything, even has a windlass. What is wrong with this boat?

Its less than 40ft, therefore it sucks..

[j.g.evans]

The best boat I have owned is a Cal 29. It is quite fast and I sailed it in very rough weather. It had more than 6' of headroom and 6'+ bunks. Cals have crossed the ocean. There were 2 for sale here recently for less than $5000. They had diesel engines and one had self tailing winches.

[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its less than 40ft, therefore it sucks.. [emoji3]

The couple who sold me my Ericson was looking for a boat larger than forty feet so they could have a shower on board.

[Zolo]

Originally Posted by PaulvR

I have a Muira. (google the Muira), arguably the most seaworthy and circumnavigated one design in history.
Structurally and functionally excellent.
2 circumnavs behind her.
My staff use her as their educational barge.
Spartan but ready to sail.
Trinidad.
Keen?

Where is she and how much...