Good priced offshore sailboats?

[westcoastswag]

Hi, I'm looking for a nice priced boat to fix up and take around the world single handedly! I would like to buy a boat under 5000 but am willing to spend more to fix it up. My favorite right now is the Pearson Triton 27/28 foot. I would need the 'west coast' style that doesn't have the balsa-cored decked. I believe the 'west coast' style was built in California by Aeromarine. I've seen this boats go for under 5000 dollars so it's a good fit for me. As long as it's a diesel, it's fine with me.
What about the Voyager 26
Any suggestions on other blue water cruisers to look in to?

I need-
All fiberglass
Diesel inboard
Preferably full keel but it could be a modified keel with a skeg mounted rudder
something I can single hand
in my 5000 dollar price range
2 couch benches on both sides, no wrap around couches or anything like that
small cockpit so there's no way of being pooped
one without a balsa-cored deck
and something that can handle weather well


Any suggestions?

Thanks, Olivia.

[Vasco]

Boats the size you're looking at seem to have fallen out of favour in our neck of the woods, especially older ones. Quite a few sit in the yard deteriorating. Look for a Contessa 26 or a plastic Folkboat. Don't know where you live but I'd start looking at boat yards or yacht clubs that have dry storage. I know some have been given away just to get rid of them. Costs quite a lot to junk a sailboat so they just sit there. If you get it for nothing you'll have a few bucks to fix it up.

[belizesailor]

Under 5K in reasonable condition is gonna be a challenge, but I think you are on to a good possibility -- Pearson built some good boats.

Cored decks are quite common, and not fundamentally a bad thing if in good condition and deck fittings are done properly. Not hard to repair either if the problems are not extensive.

[Paul L]

Not sure why you are ruling out cored decks. Problems with deck cores will reduce the price significantly. The repair is labor intensive. Isn't that what you want to put into the boat, as opposed to issues which keep the price down but are parts and dollars intensive?

[barnakiel]

I would hunt for a Contessa 26 or a Vancouver 25, or an older Dory.

Or else try to get a deal from such people:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ler-83074.html

Cheers,
b.

[gjordan]

There are many small boats out there that are capable of going offshore( I dont mean Antarctica) that can be ourchased in your price range. The diesel requirment might raise the price a bit but is still doable. A few monthes back there was a Contessa 26 on SF Craigs list that got down to 3800 dollars. It had lots of sails and ground tackle and a Hasler windvane, and a diesel in a basket. It needed some work, but somebody got a hell of a deal. I happen to love Contessas since I did about 9000 miles in one without a motor, and it sailed like a dream. The Triton seams to be a very good boat , as does the Ariel and the Vega. They all come up at reasonable prices on Ebay or Craigs list. Just be sure to not believe what is said in the add. Read the Surveyors 101 post on this forum before you put out your money. IF YOU WAIT FOR ENOUGH MONEY OR THE PERFECT BOAT, YOU MAY NEVER GO.______Grant.

[AiniA]

You might also look for a Bristol 27 although it might be above your budget unless there are issues to look after. Not sure about the deck but I would not worry about the existence of balsa core, what would matter is its condition.

[westcoastswag]

I'll definitely start searching for those boats mentioned. The reason I'm so nervous with that particular deck is because on older boats (the ones I'm interested in) tend to have a wet a mushy deck. If the boat I'm looking at seems to be solid, I'll go for it. I just try and avoid that. Thanks for your opinions! Much appreciated!

[micah719]

Any particular reason for specifying fibreglass?

I just had this beauty pointed out to me, might be worth following up, especially since you're only a third of an ocean away from her:
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/boa/3031524190.htm

[rtbates]

You're eliminating lots of good boats with the "No cored decks"... Why??

Just get one that hasn't been drilled full of holes by a fool and you're set...

One drilled full of holes by someone who knows what he's doing is no problem...

The best part is how easy it is to tell which is which...tap tap tap goes the hammer...

good luck

[barnakiel]

We have a 30+ y.o. cored deck here.

Issues? Well, maybe. But try to find a 30 y.o. boat with no issues. I believe there may be some delamination in our case, but this did not stop our boat from making her rtw.

I think it is as said above - if the deck is well done and not destroyed by a moron with a drill machine, then cored deck is perfectly fine.

It is also as someone said above - tap and you will know.

b.

[tropicalescape]

Hinterhoeller 28s are nice

[Cheechako]

John Neal's old Mahina is for sale on Seattle Craigs List. 5k Albin Vega 27. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/3160964874.html

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome to the forum of many opinions

Try the links after my signature for suggestions on what might be suitable. Also the book recommendation.

If the cored decks are not rotten then its possible to maintain them and not get rot but you have to be careful about how things are installed.

kind regards,