retirement

[Free Willy]

Great advice 👍🏽 Thank you

[Free Willy]

Originally Posted by Joli

Alone, probably under 50'.

The outbound 46 is very nice boat. Stick with slab reefing with three reefs, add an inner forestay for heavier air. Plus maybe a light air downwind sail like an assy with a sock.

Since your alone the electronics package should include tracking with proximity alarms. And a very good autopilot with back up, this is very important of you plan on doing miles. You won't be able to stand watch 24/7 when passaging so you need good reliable gear.

You need an easy way to launch and retrieve the anchor so controls at the helm and at the bow for when you hook up the bridle. All chain rode only. For moorings you need to be able to back into them and capture them from the helm/transom.

You'll need an easy and efficient way to launch and retrieve a dinghy. Your by yourself so a smaller lighter dinghy will work. It's probably going to be on davits if it's a rib so plan on taking the engine off while passaging. If you opt for a foldable dinghy with an inflatable floor you can deflate it and brick it so it stores in a lazaret. Probably a better option but more set up time upon arrival.

To minimize trips into a marina get solar, wind and a water maker. You can Jerry jug fuel as you need it to keep things powered when wind and solar don't.

Your budgets fine, you will only spend a small portion of your income monthly. We sail a larger boat as a couple and find our budget is typically $4~5 k/month. Health insurance is a big chunk of our monthly budget, we recieve no Obama Care subsidies. You're in the same boat, so to speak.

Any way, to summarize:
1) a boat that isn't to big to single hand, that includes docking.
2) a good and easy sail handling system
3) a good and easy anchor launching and retrieval system
4) a good and easy way to launch, retrieve and stow a dinghy.
5) a good and redundant electronics package for when you're tired, cold, and around other boats.

Good luck and have fun, we are!

Love your 5 points

[Sailer_Med]

Check. I'm in the same spot, with a wife though.

I firmly believe that the "what" (the boat ) is completely unimportant; You just get caught up in the acquisition and management of things.

Go now, buy whatever you want and go where your heart steers you.