What Sailboat for Atlantic crossing with family?

[Joffthesailor]

Hi,
I am new here! I am planning to buy a sailboat in Europe this winter to eventually sail around the world with my wife and little girl (two years).
I really much like center cockpits.
Length should be between 35-42 feet max.
Comfort and safty are my most important criteria.

I really love Hallberg-Rassy and Najad.
With my budget (around 100K) in the best case I get a 35-40 year old boat.
When I decide for sth. like Bavaria, Jeanneau or Hansa I get a boat from the 2000th.
What would you recommend?
Any other boats in mind?

Thank you so much!

Joff

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Joff.


You might find the Rebel Heart saga interesting and informative.
Search the site, for Rebel Heart, and find some threads, such as:

Rebel Heart's wife has her say ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ay-219058.html

They're back - Rebel Heart ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...rt-249894.html

Rebel Heart Lawsuit ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...it-129775.html

There's more ...

[Tetepare]

How much sailing experience do you have?

[Joffthesailor]

I have had a 27 Foot Boat since 11 years. Sailed most of the med.
Crossed the atlantic three years ago with 4 friends on a Beneteau Cyclades 50.5. Didn't enjoy the boat at all to be honest.

[Manateeman]

If it were just you and your wife...please talk to some physicians about the health risks to your child.
The manatees.

[boatman61]

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/678409

[Stewie12]

For kids a centre cockpit is a good idea.

[Cat White House]

I have owned and sailed many monohulls (40-55 ft) and three Cats (43-50ft). Hands down, by far, consider a catamaran for cruising and blue water passages. My favorite long passage ... the Canaries to the Virgins was on a Cat.

[Wilyum]

Originally Posted by Cat White House

I have owned and sailed many monohulls (40-55 ft) and three Cats (43-50ft). Hands down, by far, consider a catamaran for cruising and blue water passages. My favorite long passage ... the Canaries to the Virgins was on a Cat.

His budget is $100k, wont find many world cruisers for a family under $100k, maybe an old CC Moody?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Wilyum

His budget is $100k, wont find many world cruisers for a family under $100k, maybe an old CC Moody?

Like this...

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Joffthesailor

Hi,
I am new here! I am planning to buy a sailboat in Europe this winter to eventually sail around the world with my wife and little girl (two years).
I really much like center cockpits.
Length should be between 35-42 feet max.
Comfort and safty are my most important criteria.

I really love Hallberg-Rassy and Najad.
With my budget (around 100K) in the best case I get a 35-40 year old boat.
When I decide for sth. like Bavaria, Jeanneau or Hansa I get a boat from the 2000th.
What would you recommend?
Any other boats in mind?

Thank you so much! Joff

OK, you have sailing experience but what about your wife. If she and your child are not happy experiencing offshore waters then your voyage will not be enjoyable and future sailing plans problematic. I would suggest an offshore test sail with her to see how she handles it; if she doesn't perhaps a slower indoctrination to that environment with more training/experience would be in order.

As far as "comfort and safety" are concerned check out your list of possible boats on saildata.com and SAIL CALCULATOR Pro for comparing COMFORT and CAPSIZE ratios; these can lead you to the best family choices. Additionally, undertaking extra provisions for her and your child's safety aboard offshore will set well with your wife.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[conchaway]

For sailing across the Atlantic with a wife and two little girls, I would opt for the galleon Ark Royal.

[yachtgemini]

First .. credentials, we have a family with 2 daughters who have sailed extensively since birth and one has an Atlantic crossing under her belt. We have had our boat for 25 years with most of those years pre kids. The kids always love time on the boat and absolutely blossom after a month or two on board.

First .. boats are cheaper in the USA and generally the cost of cruising fit out is way better.

Second .. boat age means very little... prior to embarking on any major expedition you would be doing a near complete strip down and rebuid on the boat. The only original stuff on our boat is the mast and hull... everything else from rigging, sails, heads, engine, stove, fridges etc etc are renewed.

Third quality of the original hull is critical and that is where a good surveyor is your friend. Brand names also build poor quality hulls or inadequate hulls for ocean cruising. Often a lesser known boat can offer outstanding value.

Fourth ... costs seem to go up dramatically after about 40ft and this may impact your cruising budget.

Fifth ... you will motor much more than you expect and a low hours good condition engine or better still a new engine is highly desireable.

Finally ... If you want to keep your family happy remember its not camping and it needs to be a comfortable family home with good facilities.

If your willing to learn and are a little bit handy and prepared to do your own work I expect you will find/ refurb a boat within your budget.

I find much of the opinion on the various boards less helpful and suggest you meet a few experienced locals to bounce ideas off... but expect 180 degree differences in opinions.

Best wishes for your adventure.

Ross

[Adelie]

Welcome.

Any children should have dedicated berths for each one. Pilot berth, quarter berth, …. Not a double divided between two of them and not a settee that is converted daily for general seating.

They don’t need to be in their own cabin, but they need their own space.

I would suggest updating your profile with your general location and your boat make & model or “Looking” in the "Boat" category. This info shows up under your UserName in every post in the web view. Many questions are boat and/or location dependent and having these tidbits under your UserName saves answering those questions repeatedly. If you need help setting up your profile then click on this link: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3308797

I would happily help more if the link above is not enough.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by boatman61

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat...or-sale/678409

You beat me too it