[Cruisingdad]

John,

What is world cruising? Do you mean circumnavigation? If so, or if you plan to cross oceans, you are correect and are on the right path with most of those boats. If you have not cruised or lived aboard yet, make sure you are realistic about the boat and what you need. THis is a topic spoken on this board and others many times: People buy a blue water boat (what I call a bullet-proof shoe box) because they think they want to go around the world, then realize after the first good storm offshore that they have no interest in spending weeks or or leaving this hemishpere. They are now confined in a tight little boat that can verge on being uncofortable and not the best boat for coastal cruising/cruising in this hemisphere. You get burnt out and dump the cruising dream.

If that is not you and you and your wife are seasoned sailors that have not intention of sticking around here N/S America, read on:

Everyone has their preferences. I am a Hylas fan, followed by Valiant for serious offshore work. I would say Swan and Passport next (and maybe better than the first two), but I have not spent enough time on either to say definitevely. You should add Mason to your list. Good boats.

However, I am not sure how many of those boats you are going to get for under 200k. Maybe a REALLY old one, and very likely one that will need a lot of work.

The Baba's are nice and another to consider as a go-anywhere would be a Tayana 37. The T-37 will not meet your cabin requirement, probably not your generator requirement either. But it meets you money requirement. The Baba only has 2 cabins, but is well made and you could probably get a genny in there. However, with maybe a couple of exceptions (Swan, X, maybe passpot or Hylas... maybe), these boats are traditionally slugs in light air. I find it an oxymoron to have a boat that handles well un light air and handles well in a hard blow. Many of these boats are very heavy and several have full keels. This may make them a great passagemaker but a poor light air.

Others that have sailed swans, X (like giulietta), Passports (like Labatt), or Hylas (like labatt) may know better. I CAN tell you I will sail circles around a valiant, Baba, Tayana, and any boat like that. I have an awesome boat for this hemisphere, but not the best choice to cross oceans in.

I hope that is a start to your search. Again, I hope if you are seriously considering buying a boat to circle the globe, you have considerable experience offshore (both you and wife). If you have not sat in a storm for day(s) before, it has a way of readjusting your cruising aspirations.

ALl the best,

- CD

PS At 140,000... you will be limited on the boats you can get. Also, you will probably have to pay cash for a boat since if you take out a loan for a boat they want you to have insurance and it is VERY difficult to get full coverage insurance to circum.