[cberkholtz]

First off I'm looking to buy an older boat no sooner then the first week of July. Ive got 18k CND to spend and am currently unemployed, so I will need to keep a couple grand for living expenses(im cheap) and repair costs. Thats it for the simple part, the rest might be a bit unusual, so I would like some input. I studied as a computer scientist and work as an iron worker in alberta. I am 24. My plan is to spend a chunk of this money on a boat that I can work on and live on. Then return to Alberta to work to complete the financing of the boat, or work in vancouver(i can save 4x as much working in alberta as an iron worker vs vancouver as a computer scientist in the same number of days). I don't own a home or have any sort of liabilities(no girlfriend, minimal student loans), and I travel light. I can get many of the tools I will need from family, but all of my family is in alberta so I'll have to rent a place in vancouver. I used to live on Vancouver Island when my father was a fisherman, which is where I learned about boating, navigation etc, but the closest I've been to controlling a sail is flying a small kite.

I've spent the last few months or so reading brokerage listings, yatchworld and I even flew out to vancouver just to check the boats out and see what kind of options I had there for renting and employment. I also spent a fair bit of time at local library's and the Vancouver library reading about living aboard, sailing, boat repair, surveying, and seaworthyness. I also read about 50 sailing magazines that I got for cheap/free. Eventually I would like to take my new home across the pacific, I had a great time traveling in thailand and japan a few years ago. I think it would be even better if I could go there and bring my home with me.

So the requirements I have come up with are as fallows:

28'-33', up to36' would be fine but seem out of my price range
fiberglass hull, no core, minor blistering, I could deal with sweating in van but delamination and longevity of a core would be a problem

elongated fin keel to full keel, though any fixed non bilge keel may do
pref externally mounted ballast
pref skeg
small cockpit
tiller, I haven't actually used one but it seems allot smarter then a wheel for this size
sloop/cutter rigged, hopefully with rigging running aft, I would expect to be single handing much of the time but who knows
6'2"+ head room, I am 6'2"
I would like two births aft of the mast, I would probably end up chopping up a vbirth for extra storage. or maybe even an air tight compartment.
No windlass or windlass on its last leg is fine, I'm in shape, a chain stop would be fine
I am a computer scientist so I would expect to redo allot of the electronics, wireing and lighting(install leds, solar panels, batteries, computer/s) and new running lights. I would not let myself get run over for a couple hundred bucks in lights or power.

refrigeration and water purification would be unnecessary
I would be willing to buy the boat in the states and sail/motor it up, however since I have no sailing experience this may be dubious to go long distances up the coast. Also it would be a pain to drive to cal sail back then fetch my car. Unless anyone wants to trade a boat for a 2002 dodge neon in part.

Also I would consider putting in an electric engine. It seems like a great idea to me, greater durability, and improved ballast positioning with batteries and regeneration under sail. The only reasons I see for diesel are for the impatient, the unable to conserve, and those who think having the ability to motor 1000km is safer then having poorer ballast, explosives on board, and less reliability.

9'-10' beam, edge on the smaller side
I like a more classical look, with smaller windows and medium to short overhangs.
I would prefer a dark coloured hull with a white top, no need for a teak deck or anything fancy like that.

full range of sails would be nice
good running/standing gear, I've read mixed things about galvanized gear, though I naturally gravitate to it, its used on fishing boats, and commercial sites, stainless is not. But most sailboats have stainless...

I would not want to deal with replacing a mast.. but I would consider it. oh and keel stepped

I'm sure I'd do fine with some smallish single speed hand winches
self steering and solar panels would be a bonus



I am expecting to spend between $1000-$15000, initially, but I might consider putting it off for a while if it greatly improves the mechanical or hull nature of the boat. But I would rather be working on a boat then Ironworking.

well.. that was longer then I was expecting, I appreciate anyone who reads to this far and takes the time to respond.

Chris