[pradis]

Well I've read many threads about this topic and still can't decide what I'm looking for. I live on Puget Sound and have sailed it frequently in my co-owned 1999 MacGregor 26. I have learned to sail in her and I know that I want more boat.

I want a boat with wheel steering and enough room, both in the cockpit and below to stand up and be comfortable in at the dock or on the hook. We have a beach house near Garabaldi (Tillimook Bay) on the Oregon Coast and I want a boat that can get me from Olympia through the Straights of Juan de Fuca and down the coast. That said, I also have a dream of sailing to San Francisco (family there too) and ultimately to Hawaii. This is where I get conflicted.

The Hawaii part is a bit of a pipe dream, but I really do plan to do the West Coast part on a regular basis (i.e. every summer). I am a teacher and although I don't make a lot of money, I do get about six full weeks off each year. I have no experiance with engines or electrical systems, but I am trying to learn. I am thinking of taking some classes at our community college to improve these skills, and I have some great books.

My budget is about 110K which will leave me with 10K for repairs and upgrades. A full keel is good for the coastal/blue water parts, but will make getting to some parts of the Sound difficult and I need something that will sail decently in light air, but take a blow going down the coast.

Any ideas or advice would be most appreciated. I am 2-3 years from this purchase (using the proceeds from my house to buy the boat) but the marinas in my area have a 2-3 year waiting list so its not too early.

I am looking at boats in the 33'-38' range. I am nervous about any boat older than the mid-80's (is that a well founded fear?) What is some equipment that I must have for coastal cruising? How many hours on a diesel before it needs a rebuild/replacment?

Thanks in advance for any input!