Warm Water Retirement Boat

Twoowls · #1 (**permalink**) 12-27-2009

Dear Sirs,
I would appreciate your advice. Currently I sail a Morgan 30 which I truly love. However, I intend to retire as the only remaining conservative college professor and return home. I grew up in Miami, the keys and the Bahamas and will go back. What boat, I will live on it, should I consider? Just me, no great needs for an old 5thgrp guy, just shoal draft, easy to maintain and tough. I do like to sail in the wind. Will never go north, I truly believe that water freezes at 72 F.
I am not rich but could get to 100k if I had to. Would have to sell a lot of the Laotian CIA bling, but that's OK.

chuck53 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009

What have you looked at? What stikes your fancy?
At 100k, you can get a pretty good sized (but older) boat or something newer and smaller.
Are you looking in the mid 30' range or feel you need something 40' or larger?
Give us some hints as to your wants and needs and likes.

Twoowls · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010

I feel that something on the order of 35-40 ft. is about min. for a boat to really live on. Needs real life storage, ease of handling, easy to repair and maintain. You must be able to get to the engine and all of the electrics. No hidden panels that require a two inch tall person to access. Should be shoal draft or centerboard, with both bow and stern anchors. Has to be seaworthy as I do not intend to tie the damn thing to a dock in Miami and try to entice young ladies to go sailing. Am not interested in trying to go 50 mph, just be able to go 4 mph in a gale.

Am about a year away from buying. Perhaps I should keep the Morgan 30.

bljones · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010

Morgan OI.
Bayfield 36.
S2 11.0
Any of these will do the job and leave you with lots of money left in your pocket.

Twoowls · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010

Sounds like good advice. Will take a look.

MARC2012 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2010

I would keep the Morgan.Larger boat higher slip fee,etc.But might ck with young women re, size matters,,marc

Twoowls · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2010

Perhaps you are correct. However, I am more concerned with attracting minds than bodies at my age. After all we spend a lot more time talking than having that other thing that at my age I can barely remember. Sometimes it is better to have a women you can love than one you can have. And I do believe that the lines of the Morgan will attract the minds.
We each and all are one.