used boat search

[GNWFast]

We are new to this site we wish to introduce ourselves I am Dave & my wife is Anne. My wife and I will be getting our new ( used ) boat within 2 years. We will be retired and intend to cruise and live aboard our boat. In the interim we will be taking sailing instruction to become ASA certified up to and including Ocean Passage Making. We will be taking courses in meteorology, navigation, etc..., and USCG courses that will benefit us. Our experience is limited to Inland Lakes. My experience is some what more than Annes, due to my being involved in the Sea Explorers as a young teen and owning boats since. I can sail but I do not feel as technically sound as I would wish for us to be. We realize the Big Blue is not very forgiving nor tolerant of ignorance or inability. I hope that the other more experienced Members will allow us to ask any questions we may have. If anyone has any suggestions or questions that will better prepare us for our adventure, by all means please contribute. That said, we are considering 2/3 cabin boats w/ 2 or 3 heads 42 to 47ft. We would like to have as many of the newest conveniences. Whistles and bells welcome as long as it wont sacrifice performance. Thanks , Dave & Anne

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It's better to have and not need, than to need and not have!

[jordanship]

Welcome. Here are a couple questions:

* What is your price range?
* Where do you intend to sail?

Your answers will help limit the possibilities.

[mitiempo]

3 heads?

[GNWFast]

We have been perusing the net for something that would catch our eye. We purchased a used book " The Annapolis Book of Seamanship" and it has really opened our eyes. We will be setting our sights for the entire Carib & NE S.A., Latin America, East & West Coast USA thru Panama. We are open to outside suggestions and are now looking at 37 to 41 ft Beneteau Owners Cabin boats because of an owner of a 393 Oceanis 2 Cabin. Any ideas?

[CapTim]

that's certainly true.. but if you have you must maintain, whether you use or not

Beneteau makes a pretty boat.. what have you sailed before/do you sail now?

[GNWFast]

Cap Tim,
I have sailed mostly venture 22', hobies, small Hunters, mac 26 d, s & x's. I have friends that have hunter 29's & catalina 30's and we sail with them on occasion. I currently do not own a sailboat, I have a 19' 75hp fishin' boat and a 30' pontoon houseboat. We are looking ... but we're picky.
We will keep whatever we find in one of our barns, so it must be trailerable. We have 14' high barn doors so clearance is not a problem. We have a big block 2500HD Sierra 4 door L/bed 4WD. It will pull what we find. Just wish that there were more choices for trailerables.
Dave & Anne

[scomea]

Hi Dave:

Buying a vessel for your intended trip is a long process. There are many members crusising the globe as we speak and post regularly to this and other forums. Many talk about what works and what doesn't. And you can see what type boat they are using. But for the most part, it's all about price. Mo $$$ = better, more current toys. Many production boats (Benneteau, Hunter, Jenneau, etc.) have completed successful passages. An older, well-maintained, outfitted for passage making could present another option. Many couples make passages for a couple of years and sell. You may want to scour forums for these type of boats.

Good luck and favorable winds.

Scott

[GNWFast]

Hey Scott,
Thanks for your input, it is appreciated. I lean toward the newer boats for two reasons.
1. I do not want to be constantly replacing older, outdated systems.
2. I really like to be able to get the parts easily if I do need to find them.
We read this and other sailing forums, and you are right about the information available. It's a tremendous help to cruising soon to be's like Anne and I. We are exploring all possibilities.

Dave & Anne

[capttb]

We will be setting our sights for the entire Carib & NE S.A., Latin America, East & West Coast USA thru Panama. We are open to outside suggestions and are now looking at 37 to 41 ft Beneteau Owners Cabin boats because of an owner of a 393 Oceanis 2 Cabin.

We will keep whatever we find in one of our barns, so it must be trailerable. We have 14' high barn doors so clearance is not a problem. We have a big block 2500HD Sierra 4 door L/bed 4WD. It will pull what we find. Just wish that there were more choices for trailerables.

A trailerable 39' boat with 3 heads that is suitable for a canal passage and the west coast ? You trying to give someone who takes this stuff serious a stroke?

[hellosailor]

"A trailerable 39' boat with 3 heads that is suitable for a canal passage and the west coast ?"
A Hong Kong Dragon boat, or a Viking longship, equipped with three portapotties?