Boat Opinions : )

[lmitchell]

OK, Here is yet another post from someone interested in buying a first cruising sailboat. We are a couple looking to sail the caribbean, central american pacific, and points beyond as our skills evolve. Sailing experience to date includes racing one-designs... windmills, thistles, the biggest being j-24s. The boats I am currently exploring are:

84 Hunter Cherubini Cutter
84 Morgan 384 Sloop
85 Tartan 37 Sloop
76 Allied Princess Ketch
80 Cal 39 Sloop
81 Horizon Cutter
85 Cabo Rico Cutter

Also, any recommendations for immediate retrofits needed to make her cruise ready would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Lawson

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by lmitchell

OK, Here is yet another post from someone interested in buying a first cruising sailboat. We are a couple looking to sail the caribbean, central american pacific, and points beyond as our skills evolve. Sailing experience to date includes racing one-designs... windmills, thistles, the biggest being j-24s. The boats I am currently exploring are:

84 Hunter Cherubini Cutter
84 Morgan 384 Sloop
85 Tartan 37 Sloop
76 Allied Princess Ketch
80 Cal 39 Sloop
81 Horizon Cutter
85 Cabo Rico Cutter

Also, any recommendations for immediate retrofits needed to make her cruise ready would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Lawson

Lawson,
I cant' comment too much on your choices, other than I've sailed both the Cal and Tartan and found both to be excellent vessels, with the Tartan being a bit of a step up.

But a comment on 'immediate retrofits" - the absolutely cheapest way to obtain a upgraded, ready-to-cruise boat is to buy the completed boat, all assembled. You may spend much more money up front for such a boat, than for a needs-work example, but you come out way ahead after you factor the costs to you of paying for upgrades/refits you may want or more likely need. (sort of like, buying a cheap boat ends up being too expensive...). I believe that sellers are lucky to get back half the value of upgrades/refits, so in effect the buyer gets a 50% discount on all such work. As an example close to home, my CS 36T is on the market at a price roughly equla to the total value of upgrades/refits made in the last seven years (http://usedboats.com/used-boat-655232.htm - now asking $69,900), I guess one sould say, the boat is free...

Good luck.

[Faster]

Lawson:

Looking at your list and at 'Fool's offering, I'd say it's a pretty good fit.
The CS 36T is a well regarded, solid vessel. Examples of this boat hold their value very well, and this one looks well cared for. Judging by average asking prices north of the border, this one looks to be well priced. Certainly worth a look.
If you two are not too far apart, IMO that CS 36 should be added to your list.

[Bluesmoods]

Cal 39. . . Great boat.. It always has been very highly regarded and to this day, has an enthsiastic community of owners that support the boat and fellow owners.