Crunch Time ... Must Choose ... Help!

[lmitchell]

I need to make decision before the skipper decides to keelhaul me...
or maroons me on some interstate right-of-way.
Down to three ... '85 Cabo Rico 38, '80 Valiant 37, and '85 Tartan 37.

Goal: Sail to Cardiff in four years, after sailing the caribbean and the pacific coast of central america...

Liveaboard: Part-time

Which boat is going to be the best fit? I really like them all.

Thanks,
Lawson Mitchell

[lasailor]

Good luck with your decision - I'm down to a Crealock 37 1981 yawl or a 1988 yawl..... I spent a number of years in NE sailing a Ludders 44' yawl and like them.

Regards....N.

[camaraderie]

Go for the Valiant if it is good shape and not a "blister" boat.

[mgiguere]

Valiant builds a great boat they say....I've never been on one, but what do they know about sail boats in Texas (which is where they are built). I would definitely go for the Tartan 37 because I am partial to Sparkman & Stephens which I am quite sure designed that boat. You can't beat that pedigree.

Moe

[cardiacpaul]

mgiguere,

*gasp*
yup, yer right, us'n cowboys mus' not know nuttin 'bout buildin' no blowboats....

http://www.sailnet.com/sailing/97/f&bfeb97.htm

http://www.sailamerica.com/halloffame/valiant40.asp

"you ain't from around here, are ya son"

[captlar]

The Cabo is a pretty boat, but too much brightwork and teak decks are a bad choice for long distance cruising and tropical sun. Valiant is pretty old, but a good boat. The Valiant 40 was the best of the line. I would probably go with the Tartan if she surveys well.

Larry

[lmitchell]

Appreciate your input. FYI: this particular Cabo Rico has had the teak decks removed... still lots of brightwork... Will the Tartan handle Atlantic crossings?
I am confident the other two boats would. Just not real sure about the Tartan.

Thanks Again,
Lawson

[longwaterline]

The three boats you mention are all capable offshore cruisers. I would base my decision partly on the survey and condition of each and the installed equipment. All things being equal I would go with the Bob Perry design.

[Jeff_H]

Of the three, price and condition being reasonably equal, in my mind the Valiant 37 would be the clear cut winner. These were boats that were designed to do just what you are proposing and they have done it well. I have always been very impressed with the Valiant 37's in terms of thier overall design, offshore capabilities and their reasonable levels of performance.

While the Tartan 37's have done a lot of offshore cruising, they were really optimized for coastal sailing more than offshore and so have rig, deck hardware and interior layout details that I would consider less than ideal for what you are proposing.

Cabo Rico 38's were a nice boat for thier day, but I really have never really liked their deck layout and I found the interior a little uncomfortable dockside. My biggest gripe with the C R 38 would be sailing ability (pointing ability, leeway, and ease of shifting gears in changeable conditions, not to mention overall speed which I know is less important to many cruisers than it is to me) but which seems very limited compared to the other two. I also personally think that primary headsails tacked to the end of a bowsprit have no place offshore. That would be a deal killer for me.

Jeff

[T37Chef]

I dont think I have to say which I would recommend Good Luck