Recommendations, please.

WinterRiver · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

We are in the early stages of our boat hunt, and would really appreciate some help in narrowing down our choices.

The plan: Four of us on an Atlantic Circle, beginning in 2008, ending ???.

The budget: Off the dock for a maximum of $200,000, taking into account any $ necessary for repairs/maintenance/upgrades/equipment. Of course, spending less would be OK.

The boat: appropriate for the trip, easily handled by two, moderate displacement, no teak decks, fin keel with skeg hung rudder (although a full keel with no place for catching lobster pots might be nice here in New England), reasonable draft for Caribbean where we hope to linger. We're not totally fixed on the rig or cockpit location, and will look at the trade-offs and compromises of the particular boats.

The complication: There would be many good choices if we were two couples, but we are one couple and two daughters who will be 12 and 13. For this voyage to be successful for all involved, we know that the girls must have some privacy from each other and from us. Their spaces do not need to be large (duh, this is a boat) but they do need to be separate. Three staterooms would be ideal, but that seems rare in a bluewater boat under 50'. A reasonable alternative would be to put one in a passage cabin and one in a v-berth. Theoretically, we could split a v-berth for them, but both halves would have to be big enough for kids who will likely be at least 5'6" and there would have to be easy access to both sides. Having one sleep on a settee works for a week, but gets old really fast.

I have compulsively read all the old threads that seem to have anything to do with our search. My head is spinning from the amount of knowledge that is shared here.

What boats do you recommend for us? Welcoming your opinions and advice....

pigslo · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Look at boats that were put into service as charter boats. Those will tend to have multiple cabins and heads.

labatt · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

This is a boat that WE looked at that may fit the bill. We have no relation or interest, it was just a very neat boat, close to our home, and is priced well. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1563170/0

She has three cabins (Forward V, Two aft) and is a bluewater boat. She's custom, and one of the neat things about her is that every nook and cranny of the interior can be easily taken apart while underway to do work. The online pictures don't do her justice - the mattresses and salon cushions are 4 inches thick and incredibly comfortable! We came close to moving forward on her but decided we wanted something over 50'.

One of the unique characteristics is her outboard rudder hung on pintles (look at the second and third pictures online).

Good luck with your search!

WinterRiver · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Albany, NY is not the first place I'd think to look for this kind of boat.

Thanks for the tip. Looks like one that's worth investigating further.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006

I'd reserve about $20-40,000 of your budget for upgrading, re-fitting, repairing and customizing whatever boat you get. Many people don't seem to realize that this is generally a necessity to get a boat to work the way you want it to. Several boats have a three-cabin setup, but many are really not suited for offshore passage.

I know that some of the Hallberg-Rassy's that are smaller than 50' were built in three-cabin setups, but may be out of your budget range.

ebs001 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006

There is somebody who usually recommends the Gemini 105. It's a cat and certainly meets your accommodation requirements and is within your budget

camaraderie · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006

Amel Mango's or other older Amels are quite seaworthy and have the cabin arrangement you need. Also check the Hylas 47/49...some of them have 3 cabin layouts and are solid boats.

labatt · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinterRiver

Albany, NY is not the first place I'd think to look for this kind of boat.

I was pretty shocked myself when I first saw it on Yachtworld. It was also the only sailboat listed by a marina that only sells powerboats. It turns out that the guy who is selling it works for the marina. After they spent a number of years cruising on it, he looked for a job and got one at this place. He's a mechanic, and the boat was in great shape on the surface. Items you don't get from the ad - she's very beamy - 14'6" on a 43' boat, so she sails fairly flat in high wind (the owner stated he didn't start reefing until 25kts). Her rig is very oversized with regards to its build. We didn't progress to survey though. Once again, no relation or interests in the sale of the boat...

WinterRiver · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006

Thanks for all the thoughts. The kids are getting tired of waiting, waiting, waiting to get on the computer while I look at every offering of every boat that might work for us.

Both of us see ourselves doing this trip in a monohull, but we have to be open to considering a cat. The space and layout may meet our needs at a better price.

I appreciate the advice here and in PMs. If only someone closer than Turkey had said that they have just what I need at the right price....

sailingdog · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006

You could buy a pretty decent cat for your budget...