Boat Ideas....

[dstraus]

We (my wife and I and 2 daughters - 12&9) have decided to take a sailing sabatical next year and sail the Caribbean next winter and follow that with an Atlantic crossing the following May with the summer spent in the Med before coming home in August.

We could use some help in determining what type/size of boat would be up to the task.

looking in the 38'-45' range and would like to have 3 cabins ( the girls are of that age).

Price range $125K - $200K

Thanks for the advice.

David

[Idiens]

Maybe you should add something about your sailing experience and that of your crew.

[PBzeer]

You might want to look at yachtworld.com, using your price and size parameters to get a feel for what is available. To get 3 cabins in that size range you're probably looking at a newer, wider beamed boat or a catamaran.

Good luck in your search. I'm sure others will have some more specific recommendations. Off hand the Whitby 42/Brewer 42/12.8 come to mind, as well as a Kelly Petersen 44.

[Cruisingdad]

I wrote you a really long response then deleted it. I can provide more info to you if you want, (Cruising with kids, what works and what does not) or I can just answer your question here:

A catamaran. I like Lagoons. The 440 is nice. Quardruple your $$ just for boat purchase, and add another 125k for outfitting. The Privelege is really nice too, if you can get one here. There may be some deals coming off of charter - but that is a whole other thread and discussion (as I would not do that).

If you cannot change the $$, then I will bow out for other responses as I do not know a 3 cabin boat ready to cross the Atalantic and would be a good island hopper with 3 cabins for under 200k (I assume you are keeping some serious $$ back for outfitting)... but I am not the boat expert. I personally like Masons, Bristols, and Hylas as a good liveaboard cruiser/passagemaker... but I don't think you can even walk on one for anywhere near 200k. I would be concerned that a boat like that for that upfront money will cost you a whole buch that you do not see... but again, other may know better. As I said earlier, I can give advice (more than you will want) on cruising with kiddos (though mine are much younger than yours, 6 & 3).

Take care.

- CD

[sailingdog]

The Gemini is a small cat that has three cabins in that price range. I believe the MaineCat 30 is also another option in that price range.

[JouvertSpirit]

Originally Posted by Idiens

Maybe you should add something about your sailing experience and that of your crew.

I second that question!

[dstraus]

Sorry about that...

I have a good deal of coastal cruising experience - off and on for 30 years and currently own a Catalina 30' that I've had for 7 years on the Cheaspeake. I have done 3 Boston- Halifax trips over the years but not in the last 10.

My wife is a novice sailor, she can handle the boat but is not extremely comfortable yet and is taking classes to get there. Most of her sailong has been day sailing with the occasional weekend trip.

[camaraderie]

Dstraus...in monohulls, there is nothing I know of in your size and price range that offers 3 cabins AND is blu water capable. 3 cabin boats are generally designed for the charter trade and not suitable for open ocean cruising.
If this is very important to your girls...I would consider getting an otherwise suitable vessel and then having a ship carpenter divide the traditional V-berth into two partitioned berths with curtained entrances. It should not be that expensive to do this since no structural components will need to be re-done. For best results you'll want a boat that emphasizes the V-berth area.
As to recommendations...I am partial to family cruising in center cockpit boats because of the privacy afforded by the aft cabin. In terms of blue-water capable boats in your range...the Hylas44, the KellyPeterson44, The Whitby and Brewer 42's are all boats that would meet your requirements. These will be 1980's or 70's boats and so you will have to do some looking to find one in good condition and be careful on survey. I like the Hylas myself but many were in charter and engines should be checked carefully. Good luck.
BTW...I don't consider the catamarans in your price range ocean capable.

[Sailormann]

Must qualify this by saying that I have never sailed offshore on a big cat - but, and I really don't want to offend anyone here, I believe that they require a higher level of seamanship to handle in heavy weather than a monohull. They also break more easily.

As far as the cabins go - if the girls are at the age where they aren't getting along too well, it's not a great idea to put everyone together in a small space. However - if you decide that you want to go - buy this:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...05&searchtype=

[sailingfool]

I've had my eye on the Ted Hood Bristols, like the 43.5 or 45 for similar use. Excellent pedigree with centerboard for shallow water use. Here's an example, three cabins just under $200k
http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/b...ick&searchtype=