Blue water on a budget - continued

[Moniker]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions in my previous thread.

I've come up with a list of likely suspects that I'd like get some feedback on suitability and performance.

As a short recap, I'm looking to purchase for $60k or under (I expect to spend more after to fit her out). The boat needs to be able to carry me around for a few years... Pacific and Atlantic and with a short jaunt or two to a higher latitude when the conditions are right. It should be able to be sailed single/short handed, has to be able to take on a couple of passengers for at least a few weeks at a time.

Here's my list of likely suspects:

Pearson 365
Alberg 37
Valiant 32 (I've heard about the blistering issues)
Hunter Cherubini 37
Sabre 34 (don't really know a lot about this boat)
Morgan 382/383
Allied Seawind II
Allied Princess
Alajuela 33
Cape Dory 33
Bristol 39
Contessa 32 (ok, a bit a departure here but I really like the boat)

So, any feedback on these contenders with respect to:

• passage speed and ease
• comfort at sea and at anchorage
• ability to handle the weather I can't avoid
• design problems

I'm not stuck on a rig, or keel configuration so much as something that tracks, balances and performs well.

[pmoyer]

I'm constantly shopping for boats, also in your range. Have you thought about the Southern Cross 31? I think they can be had for this price. Actually, lemme check....

Oh yeah. Yachtworld has a collection. Min is 29,900 and max is 51,900. Lots of range there.

Cheers!

[Bardo]

Why no Allied Luders 33 on your list? Its an older boat, but said to be good in blue water (some circumnavigations to its credit). You could get this boat for under 30k and really fit it out to suit you. its built like a brick **it house.

[Moniker]

I really like the Niagara 35, but in looking at the asking price it's a real budget stretcher

[Moonfish]

Moniker -

Just to throw out a few more that I have seen in your price range (I know, just what you need, more muddying of the water):

Baba 30, Union 36, Tayana 37 - All Bob Perry designs.

Certainly the Union and Tayanas typically go for more, but I've seen 'em in decent shape for @$55-65K. The Baba is a bit on the small side, but a great, solid pocket cruiser.

I also like the Fuji 32 and 35 (both I believe were Alden designs), though the 35s are typically over $60K. You can find 32s from the low $40Ks. Had a friend who owned a 32 and loved her. Didn't go blue water, though. And I know of a 35 that was bought in Bellingham, WA and set sail for the South Pacific. The owner got so beat up on the sail down the coast, he got off the boat in San Fran and gave up. The boat fared just fine, though.

[Moniker]

Thanks for the suggestions Moonfish, I hadn't considered the Union 36. Tayanas by and large are out of my price range and pocket cruisers won't quite give me the accomodations needed for occasional guests...

And I'll always take any suggestion that might bring my shopping a little closer to home (puget sound); so many of the boats I'm looking at are on the east coast.

[Moonfish]

Moniker, we're neighbors then! I live on San Juan Island. Where are you? Almost all of the models/prices I quote are from the west coast. When I search Yachtworld (which I do far too often), I do the advanced search and usually limit it to the Pac NW region, which in addition to Washington includes BC, Alaska, Oregon, and I think even Idaho. Sometimes I'll throw in California in a search.

I end up keeping tabs on models I like that way. I've seen the same boat come up for sale on Yachtworld 3 and 4 times over the past 7 years. Doing so also lets me know whether an asking price for a specific model is too much or a real good deal. For instance, another boat I forgot to mention is the Endurance 35. A Peter Ibold design, she's a true blue water cruiser. Many were finished in backyards, while others were professionally fitted out. The typical price range has been $45K-$70K. So the one that is currently listed in Friday Harbor for $110K...!?! Way too much. I went and took a look anyway. Damn sweet example, probably the finest finished Endurance 35 anywhere (it was built by the Dekleer Shipyard). No way they'll get close to that asking price, though.

Another web site to check out used boats up here is the Nor'Westing classified site. Maybe you've been to it already. Most boats on there are for sale in Canada. I've come across some cool boats, there.

http://www.buysell.com/root/browsesu.../Sailboat.aspx

Ain't looking for boats around here fun? :-)