What type of boat for the Bahamas?

Martinus · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007

Hi there!

I'm relatively new at sailing, but the bug bit real hard.

Anyways, my wife and I are considering sailing down to the Bahamas (from Lake Champlain, NY) in two years. We would slowly make our way south late September, sailing back North starting in late April, early May.

While down there, we might consider going south to TC and, heck while I'm dreaming, maybe also as far south as BVI... Yeah, I know I'm ambitious

Question! We would like to buy the boat this coming spring so that we would have two full seasons on it before departing. We are looking to buy something in the 36 to 42-foot long. Our budget is more or less $90-$100K.

Any suggestion? Is a bluewater recommended or a solid coastal cruiser sufficient? Where is the line drawn? We have been looking on Yachtworld but there are so many boats to choose from.

Thanks,

MSJ

labatt · #2 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martinus

Question! We would like to buy the boat this coming spring so that we would have two full seasons on it before departing. We are looking to buy something in the 36 to 42-foot long. Our budget is more or less $90-$100K.

It's nice to see another Champlainer on here! Where on the lake are you? If you increase your budget at some point, let me know as I'll have a Passport 40 on the market, on Lake Champlain, possibly this winter.

Martinus · #3 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007

Well, I'm not really anywhere on the lake as I haven't got a boat yet.

So far I've chartered out of the Plattsburgh area a few time.

Being from Montreal, the boat would eventually be there.

I take it that you would recomment a Passport 40

labatt · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007

I haven't been to the Bahamas, yet, but plan on going there in 2009 during a 1 1/2 year+ cruise. From the research I've done and the comments I've received on this board, draft is what it's all about if you are going there. The shallower the draft, the better. Regarding Bluewater vs. Coastal Cruisers, if you only plan on going from FL to the Bahamas, you'd probably do fine with a coastal boat. If you are looking to go much farther, going with more of a bluewater boat would be recommended, but you can probably still get away with a coastal boat. What will be the most important is having the appropriate safety gear aboard - life raft, EPIRB(s), etc. There is a Gulf Stream crossing involved. In the size range you're looking at, I don't think you'll have an issue finding a Bluewater or a Coastal boat that will meet your needs. I wouldn't recommend finding a boat for the Bahamas. Find a boat you like, period. And yes, I would definitely recommend a Passport 40 as a boat to look at, but it's somewhat above the price range you mentioned above

. It's an incredible boat though.

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007

Martinus...ANY current production boat in that size range will do what you want to do. No need to pay for "blue water" instead of comfort and ameneties given your plans. For Bahamas...95% is accessible with a 5-6ft. draft. You can still go with up to 7' but with significantly reduced grounds and a lot of waiting for tides to get into harbors.

Martinus · #6 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007

Well, what type of boats are we talking about; which ones are people taking. What's been your experience?

Thanks again everybody...

camaraderie · #7 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007

Hunter,Catalina,Beneteau, Irwin, Oday, Pearson, Bavaria, Jeanneau, etc. etc. etc.
The point is...find anything YOU like once you step aboard and if it surveys well, buy it and you will be able to sail where you said you want to.
If you want to go ANYWHERE...buy Labatts.

labatt · #8 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007

If you want to go anywhere AND have an incredibly flexible sail plan and more room, buy Cam's!!

pedrodelrio · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007

They didn't call it the Out Island 41 for nothing. Charley Morgan designed the boat as an idea Bahamas cruisers. The Island charter fleets in the 70s and 80s were full of them because of their roominess and shallow draft. In the Bahamas so many great anchorages are in shallow water that the Out Island's 4 foot 3 inch draft really comes into play. This enables you to seek shelter where others cannot and can get you a space to anchor in an otherwise crowded anchorage. These boats are not the greatest sailers to windward but once you get to the islands, you rarely see anyone sailing to windward anyway. Everyone motorsails to windward and likely so will you.
Decent boats range in price from $50,000 to $110,000. They come in ketch or sloop rigged. They made about 1,100 of them, thus creating one of the most successful designs in history, so there are always at least a dozen on the market at one time. Quality varies, however, and conventional wisdom leans toward the earlier years for best fiberglass, later for better furniture.

Peter

xort · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Hunter,Catalina,Beneteau, Irwin, Oday, Pearson, Bavaria, Jeanneau, etc. etc. etc.
The point is...find anything YOU like once you step aboard and if it surveys well, buy it and you will be able to sail where you said you want to.
If you want to go ANYWHERE...buy Labatts.

What's beer got to do with it? Oh wait what exactly do you mean by 'go' anywhere?