bluewater on the cheap

[wumhenry]

I plan to retire soon, and I'd like to do some bluewater voyaging thereafter. I have a Bristol 29.9, but for various reasons, including things I've read or heard from Jeff H, I don't think that's the right kind of vehicle for what I have in mind. Futhermore, it lacks stuff that you'd find in any well-fitted-out bluewater cruiser -- windvane steering, radar, epirb, gimballed stove, drogue, storm sails, SSB -- and methinks it would be cheaper to sell the Bristol and buy an already-fitted-out bluewater cruiser than upgrade. My question is, which boats that can be bought well-equipped for less than $45,000 are best suited for bluewater voyaging?

P.S. Aesthetics is a consideration. I'd rather stay home than set forth in an ugly boat. Don't bother extolling the virtues of the Gulf 32, for instance.

[sailingdog]

Southern Cross 31, Hallberg-Rassy Monsun or Rasmus, Contessa 32, etc.

[johnshasteen]

Hi Wumhenry, we haven't visited in a while. I'm not sure who Jeff H is or what he told you about the B29.9, but for bluewater cruising, they are as tough as anything you'll find for $45K. Paloma has been on numerous of bluewater voyages, and has over the years, weathered two Force 10 storms, one for 48 continous hours with no let up and the most recent, in March of this year, for 36 excruciating non-stop hours. According to Coast Guard Corpus Christi, the winds were gusting above 60 and 28-30 foot seas. We never worried about Paloma - she's my bluewater warrior princess - we only wondered how far South we would be blown before the storm abated - in the March storm we ended up 180 miles South of our rumb line.

[camaraderie]

How about the Cape Dory's...several models in your price range 30-36'...full keel, solid bluewater boats from the late 70's to mid 80's.

[sailingdog]

Alberg-designed Cape Dory models, or the Alberg 35, Westsail 32.

One problem you'll probably have with many of these older "bluewater" designs is that they really weren't designed with making bluewater passages in mind, much like your Bristol 29.9. So they will tend to have less tankage than you would probably want.

Personally, I don't see why you would sell the Bristol 29.9 and buy a different boat. You know the 29.9 well and it would probably make at least as good a bluewater boat, with some small upgrades as anything you're going to buy for your budget.

[sailboy21]

Don't sell a boat that you are familiar with. Your knowledge and familiarity can not be bought at any price. Unless you are planning on cruising high latitudes I can't think of any good reason to sell and get another boat of similar size, provided your current craft is structurally sound. Even if she needs a total refit.
BTW your chances of finding a 'blue water' boat ready to go for a good price isn't too good. Reason being those who have fitted out their boats are, except for some extraordinary circumstance, ACTUALLY OUT THERE. The boats you see for sale are either boats that have sailed 1000's of miles and are in need of another refit, or, much more likely the product of someone's failed or partially fulfilled dream which needs careful inspection, probably most of the work redone anyway, and still in need of extensive upgrades (i.e. possibly some of the reasons the last owner didn't go anywhere). I've seen it a dozen times... people buying 'turn key' 'ready to sail around the world' boats that end up on the hard for 6 months getting a total refit, or getting dis-masted 10 miles offshore, even one that was dismasted at the dock. I almost got sucked into a Westerly 32 that was advertised as 'ready to go.' Good thing I didn't buy it. Tuned out the rudder was completely delaminated, the hull had suffered severe osmosis, the mast was rotten etc etc.... Ready to go indeed...

[chucklesR]

Take the 45k you have to spend and upgrade what you have.

[JohnRPollard]

Here's one more vote for re-fitting the able boat you already have. Unless you are aware of a fundamental flaw or shortcoming of your Bristol -- such as it's simply not as large as you'd like for your intended itinerary and crew contingent.

[Freesail99]

As no one has asked, where are you planning on going with your bluewater boat ?

[camaraderie]

Do you have the keel or centerboar version of the 29.9? The keel version might be OK... and it is a solid boat...but more waterline...more displacement...and more stuff carrying capacity makes for a more comfortable passage and safety if you can handle the bills. Just my 2cents.