new or used

cyagood · #1 08-14-2002

I''m looking at boats and trying to decide to buy new or used...any suggestions. I think I want power instead of sail..up to/around $60,000 to spend...want to cruise socal coast maybe san diego to san fran or san diego to cabo +. Since I''m just learning, I''m open to any/all advice. This is my long time dream and at age 44 time''s a wasting!

928frenzy · #2 08-14-2002

I don''t really know the power boat market, but I seriously doubt you''ll find a decent sized new boat (power or sail) for only $60k.

Our friends tell us the paid over$150k for their new 32'' power boat. A comperably sized new sailboat will be about $100k and up.

Good luck. ~ _/) ~

#3 08-15-2002

As has been pointed out, it is doubtful that you will find a suitable new cruiser, power or sail, for $60K to do what you are proposing but to address your question;

My rule of thumb is that it only makes sense to buy a new boat if all of the following criteria are met:
1. You are an extremely experienced boat owner and so know precisely what you want in a boat.
2. You have searched the used marketplace and can''t find what you want.
3. You plan to own the boat for a long time (10 years or so).
4. You have lots of time for commissioning a new boat and you are not in a hurry to get your boat.
5.You are very skilled at repairing boats so that you can sort out problems as they arise and argue successfully about warrentee issues.
6. Money is not an object to you.

The other piece of your question is whether power or sail makes more sense. I think going offshore as you proposing as a new ''sailor'', a sailboat will be a better choice. When things get dicey as they quickly can offshore, it takes a lot more skill to operate a powerboat.

Jeff

nauticalrich · #4 08-15-2002

If you are concerned about money, think how much the fuel will cost in a power boat.
Most cruising boats are sail.

I have heard a new Hunter 306 which is just 30ft goes for around $75,000 in the water and ready to go. I have no idea of the quality. Maybe someone out there is familiar with these new models and can inform us of their quality.

hamiam · #5 08-15-2002

This is SAILNET. Need I say more?

cyagood · #6 08-15-2002

sailing sounds exciting but i was under the impression it takes a lot more skill and effort than power. i was suprised to hear jeff say the opposite. also...how long does it take to learn to sail and is it really the best way to go if i want to cruise? i said i can spend around $60K but i could probably go up to 75 or so. thanks to those of you who responded.

#7 08-15-2002

In normal conditions almost any idiot can handle a power boat but when things get dicey offshore it takes real skill to keep from doing real damage to the boat and yourself. Its may sense that if you put your heart to it its easier to learn to handle a sailboat with its deeper keel, greater weather tightness and better seaworthiness, than to operate a power boat in the same conditions. A good sailboat will go a long way towards getting you out of nasty stuff. A poorly handled powerboat will get you in trouble quickly.

Jeff

Jeff

cyagood · #8 08-16-2002

Jeff, is there a tremendous amount of training and experience needed to sail the way I want to sail San Diego up the coast to SF and down the Baja coast? Also I have five children, is a sail boat still practical? Maybe my questions are elementary but the only way to learn is to ask those who know firsthand.

Sailormon6 · #9 08-16-2002

To clarify, ordinarily, it takes more knowledge and skill to operate a sailboat than a powerboat. Power boaters don''t have to learn about sails, or rigging, or aerodynamics, or how to reef sails, or how to choose which sails to use. But, when the conditions get rough, it takes more skill to bring a powerboat through it than it does a sailboat. The reason is because sailboats are better designed than most powerboats to survive rough conditions at sea. A really well designed and built sailboat will survive most storms if you just close it up and go below until it is over. (Although that fact should not lull you into not learning storm sailing techniques.) Power boats do not tend to themselves well in storm conditions. You have to know how to nurse them through it. In short, powerboats are better designed to go fast, and sailboats are better designed to survive.

Most good sailing schools offer basic sailing courses, as well as cruising courses, that would help you acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to go cruising.

If you are planning to cruise the coast during the days, and then shelter in a cove or bay at night, that type of cruising can be learned fairly quickly. If you are new to sailing, I suggest you take the sailing courses, and then sail locally for a few months, to gain a little experience. After that, you should be able to do the kind of cruising that you contemplate. Don''t be intimidated by the prospect of learning how to sail. It''s really not as complicated as it seems.

ikent · #10 08-16-2002

As a SoCal sailor let me recommend that whatever type of boat you decide on that you spend some time cruising locally before heading for SF or Cabo. Once you''re comfortable with your boat, the Channel Islands are a great place to develop cruising skills with their variable weather and undeveloped status (All anchoring, no moorings like Catalina)

Best of luck with your decision!