Back in the game

Minnewaska · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

Hi all, new to the forum here. Been away from sailing/boating for 20 years. My wife just took sailing lessons and we're looking for a hole in the water and would welcome input.

Here's what we have in mind so far:

Coastal cruising in Northeast US, with the occasional offshore passage and the faint thought of a Bermuda crossing or Caribbean tour at some point. The latter big stuff could be planned for the right conditions rather than have a boat that can handle absolutely anything.

Must be well suited for entertaining and day/weekend sailing, but want to be comfortable on it for a week or two at a time. We seem to gravitate to models with large deck saloons or multiple cockpits. Dual helms are not necessary, but often open up the cockpit nicely. Ocean passage, tight cockpits with the helm in the middle of the seats are well designed for that serious passage that everyone wants to be prepared for and few every actually take.

Sleeping 6 in three cabins is a must. Being able to daysail with 8 would be common.

Needs to have the potential to get out of its own way, although, the expertise of the crew will be a bigger speed limiter. A sloop is preferred, a cutter is fine (particularly with one releasable forestay), one mast is a must.

All lines must come to the cockpit to be easily sailed by two. Generally prefer aft cockpits and steps through the transom to swim off the back. Neither are absolute deal breakers.

Budget. Would prefer to keep it under $400k. Can go into the $500s for the right boat if it would appear it could be the "last boat". Although, we are looking for nearly all the creature comforts within that budget: good nav, elec/hydro winches, AC, genset, watermaker, etc. No need to focus on these when choosing the right hull, just need room in the budget for them.

The most important budget issue: Hope to buy right and be able to get out for roughly purchase in the next couple of years if the sport doesn't do it for the Admiral. That rules out new. So far, she's passed three certification exams and seems to like it.

We been looking at many different models from 10 to 15 year old higher end boats, to 5 year old mid-range production boats in the 49 to 59ft range. We like some of the modern design elements of the late model Jeanneaus (54DS in particular), but have concerns about them holding value. Open to all ideas. Thanks for the input.

Zanshin · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

Mennewaska - I'll recommend the Jeanneau 49DS or 54DS, but I'll admit upfront that I'm rather biased since I'm a happy 49DS owner. See Sailboat "Zanshin" Homepage for some pictures. This fits your requirements to a T, including price, which is an almost unheard of thing in this forum as the most frequent requests are for a 40+ footer in new or almost new condition where the owner is willing to pay the purchaser for the honor of relieving them of the onerous boating burden they have.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

If you've got that large a budget, why not look at something like a Chris White designed Atlantic 42 catamaran. It's got more room than a 49 DS and would easily accommodate 8 for a daysail....It'll be a lot more comfortable at anchor, sail a lot faster than any monohull of comparable size, and they hold their resale value quite well.

I'd point out that the lines are not lead aft in this boat as the cockpit is forward of the pilothouse, just behind the mast. This makes for a fairly well protected helm position. There is also an interior helm position.

BarryL · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

Hello,

For me this would be an easy choice:
Sabre 426.

Barry

Minnewaska · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

Thanks for the input, I welcome it all and more, if available.

Zanshin - My concern with the DS Jeanneaus is they may have a way to go to depreciate. They are still relatively new, so we don't know how they will hold up. If the Admiral loses interest, I'm going to quickly tire of sailing single-handed and not want to keep this kind of investment tied up. On the other hand, the 54DS was the most popular boat over 50ft ever. For good reason in my opinion, the design is perfectly suited to what 98% of all sailors actually do with their boat. The 49DS may also do the job. Thanks.

Sailing Dog - Sorry, should have put mono-hull as a must. Slip space limitations and preference.

BarryL - Sabre's are very nice, but three staterooms are a must, even if one is only and over/under.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

That's too bad... the A42s are amazing boats... I was aboard one of them and an A55 this summer...

Minnewaska · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

Zanshin - apparently I'm not worthy of replying to PMs yet, until I get a few more posts. This will count, standby.

Minnewaska · #8 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

That's too bad... the A42s are amazing boats... I was aboard one of them and an A55 this summer...

Nothing against them, good suggestion if we were in the market for a cat.

Minnewaska · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

Zanshin - apparently I'm not worthy of replying to PMs yet, until I get a few more posts. This will count, standby.

Silly rule, mods. Fairly easy to get past.

bljones · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2010

I have to say, SD, I'm a fan of the forward helm on the Chris White cats. I don't know why nobody thought of it before.