Choices, choices, choices !

[rakuqueen1]

We spent 6 years dock walking and looking for the ''perfect'' boat. In the beginning we were looking for a fixer upper. We also had a house and two children, we decided we didn''t need another project.
We sold the house last summer and really started looking. We saw a Tayana 42, fell in love and then had to find one in our price range. We did, a center cockpit, it needs some fixing up, not much and it is a wonderful boat. We have one daughter who will go sailing w/ us, so she needed her space.
We leave in a year, can''t wait.

[slipacre]

You can probably do it - though you may spend a bunch of money travelling around to find that bargain. Our boat was listed for 33 we got it for 28 but had to put four of five back into it to fix the survey issues. Think our experience is typical for a boat of that era and price range. Reason it was so chaep was it had gone unsold for a couple of years - that meant battery and old fuel issues too. we are still spending money but will have a good boat in the end. but it is not everybody''s first pick and there are those who would nay say it. But it''s a boat and we''re happy and next month we''re going cruising.
Todd V

[ocean_lady2003]

I am skippering now for 18 years on all kind of sailing boats from 30 to 150 feet. About five years ago I got the idea to buy my own boat. Having seen hundrets of yachts, I got a pretty good idea what I wanted to have. But due to limited budget, I didn''t have that much to choose from. Basicly I was looking for something up to 35 feet, wheelhouse, stable and ocean going and it had to be wood or steel cause I don''t like fiber. I had lovely boats in wood but looking close, duing them up can be pretty expensiv specialy if you are looking for something cheap.
How ever, one day a friend called me, telling me about a very cheap steel boat. It was so cheap, I didn''t realy think it would be worth having a look. More to see my friend wich I haven''t seen for while then having a look at the boat, I made my way to the yard.
I was looking at a 28 foot steel sloop. The paint started to peel of, the cabin was covered with plastik. No Rigging at all, a pretty sad sight. I still can''t tell what it is, but this abandond looking boat was getting me.
The owner turned up. We had a look around and I fell in love with this boat. She is totaly diferent from what I wanted to have, less than 35 feet, no wheelhaouse and other things.
I spent 4 month hard work to get her back in sailing conditions, launched her just one week ago and have been out sailing already to times. Now over the summer I get her slowly ready for a circum navigation, which I start in November.

Just keep your eyes open and don''t be fixed on just a few types. You might just find something you fall in love with. You have to be happy with your boat. Reviews and opinions of others are informative but not the end of every thing. There is lots of philosophy in sailing and what is bad for one of the review writers could be also in your favor.
Keep in mind, that you have to be happy with the boat and nat any body else.

Dieter

[welch]

I will heed the advice everyone has provided. Things I have learned;
1 Take my time, I have it.
2 Every sailor has HIS own opinion.
3 Don''t limit make/model choice.
4 Save more $$$.
5 Plan to spend commishioning $$.

Thank you !! Dave