My water will be green

[dwightgry]

Just returned from a loop of the western Carb. and thru the canal. I always thought I needed a blue water boat, but ran across so many coastal boats down there I am beginning to re-think my needs.
I started with a Pearson 323, then moved to a Brewer 12.8. Too small, then too big. I did 3 winters in the Bahamas, then sold out and went with a friend on a 58' cat thru the Carib. Found out cats are probably not my first choice, and they are more expensive than what I want to invest right now. My sailing area will be Bahamas/Cuba and maybe a bit further. The boats under consideration for me are something like the Pearson 365 or Morgan 384. I would love a Bristol 38.8, but don't want to spend that much.
My wish list is from about big 36' to 40' without aft cabin (want the storage area) but can be quarter berth. No full keel, but would like skegged rudder if possible. I have re-adjusted from full-on blue water to consider Hunter, Beneteau, etc. but seems like all around 38' have one or two aft cabins, to the loss of storage. (This is critical to me as I haul a lot of gear, an essential part of my cruising experience.) In this size range an aft cockpit is what I will choose.
My question is are there any other choices that you are aware of? Doesn't need to be a rocket ship, but should sail well and not be weak design/construction. Budget could be $50k. Part of the reason for the low budget will be to avoid insuring the boat (the hassle has been really discouraging for me).
I have read extensively over the years about boats, but always with prejudice towards blue water only boats. Now I realize that is no longer essential, but unfortunately have been of the mindset that other choices were sub-standard for so long that I need help re-focusing on alternative brands. You can see that my 3 above mentioned boats are capable of some blue water sailing, but they also have the design features that I may want. Who knows, maybe with time I could even accept a bolted-on keel and a spade rudder, (yikes)! Oh, shoal draft would probably be necessary for the area I want to go, at least around 5' or so.
Thanks to all who read and respond.
Dwight

Added: The boat will be cruised for approx. 4 months each years, so no charter layout please.

[blt2ski]

I've seen designs by Jeanneau thru the years with two cabin arrangements, that give you the big storage area under one side of the cockpit seat, usually behind the head. With access from the factory in many from the head too! Some older ones you would have to make access if you wanted this option. This have been in boats to 40'. Altho the 35-40foot versions seem to come with 3 cabins more than the 2. But from Jeanneau, the Sun Odessy 35, 37 and 39's have 2 cabin options, some of the older designs like the Sunshine, a 36 or 38' version depending upon if it has a sugar scoop stern or not have 2 cabins. The SO's are from the late 90's, the SS's from the mid 80's. There are version in between too, altho the name designation escapes me. The ODAY 39 and 40 is a rebaged Jeanneau, those came with 2 cabin options too. Sun Fizz IIRC in the Jeanneau range.

marty

[blt2ski]

I've seen designs by Jeanneau thru the years with two cabin arrangements, that give you the big storage area under one side of the cockpit seat, usually behind the head. With access from the factory in many from the head too! Some older ones you would have to make access if you wanted this option. This have been in boats to 40'. Altho the 35-40foot versions seem to come with 3 cabins more than the 2. But from Jeanneau, the Sun Odessy 35, 37 and 39's have 2 cabin options, some of the older designs like the Sunshine, a 36 or 38' version depending upon if it has a sugar scoop stern or not have 2 cabins. The SO's are from the late 90's, the SS's from the mid 80's. There are version in between too, altho the name designation escapes me. The ODAY 39 and 40 is a rebaged Jeanneau, those came with 2 cabin options too. Sun Fizz IIRC in the Jeanneau range.

marty

[sawingknots]

bigger isn't always better,thats what my wife tells me

[dwightgry]

Thanks blt2ski; looked at Jeanneau models, but they seem to be more oriented to charter service. Even saw a 36' with 3 cabins(?), but I would prefer storage accessable from the cockpit to extra cabins.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by dwightgry

Thanks blt2ski; looked at Jeanneau models, but they seem to be more oriented to charter service. Even saw a 36' with 3 cabins(?), but I would prefer storage accessable from the cockpit to extra cabins.

Many Jeanneau/Beneteau type boats are going to be three cabin versions. I guess not only because of charter but also because they suit families. You will find two cabin versions available but they take some finding.

[JKCatalina310]

take a look at the layout of the Catalina 42 two cabin. The galley goes back far under the cockpit and there is a ton of storage in that area. The traditional vee-birth is replaced with a walk around queen bed (innerspring mattress and all) which is not a good sea birth but the single aft cabin is a perfect sea birth. Or they have a two cabin with the pullman up front and second head forward. While they are not the true bluewater, people have circumnavigated with them. They also have a lot of features that make them comfortable at anchor or the dock, like walk through transom, more comfortable births, big galley, etc.

Here is an example of what I mean with the pullman.

And here is one with the queen birth.

Both of these are well equipped and higher then your budget but there are some in the $70K range.

I was in the same boat as you, as far as thinking I wanted a bluewater boat. I bought a Catalina 310 last year and I am really impressed with the build quality and would to the type of sailing you are talking about on it.

Good luck.

[blt2ski]

Originally Posted by dwightgry

Thanks blt2ski; looked at Jeanneau models, but they seem to be more oriented to charter service. Even saw a 36' with 3 cabins(?), but I would prefer storage accessable from the cockpit to extra cabins.

As TDW mentioned, many J's and B's are designed and sold into the charter fleets, these will be 3 cabin versions. BUT, if you can find a private boat initially, you should be able to find a 2 cabin version. Also look at the 34.x and 36.x versions too. My 85, granted a 30'r is a 2 cabin as I think you want. I know of 2 or 3 of the 4 sunshines from the mid 80s, ie a 36' version of my Arcadia, are 2 cabin versions. There are a couple of newer version local for sale that are 2 cabin also. THEY DO exist!

BUT, if you are looking in the Caribbean, I highly doubt you will find but one in 100 boats are 2 vs 3 cabin versions.

Marty

PS, wombat, can you delete my accidental double post if you see this.....thank you!

[blt2ski]

Not sure where you are looking, it might be the $ amount, but local dealer has two new, and two used Jeanneau's, ALL FOUR are 2 cabin boats, NONE are 3 cabin. Here is the link.... Marine Servicenter - Seattle (Seattle, WA)

They have one of the new 409's, a used 39i, 36i and a 35. BUT< these may be double to triple you budget if I am reading correctly.

marty

[Waltthesalt]

How about a catamaran? Two hull cabins, shoal draft