New Boat

[sailing320]

I was thinking of selling my Island Packet 320 and buying a Bristol 38.8. I have never sailed this boat but sailed a Bristol 41. My goal is to find a boat under 41 feet that is going to sail faster and have more room then my Island Packet. I want to get places faster! My friends suggest a Sabre 386? Am I on the right track? I would like to spend less then 200 but I would be willing to go as high as 300. Insurance rates are expensive in South Florida so I would carry liability only.

[MarkCK]

If you want to go faster go with the Sabre.

[Tim R.]

Liability only in Florida will assure that the next hurricane will be centered over your slip.

[jordanship]

I haven't had to tie up yachts for a hurricane the last two years. Here's to hoping for another hurricane free year in South Florida...

About any of your options will be faster than an IP320. Of the two you mention, I'd guess you will be happier with a 386 because they are newer. I see '04 and '05 models in Annapolis in your range.

[blt2ski]

ANY boat would be faster than an IP.....excepting westsnail, and even then, the westsail would give you a run for you money speed wise.

You might even want to look at Catalina's, Hunters, Jeanneau, Beneteau. You could come close to getting a brand new Jeanneau 36i for $200K, if you could go to 300, you would be into a 39i, go for the Performance model, and you are in the PHRF range of 80-100, beating you 250'ish IP no matter how you slice the cake speed wise. A 39iP is rated shy of a J109. J boats might be another option. There are some more cruisy models like the 109, very fast, 2 can handle the sails and AS of the prod very easy, you can hit speeds in the mid teens with correct wind conditions. I doubt your IP would hit 6-7 knots in the same conditions.....

Marty