My husband and I are about to embark on the search for our next boat, and we''ve come to an impasse that perhaps others can help resolve. Understanding that every boat is a compromise, we just can''t seem to find that compromise.
Here are the issues:
We are looking for a boat in the 36-40 foot range (budget about $150K) which is an acceptable compromise between aesthetics/creature comforts and performance. We presently own a Sabre 34, which is the baseline for aesthetics; however, my husband has become increasingly disenchanted with its light air performance (or lack thereof) -- we sail the Chesapeake, so this is no small concern. Also, since the Chesapeake, and perhaps someday the ICW and Bahamas, are our cruising grounds, relatively shallow draft or K/CB (which we currently have) are things to consider.
While I would be perfectly content to move up to a Sabre 38 or Sabre 362, my husband keeps making noise about J Boats (esp. the "cruising" models). I, however, can''t get past the traveler in the cockpit; I know this is key for performance, but is not ideal for the comfort and use of the cockpit (how the heck do you put a table in the cockpit with the traveler there?). My husband will concede that the draft on the J Boats is a little deeper than we''d like.
Despite the desire for performance, we do not plan to race the new boat (hubby has enough outlets for that on Other People''s Boats). We just want to get where we''re going a little faster.
Neither of us is interested in the Big 3 production boats. And we''d like a boat not older than a 1988 model.
What we probably need is a broker/psychologist! In the meantime, any suggestions for a boat that might meet our requirements?
Here are the issues:
We are looking for a boat in the 36-40 foot range (budget about $150K) which is an acceptable compromise between aesthetics/creature comforts and performance. We presently own a Sabre 34, which is the baseline for aesthetics; however, my husband has become increasingly disenchanted with its light air performance (or lack thereof) -- we sail the Chesapeake, so this is no small concern. Also, since the Chesapeake, and perhaps someday the ICW and Bahamas, are our cruising grounds, relatively shallow draft or K/CB (which we currently have) are things to consider.
While I would be perfectly content to move up to a Sabre 38 or Sabre 362, my husband keeps making noise about J Boats (esp. the "cruising" models). I, however, can''t get past the traveler in the cockpit; I know this is key for performance, but is not ideal for the comfort and use of the cockpit (how the heck do you put a table in the cockpit with the traveler there?). My husband will concede that the draft on the J Boats is a little deeper than we''d like.
Despite the desire for performance, we do not plan to race the new boat (hubby has enough outlets for that on Other People''s Boats). We just want to get where we''re going a little faster.
Neither of us is interested in the Big 3 production boats. And we''d like a boat not older than a 1988 model.
What we probably need is a broker/psychologist! In the meantime, any suggestions for a boat that might meet our requirements?