Boat to go and grow

[sailchamplain]

I am interested in purchasing a boat for a number of reasons.
I want a boat to that will be big enough for 2 adults and 2 children so I can get back into sailing on Lake Champlain in Vermont. I have quite a bit of experience sailing but have been off the water for a few years and want to get back into the sport. I would to sail for a few seasons on the lake to get used to the boat and it's limits. My future goal would be to sail it- transport it to Quebec (St Lawrence) so I can travel around Atlantic Canada and then to Newfoundland. I am originally from Newfoundland so being able to sail home and up to Labrador would be a must. I realize that the North Atlantic is not a lake so I want to make sure the boat I purchase will be able to measure up for any cruising I do there. Therefore, my question is what boats would you recommend? I an interested in used because I my budget is about 50000. Does anyone have any suggestions about any resources that I could use for the purchase?

[Faster]

Here's a search result for boats in the NE US area with the criteria 30-36 feet and $40-50K - just for an idea what's available and to compare a range of boats in that bracket.

(Sail) Cruiser Boats For Sale

Keep in mind that you should reserve some of your budget for transactional costs and required upgrades.. so pay particular attention to those at the bottom of the price range selected here.

Happy Hunting!

[JimsCAL]

This is a local broker that is worth contacting. Finding something on the lake would be be nice.

Bruce Hill Yacht Sales, Inc. (Shelburne, VT)

[py26129]

Also take a look at the Island Packet 31. Solid, comfortable boat, tons of space and it sails better that everyone will want you to believe. They are available you your price range.

Cheers

Matt

[killarney_sailor]

I think it would be a good idea to get a buyer's broker. You don't have to pay since his fee comes from the seller, as with a house purchase. Ask around to get someone you can trust to be acting just for you, and be aware that he/she will probably try to sell you something from his inventory first since that way he gets twice the commission.

Sailing Newfoundland and Labrador can be quite different since charting in Newfoundland is excellent and there may be many areas in Labrador (off the beaten track) where there are few soundings. If I was going to spend a lot of time gunkholing in more remote parts of Labrador I might want to choose a steel boat but the rest of the time I would want something that sails better than virtually any steel boat in the size range you are looking for.

I would not restrict my search to Lake Champlain. It is easy to take a boat there from the Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic area (eg Long Island Sound), or New England. It becomes your first holiday on the boat.

I would consider CS 36T and Niagara 35 (it would have to be a Mark I in your price range. Both are well-made and up to the use you are thinking about. There are lots of other boats as well that would do the trick.