Hey everyone,
So, I'm having difficulty trying to narrow down which sailboat I'd like to purchase as my first. I know that there is no "perfect sailboat," that choosing is making a lot of compromises, but perhaps if I outline some of the things that are important to me someone could offer an oppinion.
The main purpose of my first sailboat will be for moderate extended cruising and living, moderate being 2-3 months at a time. I've heard and read on here that live-aboards rarely make it out of the slip due to extended prep times. However, the main purpose is to cruise, and I'm a minimalist to begin with. I won't have that problem. (Can anyone guess I'm hard-headed too?)
The cabin isn't too big a deal to me, I can make do. Anything in the 25-28ft range is room enough for me to live in without problems. That being said 25-28ft would be ideal, I think. The larger the boat, the larger the maintainence costs, and I'm not MADE of money. This size would split the difference nicely.
Ideally, I'm looking for a masthead sloop with a shoal keel (I live in florida, and would like to enjoy some of those aspects) which is not bolt-on (i hear this is horrible), tiller steering, with a good reputation for blue-water crusing for short hops (Miami-Nassau-etc-etc).
Question: Are fin keels automatically bolt-on, or are they sometimes manufactered with the hull?
I'm particularly fond of the Hunter 27. I like the look of it, however I have NO idea how it sails, and have had little luck in the forums. Any bitches, gripes, oppinions, etc reference this boat? I'm not set on it, so if there are any others worth taking a look at, please offer your opinion .
So, I'm having difficulty trying to narrow down which sailboat I'd like to purchase as my first. I know that there is no "perfect sailboat," that choosing is making a lot of compromises, but perhaps if I outline some of the things that are important to me someone could offer an oppinion.
The main purpose of my first sailboat will be for moderate extended cruising and living, moderate being 2-3 months at a time. I've heard and read on here that live-aboards rarely make it out of the slip due to extended prep times. However, the main purpose is to cruise, and I'm a minimalist to begin with. I won't have that problem. (Can anyone guess I'm hard-headed too?)
The cabin isn't too big a deal to me, I can make do. Anything in the 25-28ft range is room enough for me to live in without problems. That being said 25-28ft would be ideal, I think. The larger the boat, the larger the maintainence costs, and I'm not MADE of money. This size would split the difference nicely.
Ideally, I'm looking for a masthead sloop with a shoal keel (I live in florida, and would like to enjoy some of those aspects) which is not bolt-on (i hear this is horrible), tiller steering, with a good reputation for blue-water crusing for short hops (Miami-Nassau-etc-etc).
Question: Are fin keels automatically bolt-on, or are they sometimes manufactered with the hull?
I'm particularly fond of the Hunter 27. I like the look of it, however I have NO idea how it sails, and have had little luck in the forums. Any bitches, gripes, oppinions, etc reference this boat? I'm not set on it, so if there are any others worth taking a look at, please offer your opinion .