Baba 40

Bruce Hanson · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2011

We are considering a Baba 40 and would like some feedback on cockpit space for full time use. We are now weekending on our Catalina 34 and think we may miss the footwell area. Also wondering about dingy access. We are just entering our 60's so we still have several years of good flexability remaining. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

tdw · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2011

We considered a couple of Baba 40s before settling on our new girl. Reality is they are really nice boats and from what I have seen get along quite nicely given there full keel.

Mate of mine over at Cruising Anarchy (Sondadora) has a B30 and would be happy to give you any advice. Bob Perry himself is also a regular over there. Sometimes pops in here but not quite as often. Tell 'em Womby sent you.

If you are talking access from dinghy then definitely needs to be thought about as its not as easy as access onto a sugar scoop/open transom stern but its not that big a deal.

As for footwell, I am not sure what you mean. Both the B40s that we looked at (one was a PH, the other not) had footwells in the cockpit, indeed the cockpits were pretty damned comfortable.

If there was any one reason for why we didn't go down that path it was probably age combined with teak deck.

aeventyr60 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2011

Friends of mine went around cape horn on their Baba 40. Most double enders lack the generous space of other designs. Since it is an offshore cruising boat the cockpit space is not going to be as generous as the benehuntalina type boats. Since your first question is about cockpit space, how do you intend to use your boat? Dockwise liveaboard? Coastal cruising? Some offshore passages? Or serious fulltime round the world cruising? I'd go an a few more boats to get the feel of what you really want.

Bruce Hanson · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2011

Thanks for the replys, Teak decks are a deal breaker for us too. Last year we missed out on one without (my fault) The most difficult question is how much boat does one buy? I guess I have been disappointed more often by going cheap than getting the top of the line.

tdw · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Hanson

Thanks for the replys, Teak decks are a deal breaker for us too. Last year we missed out on one without (my fault) The most difficult question is how much boat does one buy? I guess I have been disappointed more often by going cheap than getting the top of the line.

Bob Perry himself once posted that he loved a teak deck as long as it was not his teak deck.

Actually teak deck as such is not a deal breaker for me but old teak deck most certainly is. No matter how well it has been looked after a 30 year old teak deck is almost certainly going to cost.

tom3215 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2011

.........Anyboat the "grumpy old man" designed is really as close to perfection as one can find in this world. Do your self a favor, find a well cared for Baba and pay too much for that perfect boat and dont look back. WHO you buy it from and how they loved it is almost the most important thing.

All hail Bob Perry !

tom3215