Advice needed. A basic, but seaworthy boat for west coat cruising

[Michael1959]

I currently own a MacGregor 25 which I have used for the past 5 years to explore the Inside Passage in British Columbia and Alaska. It has performed extremely well and the swing keel has proved very useful.
However, I'm interested in buying a larger cruising sailboat that is seaworthy and affordable. My hope is to have the option (in a few years) to sail down the west coast, possibly to Mexico for 2 or 3 months in winter.
What I hope to find is boat that is seaworthy, forgiving, easily managed and affordable. I'm not able to afford the nautical equivalent of a Lexus, but I'm hoping to find something that is more like the maritime equivalent of a Camry.
Thank you in advance for your advice.

Michael

[sailingdog]

Lots of boats fit your description...but you really need to give some idea of what your budget is. If it is $5000, then you're going to have some problems finding a boat suitable... if it is $30000, then you'll have a fair amount of choices, if it is $75000, then you'll have lots of choices.

[Sailormann]

What I hope to find is boat that is seaworthy, forgiving, easily managed and affordable. I'm not able to afford the nautical equivalent of a Lexus, but I'm hoping to find something that is more like the maritime equivalent of a Camry.

Bristol, Tartan (Older only), C&C (Older only), CS, Mirage, Beneteau, Catalina, Aloha, Cascade, Southern Cross, Freedom, Samson, Nash, Northern, Ontario, Niagara, etc. - lots to choose from.

[bestfriend]

STEP UP.....to a CS34. I happen to know of one available.

[refugee133]

How many people on board? That will tell you what size boat. As a rough estimate, think about 30 - 35 feet of boat length for a couple on extended cruises. You don't want more sail area and boat than the least capable person on board can handle by themselves in tough weather. Then expect to spend about 50% more than you paid getting it ready for blue water.