planning on buying in 08-need ideas on sailboat

[boviine]

I am looking for ideas which sailboats would best fit me in 2008 for sailing the inland waterways from wa to alaska (with a sail from seattle to hawaii after 3or so yrs exp-hopefully, but mostly inland waterways for me). I do not know which would be a best buy for what i want to spend (5-10k max). It wont be untill after april 08 because i need to get my ASA lvl 1-4 Certifications done 1st. I know i will need a boat that-

1 person can sail
selfbailing
between 25-30ft long
able to take the sea (both coastal and bluewater)
space for gear
live-a-board


optional-
steering wheel
a bigger storage for fresh water/fuel
autopilot

I dont mind doing some upgrades as time goes on (because I need to save the moola for it) and i hope i can find a sailboat with some of the basic (vhf ect).

thank for your time in answering

[Joel73]

A good place to start would be in the "Buying a Boat" Forum...

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

[Jotun]

Also, check out this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Small-S...5521294&sr=8-1

[sailingdog]

I think you're a bit confused. No keelboats are self-bailing. The cockpits may have drains, and they may have bilge pumps, but they're not self-bailing the way small boats are.

Most boats smaller than 28' are going to be a bit small for living aboard. A couple of good boats that you might want to look at are the Pearson Triton, Pearson Vanguard, Alberg 30, Southern Cross 28, Cape Dory 28, among others. John Vigor's book, 20 Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere is a good resource. Most of the boats in that book are going to be tiller-steered, not wheel steered.

You will probably have trouble finding a good boat in you price range.

[SYMandalay]

I think your budget is missing a zero on the end.

[camaraderie]

You want a blue water boat for Hawaii...so heres a pretty good list of them.
http://www.mahina.com/boats.html

Pick one in your size and price range and good luck finding one for that kind of money. If you want to just stay on the inland waters you have many more boats to choose from and an easy job of hitting your price point.

[boviine]

ty for all that replyed-I took some of ur idea (like ordering a few books and checking out these website). I am still saving and not planning to buy untill april-and that should put me close to the 15-20k range max (at my saving rate-10k max if i buy today), im in no hurry to buy-i seen a few bluewater for under 10k ( 1 Arpege and a few Cape Dory) but i figure they will need some work but i dont want to buy untill i get these courses done (no use in buying untill I have an idea on what im doing). I dont mind a fixer upper and im mostly looking for on that was built in the 60's and 70's (due to the overbuilt thing).

[camaraderie]

Boviine...nothing wrong with a fixer upper IF you have the skills and the time & $$ to fix 'em...and the Cape Dories are some of my favorite boats. Just be careful to really KNOW what the fixing up will cost you since...you might be better off buying a better boat for the same total $$. Get a good surveyor when you're ready to avoid buying a bargain that will end up being a sink-hole for your funds. Good luck with the courses!