Need Opion about boats...

[namaste04]

Acmecoyote,

Are you ONLY looking at new boats? (In other words, older high-quality boats like Tartan, Sabre, or even Hallberg-Rassy are not being considered?)

If you are looking at NEW boats you might want to look at German-made Bavarias. Unlike some other boats, the base prices include almost everything you need. My understanding is that they are pretty well-made boats for the money. We looked at an older one and were impresed with the build quality, especially if you are comparing with Hunter, Bene, etc.

[acmecoyote]

Namaste04,

I am not even looking at the new boats. Everything has been from 94'' - 2000. I would actually prefer a higher quality boat, such as a Tartan or Hylas, especially the Halberg-rassy. But I do not think that I want boat older than 1988. I really need to look in the insurance issue as well as how well boats older than that can hold up of good quality. I found a Hylas 44 Frer design with shoal keel that I like. 1989 for 155. But the motor has 9800 hours and is close to needing rebuild I am sure. So Yes older boat with good qaulity are a plus. I would not consider any of the Bene, Catalina, or Hunter more than 1996, since 5 years is when charter get rid of those boats. They must do it for some reason. Would love to know what you think about it further.

Thanks.
Gordon

[namaste04]

Hi Gordon,

I think that older, older boats of the quality we are talking about hold up extremely well, for the most part. I am talking about late 70s and early 80s Tartans, HR, Bristol, Sabre, etc. I don''t have personal experience looking at later model boats, as they were over our budget. But I don''t see why they''d be different...

I could offer some recommendations based on knowledge gleaned from our own extensive seach (with the help of a wonderful broker who exposed us to some boats we might have missed) if you like. However, you might have different needs & tastes than we did. Our main criteria was safety and build quality, given that we plan to cruise with our young daughter and want to have a boat that''s fully capable of bluewater passagemaking. We prefer a skeg-hung rudder and slightly deeper bilge... I would personally be uncomfortable in the flat-bottomed, deep-finned, spade ruddered sleds being made today. We did not want an old-fashioned full keel slowpoke but a nice cruising compromise. A Valiant would have suited us perfectly but was beyond our budget. We also prefer a classic look such as Tartan (our previous 2 boats were classic Tartans) and a well-made interior. We like a solid hull and a companionway where you don''t have to crawl over a 4 foot bridge deck... Center cockpit was a compromise for us between looks and liveability.

Sorry to go on and on. Point is, I can tell you some boats we liked but they might not be boats you''d like. Frer''s hylas are I believe more modern than our tastes.

[acmecoyote]

Nama,

No please I will take any and all advis. I am entirley new to sail boats and no nothing. Not term, not feel, just that they are beautiful and graceful on the water (looking at). I can only imagine what it feel like to be on one, much less to own (BIG GRIN). Please feel free to sahre any thoughts or ideas. I am more than welcome for you to send e-mail and corresponde that away if you do not wish to post so much on the message board. I to am concerned of safety. I have a profile you may wish to see. But I am handicap so I have reservations on the things I want. Center cockpits are out for the moment becasue they are so hard for me to get in and out of. Unless I can think of a design to do it easier (and I may since I like the 89 Hylas 44 so much). I did find a tartan 1978 40 or 41 now I can''t remember. but it was much more in my price range leaving me a little comfort and no so stretched out. I look forward to hearing of your choices in life. They may even be mine LOL.

- gordon

[Sailor609]

Hi Gordon,
I recomend you take a look at a Caliber 38 or 40. These boats have great ventilation with fouteen opening ports and seven hatches, two dorades and a solar fan over the shower as standard equipment.The boat has a very comfortable layout with the master stateroom being forward. The large berth is set on the port side and the head and seperate shower is all the way forward.This layout creates a greate deal of storage space with cedar lined hanging lockers and plenty of draws and lockers for stuff.
You may also like the fact that all of the sail control lines are led aft to the cockpit which has made my sailing easier when I single hand the boat. Also the companionway is wide and gradual step down into the interior.
If you would like to chat and here more about the boat feel free to e-mail me.
Good Luck
Paul

[acmecoyote]

Sailor609,

Hey Paul, I sent you a message, but I guess you have not checked it yet. You had recommend that i could e-mail you, but there is no e-mail address other than the message I can leave through sailnet. I hope you get the chance to read this, becasue I can''t remeber what all I said except for I looked at the Caliber. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you.

[Sailor609]

Gordon
My E~Mail address is Sailor609 @ cs .com.
I look forward to chatting with you
Paul

[harvh]

Most that could be said about the boats you named have been said. There is something to be said about Bene. tying up the charter market. If they were really bad, that would not happen, marketing gets you just so far.

I think you really need to decide on what you want in the boat. I''m a C&C fan, but that boat fits my style of sailing. Some of the larger Catalina''s could be a very good boat to live on as they are spacious and get above average marks for sailing. I personally would stay away from Hunters. The Jenn, is my second choice due to price. It is a better build boat that the rest on the list and is a joy to sail. They can be a bit expensive.