What to Choose?

[farfromsane]

Hi,
I am new to the sailing/ living aboard thing and I am looking for advice. I have no clue as to what I am doing, so naturally I have probably started at the wrong step by looking at boats and already picking a favorite.

The Plan: three years from now, starting on the Gulf coast of Florida (of course plans change, but this is today’s plan)
I want a boat that will last me 20+ years (I hope I will love this lifestyle that long at least).
I need a boat big enough for two guys 6’4” to live. We are not a couple, so it needs to have two fair sized beds/cabins.
It needs to be small enough, that after by buddy gets tired of sailing (if he does), or we get tired of each other, I can handle the boat myself while look for a new ship mate, or not.
I plan to cruise the coasts and Caribbean islands, but don’t want to preclude a trans Atlantic, or a jaunt to Hawaii once I have a few years experience if I feel bold enough.

Hopefully that is enough info to get started. A boat that has already caught my eye is the Hunter 410. Does anyone live on, or know anyone who is? Does someone have a better recommendation for a $100-125K budget.
Thank,
John

[sailingdog]

Umm... I wouldn't recommend a 41' LOA boat for just two people. There are many boats that would be far better choices IMHO. I would highly recommend you look at James Baldwin's Boat List, as well as the Bluewater boats thread on this site.

I would recommend that you get a boat in the 35-37' range instead.

I would also highly recommend that you reserve about 20% of your $100-125k for refitting, upgrading and repairing any boat you do buy. Boats are NOT like cars, and they generally do need some customization to work for the people sailing her, even when brand new. Few are "ready to go" as purchased.

There are plenty of threads on here about doing similar plans to yours, and you'd be wise to go through and read the advice given in them.

Welcome to Sailnet. I'd highly recommend you read this POST to help you get the most out of sailnet.

[farfromsane]

Thank you Sailingdog, based on your advice and reading other posts on this site and Living Aboard Forums, I have scaled back to your recommended lengths of 35'-37'. I am leaning more and more to the 35’ to lower up keep costs and solo sailing manageability.
Thx.
John

[sailingdog]

I wouldn't discount boats as small as 30' LOA though...there are a lot of good boats in the 30-35' range as well.