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Boat Candidate options wanted

7K views 38 replies 16 participants last post by  Hudsonian 
#1 ·
This is yet another which boat thread but with some very specific specifications.

What boats would you recommend for the following use with the given parameters.

East coast sailing for about one to three years including Bermuda and the islands.
Two people
Late model maybe 10 years old.
Standing head room
Two separate cabins with doors besides the main center space.
Shoal draft maybe 5 feet.
Ability to walk around the wheel without having to climb on the side seats.

Price 50k to 120k the age thing is negotiable but the admiral is pretty set on the other items.

But here is the kicker. I would love to have it as small as possible. The further under 40' the happier I would be.
 
#3 ·
Re: winner for jamming it in

Catalina 309?

Dunno what they go for used, but two cabins you won't find in less LOA...
One of David's requirements is taking the boat to Bermuda. The 309 is designed as a coastal boat.
 
#7 ·
Chef, no disagreement but all of those companies make boats that are designed for blue water hops (I'm not trying to restart a blue water thread).

My Catalina 30 is a very solid coastal boat, but I would be hesitant to take her to Bermuda. The 309 is similar construction. Others may disagree.
 
#6 ·
oops

Read Bahamas, my fault.

Personally would want to go to the big end of the displacement range given the price parameters, even Lake Ontario can get pretty unpleasant for boats around 30' or less.

Heck for that money you could buy well in the 42+ range and go anywhere.
 
#8 ·
I love the idea of a larger boat. More room obviously. Especially for long term cruising.
I really like the feel of the 30+ foot boat however.
The anchors I can handle without power.
I can man-handle it at the dock if I have to.
The forces on the sails don't seem to be so enormous.
It may just be me but it seems as though the under 40' boats are just more fun and the 40 to 50 are so serious.
I have sailed on both quite a bit and the bigger size, I can't explain it, feels like work rather than fun.

Maybe 36 will be the perfect size. Don't have much experience in that size.
Deciding on the perfect compromise is an amazingly personal emotional process.
Bigger is more luxury in every way, speed, space, toys.
Smaller is more more fun (in my opinion, less maintenance, cheaper everything, probably more sailing.
 
#9 ·
You could run into "hell and high water" with no where to hide while coming and going to Bermuda. But, of course do what is your adventure.. I bet you know what you are doing. Some Boats. Pacific seacraft(various), Gozzard, CSY, Sabre, Westerly, Dufour,
Etap non-sinkable, Hallberg Rassey, Henri Wauquiez, Hylas, Island Packet, Krogen, LORD NELSON, Morris, Moody, Najad, passport, Tartan, VANCOUVER, Van de stadt, Valiant.
Westsail, or maybe some designers that are recommended. Mahina,com LIST OF OFFSHORE SAILBOATS
 
#10 ·
A little older, cult type, Robert Perry designed cruising machine would be a Valiant Esprit 37. Take you anywhere....
 
#14 ·
David,
If you come off the 10 years old or less thing the world opens up enormously.

True aft cabin boats require a tad more length if you want a real cabin, not a 2x2 foot standing area and a coffin berth for two very friendly, very skinny people.

I know I keep saying CC's, and I have a reason. I spent too much of my life living in a Navy coffin berth. People need room.

Here's my choice for you (obviously on the wrong coast, but you get the idea).


There are lots out there, but if I did the search you'd have no fun.
 
#17 ·
From the size perspective, I'll share our experience. We spent 12 years with a 40 footer that we shared with partners. When it came time to move on, neither couple really wanted to keep the boat, it was a big, brawny boat (will always be my 'favourite') and we all felt it would be more than one couple could handle, no windlass, no furler, no refrig, etc.... So we sold it, for more or less what we had paid 12 years earlier (which backs up your premise in another thread, David)

When my wife and I shopped for its replacement we thought, 30 feet should do nicely. But having lived with 40 it was very difficult to find a 30 that didn't feel cramped that was within budget, including the C30, one of the roomiest around. In the end we settled on a (admittedly smallish) 35 footer and still feel that's the 'right size'. We gained a lot of amenities, but a nicely proportioned sailplan that still, 8 years later, feels light and manageable with quite a nice amount of interior space and storage below.

I don't think you need to go to 40 feet, but also don't think you need/want to settle for 30 either. Of course a newer factor is that the more recent boats have much more space below per foot LOA than older 80s designs, so there is that... but beware the loss of good storage!
 
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#19 ·
OK, I have your answer.

I have been looking at this myself and come to realize that I DON'T want a blue water boat, of the expensive like mentioned above. To get to the bahama's is a 10-12 hour hop in a clear weather window. You need a roomy cruiser.

And I know the boat you need.

An O'Day 322. Amazing interior layout, shoal keel.

If its still on yacht world, there was one in annapolis that had new engine, sails and instruments for under 30k. Plenty of room left in your budget for luxury upgrades!
 
#20 ·
The OP sets criteria of $120000 and 10 years and gets a slew of suggestions over $130,000 and much greater than 15 years old. Not what he asked for

He posted in another thread the pro and cons of buying newer ( with less wear and tear but already depreciated) vrs older with replacement costs and upgrades necessary right away. he obviously decided on newer

What is available are some nice cruisers which are suitable for his purpose, I like the 38 ft Catalinas the best. All are production boats

The 36 CC Beneteay I dont think will suit your purpse. It is OK as a Bay boat. It is ponderously slow, and the sea motion is not gentle. My freind 2 slips from me has one. You are virtually 24 ft from the bow at the helm.

If you are willing to go another 3- 5 years out, production boats still quality and it opens up the 40 fters.

David I know you can handle a 40 ft easily and the added length and weight will give you icreased comfort at sea, anchor and more tankage.
I still prefer the Catalina

View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com
View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com
View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com
View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com
2002 Beneteau 393 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
2005 Beneteau 393 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
 
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#22 ·
The OP sets criteria of $120000 and 10 years and gets a slew of suggestions over $130,000 and much greater than 15 years old. Not what he asked for
He also asked for a boat to sail to Bermuda! ;) I think you missed that box!? (Oh, my bad, different thread!):D
Seriously though, deducting 20% off YW is about normal, and opening the window on age as Chuckles noted improves build quality and choices.
 
#21 ·
chef2sail; i think you are right on the money. I believe these to be some good choices.

I see my model is right in the mix. I have found the newer models much easier to control at the dock. People say the 400 is porky and slow; yet, i seem to move right along at 7-7.5 quite nicely. I believe now that i own a beneatoy that the construction is actually first rate. Am amazed all the time how well built it is for a 93 with some hard sea miles (and prior race/cruise boat)
 
#26 ·
That is certainly fair.
OK then what would be a better choice closer to 200k?
Or is that still not enough.
 
#29 ·
That is certainly fair.
OK then what would be a better choice closer to 200k?
Or is that still not enough.
Now your talking. Here are some quality non production boats. Some very nice stable good quality cruisers. Check out the Pacific Seacraft...great boat. I didnt list all the nice Catalina 40s and 38 either.

1999 Caliber 40LRC Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
1998 Island Packet 40 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com
1998 Pacific Seacraft Ericson 380 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
2001 Tartan 3700 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
 
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#25 ·
Two additional candidates to be considered are the J/32 and the Jeanneau 34.2. The J/32 was built from 1996- 2003 and Jeeanneau is approximately the same vintage. Both are in the OP's desired price range and have standing headroom and three enclosed cabins. The J/32 is clearly designed to be steered from beside the wheel rather than behind. I don't think that I've ever seen a picture of the helmsman behind the wheel of a J/32.

Jeanneau is masthead and the
 
#28 ·
Take a look at a Nor'sea 27, aft cabin model. Under 40 foot, most sell for under 60K around 10 years old, several have circumnavigated, draft way under 5 foot, the only requirement not fulfilled is the wheel. She has an outboard rudder with tiller. Enclosed head, full galley, manageable ground tackle system, 40 gallon water, 20 gallon fuel, most equipped with 2 cylinder Yanmars fresh water cooled, trailer-able so you can be on the west coast in 6 days, or the Sea of Cortez, or the Pacific Northwest. If you have space at home, she can be stored there during the off season. No longer held hostage by the boat yards.
 
#32 ·
The original poster said, " I would love to have it as small as possible. The further under 40' the happier I would be." Most responding seem to ignore his size criteria which are very sensible indeed. Bigger boats have the potential drive older cruisers out of sailing faster than would be the case if they were sailing more moderately sized vessels. This guy is 65 years old. How long do you expect him to hoist a 350 sq ft mainsail, or a 33 lb anchor? Several older friends have been overwhelmed by the demands of the bigger boats -- expensive maintenance and strength demands -- and dropped out of sailing altogether. OTOH, I know couples in their eighties who continue to cruise for months each year aboard a J/28 and a Sabre 34.

If the OP had said, "I'm looking for a comfortable, midsize car" would you suggest a 2T FWD dump truck with an extended cab?
 
#33 ·
OTOH, I know couples in their eighties who continue to cruise for months each year aboard a J/28 and a Sabre 34.
Do any of the boats like this or maybe slightly bigger have two cabins?
Sadly this is not my requirement and I have not been able to get my wife to budge off it.
 
#35 ·
With a max of $200k, you certainly have some options in new boats from the big production builders, but you will loose more selling it after 5 years of cruising. Those 5 years, "should" however be free of big expenditure and needed upgrades versus used boats.
I agree with Chef on this:1998 Pacific Seacraft Ericson 380 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com.
This would be a very nice cruiser, if you can budge on the draft:
2005 Wauquiez Centurion 40s Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Every boat will be a compromise of some sort.
 
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