Hello, We are looking for a sailboat to liveaboard year round in Boston and could use everyone's advice and guidance. Here's the rundown:
Sailing exp: limited, some local dinghy lessons in CA years ago and a couple of trips on a keelboat
Children: 2-year old and 3-month old
Purpose of boat - liveaboard first, and "one day I'm gonna" cruise. Coastal cruising, but don't want to rule out bluewater.
Non-negotiables:
Sufficient storage space for living aboard as a family
Sleeping accomodations: minimum 2 double berths (one needs to be
divided into 2); other options based on this thread: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/cruis...angement-really-works-living-aboard-kids.html
1 double + 2 quarters
3 cabins (ideal)
We are looking for 38 - 42 feet to accomodate our family. I know families have done it on 30' boats, but I'm not sure we are that family. Also, a little worried that we may have a hard time getting insurance for something that big as first time buyers.
Fiberglass hull - no wood or steel
Must be in good enough condition to sail - can't be a handyman's special.
Important:
Less than 6 ft draft
Mast less than 55' tall, for bridge clearance
Moderate cruising boat, but it needs to be sturdy
Rudder needs to protect prop shaft
Nice to have:
Cutaway keel preferable, fin acceptable - don't want a racer, or bolted keel, or centerboard
Prefer a sloop or cutter (as opposed to ketch), single mast
Good engine access and systems access for DIY fixing
Icing on the cake:
Composting toilet
Shower separated from rest of head (not a curtain)
Spinnaker sail for light winds
Less electronics on board
Good anchoring gear
Timing: from spring closing to whenever we find the right boat. We are
committed, but have no specific deadline.
Some boats we're looking at on yachtworld:
C and C landfall 38
Whitby 42
Pearson 422 or 424 - out of our price range
O'Day 38 - 40
Morgan 38
Cheoy Lee 39
Endeavor 40
Gulfstar 41
1970s or 80s boat may be good vintage
Ok, so that's what we've put down so far. Is this reasonable? What else should we consider in our requirements? Are we way out in left field? Let us have it (gently). Thank you in advance!
Sailing exp: limited, some local dinghy lessons in CA years ago and a couple of trips on a keelboat
Children: 2-year old and 3-month old
Purpose of boat - liveaboard first, and "one day I'm gonna" cruise. Coastal cruising, but don't want to rule out bluewater.
Non-negotiables:
Sufficient storage space for living aboard as a family
Sleeping accomodations: minimum 2 double berths (one needs to be
divided into 2); other options based on this thread: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/cruis...angement-really-works-living-aboard-kids.html
1 double + 2 quarters
3 cabins (ideal)
We are looking for 38 - 42 feet to accomodate our family. I know families have done it on 30' boats, but I'm not sure we are that family. Also, a little worried that we may have a hard time getting insurance for something that big as first time buyers.
Fiberglass hull - no wood or steel
Must be in good enough condition to sail - can't be a handyman's special.
Important:
Less than 6 ft draft
Mast less than 55' tall, for bridge clearance
Moderate cruising boat, but it needs to be sturdy
Rudder needs to protect prop shaft
Nice to have:
Cutaway keel preferable, fin acceptable - don't want a racer, or bolted keel, or centerboard
Prefer a sloop or cutter (as opposed to ketch), single mast
Good engine access and systems access for DIY fixing
Icing on the cake:
Composting toilet
Shower separated from rest of head (not a curtain)
Spinnaker sail for light winds
Less electronics on board
Good anchoring gear
Timing: from spring closing to whenever we find the right boat. We are
committed, but have no specific deadline.
Some boats we're looking at on yachtworld:
C and C landfall 38
Whitby 42
Pearson 422 or 424 - out of our price range
O'Day 38 - 40
Morgan 38
Cheoy Lee 39
Endeavor 40
Gulfstar 41
1970s or 80s boat may be good vintage
Ok, so that's what we've put down so far. Is this reasonable? What else should we consider in our requirements? Are we way out in left field? Let us have it (gently). Thank you in advance!