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Looking for and thoughts on my next boat 40 to 50 '

5K views 15 replies 14 participants last post by  DougSabbag 
#1 ·
Hi Every one ! This is my first post on here . Just thought I would say hello.

As the title says Im looking for ideas and opinions for my next boat. I have sailed all my life, Im 50 now , so for a few years . My sailing area will be the Caribbean and an occasional Atlantic circle . My budget is about $100,000 and I would like a center cockpit in the 40 to 50 foot range . Dosent have to be ICW friendly, all that driving is no fun.

So tell me what you think or if you have something for sale that I would be interested in . Also the boat would need to be on the east coast .

Thanks
 
#4 ·
Tricky but can be done.

Great list from Jordan Yachts (with reviews of many of these boats):
10 Best Center Cockpit Two Stateroom Sailboats For Under $200,000 - Waves « Jordan Yacht Brokerage

I see some K-P 44's for that price, some older Brewer 42 (12.8)'s, and Pearson 419/422's. All appear to be in respectable shape - certainly within spitting distance of ready to weigh anchor.

Here's a 419 that looks nice: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=66791&url=

If you would consider aft-cockpit boats there are more that could be added - especially Pearson 424s, I think they built more of them than 419/422.
 
#6 ·
just want to bump this thread back into action.

I too am looking to move onto a 40'+ (but under 46') Center Cockpit
My reason for the Center Cockpit is that I do want to have an Aft Stateroom that replicates a bedroom as I will be living on her year round and sailing occasionally.

Seems that every boat I come across, someone screams RUN AWAY. Not for the condition of the boat, but the make.

IE:
Morgan 43:

Irwin 43:

Hunter 45

Feed back that I have gotten on these models are bad, for stories of decks lifting/delaminating to major leaks.
 
#16 ·
just want to bump this thread back into action.

I too am looking to move onto a 40'+ (but under 46') Center Cockpit
My reason for the Center Cockpit is that I do want to have an Aft Stateroom that replicates a bedroom as I will be living on her year round and sailing occasionally.

Seems that every boat I come across, someone screams RUN AWAY. Not for the condition of the boat, but the make.

IE:
Morgan 43:

Irwin 43:

Hunter 45

Feed back that I have gotten on these models are bad, for stories of decks lifting/delaminating to major leaks.
IMHO, the Center Cockpit GulfStar 50 ketch is a great boat, especially for the price range they are available at.
As with any 70s - 80s heavy displacement vessel, be ready to put some effort into restoring her.
But, these boats provide good sailing and spacious accomodations.
 
#7 ·
There are quite a few aft cockpit designs in the past 20 years or so that offer very nice aft cabins without the center cockpit.. suggest looking at some of those to widen your options.

Mid 80s Hunter 40, Late 80s/early 90s Hunter 405 Legend among them. The larger Catalinas also offer much better aft cabins than what used to be the norm.

Nothing wrong with looking ctr cockpit, but these might give you more choices to look at. Depending on your budget you might look newer/bigger, but the Maple Leaf series built near Vancouver BC offered plenty of room and size, and a good number of them have done significant offshore passages and more.

MAPLE LEAF 48 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

MAPLE LEAF 42 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

MAPLE LEAF 54 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

These are not the prettiest boats in the bay but they got the job done.. sizes ranged from 42 to 68 feet.
 
#9 ·
I've always liked the Hunters. at 6'4" tall, their 6'6" interior gives me great headroom. I was surprised to be on a few with the Bimini Top up and found out the that headroom there was under 6'2" We'd have to modify the Mast and Sail and remake the Bimini Top. I've also seen how poorly these boats hold up under some ownership while others seem to look as good as new.

The Morgan's I've seen are pretty, but not as beamy as I'd like for living aboard. One that really caught my eye was highly modified. This is her if you want to critique (I cant post links yet) search for Morgan 43 Custom on Yachtworld.

Someone told me to look at Irwins for their interior space, but then I heard they are plagued with critical deck issues. I was looking at 1986 Irwin 43 MK II "Play Date"

While I will say, everyone has an opinion, I was able to see that both boats I likes (the Morgan above and an Irwin I was going to see, but was sold prior to me getting to her) the owners had only had them two years before putting them back up for sale. That seems odd to me as we know you don't make money on a boat.

Still not ruling anything out though and I am thankful for your input. Its a learning process for me.
 
#10 ·
I've always liked the Hunters. at 6'4" tall, their 6'6" interior gives me great headroom. I was surprised to be on a few with the Bimini Top up and found out the that headroom there was under 6'2" We'd have to modify the Mast and Sail and remake the Bimini Top. I've also seen how poorly these boats hold up under some ownership while others seem to look as good as new.

The Morgan's I've seen are pretty, but not as beamy as I'd like for living aboard. One that really caught my eye was highly modified. This is her if you want to critique (I cant post links yet) search for Morgan 43 Custom on Yachtworld.

Someone told me to look at Irwins for their interior space, but then I heard they are plagued with critical deck issues. I was looking at 1986 Irwin 43 MK II "Play Date"

While I will say, everyone has an opinion, I was able to see that both boats I likes (the Morgan above and an Irwin I was going to see, but was sold prior to me getting to her) the owners had only had them two years before putting them back up for sale. That seems odd to me as we know you don't make money on a boat.

Still not ruling anything out though and I am thankful for your input. Its a learning process for me.
Is the Morgan 43 Kindred Spirit? If so, it looks like a really well taken care of boat and very comfortable cruiser for two. Of course, I have not seen it in person, so only going off the writeup.

The Irwins (my opinion) are either super boats or a disaster. I have been on several Irwins that were just magnificent, well taken care of, very little maintenance issues, etc. That would be a potentially good boat. I have also seen more Irwins getting peeled than any other boat I can recall. I am not telling you to shy away from Irwins... I am saying just be cautious as it may be an awesome boat or a money pit. ChuklesR recently bought one IIRC and would be a good source for information.

On a completely separate note, I would NOT get a boat that was not ICW compatible. My opinoins here, but let me tell you why. On just our last trip, while sailing down the west coast of Florida, we were in crab trap city. It's that time of year. It was blowing a constant 20kt with higher gusts. THat makes for a very uncomfortable sail when the seas start building with it. SO being able to sail during the day and jump into coves in the evening was a God Send. Also, we could make progress by taking the ICW instead of going outside. Having the ICW as an option, whetheryou use it or not, is a great safety benefit. In addition, many of the cities and places you will want to restock are air/water draft restricted to ICW numbers (65 feet and 7 feet accordingly). You don't want to gauge your next port by only ports that will accomodate your vessel. If so, cruising may take a LONG time as you will have to wait for weather windows others will not have to wait for.

Because of the above reasons, and others I don't feel like typing, I would not have a boat that was not ICW compatible. Now when you get to the Bahamas and Carribean, many of the points I pointed out are void. However, should you come to ever want to sell the boat, those that want to see the USA East coast may shy away from your boat if it was not ICW compaitble for the reasons specified.

My opinions.

Brian
 
#12 ·
Be sure to have a look at the irwin 52. they're solidly built boats. some are in disrepair and represent great value. they are huge inside! not to hard to control - my prior boat was a 40' and id idnt tak eme long to get comfortable

they are heavy and have a nice motion while underway. deck is great. lots of flat surfaces so you can walk and lounge around. these boats are all over the world and are good solide cruisers.

you can find some for around 100k that need work.
 
#14 ·
Not sure the Endeavour would be at the top of the list. Had a 40 for a number of years, and found the build quality so so once you get past the glossy woodwork, i.e. main bulkhead not tabbed to deck, tanks in keel, masonite drawer bottoms, etc. But the main drawback is it's truly mediocre as a sailboat. Very comfortable at anchor and lots of storage, but poorly mannered under sail, not to mention slow up wind.
 
#15 ·
I owned lived aboard and cruised on a 1990 Morgan 44. Plenty of room for a couple, beamy and easy to sail.
Highly recommended for the price point you are looking at. There is a 1989 model listed in Sarasota, FL at $109k If you try and get into a higher tiered boat you will end up with an older under-equipped boat. Good Luck!
 
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