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So I''m between boats right now. Living in the DC area, I''m very close to the Chesapeak and it is killing me to not be sailing.
So like every devoted sailor, I''m in the market for a boat. But I can''t seem to find the right boat. You know, that balance of function, luxury and good price. The latter being the most illusive.
I have determined that a Hunter/Catalina type boat in the 30 to 35 foot range would really be the right boat for my taste and sailing habits. Yeah, they are not the best boats on the market but I''m not looking for a passage making boat. Just a coastal cruiser that would accomodate myself, my wife and our two small kids comfortably for weekend getaways and a couple one week long cruises per season.
I''ve been exhausting myself looking for the right used boat to buy. Can''t really see myself parting with 100K for a brand new boat. Trouble is, most 1990''s boats are around the 50K mark and up and the ones I''ve seen so far weren''t the ones for us. We''re really picky and are looking for an exceptionally well cared for boat. That kind of search takes time and a bit of luck as we all know.
But I''m making a long story longer....
In the process of our search we came across a chartering company that charters boats in the northern Chesapeak area. Not only that, they have a fleet of 31 to 38 foot Hunters and Catalinas. The price is $700 to $900 for two days. So I got to thinking... I don''t know how long we''ll remain in this area. Could be a year, could be as much as five years. I don''t know where we''ll be next (I''m a consultant and we move around every few year because of my line of work). Does it really make sense to spend even 30K on a boat when I can have sparkling clean boat any weekend I want. I don''t have to worry about maintenance, cleaning, commissioning and decomissioning, insurance, dockage, etc... All I need to do is make reservations in advance and go sailing. If I go sailing 10 weekends during the summer then the cost will be about $9000. A couple of one week trips and that will go up to about $14,000 for the year. Given the expense of buying and maintaining a similar boat, is it foolish to think that chartering is a more economical proposition?
Also, if anybody can recommend a good charter company on the Chesapeak, in or around Annapolis, please be so kind as to share that with me.
Thanks and please share your thoughts.
So like every devoted sailor, I''m in the market for a boat. But I can''t seem to find the right boat. You know, that balance of function, luxury and good price. The latter being the most illusive.
I have determined that a Hunter/Catalina type boat in the 30 to 35 foot range would really be the right boat for my taste and sailing habits. Yeah, they are not the best boats on the market but I''m not looking for a passage making boat. Just a coastal cruiser that would accomodate myself, my wife and our two small kids comfortably for weekend getaways and a couple one week long cruises per season.
I''ve been exhausting myself looking for the right used boat to buy. Can''t really see myself parting with 100K for a brand new boat. Trouble is, most 1990''s boats are around the 50K mark and up and the ones I''ve seen so far weren''t the ones for us. We''re really picky and are looking for an exceptionally well cared for boat. That kind of search takes time and a bit of luck as we all know.
But I''m making a long story longer....
In the process of our search we came across a chartering company that charters boats in the northern Chesapeak area. Not only that, they have a fleet of 31 to 38 foot Hunters and Catalinas. The price is $700 to $900 for two days. So I got to thinking... I don''t know how long we''ll remain in this area. Could be a year, could be as much as five years. I don''t know where we''ll be next (I''m a consultant and we move around every few year because of my line of work). Does it really make sense to spend even 30K on a boat when I can have sparkling clean boat any weekend I want. I don''t have to worry about maintenance, cleaning, commissioning and decomissioning, insurance, dockage, etc... All I need to do is make reservations in advance and go sailing. If I go sailing 10 weekends during the summer then the cost will be about $9000. A couple of one week trips and that will go up to about $14,000 for the year. Given the expense of buying and maintaining a similar boat, is it foolish to think that chartering is a more economical proposition?
Also, if anybody can recommend a good charter company on the Chesapeak, in or around Annapolis, please be so kind as to share that with me.
Thanks and please share your thoughts.