[killarney_sailor]

As was pointed out several times the production boat discussion was fundamentally flawed since there was no consideration of cost in it. Not many people are in the position of choosing between an Oyster, even a used one, and a Hunter (new or old). Instead you have $xxx and have to decide what is the best way to spend this amount if you want to head off cruising. Starting from this assumption, and assuming that you wanted to head off sailing for a number of years, and wanted to be able to cross an ocean or two, but had no ambitions to challenge the Roaring Forties, what you buy with each of these budgets. The suggested amounts are to buy the boat and get it ready for the task mentioned. Assume that you have the monthly income to keep your boat in the manner required (i.e. ignore the ongoing costs of ownership, that is a different discussion).

Less than $15,000 - ??

$50,000 to $70,000 range - ??

$100,000 to $130,000 range - ??

$200,000 to $250,000 range -??

$700,000 + range - ??

I will save my responses until I think about them some more.

 

[jzk]

200k - 250k:

Tayana 55. Could be had for less, but that amount would be needed to possibly upgrade.

 

[jzk]

700+

I would go with the Knysna 500.

 

[krisscross]

Less than $15,000 - Cape Dory 28, (1978 and up) with a bridge deck and tiller

$50,000 to $70,000 range - Baba 30

$100,000 to $200,000 range - Morris 36 Justine

 

[killarney_sailor]

Less than $15,000 - ?? I think the conventional answer here might be a Vega, but I think there may be comparable boats that are cheaper. Would be some boat from the late 70s to late 80s.

$50,000 to $70,000 range - ??Perhaps a CS 36T or Wauquiez Pretorien from the 80s.

$100,000 to $130,000 range - ?? Entirely pleased with our Bristol 45.5.

$200,000 to $250,000 range -?? Here is where it gets interesting. I think I might go for the best Amel I could find in this price range, but June would like a catamaran and we might be able to get one in this price range that would do. Don't know cats well enough to suggest a model.

$700,000 + range - ?? Would be a nice problem to have. Could go with a new Amel but it would be nice to see what kind of new cat you could get for this much money. Might also want to sit down with a designer like Bob and have a boat designed. Probably something around 45 to 48 feet.

I reserve the right to select differently if I think of a different boat.

 

[Stumble]

Less than $15,000 - i wouldn't. Not that a boat in this price range isn't capable of crossing oceans, but I wouldn't be on one while it did.

$50,000 to $70,000 range - what we have, a Beneteau 381. It falls nicely in this range, and with some tweaks I would feel comfortable with it. The quality may be a bit lower than I would like however.

$100,000 to $130,000 range - something newish, European, and larger. For this trip definition I don't see the need for top flight quality, but the extra budget would allow a larger and better equipped boat. Possibly a 381 again but with more toys.

$200,000 to $250,000 range - mid size catamaran. Newish with toys. Knowing me one focused more on performance than load carrying, but likely a mix of the two

$700,000 + range - how much + is there? My dream boat of the week is the Neel trimaran at around $600k for the 45. If there is a lot of plus then the Neel 65, maybe a big Gunboat. If there is an unlimited amount.... Well I was going to say a Gunboat 90, but frankly I think it would be too big. It would probably come down to the Neel or a big GB.

I should point out that if the design requirements or expected usage were different then I would radically change the boat. Assuming that I might cross the Atlantic once to do the med is one thing, if I was planning on a real ocean traveler then I would be looking at better founded boats. Larger euro styling boats like the Beneteau would give way to smaller and older Amels, and Oysters.

The Carribean just doesn't demand the same type of boat that the North Atlantic does. When budgets get unlimited then you buy whatever you want, but most fair weather sailing doesn't really demand than much in terms of absolute quality. A Beneteau/Hunter/Catalina for the Carribean is perfectly fine. Given a fixed budget I think the money is better spent on more and better living accommodations than a stronger design... At least so long as the boat is strong enough to do what you want it to do.

 

[jzk]

I hear you on the NEEL 45. It seems like an awesome cruising boat. The 65 is 2+ million and really really big. If I were a buyer, I.would be a.little hesitant about the 45 just because of the new.design.

Less than $15,000 - i wouldn't. Not that a boat in this price range isn't capable of crossing oceans, but I wouldn't be on one while it did.

$50,000 to $70,000 range - what we have, a Beneteau 381. It falls nicely in this range, and with some tweaks I would feel comfortable with it. The quality may be a bit lower than I would like however.

$100,000 to $130,000 range - something newish, European, and larger. For this trip definition I don't see the need for top flight quality, but the extra budget would allow a larger and better equipped boat. Possibly a 381 again but with more toys.

$200,000 to $250,000 range - mid size catamaran. Newish with toys. Knowing me one focused more on performance than load carrying, but likely a mix of the two

$700,000 + range - how much + is there? My dream boat of the week is the Neel trimaran at around $600k for the 45. If there is a lot of plus then the Neel 65, maybe a big Gunboat. If there is an unlimited amount.... Well I was going to say a Gunboat 90, but frankly I think it would be too big. It would probably come down to the Neel or a big GB.

I should point out that if the design requirements or expected usage were different then I would radically change the boat. Assuming that I might cross the Atlantic once to do the med is one thing, if I was planning on a real ocean traveler then I would be looking at better founded boats. Larger euro styling boats like the Beneteau would give way to smaller and older Amels, and Oysters.

The Carribean just doesn't demand the same type of boat that the North Atlantic does. When budgets get unlimited then you buy whatever you want, but most fair weather sailing doesn't really demand than much in terms of absolute quality. A Beneteau/Hunter/Catalina for the Carribean is perfectly fine. Given a fixed budget I think the money is better spent on more and better living accommodations than a stronger design... At least so long as the boat is strong enough to do what you want it to do.

 

[jerryrlitton]

I waited a bunch of years and found the perfect boat. Documented world cruiser but less than 50k but more than 15k with very little upgrades needed to do involved. But would not fit in your scaling.

 

[tdw]

Less than $15,000 - ?? Folkboat probably but I doubt I'd do anything other than coastal hops. At this size I know I would go batshite crazy living aboard.

$50,000 to $70,000 range - ?? Van de Stadt 34 would do. Still a bit tight but getting there.

$100,000 to $130,000 range - ?? Moody 425 but it might be a a squeeze to get a really good one in that price range.

$200,000 to $250,000 range -?? Amel would be nice but would also have to consider Malo and Hallberg Rassey. Again have to do some hard bargaining to get into the price range.


$700,000 + range - ?? Bestevear/Bestewind 50.