SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

What would you buy?

1324 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by tdw, Mar 8, 2015

killarney_sailor

Discussion Starter · Mar 8, 2015

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.

Save

1 - 3 of 9 Posts

jzk

· #2 · Mar 8, 2015

200k - 250k:

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

Save

jzk

· #3 · Mar 8, 2015 (Edited)

700+

I would go with the Knysna 500.

Save

jzk

· #7 · Mar 8, 2015

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.

Stumble:2627905 said:
killarney_sailor said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.

Save

1 - 3 of 9 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month