3 staterooms vs. 2

[tkav@erols.com]

Cruising Advice Needed!!! 2 or 3 cabin for 3 single guys?A couple buddies and myself are taking off for a 4 month cruise around thecarribean and are currently shopping for a boat. The 3 of us have nevercruised before and have no way of knowing if a 2 cabin boat would suffice ordrive us mad. I'm hoping to get advice from experienced cruisers who couldprovide valuable insight. At this time we've got about $100,000 to spend andare finding nice 37' mid 90's, 2 cabin production boats such as the Hunter375. On the other hand we're finding larger (40'), yet perviously chartered,mid 90's 3 cabin production boats such as the Beneteau 400/405. This posestwo questions:1) Is it reasonable to belive that three guys (who have roomed together forsome time) could fare well on a 2 cabin boat for 4 months. And,2) Is it worth the sacrifice to buy a smaller boat, knowing it hasn't beenabused in charter and would possibly hold a better resale value.Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[Ed Schenck]

For what it's worth. . .,

which ain't much, I could not get into the rack with anyone but my wife. That might be an age thing. Most salon's can easily accomodate a bunk but it's not like having your own room. I don't think you would lose much value with a 3 cabin boat, that split aft cabin could easily be retro'd to a full-size with lots of storage by the next owner. You should be able to find one that was not a charter boat.

 

[Kenneth Pfaff]

What about female Compaionship

I can't speak for about the boat, but it seems to me that 3 single guys cruising around have a good old time, may want to look for female compaionship from time to time. When that happens who sleeps where (or not sleep as the case may be) becomes important. I would go with the 3 cabin layout.Also a boat, regardless of size, does not leave you a lot of space to get away from each other. Having your own cabin will help a lot.

 

[Don]

no problem

get a previously chartered boat. You will spend so much time repairing it, you won't get to spend any time in your cabin.

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

40s with 3 cabins

You'll enjoy sailing in the Caribbean in a 40 footer more than the 37. Charter both over the last 10 years, and the difference is worth the money . . . and the third birth cabin is nice.