Beneteau or Hanse?

[hearthstone1]

Excuse me hearthstone1, but I guess you have all your finances in order? Getting a new boat and a divorce at the same time ?

wife isn't interested in sailing , at least, at this time

 

[hearthstone1]

It is more than just the risk of getting one that is too small for you. When you are new to sailing the risk is even greater.

I bought a new C350 in 2005 and traded up in 2007. This was after installing a lot of equipment that was expensive and time consuming. The 350 was not too small for us as we are a cruising couple with two dogs there was plenty of room for all. We made four 30 day cruises in the short time that we owned the 350 and found that it just wasn't the right boat for us. That does not mean that the 350 is not a good boat, it just wasn't the right boat for us.

Once we had made the mental list of things that we wished were different we had a much better idea of what we were really looking for. It was quite a large step to consider trading in such a late model boat that was loaded with equipment. I consider a new boat to be the foundation to build on as there are a lot of expensive systems that you will want to install once you buy the boat. The experience of living with similar systems for a while is a great educational opportunity.

It is a buyer's market right now in both the new and used boat markets. The manufacturers will give a good deal because they can expect low sales for the time being but the people paying moorage, registration and insurance on good boats that they can no longer afford are even more desperate.

You may have your heart set on buying a new boat, but if not take a look at all of the used ones for sale. If you buy used now and the economy improves over the next two years you will be in a better position to know exactly what boat is right for you and be able to sell your used boat in a better economic enviroment.

I would not suggest that someone get a 42 as their first sailboat but it is easy for me to single hand the 42 now that I have some experience with smaller boats behind me. Ease of single handing is more about how the boat is set up that just the size of it but size does enter into the equation due to factors like momentum of a heavy boat and the forces involved in handling large sails.

Thank you very much for your advice and taking the time to write such a detailed response.

 

[hearthstone1]

Buying used: If you're not working with any broker, try Doug Weber 508-563-7136 at Kingman marine in Bourne (Cataumet). The Cape has a huge inventory of boats, but more importantly Doug is like a walking University of Sailing knowledge, from inspections to free advice, he has saved me thousands of dollars. Even long after purchase.

It's a great sail from the canal to Boston, prevailing SW wind, sailing through the harbor islands. Doug can also walk you through the decision process. The tall ships are coming to Boston July 8th, so hopefully we'll see you out there.

I think I must have missed you earlier. thanks for the lead