I am an inland waters sailor and want to cross the Gulfstream and cruise the Bahamas (with a captain). What is the best, most seaworthy under 30 ft. boat for that purpose under $15,000 used? I want a CAT or TRI but cannot afford them so I will have to settle for a mono hull which is ok. A speedy mono hull would be nice, but seaworthiness is my main concern in a boat this small. Is the Seward 25 a stout boat? What about the Beneteau? Is a retractable keel boat not suited for this type cruising in salt water due to problems with the retractable keel mechanism in this environment? Would a shallow shoal draft boat be less trouble in this regard? Thx in advance for all advice! RJ
Best 28ft. Boat For Cruising The Bahamas?
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Suggest you read:
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?115279-Seaworthiness&highlight=
Don't overlook the importance of the knowledge, skill, and judgment of the master and crew. It's ultimately more important than the boat and something about the ratio of experience to ambition I can discern in this post gives me pause.
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?115279-Seaworthiness&highlight=
Don't overlook the importance of the knowledge, skill, and judgment of the master and crew. It's ultimately more important than the boat and something about the ratio of experience to ambition I can discern in this post gives me pause.
You are absolutely and positively correct! That's why I said "(with a captain)". But a smart man does not swim the English Channel outside of a mobile shark cage...if u get my drift. Having a well built boat and good equipment is second to having experience and knowledge, but I want both. That is why I am asking opinions on which boat is best for the mission. Your advice is well taken. Thanks!
$15K just isn't a lot of money for this. Does that cost include fitting the boat out? If so, you should probably just rent a boat with a Captain for an extended vacation. It would be safer and cheaper. The Seaward 25 looks pretty, but is way out of your price range and not a blue water cruiser.
bahamas boat on limited budget
You might think about a pearson triton or an alberg 30 these are older slower but sturdy built
long keel shallow draft boats not keel CB. these boats have been out of production for over 30 years. so you can probably find one in your price range. make sure you get a survey and allow some funds for repairs and fitting out
You might think about a pearson triton or an alberg 30 these are older slower but sturdy built
long keel shallow draft boats not keel CB. these boats have been out of production for over 30 years. so you can probably find one in your price range. make sure you get a survey and allow some funds for repairs and fitting out
You dont need a 'blue water' boat to sail the Bahamas. Most of Sailing in the Bahamas is 'island hopping' with most 'major' passages under 1 day of sailing ... something that a well founded 'coastal design' can do quite nicely.
Crossing the Gulfstream is no biggy *IF* the swells are down and the wind is 'right' and is predicted to hold for at least 24+ hours. You WAIT for the proper weather window and usually IGNORE the (ultra-ultra-conservative so the govt doesnt get sued) NOAA forecasts rather listening in on SSB to the various pro weather routers; if you listen to NOAA you'll never leave Florida. If not in a 'major' Bahaman cruising destination, the only way to get weather is SSB or XM packets, etc.
With some persistent 'easterly' or 'northerly' weather patterns you may wait for WEEKS to make a 'comfortable' crossing of the stream. Even well seasoned ocean sailors wait for the 'proper weather window' for the sometimes dangerous Gulfstream to 'lay down' and stay down. Probably 30-50% of all cruisers wind up motor-sailing most of the way from Miami or Ft. Laudanumdale or Lake Worth to the Bahamas on a 'decent' weather window.
Draft - 6 ft. will get you to most anchorages (comparatively speaking there are damn few anchorages there). If you have a 5 ft. draft you will simply run aground a little closer to the shore than those with 6 ft. Most bottoms are 'hard' in the Bahamas so choose a boat that can occasionally take a grounding.
Best bet for navigation there - Newer Garmin Chartplotter preloaded with EXPLORER charts/data.
Hope this helps.
Crossing the Gulfstream is no biggy *IF* the swells are down and the wind is 'right' and is predicted to hold for at least 24+ hours. You WAIT for the proper weather window and usually IGNORE the (ultra-ultra-conservative so the govt doesnt get sued) NOAA forecasts rather listening in on SSB to the various pro weather routers; if you listen to NOAA you'll never leave Florida. If not in a 'major' Bahaman cruising destination, the only way to get weather is SSB or XM packets, etc.
With some persistent 'easterly' or 'northerly' weather patterns you may wait for WEEKS to make a 'comfortable' crossing of the stream. Even well seasoned ocean sailors wait for the 'proper weather window' for the sometimes dangerous Gulfstream to 'lay down' and stay down. Probably 30-50% of all cruisers wind up motor-sailing most of the way from Miami or Ft. Laudanumdale or Lake Worth to the Bahamas on a 'decent' weather window.
Draft - 6 ft. will get you to most anchorages (comparatively speaking there are damn few anchorages there). If you have a 5 ft. draft you will simply run aground a little closer to the shore than those with 6 ft. Most bottoms are 'hard' in the Bahamas so choose a boat that can occasionally take a grounding.
Best bet for navigation there - Newer Garmin Chartplotter preloaded with EXPLORER charts/data.
Hope this helps.
I am amazed at all of the great advice/experience that comes out of this forum! You guys are great! Thx for all the advice! I fly for a living and can appreciate it all...esp the weather comments. I am new to sailing, but not to weather and and not to risk minimization! Thanks to all !
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