Choosing a boat.

[Kings Gambit]

Thank You. This is a good fit for us. I like it. Not exactly sleek and sexy, but functional.

Perhaps not, but sleek and sexy were not among your criteria mentioned; budget, aft cabin, and LOA in the range 36-39 ft was. As Gunni mentioned, an aft cabin will result in a boat that's a bit chunky in its length; so, this is your result. Good luck with your search!

 

[JohnShannon]

from SBO classifieds http://beneteau.sailboatowners.com/classified2/adsmanager.php?task=showad&adid=18321 J-35 in WA that is a fast boat. Not really plush however

 

[Mike H.]

from SBO classifieds http://beneteau.sailboatowners.com/classified2/adsmanager.php?task=showad&adid=18321 J-35 in WA that is a fast boat. Not really plush however

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[marke14]

Well, you might try this O'day 37 CC.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1979/O'Day-Center-Cockpit-2872463/Long-Beach/CA/United-States#.VuERUNJdW-g

Also, see review by Kretschmer.
http://sailingmagazine.net/article-546-oday-37.html

Here's the bottom line.
Conclusion
The O'Day is a nice example of an affordable coastal cruising boat. Although many boats were originally chartered or school boats, most have been retrofitted into family cruisers. If your budget is between $35,000 to $45,000 and a private aft cabin is high on your priority list, take a hard look at the O'Day 37, it just might surprise you.

What an interesting configuration - thanks for sharing, KG!

 

[Kings Gambit]

What an interesting configuration - thanks for sharing, KG!

Here are some testimonials & reviews on the O'Day 37 from owners who are, or have been, members at this very website, including someone from Berkeley (i.e., SFB).

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/resources/index.php?task=model&mid=119

 

[marke14]

I was so confused, initially, looking at the pictures on the yachtworld website. I thought I was looking at pictures of two different boats, as I have never seen one with two separate companionway hatches - one for the aft cabin, one for the main. That plus the location of the winch and wheel in one picture, absent from the other, different sized drop boards, etc.

Finally I looked up the planform diagrams on sailboatdata and understood what I was looking at ... I gotta say, that private aft cabin (complete with head!) is pretty compelling, especially if you did a lot of overnight trips with guests (or children).

 

[Kings Gambit]

I was so confused, initially, looking at the pictures on the yachtworld website. I thought I was looking at pictures of two different boats, as I have never seen one with two separate companionway hatches - one for the aft cabin, one for the main. That plus the location of the winch and wheel in one picture, absent from the other, different sized drop boards, etc.

Finally I looked up the planform diagrams on sailboatdata and understood what I was looking at ... I gotta say, that private aft cabin (complete with head!) is pretty compelling, especially if you did a lot of overnight trips with guests (or children).

Yeah, the center cockpit can also be fully enclosed with canvass & Eisenglass, so crew could move from the main salon to the aft cabin via the cockpit w/o exposure. There is much room under the cockpit where the engine resides. The boat at yachtworld.com has a 5 kw generator installed in there; also a water maker. The radar is mounted up on a SS arch at the stern where one could also hang dinghy davits. A keel-stepped mast, manual windlass, autopilot, fairly new 30 hp Yanmar, etc. I saw the boat today. She's in good condition.

 

[marke14]

Oh I didn't realize it was here in LB, I could go see it!

 

[KeithMidgette]

There is a Bristol 39 in Hampton and a 40 in Deltaville I believe that are still for sale that I believe are in your price range.

 

[Gunni]

Keith, the other Richmond, Richmond, California!