Daysailer 22' to 30'

[leonacj3]

Hello,
I'm looking for a daysailer in the 22' to 30' range with the following wishlist and want to make sure I haven't missed anything (the boats I'm considering are below the wishlist):
- Draft no more than 5 feet (open to a swing keel)
- Engine, preferably inboard (gas, diesel or electric - have to travel about 5 miles roundtrip to get to and from the ocean for open water to sail)
- Flushing marine head, because I will be sailing with my teenage daughter and don't want to have to return to the marina if she needs to use the restroom
- Boat that I could easily sail singlehanded for when my daughter is not with me; self-tacking jib ideal
- Along the lines of something that can be sailed singlehanded or with my daughter, prefer an asymmetrical spinnaker or code zero instead of a symmetrical spinnaker
- Prefer a current production boat or one that has been produced within the last 5-10 years
- Doesn't need to be trailer-able - it will be kept in the water
- Ideally the price would be under $75k-$85k but open to spending more for the right boat
- Room in cockpit for 5-6 people comfortably for the days I bring the whole family/friends onboard
- Would like something fast and fun to sail; this is why I'm considering a J/80 even though it doesn't meet some requirements above
- Ideally no teak to reduce maintenance - boat will be left out in the sun in Florida
Here are boats I am considering. Please let me know if I have missed anything that I should consider, and also please let me know any thoughts about these boats:
Catalina 275 Sport
Beneteau First 25
Beneteau First 22
Tartan Fantail
Morris M29X
Seascape 27
Saffier 23 SE
Alerion Express 28
J/80
Thank you!

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the Forum.
Have you seen that TV ad for Home Advisor, where the friend is thinking about redoing his kitchen and his buddy mentions "I may know a guy" and the friend says "Can you check him out and get a couple of quotes and get back to me tomorrow?"
Have you tried to ask these questions of a Boat broker, shared your list of interests and gotten any feedback? They often get paid by sellers to chat with interested individuals about the benefits of sail boats.

The boats you mentioned are all good boats... but a bit unclear if they would be a good match to you as speed of the J80 already has you willing to give up some of the "Features" you stated you wanted.

 

[leonacj3]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that I was asking anyone to do that much work on my behalf. Just trying to take advantage of the collective wisdom of those on the forum.

I have spoken with boat brokers, but of course they generally steer toward what they have to sell. Because there aren't many of the boats I've listed available on the used market, it's a daunting task (and impossible given that I work full time) to travel to all locations where these boats are available and see them for myself, so was hoping to get feedback from those with first-hand experience.

 

[jssailem]

Leon. you say you have been to Brokers, have you seen boats on this list? Just looking at the Tartan it was shown at the Annapolis MD 2014 Boat show. A lot of your 'expected features' are missing. Or at least not evident on the YouTube video. Perhaps one way of narrowing the field is to go to a Boat Show (Miami holds one each year I think in February) Or just go down to the docks and walk about comparing boats to your list of desired features. That will at least narrow the list to a couple that some of us may have sailed or enjoyed ownership.

While you are thinking "DaySail" I looked for a bluewater boat. This link helped with the shopping.. http://bluewaterboats.org/