having some trouble choosing the next boat

Apex · Jan 2, 2016

This ought to be a good discussion:
in terms of boat size, I've heard 32ft will get you anywhere on the great lakes reasonably. That would seem to be a good size category based on your description as well. Small enough for cost and maintenance purposes, big enough to travel in comfort, though likely tight for living in.

Depending on the model year you end up with, newer systems allow larger boats to be handled by less people.

I would like to move up in size sometime as well, and looking at min 32ft from current 28ft. the 28ft offerings seem to be wide bodied boats to make a big step change in 27ft of the same maker as an exercise in maximizing interior volume at cost of sailing speed. 28ft is a nice size for single handing, and weekending while carefully choosing weather windows.

zeehag · Jan 2, 2016

i found 41 ft is actually sola-able --if it is a ketch. easier to handle in stormy weather, and roomy for my cat and my self.

Jackdaw · Jan 2, 2016

Sounds like you want to contain operational costs.

Buy the smallest boat you can stand up in that has all the systems you want. Like hot/cold pressure water, propane, stove, wheel, etc; stuff that would be very difficult to add. Length after that only buys you extra operational cost with a slight bump in transit speed that will be unneeded in a coastal cruiser. This lets you get newer as well, which will also help keep all costs down.

I'd start looking at 28 footers and go up from there. Not sure your budget, but a late 80s to early 90s First 285 or Oceanus 281 would be good places to start. Both would be typical of a small boat I could live on.

Like this one in MN. I know this boat and its spectacular with new sails. A long way to haul but these are for sale everywhere.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/53431

Siamese · Jan 2, 2016

I can imagine two approaches to finding your boat.

1. Decide what boat you want, and then go looking for it.
2. Start going through the listings available online, and when you find a boat that fits your criteria, do a little research on it, and if it passes muster, go inspect it.

Regarding the size of the boat, I my recent experience has been to downsize from a 31 footer (Catalina 309) to a Catalina 28. I find the 28 to be noticeably handier. I don't live on it, though. It's in a slip in the marina, where I can see it from my house, and I just daysail it 95% of the time.

If I was living on a boat, and I wanted it as small as possible, I'd bump up to the 30 to 32 foot range. I could live on the 28, but the additional storage and elbow room on the larger boat would be nice. The 309 had more storage than our 28. Comparing the cockpit lazarettes, the 28 has a hatch covering a storage area of maybe 3.5ft. x 4.5 ft. by about 18" high. The 309 cockpit storage was big enough for me to climb into...and easily sit up in....a family could sleep a teenager in there.

Sounds like you have enough experience to have developed your criteria. You know that there's no perfect boat, and you're looking for a coastal cruiser, not a blue-water vessel. There are a LOT of boats out there for you.

One more thought: If I was in your position, I would seriously consider the great lakes. Yeah, the water gets kind of crispy in the winter, but the summers rock. Feel free to private message me regarding the GL and the expenses we experience where I'm located. No salt....low expenses....hmmmmm.

BarryL · Jan 2, 2016

Hey,

What is your budget? Big difference between 25K, 50K, etc..

Barry

Roland5048 · Jan 2, 2016

I'm probably preaching to the choir here but, without suggesting a particular boat, (there's a gazillon of them out there in the coastal cruiser range), my criteria would be, in no particular order, standing head room, enough water, fuel, holding tankage to get you by for a few days and, if you are going to be cruising the west coast of Fl., the Keys, or Bahamas, no more than five foot draft. Preferably 4 feet. The list could go om and on but only you know what you can live with or without. Good luck. Post when you get to Fl. We'll meet for a few cold ones.

Jackdaw · Jan 2, 2016

BarryL said:
Hey,

What is your budget? Big difference between 25K, 50K, etc..

Barry

I see your point but I'd actually suggest that there is not. He'll have some cash to buy the boat. It is what it is.

The REAL trick will be to contain the monthly operational costs+maintenance. Longer term on a fixed budget, that is what will kill you.

vasko · Jan 2, 2016

Jeanneau Sun Liberty 34 - extremely happy with mine, easy to handle, very fast and comfortable and class A ocean - and under 10m - 9.98

okawbow · Jan 2, 2016

I sailed and motored a Cheoy Lee Offshore 31 ketch over 3500 miles from Kentucky Lake dam to northern Maine over a 4 month period.

It proved to be an excellent choice for several reasons.

1 the mast height was low enought to get under all bridges on the Tenn Tom and ICW.
2 the 3'10" draft gave us no trouble in the rivers or shoals.
3 the full keel and keel hung rudder with a prop cut out, never allowed crab pots or flotsam to get caught up in the prop, keel, or rudder.
4 the fore and aft sailplane of the ketch rig with its smaller sails, allowed me to handle the sails alone even in rough weather.
5 the easy motion of the Cheoy Lee 31 made my motion sickness a non issue. Even days of offshore sailing in rough seas failed to make me sick because of the boats easy motion.

I can recommend the Cheoy Lee 31 ketch or a similar boat, as an easy to handle inexpensive, and practical solution for you. That type boat might not be as fast, or go into the wind as good as some boats, but it sure worked great for me.

JamesG161 · Jan 3, 2016

rko said:
My request to you is this: Please suggest and help me locate a reasonably well fitted coastal cruiser somewhere In the southeast to midwest USA. I'm currently landlocked in Louisville KY where sailboats are scarce. Willing to travel and ship regionally if the boat and price is worth it.

My suggestions are very simple....

Number One and the most important is You and your Shipmate's ... MUSTS, Budgetary DESIRES, and WOW factors. Take your time and make a LIST of items in those 3 column headings. Rinse and repeat this list as you review the endless boats on the changing market.

Number Two it is not distance from you to your dreamboat, but money.

My boat was only $2600 away from me and in "sail away" condition.

Number Three take your time.

My Buyer's Broker told me, the average boat was on the market for 9 months. The longer on the market, the more the Seller's desires to negotiate.

It took me and my shipmate (the Admiral and "cough cough" her sons' opinions) 8 months to find our boat.

Number Four include in your budget from 10%-20% above the purchase price to make your new boat, YOUR boat.

Good Luck and making your dream a reality...
Jim...

PS: READY..... AIM.... and........... NEGOTIATE!

PSS: Go Cardinals!

uncledom · Jan 3, 2016

You've been sailing for 30 years, you must have your own criteria. I have a long want and don't want list. Your going to be living on this boat! I constantly look through Yachtworld.com and see whats around. That's how I found my current boat, but you can't seal the deal until you touch it and feel the ride. Although suggestions might help yours is the only opinion that matters at the end of the day. Happy hunting, it's half the fun.

Apex · Jan 3, 2016

rko said:
Seeing as you may be in the market to upgrade, what ha gonna do with that O'day?

Sell it to an interested party I suppose. :O)

having some trouble choosing the next boat

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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