Opinions are like noses.
Don't even think wood. Those romantic impulses are for guys with inexhaustible time and money. Didereaux gives the most sound advice. For $15k cash, these "classic plastic" boats from the early days of fiberglass construction can be a good value. Their innate durability means you get a good hull that would cost you much more to get in the later production models you mention. You don't explicitly mention your intended use, but hint at coastal cruising ("exploring") the CA coast. Just the delta can keep you busy for a long time before you need to worry about going under the GG. If you're in it for the discovery instead of performance sailing, speed is not your primary requirement, those classic models can be everything you need. Here is a link to the site of a Pearson Triton owner who has exploited the liveaboard possibilities of this old cruiser: www.atomvoyages.com There is a Pearson Triton lying at Oxnard on Yatchworld.com asking 9k. It's a fair representation of what that's all about. OTOH, there are a couple of decent Catalina 30's lying down here in southern Cal. for under 15K. A bit thrashed, but nothing a steady trickle of cash can't fix to your taste. And they look very sailable. The advantages of this model over the Triton would be larger interior volume that will feel more spacious (they're wider, and the floor plan pushes everything to the outside of the hull), newer systems (including AC refrigeration) and possibly some decent replacement sails. Storage will still be inadequate and require your ingenuity. Whatever your choice, if you're planning on living aboard, you will need to know beforehand which features reallyy matter to you: many insist on standing headroom throughout (most of) the saloon; adequate storage space (but you'll still have to sell/store the majority of your possessions; an fully functioning galley, and likely AC refrigeration that will run off shore power that you plug into while in the slip. But only you know your own needs WRT creature comforts. I personally would want a functioning marine toilet. Most of my liveaboard friends walk up the gangway to the marina toilets/showers anyway, but I just couldn't live full-time on a boat with just the P-john. The internet is full of advice about the practical aspects of living aboard, and there are some very good books at Barnes N Noble. Names like Beth Leonard and Liza Copeland are worth finding and reading, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. This is a huge change in lifestyle; make sure you know what you're getting into. I'd spend at least a year educating myself and preparing for the transition first: reading everything I could get my hands on, researching possible boat choices online and in print, trying to narrow the field to 3 or 4 models, reducing my current expences drastically to boost my purchasing power, and beginning to eliminate all unnecessary possessions (the garage is a great place to start: be the yard sale king of your street). I assume you are in your wage-earning years, so can divert a significant portion of your income into upgrades/maintenance. Even if you use what you're paying now in rent, you will have a good bit left each month after slip fees/insurance, so you can upgrade as you go. Don't be in a rush. You only get to spend this money once, so do it as wisely as you can. Oh, and I'd definitely hire a surveyor, to protect myself. You can depend on luck, but prudence delivers more consistent results. Good "luck" then, and come back with questions. AD
Don't even think wood. Those romantic impulses are for guys with inexhaustible time and money. Didereaux gives the most sound advice. For $15k cash, these "classic plastic" boats from the early days of fiberglass construction can be a good value. Their innate durability means you get a good hull that would cost you much more to get in the later production models you mention. You don't explicitly mention your intended use, but hint at coastal cruising ("exploring") the CA coast. Just the delta can keep you busy for a long time before you need to worry about going under the GG. If you're in it for the discovery instead of performance sailing, speed is not your primary requirement, those classic models can be everything you need. Here is a link to the site of a Pearson Triton owner who has exploited the liveaboard possibilities of this old cruiser: www.atomvoyages.com There is a Pearson Triton lying at Oxnard on Yatchworld.com asking 9k. It's a fair representation of what that's all about. OTOH, there are a couple of decent Catalina 30's lying down here in southern Cal. for under 15K. A bit thrashed, but nothing a steady trickle of cash can't fix to your taste. And they look very sailable. The advantages of this model over the Triton would be larger interior volume that will feel more spacious (they're wider, and the floor plan pushes everything to the outside of the hull), newer systems (including AC refrigeration) and possibly some decent replacement sails. Storage will still be inadequate and require your ingenuity. Whatever your choice, if you're planning on living aboard, you will need to know beforehand which features reallyy matter to you: many insist on standing headroom throughout (most of) the saloon; adequate storage space (but you'll still have to sell/store the majority of your possessions; an fully functioning galley, and likely AC refrigeration that will run off shore power that you plug into while in the slip. But only you know your own needs WRT creature comforts. I personally would want a functioning marine toilet. Most of my liveaboard friends walk up the gangway to the marina toilets/showers anyway, but I just couldn't live full-time on a boat with just the P-john. The internet is full of advice about the practical aspects of living aboard, and there are some very good books at Barnes N Noble. Names like Beth Leonard and Liza Copeland are worth finding and reading, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. This is a huge change in lifestyle; make sure you know what you're getting into. I'd spend at least a year educating myself and preparing for the transition first: reading everything I could get my hands on, researching possible boat choices online and in print, trying to narrow the field to 3 or 4 models, reducing my current expences drastically to boost my purchasing power, and beginning to eliminate all unnecessary possessions (the garage is a great place to start: be the yard sale king of your street). I assume you are in your wage-earning years, so can divert a significant portion of your income into upgrades/maintenance. Even if you use what you're paying now in rent, you will have a good bit left each month after slip fees/insurance, so you can upgrade as you go. Don't be in a rush. You only get to spend this money once, so do it as wisely as you can. Oh, and I'd definitely hire a surveyor, to protect myself. You can depend on luck, but prudence delivers more consistent results. Good "luck" then, and come back with questions. AD
