Three years from now we want to take a year off and go sailing. My wife and I will be in our 50s. Any suggestions about what kind of boat would be a good choice? New or used? How big? Sailing area would be fron the US to England and then back down to the Carribean islands and possible further south. Comments...
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Some questions
Rich? Poor? Experienced? Inexperienced? Do you currently own a boat? Does your wife sail? Do you prefer to camp, stay at Motel 6 or The Marriott? Do you eat a widely varied diet or prefer a more restricted diet of staples (rice, beans, fish...)? The answers to these questions will help you answer your questions. I don't want to appear the rude at all but in truth darn near any boat will make that journey. Dave and Jaja Martin circumnavigated (with children) on a heavily modified Cal 25. A Catalina 27 has also circumnavigated...so anything is possible. The differences between specific boats will be in factors such as the degree of safety, comfort, speed, load carrying capacity etc. Initial suitability for the purpose is a factor not to be overlooked but lots of folks have used what they had with whatever modifications they felt were necessary and gone for it. To that end we are also considering a sabbatical and going down to Mexico in our 1978 Crown 34, not luxurious, or purpose-built but she is solidly built, relatively fast and best of all, we already own her. If you and your spouse are short on experience but long on desire and passion then I humbly suggest gaining experience via schools, charters, etc. One of the best books I have read on the subject of selecting and prepping a boat (and the humans) to execute an extended off shore voyage is "The Voyagers Handbook - Beth Leonard" See if you can find a copy. It may provide the type of info to help you in your search. But there is one thing to note: There is no "right" boat only degrees of "right-ness" Cheers David
Rich? Poor? Experienced? Inexperienced? Do you currently own a boat? Does your wife sail? Do you prefer to camp, stay at Motel 6 or The Marriott? Do you eat a widely varied diet or prefer a more restricted diet of staples (rice, beans, fish...)? The answers to these questions will help you answer your questions. I don't want to appear the rude at all but in truth darn near any boat will make that journey. Dave and Jaja Martin circumnavigated (with children) on a heavily modified Cal 25. A Catalina 27 has also circumnavigated...so anything is possible. The differences between specific boats will be in factors such as the degree of safety, comfort, speed, load carrying capacity etc. Initial suitability for the purpose is a factor not to be overlooked but lots of folks have used what they had with whatever modifications they felt were necessary and gone for it. To that end we are also considering a sabbatical and going down to Mexico in our 1978 Crown 34, not luxurious, or purpose-built but she is solidly built, relatively fast and best of all, we already own her. If you and your spouse are short on experience but long on desire and passion then I humbly suggest gaining experience via schools, charters, etc. One of the best books I have read on the subject of selecting and prepping a boat (and the humans) to execute an extended off shore voyage is "The Voyagers Handbook - Beth Leonard" See if you can find a copy. It may provide the type of info to help you in your search. But there is one thing to note: There is no "right" boat only degrees of "right-ness" Cheers David
Me too
I am also planning to go sailing for a year or two in about three years. I have bought a Beneteau 331 (33 feet). For me the choice was a balance between something that was both comfortable and that I was able to easily single hand. Single-handing being the most important as I don't want to be dependant upon others who may or may not share my dream. All the best, Liam.
I am also planning to go sailing for a year or two in about three years. I have bought a Beneteau 331 (33 feet). For me the choice was a balance between something that was both comfortable and that I was able to easily single hand. Single-handing being the most important as I don't want to be dependant upon others who may or may not share my dream. All the best, Liam.
And whatever you acquire, it will need some work
Unless you plan to buy a boat brand-new, custom made with exactly what you want (and that assumes you know exactly what you want, which it sounds like you don't), if you're like many, you will study the market, absorb a lot of information, acquire something that's "fairly close", but needs some tweaking, and some upgrading or updating of systems. In most of these cases, 3 years is not too much time to plan to spend on the updating/tweaking alone, after you're the boat's owner. But then again, maybe you're not like many, and can go very simply. Then your lead-in time can be much shorter.... Good luck!
Unless you plan to buy a boat brand-new, custom made with exactly what you want (and that assumes you know exactly what you want, which it sounds like you don't), if you're like many, you will study the market, absorb a lot of information, acquire something that's "fairly close", but needs some tweaking, and some upgrading or updating of systems. In most of these cases, 3 years is not too much time to plan to spend on the updating/tweaking alone, after you're the boat's owner. But then again, maybe you're not like many, and can go very simply. Then your lead-in time can be much shorter.... Good luck!
Simle is great
Simple is great if yoy can "hang with it". Way back when... when I was 25 years old, I went sailing for a year (California Coast, Channel Islands, Mexico) in a Cal-24. It had basically nothing. It was one of the best years of my life. Now at 53 years old, my needs are still relatively simple. But not THAT simple. After a year of crawling around and bumping my head, I swore that I would never again have a boat without standing headroom. Since then the list of "must haves" has grown some...
Simple is great if yoy can "hang with it". Way back when... when I was 25 years old, I went sailing for a year (California Coast, Channel Islands, Mexico) in a Cal-24. It had basically nothing. It was one of the best years of my life. Now at 53 years old, my needs are still relatively simple. But not THAT simple. After a year of crawling around and bumping my head, I swore that I would never again have a boat without standing headroom. Since then the list of "must haves" has grown some...
Have you ever been out there? really out there?
Lots of sailors here in Puget Sound have never been out out there. Most of them just mostly stays in the Sound, and thinking it is the same as sailing out there. Also, no matter how experienced you are, if you haven’t been out there for a while expect to feed the fishes the first few days. It will take a couple of days to get your sea legs, and tummy. I have known people who have sailed out there in a mid 20’s boat. But personally, I am happy in a mid 30’s boat. I am 6’2”, and I need standing room. I just can’t pee standing in front of the boat’s head with my own head kinked over. That just doesn’t do it for me. Of course, if my head is jammed again the ceiling, it sure keeps me steady and also improves my aim. ;d Do you like to car camp? Tent camp? Motel-6, or elegant hotels? Do you like to cook over a campfire or a small stove, or eat in fancy restaurants? Like the others have already mentioned, give us some more info about you and spouse. Many of us will love you give you our 2-cents worth.
Lots of sailors here in Puget Sound have never been out out there. Most of them just mostly stays in the Sound, and thinking it is the same as sailing out there. Also, no matter how experienced you are, if you haven’t been out there for a while expect to feed the fishes the first few days. It will take a couple of days to get your sea legs, and tummy. I have known people who have sailed out there in a mid 20’s boat. But personally, I am happy in a mid 30’s boat. I am 6’2”, and I need standing room. I just can’t pee standing in front of the boat’s head with my own head kinked over. That just doesn’t do it for me. Of course, if my head is jammed again the ceiling, it sure keeps me steady and also improves my aim. ;d Do you like to car camp? Tent camp? Motel-6, or elegant hotels? Do you like to cook over a campfire or a small stove, or eat in fancy restaurants? Like the others have already mentioned, give us some more info about you and spouse. Many of us will love you give you our 2-cents worth.
Another Idea
When you figure out what boat that might be, I can't imagine the ideal boat for a 1 year journey, is going to match what you want to keep for the years following that journey. Maybe your ideal boat is one you can rent from Sunsail or the Moorings for an extended time. Then you can go something larger then you might otherwise afford, and can save the time breaking it in, if you jump between the areas that they serve. If you can do somewhat less than a year, to avoid their Christmas peak season, you can probably get a deal that would make you think twice about owning. When your done, return the keys, and think about something smaller for weekend sailing. Actually the first reason that came to mind to suggest this, is the distance you seem to want to cover is out of the question in one year, if that includes the time to break in a new or used boat. You don't need that to add to other things competing for your time budget, like developing needed skills, choosing ocean crossing times during the year that are favorable, and just staying put a few weeks or months at a time when you discover a dream locations you don't want to leave so fast. Both Sunsail and Moorings rent Beneteau's that are ocean capable, although they are not equiped to do that (extra safety gear, etc.) without special arrangements. I recall renting a 40Cc that would be very roomy for two people, includes lots of storage space if you use the second birth for storage or keeping up with a hobby (art ?), was fast, and easy to single hand. Held about 45 gallons of fuel, 130 gallons of water, and was just darn easy to dock and sail even though it was 40 foot. Thats my 2 cents, there's whole books on the subject that have far better advice.
When you figure out what boat that might be, I can't imagine the ideal boat for a 1 year journey, is going to match what you want to keep for the years following that journey. Maybe your ideal boat is one you can rent from Sunsail or the Moorings for an extended time. Then you can go something larger then you might otherwise afford, and can save the time breaking it in, if you jump between the areas that they serve. If you can do somewhat less than a year, to avoid their Christmas peak season, you can probably get a deal that would make you think twice about owning. When your done, return the keys, and think about something smaller for weekend sailing. Actually the first reason that came to mind to suggest this, is the distance you seem to want to cover is out of the question in one year, if that includes the time to break in a new or used boat. You don't need that to add to other things competing for your time budget, like developing needed skills, choosing ocean crossing times during the year that are favorable, and just staying put a few weeks or months at a time when you discover a dream locations you don't want to leave so fast. Both Sunsail and Moorings rent Beneteau's that are ocean capable, although they are not equiped to do that (extra safety gear, etc.) without special arrangements. I recall renting a 40Cc that would be very roomy for two people, includes lots of storage space if you use the second birth for storage or keeping up with a hobby (art ?), was fast, and easy to single hand. Held about 45 gallons of fuel, 130 gallons of water, and was just darn easy to dock and sail even though it was 40 foot. Thats my 2 cents, there's whole books on the subject that have far better advice.
we need more information
As you may have guessed money is very important. Some friends just paid $200,000 for an Island Packet. We only paid in the 30s for our pearson. For no good reason I love the Pacific Seacraft 37. Experience is also important. We took a young lady sailing and asked her if she ever got seasick. She assured us that since she had been on lakes all her life that she would be fine. She puked all day!!! The next day she puked all the way back. One of those cases of ideas running into reality. My wife cried as the sun went down on our first night at sea just the two of us. She didn't tell me about her emotions until the next morning. Second night was no problem. We still haven't met any bad weather. wonder how that will go??? Tom
As you may have guessed money is very important. Some friends just paid $200,000 for an Island Packet. We only paid in the 30s for our pearson. For no good reason I love the Pacific Seacraft 37. Experience is also important. We took a young lady sailing and asked her if she ever got seasick. She assured us that since she had been on lakes all her life that she would be fine. She puked all day!!! The next day she puked all the way back. One of those cases of ideas running into reality. My wife cried as the sun went down on our first night at sea just the two of us. She didn't tell me about her emotions until the next morning. Second night was no problem. We still haven't met any bad weather. wonder how that will go??? Tom
Choosing a Cruising Sailboat
Roger Marshall's book of that name is a great read for your search. You don't have to agree with all of his ideas, but he will educate you on the decision you are making. The book also includes a great list of many available boats, new and used along with all of their key ratios. To cross the Atlantic, safety, comfort, stowage, and reasonable speed would be important to me. Although the fashion is for longer boats, the right 30 footer could easily do the job! The crew is probably more important than any other factor. So questions about the experience and training you and your wife bring to the voyage are very relevant. You have time to develop skills you don't have, but do plan for them. Good luck, David Lady Lillie
Roger Marshall's book of that name is a great read for your search. You don't have to agree with all of his ideas, but he will educate you on the decision you are making. The book also includes a great list of many available boats, new and used along with all of their key ratios. To cross the Atlantic, safety, comfort, stowage, and reasonable speed would be important to me. Although the fashion is for longer boats, the right 30 footer could easily do the job! The crew is probably more important than any other factor. So questions about the experience and training you and your wife bring to the voyage are very relevant. You have time to develop skills you don't have, but do plan for them. Good luck, David Lady Lillie
I read sometime back....
that the best boat to go cruising on is the boat you currently own. I guess this is really true to some extent, but a dinghy would not make a very good cruising boat. We have a Hunter 33, 1982. She was purchased 23 years ago with the hopes of making it to the coast and doing some island hopping. 23 years later, we are still dreaming. My wife and I are "around" 50, I think the clock is ticking fast. For us, our current boat is our best chance of going. I guess money is what keeps us anchored to land even though the boat has been paid for in full for 18 years now. Good luck with your dream, don't let it slip away. Fair winds, David s/v "Freebird"
that the best boat to go cruising on is the boat you currently own. I guess this is really true to some extent, but a dinghy would not make a very good cruising boat. We have a Hunter 33, 1982. She was purchased 23 years ago with the hopes of making it to the coast and doing some island hopping. 23 years later, we are still dreaming. My wife and I are "around" 50, I think the clock is ticking fast. For us, our current boat is our best chance of going. I guess money is what keeps us anchored to land even though the boat has been paid for in full for 18 years now. Good luck with your dream, don't let it slip away. Fair winds, David s/v "Freebird"
I'd say the Oyster 82 is best...
they're highly customized for owners, can accommodate crew, which is nice, so you really don't have to know anything to enjoy yourself. Plus, you'll always be invited to be best parties, wherever you are. Actually friends of friends are recent internet millionaires. Never owned a sailboat but saw the Oysters and like'd em. They had one built in England and now the boat moves north to south with the seasons. Reports are they love sailing more than they thought they would! Moral of the story...think big.
they're highly customized for owners, can accommodate crew, which is nice, so you really don't have to know anything to enjoy yourself. Plus, you'll always be invited to be best parties, wherever you are. Actually friends of friends are recent internet millionaires. Never owned a sailboat but saw the Oysters and like'd em. They had one built in England and now the boat moves north to south with the seasons. Reports are they love sailing more than they thought they would! Moral of the story...think big.
Lots of folks waiting to help, Jason and
spouse - please don't be put off by the intensity. There are a lot of people in this forum who are either living your dream, have already done it or are in the planning stages (such as me!). The two books suggested are great - Voyagers Handbook was my first book on the subject and is a wealth of information. One thing to consider is your dream includes 2 very different parts: sailing to England and back, and sailing to the Carribean and possibly south. The second can be accomplished in boats that you wouldn't want to consider for the first. David U, I can't totally agree with the 'boat you own'. We bought a Hunter 31 for coastal cruising and learning, but in 7yrs/3mo, we're heading west (Hawaii first, then ???), and, while we haven't totally decided on our boat, one thing is for sure: it AIN'T gonna be this one!!!!! Enough of that for now. Please fill us in, Jason and spouse! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
spouse - please don't be put off by the intensity. There are a lot of people in this forum who are either living your dream, have already done it or are in the planning stages (such as me!). The two books suggested are great - Voyagers Handbook was my first book on the subject and is a wealth of information. One thing to consider is your dream includes 2 very different parts: sailing to England and back, and sailing to the Carribean and possibly south. The second can be accomplished in boats that you wouldn't want to consider for the first. David U, I can't totally agree with the 'boat you own'. We bought a Hunter 31 for coastal cruising and learning, but in 7yrs/3mo, we're heading west (Hawaii first, then ???), and, while we haven't totally decided on our boat, one thing is for sure: it AIN'T gonna be this one!!!!! Enough of that for now. Please fill us in, Jason and spouse! Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
David Underwood from Atlanta??
David you should move your boat to the coast!!! I assume that lake lanier has no ocean access. But you could move to Lake Guntersville or to Panama city. I was told that it takes about a week to get to Mobile from Guntersville. It takes 2-3 days to get to PC from Mobile. If all else fails you could keep your boat in PC from Nov-may and at Guntersville during hurricane season. It seems like 1/2 of the people at my marina are from atlanta. With light traffic it is about a 4 hour drive. My wife and I had been lake sailers for about 12 years...me a lot longer. Buying a boat and having it on the coast is soooo different. After years of snug little anchorages tied to trees anchoring along the coast seems like anchoring in the middle of a lake. If you are ever going to the islands you will need some experience sailing along the coast. tom
David you should move your boat to the coast!!! I assume that lake lanier has no ocean access. But you could move to Lake Guntersville or to Panama city. I was told that it takes about a week to get to Mobile from Guntersville. It takes 2-3 days to get to PC from Mobile. If all else fails you could keep your boat in PC from Nov-may and at Guntersville during hurricane season. It seems like 1/2 of the people at my marina are from atlanta. With light traffic it is about a 4 hour drive. My wife and I had been lake sailers for about 12 years...me a lot longer. Buying a boat and having it on the coast is soooo different. After years of snug little anchorages tied to trees anchoring along the coast seems like anchoring in the middle of a lake. If you are ever going to the islands you will need some experience sailing along the coast. tom
Thanks for your comments...
Thanks for your comments about boats and gear requirements. On another note, many have commented about my experience in big water. My quick answer is plenty. Years of school, lots of racing on really big boats in very bad conditions. My spouse is a suberb experienced partner. We would never ever consider such an undertaking without plenty of experience and confidence. We just would like to hear about what boats work best for that kind of task. Thanks
Thanks for your comments about boats and gear requirements. On another note, many have commented about my experience in big water. My quick answer is plenty. Years of school, lots of racing on really big boats in very bad conditions. My spouse is a suberb experienced partner. We would never ever consider such an undertaking without plenty of experience and confidence. We just would like to hear about what boats work best for that kind of task. Thanks
Jason, what do you think?
Since you have that much experience I am sure you have some favorites. Why not post those ideas for comment? I would be curious to know what you feel is a seaworthy vessel for a crossing. And an upper limit for the purchase would be helpful. Some of my favorites are out of my price range even if they are thirty years old.
Since you have that much experience I am sure you have some favorites. Why not post those ideas for comment? I would be curious to know what you feel is a seaworthy vessel for a crossing. And an upper limit for the purchase would be helpful. Some of my favorites are out of my price range even if they are thirty years old.
Favorite Boats to Take The Year Off With
Here is a list of my possible favorites Sabre-3-5 years old 38-40' Island Packet-3-5 years old 38-40' Swan-much older since I cannot afford new 42-48' Way down the list are the big four- Beneteau, Hunter, Catalina, and Jeanneau. I don't believe that they are well made to meet heavy seas. Anyone have some comments about my boats? Thanks
Here is a list of my possible favorites Sabre-3-5 years old 38-40' Island Packet-3-5 years old 38-40' Swan-much older since I cannot afford new 42-48' Way down the list are the big four- Beneteau, Hunter, Catalina, and Jeanneau. I don't believe that they are well made to meet heavy seas. Anyone have some comments about my boats? Thanks
don't be so sure
Jason, Don't be so sure about your assesment of the "big 4". There are thousands of those boats out there sailing the oceans of the world with safe and happy owners. I can say for sure that the Beneteau's are definately built to take it, and do make off-shore passages with regularity. Now if you just plain don't like them it is one thing, but your claim that they aren't built to handle it is absurd at best.
Jason, Don't be so sure about your assesment of the "big 4". There are thousands of those boats out there sailing the oceans of the world with safe and happy owners. I can say for sure that the Beneteau's are definately built to take it, and do make off-shore passages with regularity. Now if you just plain don't like them it is one thing, but your claim that they aren't built to handle it is absurd at best.
image-ination.com/sailcalc.html
Just using the sailcalculator the Island Packet seems the best. You might want to look at the sailcalculator to compare the numbers of some boats. According to John Vigor in his book you need to think inverted. It is unfortunate that many of the things that make a boat great in port hurt it's suitability for blue water.
Just using the sailcalculator the Island Packet seems the best. You might want to look at the sailcalculator to compare the numbers of some boats. According to John Vigor in his book you need to think inverted. It is unfortunate that many of the things that make a boat great in port hurt it's suitability for blue water.
agree with eliot
I tend to agree with eliot. I have been sailing for 30+ years. I have owned 2 Cal's, an Islander, a Tayana, and a Mason. I have done ocean crossings with all of them except the first Cal which I did sail to Mexico. I own a Beneteau now and will honestly say it is a better built, better sailing and more comfortable (both at the dock and underway) boat than any of the others. Just my opinion.
I tend to agree with eliot. I have been sailing for 30+ years. I have owned 2 Cal's, an Islander, a Tayana, and a Mason. I have done ocean crossings with all of them except the first Cal which I did sail to Mexico. I own a Beneteau now and will honestly say it is a better built, better sailing and more comfortable (both at the dock and underway) boat than any of the others. Just my opinion.
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