U.S.yachts

[hard up limey]

i am a limey with 5000-10000 dollars to spend on one of your excellent U.S. yachts.at this side of the pond i would be looking at a dinghy for that kind of money but yachtworld says i can do better so i am looking for about 30 foot and around 1980 or better and like the look of the hunter and seidelmann in this size.
i want a cruiser which is stiff and weatherly and roomy and suitable for 2 people as a liveaboard for caribbean cruising.
i don't care about electronics but want something which is reliable and cheap to run.
can anyone advise what yacht would fit the bill?

 

[Tim R.]

Tall order

Not possible. I do not see how you could buy a boat that is 30ft, capable of live aboard, "stiff and weatherly", roomy, 1980+, reliable and cheap to operate. Nothing on YW under 10k of this size is going to suit all of your needs. You must compromise somewhere and it is likely going to be on the total cost(price plus what you need to spend to get it safe and reliable)

Look for Pearson Tritons. They are very well built, have been sailed around the world, plenty of room for 2, very stable and sea kindly. There is one up the road from me in Yarmouth, ME on Yachtworld. I would be glad to take a look if you like.

 

[Steve Dion]

Re: Tall order

Was that british 5,000-10,000 or American $5000-10,000

 

[dvideohd]

education....

I would have thought that what you want is hard.. I am not so certain now....

Have you started getting "educated"...?

- scan ebay to see what is NOT seeing at real values....

- thoroughly read Pratical Sailing, Good Old Boats, and other Mags??

- been through the user forums?...

If you look for Hunters, Ericson, Columbia, Irwins.... there are some good choices..

You may get away with spending less money... but a "$15000" boat is still a "$15000" boat - ie... you might find what you want - and have to shell a good bit out...

There WILL be "good bargins" out there - still a lot of Katrina, Rita, and now Ike boats... you CAN find some good deals.. if you are on the ground and know PRECISELY what you want... and get REAL LUCKY....

I prefer to PAY MORE and count less on being LUCKY...

Go to www.boats.com and start looking..

When the folks here say "you can't get it that cheap...."... you might think about the slip fees (and where you keep it).... and the cost you will be out to get what you want...

all that said... It is a good time to buy a boat in the US... Mobile to Corpus Christi - there are a lot for sale.. and some REALLY GREAT places to keep them..

given that $5K US might buy an umbrella in the UK these days.. it is a good time to buy here.. just be most careful....

you could read the various threads posted about buying boats on the Gulf Coast here...

--jr

 

[Steve A.]

Re: education....

Recommend you fly over and go aboard any boat you are thinking of buying. If is sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Get a good survey, look at lots of boats, ask lots of questions and don't be in a rush, because you are talking about your future home.

 

[Ctskip]

I would think that draft would be a major concern

Only because you didn't mention anything about racing. As I understand it the best draft to have when sailing the Caribbean is four foot. Wanting a live aboard you'd want something beamy with head room. You are going to have to make a list of the things you want, verses the things you need. Prioritize them and that's where you start from. Shallow draft, beamy with head room and a good battery bank set-up. I think you will have to pony up some more dollars to find what you want. Just my opinion.

Keep it up,
Ctskip