Before anything else our E-Mail address has been corrected in the owners directory. We spent a little more than a week driving accross the US. 2,822 miles. We are currently in south eastern Florida after starting our boat search in Georgia, and have been looking at boats for about 8 days. We promised ourselves that we would look at 20 boats min. before making any choice. That requirement was filled today. The boats that are at the top of the list are a 424 Pearson one owner ketch and 3 Tayana 37 foot cutters. It seems like every time we find a boat larger that 37 feet we run accross another "drop dead beautiful" 37 Tayana. These boats are all in the 1982 to 1990 model years and the Tayana's can be bought for 25 to 40% less than 39 to 42 foot boats. Our requirements are: 1. Very strong anchoring gear and rode. 2. Bullitproof electrical systems, battery storage capacity and generating means. 3. Modern and integrated electronic instruments. 4. Well maintained hulls, interior and exterior fit and finish items. No fix-em up projects. 5. 37 to 42 foot length with cutters prefered and ketchs next. Romantic appeal is required. Surprizingly, there are zillions of boats that fit this target and in the price range of 75 to 125K. So far all have been in Florida. All brokers so far have also said that an automatic reduction of 10% is very reasonable. It truly is a buyers market right now. We will probably commit to a boat within the next 10 days. Being homeless is a pain in the fanny. We will be glad to respond to any e-mail questions but please allow up to 1 week for an answer. When we buy a boat we will start posting on the "Boats at Sea" section of this site. Ray and Maria Bowles
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Consider the Pearson 422
Ray and Maria, If you are looking at the Pearson 424, you really should take a look at the center-cockpit version the 422. There were only 39 made in the mid-late '80's but the layout and comfort is (to my mind) vastly improved over the 424. A great live-aboard boat. Take a look at the 422 owners site at http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/2335/ and the 422 discussion forum at http://lewiston.mit.edu/scripts/mb/view.plx?board=422 or my own "Destiny" site at the link below. I know of two for sale right now (unusual) in Annapolis and Connecticut. Email me for details. Good luck in your search, Derek drowell@mit.edu
Ray and Maria, If you are looking at the Pearson 424, you really should take a look at the center-cockpit version the 422. There were only 39 made in the mid-late '80's but the layout and comfort is (to my mind) vastly improved over the 424. A great live-aboard boat. Take a look at the 422 owners site at http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/2335/ and the 422 discussion forum at http://lewiston.mit.edu/scripts/mb/view.plx?board=422 or my own "Destiny" site at the link below. I know of two for sale right now (unusual) in Annapolis and Connecticut. Email me for details. Good luck in your search, Derek drowell@mit.edu
I would give the Tayana high marks
Steve's comments that the Tayana is not the fastest boat in the world is certainly true, but on the other hand I think you'll be hard pressed to find a boat more likely to bring you home intact - and I happen the think they are beautiful boats. I may be a bit biased - I've already concluded my next boat is a Tayana 37 (unfortunately I need a pilot house version to extend our _cold_ Maine seasons - I think the conventional layout is prettier). If you can, sea trial one of them. I think you'll be impressed. An the cabin work is hard to beat in the class we're discussing. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Steve's comments that the Tayana is not the fastest boat in the world is certainly true, but on the other hand I think you'll be hard pressed to find a boat more likely to bring you home intact - and I happen the think they are beautiful boats. I may be a bit biased - I've already concluded my next boat is a Tayana 37 (unfortunately I need a pilot house version to extend our _cold_ Maine seasons - I think the conventional layout is prettier). If you can, sea trial one of them. I think you'll be impressed. An the cabin work is hard to beat in the class we're discussing. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Tayana New - NO!!!!
But don't buy a new Tayana. I will be more than happy to put you in touch with a guy that bought a new one 20 months ago and is still in litigation against the company for failure to install the correct sized fuel and water tanks . . . and they are unable to correct the error.
But don't buy a new Tayana. I will be more than happy to put you in touch with a guy that bought a new one 20 months ago and is still in litigation against the company for failure to install the correct sized fuel and water tanks . . . and they are unable to correct the error.
Not new, I agree
Maybe I was unclear - I don't mean a new boat. But there are a lot of attractive used ones out there.
Maybe I was unclear - I don't mean a new boat. But there are a lot of attractive used ones out there.
Really Good Survey, Tho
There are good ones and bad ones. Quality control can be problematical. Check especially all the locally-produced items. Can be through-hulls, shafts, logs, rudder and steering hardware, tanks, windlass. Make sure the wiring is up to snuff too. Don't get me wrong. These are good boats, just approach it with some care. Rick D.
There are good ones and bad ones. Quality control can be problematical. Check especially all the locally-produced items. Can be through-hulls, shafts, logs, rudder and steering hardware, tanks, windlass. Make sure the wiring is up to snuff too. Don't get me wrong. These are good boats, just approach it with some care. Rick D.
He Had It Surveyed . . .and
He Had It Surveyed by an alledgedly good surveyor. . .and the surveyor even went to the factory in Taiwan to check on the boat with the owner. So much for experts.
He Had It Surveyed by an alledgedly good surveyor. . .and the surveyor even went to the factory in Taiwan to check on the boat with the owner. So much for experts.
Fast vs. slow
Fast is not of great importance as we have 10 years to get there. We do want a boat with a fair turn of speed but heavy weather sailing with just the 2 of us requires some stability. Between the 2 of us we make one fine sailor. We also must try to find the best boat with the best package of gear possible. Usually this package is only found on older cruising boats. It's not how quick we make the trip, it's just making the trip in the first place. Thanks for all the input. On the 422's. I'd jump all over one if I could find one. Ray
Fast is not of great importance as we have 10 years to get there. We do want a boat with a fair turn of speed but heavy weather sailing with just the 2 of us requires some stability. Between the 2 of us we make one fine sailor. We also must try to find the best boat with the best package of gear possible. Usually this package is only found on older cruising boats. It's not how quick we make the trip, it's just making the trip in the first place. Thanks for all the input. On the 422's. I'd jump all over one if I could find one. Ray
Ray, did you get my email...
... re the two 422's? If not, look at http://lewiston.mit.edu/messageboard/422/82.html and http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/2335/forsale.html Derek
... re the two 422's? If not, look at http://lewiston.mit.edu/messageboard/422/82.html and http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/2335/forsale.html Derek
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