We need help finding a blue water crusing boat.

[Les Murray]

Like your list, but don't rule our Island Packets

I would consider Island Packets as well as the others you are considering. A friend of mine has a real nice IP 40 that he is planning to live aboard on. Very roomy and he's got all the goodies.I also like the Outbound 44. A little larger than you are looking for, but a very fast and seaworthy boat. Lot's of tankage and a 9.5 Kts hull speed.Les Murrays/v Ceilidh86 C-36 #560

 

[Bob Knott]

Check out two others

Tayana 46 Pilothouse;True Bluewater passagemaker with speed, I met and talked with designer and owner at Newport Boat Show. Boat is unbelievable as delivered.www.passagemakeroffshore.comHans Christian 47 OffshoreAnother GREAT boat you'll see advertised in all the magazines.Enjoy the shoppingBob KnottH380

 

[Bill]

Only wanted to spend

These are all nice boats but the guy only wanted to spend from 60K to 110K. If I didn't have to worry about money I would get the Tayana Pilothouse. I saw one at the Seattle Boat Show and it's a great boat.

 

[David Foster]

Compared Design Parameters

Marshall's book gives design parameters of a number of cruising designs. Didn't show the Tayana, But here are some numbers for boats in this thread:Cabo Rico 38 Island Packet 37 Valiant 39 Hunter 37c38 38.5 37 37 LOA29.2 31 32 30 LWL21000 18500 18500 17800 Displacement7800 8200 7000 7100 Ballast19.6 21.2 * 18.0 SA/Displ.375 277 252 287 Displ./Length1.67 1.84 1.74 1.91 Capsize Screen* Sail area not given. Valiant 42 has a SA/Displ. for 15.3Some observations:These boats are quite similar in design parameters. All are qualified for blue water sailing by Marshall's criteria. The Cabo Rico is heavier than the others, and has the best capsize screen. The Valiant is listed as a sloop, while the others are cutters.I enjoyed the exercise. I would want to see the stability curves if I were buying. Island Packet advertises theirs, and it's outstanding - looks like the famous Contessa with a tiny area of negative stability close to 180 degrees.Since your budget means that you are buying used, I would look for one I liked, with the features I wanted, and then get a very thorough survey by a surveyor who had blue water experience. You will definitely want his report to start your punch list of fixes, improvements, and modifications to get the boat ready for cruising.DavidLady Lillie(Our Hunter 27 which looks like a little sister to the boats above15.8 SA/Displ.328 Displ./Length1.93 Capsize Screen

 

[Kathy]

We just went through the same process

In our search, we considered Beneteau, Cal, CSY, Hallberg Rassey ($$$, but what a lovely boat!) and Moody. When we really got serious, I happened upon a Westerly Corsair for sale in MA. Never heard of the brand before, but liked it a lot. Had tons of storage, was solidly built and very roomy for a 36 footer. We made an offer on the boat, but it didn't work out. There are a few Westerlys for sale in the US - as others have noted, check out Yachtworld.com. That's where we found our 'new to us' cruiser - a 38 Moody - another British boat. One of the many things we learned while shopping is that boats from colder climates age better than those kept in warm, sunny climates. As you probably already know, you are not going to pay list price, and with the economy the way it is there's a chance for some real good deals. Just get a good surveyor. If you find a boat in the Northeast, I can recommend one.Good luck.Kathy