What would you buy?

[Bad Obsession]

This should be an interesting thread. It will be interesting to see what people suggest in this situation and could be a neat learning experience.

Your budget is 100,000 to 150,000.

Cruising area: Chesapeake Bay, also intended trip to Bermuda and sailing south in the winter to the Bahamas (future intentions).

Boat will also be used as a liveaboard.

Crew: Single handed to one other person at times.

Slip Location: Middle Chesapeake Bay

Length of time owning the boat: Long ownership period through excellent maintenance of the boat.


So what boat would you buy? How would you set it up? What additional gear would you add to the boat? What are things you could live without? What are things that you couldn't live without?

 

[Dean5735]

I would spend about 50K on the boat and live off the rest for a decade or so!! Don't buy to much at first cuz then ya find out what was never needed. Brand new electronics will be a must too probably 5 grand there. A dingy would top it off.

 

[Rick D]

Something from the 70's. Cheap. Just make sure it is structurally sound. Figure $20K to upgrade sails, rigging, electronics, dinghy etc. Simpler is better. Mid 30's in size. Lots of solar. OTOH, you could just go to Florida, Mexico or the Bahamas and buy one already outfitted since you'll never get you money out of that $20K. IMHO,

 

[Tim R.]

1996 Freedom 40/40 anniversary edition. Wing keel. Already setup for single handing. Add a generator, AC and necessary electronics. This would take up pretty much all of the budget so I am cheating a little. In my defense, my purchase budget is only to buy the boat. I always have a separate budget for repairs, modifications and enhancements. I would reserve roughly $25k for that after buying the best boat I could find.

 

[kloudie1]

My preference for your stated parameters would be a Freedom Mull 38.. Would have good instruments and a below deck autopilot. Latest high tech charger inverter .. Consider addition of a bow thruster for single handing. The 39/40 Freedoms are all to be considered here according to your preferences. The larger Hunters and Jeaneaus and BeanyToes could fit in this list as well, but it seems that the Freedoms were very well suited for short handed sailing.

 

[Brian D]

Wow, great question. But I cannot answer because I am not knowledgeable in what is a good boat. But I can speculate.

I think I would go with the others in getting an older boat. One that has already been put through the paces and geared accordingly. Blue water boat probably. But not being in the east coast I am not sure what is good or isn't. Even on this coast it is the same for me.

Seeing how prices are here, probably about 50% on the boat if it is equipped the way I would like it. Condo on the water is not what I want so as mentioned, needs to be setup of single handed or small crew compliment.

Boat wise, Catalina 34 catches my eye. I like its looks and lines. But last year I was also looking at a Challenger 35 ketch rig. I am still interested in one but nothing is available. But also with this economy I've had to scale back on spending. But that will change soon.

Great question

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

One comment and one observation -
Without knowing more specifics regarding how you intend to use the boat, it's difficult to make any good suggestions. Too many people buy something before thoroughly analyzing what it is they really want from the boat. (does this sound too anal?)

Observation - it's nice, particularly in this economy, to see someone contemplating making a large purchase of a "toy" without dependency on financing. My compliments to your thought process.

 

[Rick D]

Hey, Don... Point of Clarification...

That budget is the whole thing, boat, gear, and cruising, right? If not, how much for just the boat and outfitting & recommissioning?

 

[Ross in Tampa]

Boat of choice for me would be a 37 Tayana, and a big pocket full of cash.
Beefy boat, big enough to live on and take you anywhere you want.

A 32 Westsail would be second on the list. I am a big fan of the traditional double enders.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Cherubini Hunter 36 or 37c

Buying this boat for under $40,000 would leave lot's of budget for upgrades and sails to make her ready for the offshore work. I like the look of the design, and the cabin layouts. More modern designs tend to offer a barn of a main cabin and less storage and berthing space.

I'd get the shoal draft keel since this both the Chesapeake and the Bahamas offer thin water and gunk-holing opportunities.

I'd put careful design into the canvas, since these two locations have lots of heat and sun.

 

[Ross]

$100,000 doesn't go very far in today's economy so I would have to carry my tools. It would have to have windvane steering, probably Cape Horn brand. Large storage space below the waterline would be essential. Being able to function completely without electricity would be a must but that doesn't rule out electric conveniences. For one person and occassionly two 30 feet is enough for my purposes.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I couldn't buy a better boat than the one on the left for $150K. So I would probably pay off the condo mortgage and go sailing full time.

 

[Bad Obsession]

You guys are thinking too much into it. It was a boat costing in that range was the question. This isn't talking about a cruising budget.

Oh..btw.....This is a hypothetical question and the reason behind it is to see what people generally prefer. It goes back to the question of a light displacement boat versus a bluewater built classic. So far it is really interesting what people are saying.

I, myself, am really torn. An Island Packet 38 comes to mind, but there are also other boats that could fit the bill like an older Cabo Rico 38, Passport 41, Island Packet 35, and Island Packet 37 for a blue water design but seriously, I think that in that budget a Catalina 42 two cabin layout is a lot of bang for the buck and also a Hunter 40.5, and other boats like that.

 

[William12213]

I have to agree with ED..sort of. I love my Catalina 36 mkI. Lots of room, lots of storage, dependable and very affordable. I also like the support that is out there for it. Plus I already own it.

Truth is there are lots of great boat out there you just have to find the one that fits your style.

 

[KD3PC]

for that amount of money just for the boat, you can pick about anything and fairly new up through the late 90's model year.

I would look at a Sabre 38, Hunter 38/41, IP 35/37 (has as much useful room as the other 38s) maybe even a Cabo Rico or Tayana in your range. The Beneteau 36CC (and larger CC) were nice and had the same hull as the great sailing 361s. Since it is just you or you and a guest, you may not need all the room that a 42-44 would give you.

IN this buyers market, you should be able to get all the boat you want and still have some $$ left over for add ons.

dave

 

[Maine Sail]

There are a few

I do like the Freedom 40/40 but I think I might go for a Bob Perry designed Nordic 44 or a Valliant...

 

[Bad Obsession]

I will add that the Hunter 37 cutter rig is a lot of bang for your buck if you go on that end. Think about it.....a 37 foot boat in the $35K range that is built well.

 

[Bob S]

I agree on the Island Packet, I love the classic look and the full keel. Our local Catalina dealer also deals in Island Packets. They usually have a 1/2 dozen of each brand new in their yard. I love my Catalina but when I step aboard the Packet it's a different world (rich and famous).

 

[larryw]

I already have the Bene 40 that is perfectly set up.

 

[Stu Jackson]

It ALL depends on what you plan to use it for mostly

If you're going to do long term ocean sailing, the stability of a full(er) keeled underbody is a tremendous assist to wind vane and autopilot steering when you need it the most. If you're just going for a couple of visits and want to continue to sail in more congested home waters and need quick response most of the time, then a fin keeled skeg hung rudder boat would still work for you.

There are lotsa boats out there that meet the ocean going category. I believe someone had a link to all the boats for that sometime in the past. I may have bookmarked it, but just switched to Firefox and am still learning it. Perhaps someone could re-link that page if you get what I'm referring to.

That said, I agree with the "I already own it" concept. If I was starting all over again, I'd buy something that folks use on Hawaii races or the "traditionals." For instance, the Cal 40 is one great boat.

Used vs. new? I am always amazed at folks who can and do spend $$ on new boats. Even one two or three years old is a much better investment (not to open the investment issue again, please: DON'T). And one with a reasonably longer production run would be preferred. Avoid hull #1! :dance: