Blue Water Boat for ~$30k USD ?

[jlstanch]

One quick follow up question. I'm located in NM an planning to move to an area to shop for a new boat. I pulled lists of boats off yatchworld and plotted who had the most boats figuring the place w/the most boats would be the best place to shop. CA won in numbers (FL was second) and since that's where I have family that I can live with until I buy the boat that's a likley choice. But I know the quality there is likley geared to more the race, coastal cruiser and and movie star scene.

Any thoughts on where the best population of ocean going boat would be?
cheers,
-jesse

[Bash]

Originally Posted by jlstanch

But I know the quality there is likley geared to more the race, coastal cruiser and and movie star scene.

Your misconceptions about California are not likely to assist your search.

[Cheechako]

Yep, you can get it going for $30k in this market. My guess is more cruise capable boats in FL, but they are likely to be more worn. But, It's all about finding that one specific boat that you like and is good enough to not be a big rebuild.

[Khagan1227]

BVIs and Florida have a large number of bluewater boats. I like the prices at BVI Yacht Sales and they have a good selection.

On the other hand, do you have time (and money) to stay in one of those areas to walk the boats and look.

Since the next boat I will be buying will be located in Florida or the Carib, I am doing most of my looking there. That makes sense for me, but it might not make sense for you.

Keith

[Dustymc]

It can't be done, you'll need twice as much money, have a look at this stout little 18' 3-knot cruiser's dream, you'll all DIE, spend $20K on sailing classes then call us, you need at least 40 feet.

Now that that's out of the way...

We started under pretty similar circumstances - not much money, even less experience, and wanting a boat that would take care of us while we were making more experience. We ended up buying a boat we'd never heard of for about half your budget. We've probably got $30 in her now, but could have safely left for under $20K - albeit with ratty canvas, leaky plumbing, dicey fuel system, minimal batteries, craptacular galley, no radar, etc.

Our second-runner-up was also a boat we'd never heard of until we stepped aboard. Maybe there's a pattern here...

Anyway, if there's any advice in there, it's to research what sort of boat you want, and not necessarily who's name is on it. I guess I'd also add to not settle for "might work" - there's always something _just_ too big/small/wrong/whatever. We looked at a VERY nice under-priced Alberg 30 with a new engine and fresh rigging, which would have been a great bachelor boat (according to my wife!), for example. I wasn't quite ready for that title, so we found a couple extra feet....

[Cheechako]

My impression of the original post is: "$30k for the Boat and $10k to fix it up". Plenty of boats out there for that. It always sounds easy looking at the boats in the ads though, but a lot of them have big problems. Find the right one. A buddy of mine who isnt a sailor at all bought a Rawson 30 Pilot House this spring for less than $10K. It's loaded well cared for and has a perkins 4-108 to boot. Not a fast boat , but a great, dry Northwest boat. There's a Jouet 34 up here, I think the asking price is $24k, it's offshore equipped, cruise equipped and sailed here from france! My guess is it'll go for more like 15K. I'm suppose it's been "rode hard" getting here! Florida or CA are great starting points. From florida, by the time you get to Puerto Rico you'll be "experienced", from CA, after 6 months in the Sea of Cortez you will be .... personally I like Florida, it's inundated with all kind of boaters, boaters are part of the social fabric down there... yeah... I know the bad press about "anchoring issues", frankly never ran into a problem.

[Khagan1227]

Originally Posted by Dustymc

It can't be done, you'll need twice as much money, have a look at this stout little 18' 3-knot cruiser's dream, you'll all DIE, spend $20K on sailing classes then call us, you need at least 40 feet.

Now that that's out of the way...

We started under pretty similar circumstances - not much money, even less experience, and wanting a boat that would take care of us while we were making more experience. We ended up buying a boat we'd never heard of for about half your budget. We've probably got $30 in her now, but could have safely left for under $20K - albeit with ratty canvas, leaky plumbing, dicey fuel system, minimal batteries, craptacular galley, no radar, etc.

Our second-runner-up was also a boat we'd never heard of until we stepped aboard. Maybe there's a pattern here...

Anyway, if there's any advice in there, it's to research what sort of boat you want, and not necessarily who's name is on it. I guess I'd also add to not settle for "might work" - there's always something _just_ too big/small/wrong/whatever. We looked at a VERY nice under-priced Alberg 30 with a new engine and fresh rigging, which would have been a great bachelor boat (according to my wife!), for example. I wasn't quite ready for that title, so we found a couple extra feet....

You might be right, and to be truthful I agreed with you a few posts above. That said, sometimes you find a boat...


http://virgin.craigslist.org/boa/2514190019.html

IF the description and picture is accurate, heck of a deal.

[CarlF]

That Shannon has a couple of other good things that are unusual in $30K boats. I'd include these on your checklist of whatever boat you buy:

-- Shannons are easy to repair without cutting holes in the joinery. No liners. Accessible plumbing and wiring. Engines and tanks come out through the companionway.

-- They've circumnavigated. Many times. Someone else has already proved it's a bluewater boat.

-- The builder is still in business. You can call them for help and information. Why mess up a great boat with novice repairs?

Carl