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rumaway · 07-06-2012, 07:28

Hi everyone. I am 43 years old and looking to buy a sailboat to cruise around the world. Looking to spend up to $100,000 for the boat itself. Preferabbly less if a great deal came along, but i am looking for safety and comfort on the ocean first. No set time frame and no particular destination. Just looking to travel and see the world. I am in no way ready to sail away today. I have only sailed a couple times but I love being on the water and sailing. I would greatly appreciate some good information on what type of boat is best and what size would be best. I realize everyone has there opinion and it is just a base to start looking and seeing what looks best for me.

A few boats that I am going to look at, are a 1981 40' Endeavor Sloop, a 1985 38' Endeavor sailboat, a 1977 41' Islander Freeport Ketch and a 1977 Explorer 45 Cutter. I will take any and all advise.

I plan on purchasing a boat and taking several months getting the boat and myself ready. I plan on taking sailing courses during this time. There will probably be four people on board when we leave. We will be leaving out of Galveston, TX.

Also anyone around Houston or Galveston that would like someone to go sailing with them let me know. New to sailing but a quick learner and I can lift heavy things... Lol

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks you.

Wallabycreek · 07-06-2012, 14:26

Good luck. I did it and spent twenty years sailing the oceans of the world. On kindle at Amazon there is a really excellent book with all the info you need called "Around The World Sailing Guide"

**Hudson Force** · 07-06-2012, 14:33

When departing the Texas Coast, the Caribbean can give you a great practice and learning field!

btrayfors · 07-06-2012, 15:10

You are absolutely right to focus on sailing lessons and learning before you really take off. I know of so many would-be sailors who have focused entirely on the boat while largely ignoring the learning part.

A good sailor can take just about any boat on long ocean passages. An inexperienced sailor can come to grief on the best designed and fitted out ocean cruiser in the world.

Take lessons, get as much experience as you can under your belt. Do short trips, and longish trips where you'll gain good experience, knowledge of the boat and it's equipment and, especially, navigation skills. That means learning to read a chart, deal with both paper and electronic charts, understand the basics of piloting, position fixing, etc.

I've got exactly the right boat for you but, alas, I can't really let her go quite yet. She's taken me over tens of thousands of ocean miles in comfort and style...and at good speed...but I think (hope) I've got a few more years in me before I have to let her go.

Best of luck. Follow your dream. There ain't nothin' better :-)

Bill

Tony B · 07-06-2012, 15:21

My sailboat - a 39' Allied ketch is for sale in Kemah, Tx. It's a world class cruiser, plenty of storage and asking price is $46,900. It's a 1976 model year but in great shape. This is the perfect 2 person cruiser. Send me a PM and I will send you a link.

markpierce · 07-06-2012, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

My sailboat - a 39' Allied ketch is for sale in Kemah, Tx.

So, what's your next boat, and why?

**Pblais** · 07-06-2012, 15:30

Learn more! It really is the sailor. This really is something you need to work up to and not something you just jump off and do. A few years would be the short course. Find a way to start sailing NOW! I agree with Btrayfors that worrying about the boat at this point is not the way to begin. Smarter sailors have more fun! The goal is to have more fun! It's WAY too early to be picking out boats. If you found a way to sail on "other peoples boats" you would be having fun RIGHT NOW! You can over plan and under prepare this idea.

speedoo · 07-06-2012, 15:41

You said not too long ago you had bought a 32' Challenger. How did that work out?

Tony B · 07-06-2012, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

So, what's your next boat, and why?

My next boat we just closed on two days ago. It's a Mainship 36 Aft Cabin.
The Admiral just dont want to sail anymore, she says it's too much work.
Anyway, we are going inland to the the eastern interior waterways. I was always torn between sailing and motoring. To me, there is nothing more euphoric (well, maybe a bag of weed) than the sensation of sailing. On the other side of the coin, I love the rivers much better for the scenery and feeling of American history. Getting out of hurricane territory would not hurt my feelings either. Its just a lifestyle change that comes with age, however, we will still be homeless liveaboards and loving it.

Maybe I should change my avitar to the new-to-me boat, whatta ya think?
Our first long trip will be late winter/early spring from Galveston Bay to Mobile Bay (Al.) and up into the interior with the northern part of Kentucky Lake, Kentucky being our first destination. I figure 1500 to 2,000 miles. I havent looked at the river and waterways charts yet. The hard part to get past is the approx. $2/mile price tag for fuel running a motor yacht at trawler speed.

markpierce · 07-06-2012, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

My next boat we just closed on two days ago. It's a Mainship 36 Aft Cabin.

Yeah, my GF says "the water is too close" on a sailboat.

Expecting your participation on trawlerforum.com will increase.

markpierce · 07-06-2012, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

. The hard part to get past is the approx. $2/mile price tag for fuel running a motor yacht at trawler speed.

At less than hull-speed speeds, fuel is a minor cost compared to the fixed costs of boat ownership.

markpierce · 07-06-2012, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

Maybe I should change my avitar to the new-to-me boat, whatta ya think?

Absolutely (and give those catamaran sailboaters a run for their money).

Tony B · 07-06-2012, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

.............Expecting your participation on trawlerforum.com will increase.

I just lurk in the background from time to time when extremely bored at work. I have completely lost interest because of people like Marin. There is not a kind word I could say about him. I will post a reply from time to time.
I'm glad to see you here though.

Anyway, gotta love your GF's remark about the water too high. LOL

I know the cost of fuel is one of the least expensive parts of boating but have you forgotten when you rode the free wind? It's just the sticker shock I guess. I'll get over it - maybe. LOL. It only hurts when you fill it up. The next day it's forgotten. Anyhoo, we are both looking forward to outfitting the Mainship and just going.

stevensc · 07-06-2012, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

My next boat we just closed on two days ago. It's a Mainship 36 Aft Cabin.

Our first long trip will be late winter/early spring from Galveston Bay to Mobile Bay (Al.) and up into the interior with the northern part of Kentucky Lake, Kentucky being our first destination. I figure 1500 to 2,000 miles. I havent looked at the river and waterways charts yet. The hard part to get past is the approx. $2/mile price tag for fuel running a motor yacht at trawler speed.

Tony,
You will be passing through Houma, Louisiana where I keep my boat. Keep in touch, if you stop there and I'm free I'll come by the Houma marina and see if you need anything.
Steve W.