Buying my first boat advice!

[dtkazmark]

I will start with a little about myself. I am currently living in San Juan PR and am in the US Coast Guard. I am a boatswains mate and very knowledgable with navigation and piloting along with everything else that goes along with seagoing professions.

I am currently in the market for a cruiser for sailing a couple days a week on my off time to bvi or close islands with the occasional trips to further places like back home to New York.

My question is what is the best boat that will suit me? My price range is 30-40k and I'm looking for something in the 30-35 ft ranges that is fairly new ( less then 20 years old). Any advice would help! Right now I'm looking at a 2000 beneteau 331 for $39,900. It is a charter boat. Was wondering if this is a bad thing or good thing? Fair price??

Anyways thanks again everyone any advice will greatly help me!

[RainDog]

That is a bit like saying "I want a car. I have $10,000. What should I get?" Some people will say a nearly new Honda Civic, others will say a used Lexus, yet others that you need something sportier, maybe a used Mustang? A cargo van? Pickup truck?

Kind of need an idea what your preferences are. Newest boat for the money (the Civic)? Nicest boat in your price range (the Lexus)? Something fast and sleek (sports car)? Most room for the money (Cargo Van)? A live-aboard workhorse (pickup truck)?

Do you want something ready to go (less boat for the money), or will you work on the boat to fix it up (more boat for the money, but sweat equity)?

[dtkazmark]

That is a very good point I hadn't thought of it that way. Basically I'm just looking for something that is reliable nothing fancy nothing huge with a ton of space and something that's not a project boat. Basically like you said the honda civic of boats haha

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dtkazmark

I will start with a little about myself. I am currently living in San Juan PR and am in the US Coast Guard. I am a boatswains mate and very knowledgable with navigation and piloting along with everything else that goes along with seagoing professions.

I am currently in the market for a cruiser for sailing a couple days a week on my off time to bvi or close islands with the occasional trips to further places like back home to New York.

My question is what is the best boat that will suit me? My price range is 30-40k and I'm looking for something in the 30-35 ft ranges that is fairly new ( less then 20 years old). Any advice would help! Right now I'm looking at a 2000 beneteau 331 for $39,900. It is a charter boat. Was wondering if this is a bad thing or good thing? Fair price??

Anyways thanks again everyone any advice will greatly help me!

The 331 is a nice boat, I bought an ex charter 331 that was 5 yrs old in 06 for 60K so price is fair.. try a haggle.. only negative was the engine/prop... max in flat calm was 5kts..

[dtkazmark]

5kts! Eek haha thanks though