Can I hire an agent to find a boat for me?

[Ex-Calif]

Aquaholic - Your two favorite days will be the day you buy it and the day you sell it. It's cliche but frankly, maybe there is no perfect boat. A fleet of boats would be nice but not many of us have pockets that deep.

I understand that you don't want buyers remorse but sometimes you gotta make your best evaluation and jump in the pool.

If this is a first boat I'd go cheap and reliable and get some water time under your belt.

Alternately there are methods to weight your criteria and then evaluate boats against the criteria. Once you have done that you just have be confident that you did the best evaluation possible and enjoy the boat.

[Tempest245]

Hi Aqua,

$40,000 k ...is not as big a stack of 100's as you might think it is to purchase a well-found vessel capable of extended cruising. ( Sailing from NC or Annapolis to the Bahamas)

You're probably talking about a vessel that is at least 20 years old. John Neal has a good book out there to give you an idea of vessels capable of meeting this agenda as well as the things you need to consider. " Offshore Cruising Companion"

I own a 23 year old 34 sabre that's been to Bermuda, Florida and Maine from Annapolis but I wouldn't let it go for less than 60k....

In my opinion, and it's only my opinion, you may find a suitable vessel for that price but may have to invest another $ 20 k or more to get her ready to go to sea.

I'd certainly want a sound engine! And newer sails, sheets, rigging, halyards etc. You don't want things breaking in the Gulf Stream. You don't want to be doing someone elses deferred maintenance at a time not of your choosing.

Extra Things, you'll need, or want to consider.

SSB---essential for communications and weather fax
VHF handheld and ships radio...
Storm Jib
Epirb
Liferaft
Tri-sail ?
Dingy?
outboard?
radar?
Chartplotter
Charts
refrigeration...essential!
Tethers
Jacklines
Documentation
Solar panels? Wind ?
Watermaker?
drogue
First aid
Spare parts
A good Dodger! for those breaking seas.....staying dry is important..

There's a great Safety at Sea seminar given at the Naval Academy each year I'd highly recommend it. The BOR safety requirements are worth reading.

I'd also suggest gaining experience on as many vessels as you can. Maybe taking an offshore class or two...coastal cruising...advanced coastal cruising..etc...

I'm not trying to discourage you, rather, letting you know that the more you sail offshore or on extended cruises the more you'll know what you want and need from a vessel.

Good Hunting! Safe Sailing!
Tempest...

[Tempest245]

oh....and add a good auto-pilot.....to that list...

[Tempest245]

and sensors....wind. speed. depth..and .a barometer...

as you can see the lists can be endless...

[JiffyLube]

An important consideration is who you will sail with...if you do. If the boat is for a couple, then sleeping accomodations will be different than for a crew member. If you get a boat made for a couple (one big bunk), and the couple breaks up, someone is going to get the seette.