Change of Plans Need Help

[Aquaholic101]

Sailcat out now looking for some advice on a mono. Sloop 40 - 44 looking at cruising 5 - 7 mos a yr. Departing Gulf coast of Florida for Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean. Like to keep price at $80,000 max and cruise ready. Like Aft cabins Wifes not crazy about dark wood found in older boats and wants a Blue water sea worthy vessel. Any recomendations would be greatly appreciated

[skipmac]

Most boats in that size and price range with an aft cabin will be a center cockpit. There are some exceptions, Pearson 424, some Hunters, and Beneteaus are aft cockpit, aft cabin layouts.

If you can find a CSY 44 walk-through they were made with oak interiors and they are huge roomy boats.

I like my Pearson 422, center cockpit with queen double aft cabin with private head and shower but it does have a wood interior. I have seen photos of some with a lot of the teak veneer painted over or replaced. Lighter colored upholstery can help.

[Aquaholic101]

Since Im not a big fan of center cockpits and like the sugar scoops perhaps an aft cabin should not be a requirement, also would like to keep the draft under 6 for better access in the bahamas

[skipmac]

My problem is I don't like sleeping on the settee in the main cabin and V-berths can be untenable at sea. So for me an aft cabin is mandatory. Several boats with aft cockpit, aft cabin layouts.