Good price for a cat?

[Jonny_twoshoes]

I'm a student looking to buy a boat to use as liveaboard/ weekend sailier for 2 years, then maybe spend a bit of money on it to cruise to the Caribbeans. I'm thinking something along the lines of a Catalina 25 or 27. Maybe even a hunter, i dunno. I see them on sale on yachtworld and kijiji for 4-8k for mid 70's early 80's models. Are those fair prices? Is those prices for a fix er upper or ready to sail? My skills in repair and boat maintenance are limited so i'd rather not bite off more than i can chew. At-least not until i get a bit more experience

I have 7k saved up and i can borrow another 5k if needed. If it reduces my cost for rent it shouldn't take more than a few month to pay off. I'd like to spend 12k max and another 3-4k if needed in 2 years for coastal cruising.

Is this a realistic endeavour or am i just another computer chair dreamer? Oh and I'm in Halifax if that helps..

[ozskipper]

Its sounds very reasonable to me. Just dont "over-invest" on an old boat. In otherwords dont point a 20k worth of electronic bling on it, you will never get your money back.

[Filmsomething]

I've seen quite a few C25s for sale in your price range in pretty good shape.

I even have one for sale in your price range on a trailer

[Jonny_twoshoes]

Thats great news. Like most people i find it hard to believe someone can begin sailing for only 10k. Deep down most of us have images of wealthy millionaires and retirees blowing their grandchildrens inheritance. Luckily i'm not the big spender type. I still use a 10 year old computer, and a 5 year old blackberry. It still works, good enough. lol

Filmsomething If you weren't 1300km away i'd probably have a look at her. Unless you're willing to trailer it up here for a look around XD

[Filmsomething]

Plenty of them out there, good luck in your search

[Jonny_twoshoes]

What about headroom.. I'm 6' tall and I'm 19. Lord knows i might still be growing. I hope not. Do these boats have sufficient head room for a person of that height? A 6'1'' clearance minimum but 6'2'' would be optimal i imagine. I've been scouring the web and found nothing on this issue.

[swabbmob]

We had a Catalina 27. The headroom was not a problem, but I felt like I was knocking my elbows all the time! Great old boat though. Have you looked at an Alberg 30? They may actually cost more than the Catalinas - but you could sail one of those offshore someday.

[Filmsomething]

The headroom is less than impressive when under way, but when in a slip you can just put up the pop top and add another foot of head room. Makes a huge difference