larger cruising boat recommendations

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by offshore27ns

Great points. Budget is not a major factor if value is there. $1,000,000 or less would be no problem

damn, you should be talking to a broker not a bunch of internet people

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by offshore27ns

Hi

new here...first post

considering a cruising sailboat. Would like to take my family away for a year or two to see the sights. The plan would be to continue to own the boat and use it locally in the NE after the big trip.

wants

three cabins (one needs bunks or separate beds)
two heads
easy to handle double handed
better than averagae performance for a cruising sailboat
bow thruster
under 60 ft

I have been looking at Hylas 56 and Oyster but concerned they may be hard to doublehand. Also started looking at Hanse.

a little direction and advice would be appreciated

I singlehand our Oyster 53 all the time, having my wife onboard just makes it easier. Be sure to get in-mast electric furling for the main and hydraulic furling for the headsail. You'll be all set.

[DMCantor]

Yeah, definitely look at the Outbound 52. We have had a 46 since 2009, and absolutely love it.

[captmikem]

Size really does not matter that much for the physical aspect of single or double handing sailing, however the maintenance matters.

I sailed an Alden 54 across the Atlantic to England, spent a year in the med, then sailed her back to Florida with myself and my wife. I thought she was a perfect 2 person boat.

Then I sailed a Frers 80 around the world, again with my wife. Great 2 person boat but the maintenance was much more than the Alden,

I had electric sheet winches on the Alden, electro hydraulic sheet, halyard, and reefing winches on the Frers, Both worked well. The Alden you could also stick a winch handle in the sheet winches, the Feres sheet winches were to large to use a winch handle in. Also had hydraulic furlers on the two jibs on the Frers.

I had full batten main with jiffy reefing on both boats, all halyards etc at the base of the mast, which makes it much easier for single handed. Reefing is simpler and you can see what you are doing.

Both boats were cutters, which makes it easier to shorten sail and balance the boat, and they heave to better.

I carried two spinnaker poles on both boats, being cutters it is much easier to have a pole on either side. (the 80' I had carbon fiber poles to make them easier to handle).

All in all the 80 was faster, and a bit more comfortable than the 54. Working on deck at night or in a blow was a bit easier on the 80 (more room). Everything was exponentially more expensive on the 80.

But I think the smaller boat makes more sense. I now own a 46' foot boat that seems the perfect size to me, (unfortunately I am now moving ashore and putting her on the market).

Hope this helps,

M

[Dockhead]

No problem double (or single) handing a modern 50 to 60 foot cruising boat.

You're spoiled for choice. Hylas, Oyster, Contest, HR, Discovery -- all great boats.

[Rorzech]

Swing Keel is great for sailing the shallows of the Bahamas from what I hear. But a Cat is very shallow draft also . With that budget I wouldn't even look at a mono hull. You can walk around while sailing in a cat but very difficult move around in a mono hull under sail.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by offshore27ns

Hi



considering a cruising sailboat. Would like to take my family away for a year or two to see the sights. The plan would be to continue to own the boat and use it locally in the NE after the big trip.

Welcome.

Where are you planning to go for the year or two?

[offshore27ns]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Welcome.

Where are you planning to go for the year or two?

I will go from Nova Scotia south. Caribbean forsure and possibly further South through the Panama Canal.

[offshore27ns]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

No problem double (or single) handing a modern 50 to 60 foot cruising boat.

You're spoiled for choice. Hylas, Oyster, Contest, HR, Discovery -- all great boats.

Added these to my list.

Thanks

[Nani Kai]

The Annapolis Boat show is October 5-9. Most of the sailboat brands mentioned in responses to your original post will be represented at the show. Brokers, lenders, sailors of all stripes will also be in attendance. Just a thought.

[Lantau]

Not sure if this is helpful, but I suggest that you look closely at the size of the tanks, both fuel and water. Bigger is better. Really big is best.

[offshore27ns]

Originally Posted by Nani Kai

The Annapolis Boat show is October 5-9. Most of the sailboat brands mentioned in responses to your original post will be represented at the show. Brokers, lenders, sailors of all stripes will also be in attendance. Just a thought.

great idea....

[offshore27ns]

Where does the Bavaria fall in the quality line?

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by offshore27ns

Where does the Bavaria fall in the quality line?

It is a mass production budget built boat. As well as Hanse.

The high quality brands not mentioned earlier include Passport and Tayana. You may also consider Island Packet 525.

[offshore27ns]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

It is a mass production budget built boat. As well as Hanse.

The high quality brands not mentioned earlier include Passport and Tayana. You may also consider Island Packet 525.

Thanks. I don't think Hanse or Bavaria is what I want. I want top tier quality