Liveaboard Boats

[Kirbmart]

Hello. We are new to this form and we have found a wealth of good info so far!

We're actively looking for a boat live-aboard in the San Francisco area. We will be here for a year or so and then plan to sail the coast, possibly to Hawaii etc...

In terms of a boat purchase, we're in need of some advise. We've determined a 35-48 foot (maybe a center cockpit) with the ability to get us to Mexico, potentially blue water capable if the price is right. The budget could go up to 150k but we're looking to spend much much less if possible.

There seems to be no shortage of debates in the forums about the offshore capabilities of Beneteaus and new vs old boats.

So I guess the question is for our needs would something like the Benetau FIRST series be able to handle cruising to Mexico and beyond?
something equivalent to this: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1991.../United-States

or... Are we better off with something older such as this? (I worry a little about spending every spare moment fixing stuff if we opt for an older boat)
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1975.../United-States

Any input about boats that fit our criteria in the bay area would be very helpful for this new-ish to sailing couple. Thank you!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Kirbmart

... would something like the Benetau FIRST series be able to handle cruising to Mexico and beyond? ...

Any* well-found boat can be made to work; but ...
The Beneteau “First” series are racer/cruiser sailboats, with an emphasis on racing.
The Beneteau “Oceanis ” series are intended as cruising boats.

*We lived aboard and cruised a small C&C 29 (club racer/cruiser) for a decade.

[TugTubPaul]

In the recent Lattitude 38 there is an ad for a 1988 CC Irwin 43 for 114K. These boats are large and very comfortable to live in, and a lot of fun to sail. As always get a good survey and make sure the hull and deck are sound.

We have the 1985 model of this boat and love it.

[Doodles]

Depending on how "new-ish" you are to sailing, you might want to get on as many boats as you can before making such a big purchase. Have you owned any boat before?

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by Kirbmart

The budget could go up to 150k but we're looking to spend much much less if possible.

Wow - got some to share?? I take it you have even more in the kitty to fund your voyage?

Doodles has a point - it is as well to try a variety of boats first by crewing, to see what is likely to suit you. And then, if you have time and skill, refit your boat to suit you - we did it twice. Started with a 32', then upgraded to a 40' (to which we added a scoop with diving platform to suit our own personal and professional needs); by which time we had figured out what we liked and what we wanted to change.

Do you have somewhere to live on land? It's always easier to set up a boat if you're not living on it!

[dcstrng]

Originally Posted by TugTubPaul

there is an ad for a 1988 CC Irwin 43 for 114K. These boats are large and very comfortable to live in, and a lot of fun to sail...

Agree that the CC Irwins in the forty-foot range would be worthy serious consideration in this price category… I lived aboard a 42 (visually very similar to the 43, without the poop-deck…) for several years and it was great both space-wise and in allowing a modicum of privacy, even had a bath-tub of sorts… sailed quite well also… wasn’t the be-all to end all in the electrical area, but we worked through that and the decks were wide and protected with modest bulwarks and I don’t recall any leaks over many years once we replaced the elderly ports… great boat, although a tad more than I wanted at the time… They seem to be getting harder and harder to find however…

[s/v Moondancer]

Beneteau's are good bang for the buck...reasonable price, good sailors, not floating winabago's and very capable of a trip to Mexico.

However, no matter how new you need 25 to 33% of your capital for repairs/improvements unless you have a very good income.

I live on a 55 ft centre cockpit, lovely aft cabin but even on a 55 limited storage for boat things like spinnakers etc.

Enjoy it is a wonderful life.

ps. our son has a very good cruiser for sale on the West Coast...they sailed Portland to Mexico in her.

[eyschulman]

You might want to check out the out island 41 as a older used boat- most were in charter so you will have to be carefull about condition- price can be right for a lot of boat- sailing and motoring ability fair good seakeeping-a ketch rig may also be good but the sloops are ok- these are tried and tested boats-not perfect but a lot of boat for the $

[Ken on Satori]

Not trying to be a smartazz here but you don't sound like you have much sailing experience. That is a lot of boat (40+) to learn on in your time frame. Start smaller, learn how to sail properly, get experience and then get the big cross the ocean boat. Or get a boat you want to live on but get a small sloop to learn on. Sailing is not rocket science but people do end up missing out there.
Sometimes sailing reminds me of doctors and lawyers flying. They can afford a high performance airplane but their ego tries to write a check that their limited experience cannot cash. Then they bore big smoking holes in the ground. Ken (formerly aboard Satori)

[Kirbmart]

Hi all thanks for the advice. We ended up going with an older Beneateau 393. After tons of looking and reading it proved to be the right boat for us. -

As per ken's point - we do have some experience but are taking it slow and are getting proper training. We do not want to go missing!