Looking for a great boat for $45k or less...

[bomberhart]

And regarding sailing experience...

I have experience sailing small boats - 24, 28, 30 feet... I sailed a 50' a couple of times and was pretty comfortable, but docking was a little nerve racking for me. I've raced small boats previously, but never sailed further than 8-10 hours away. I have a lot of learning todo before I am comfortable crossing an ocean or going out on long trips.

My initial thought was a 34,36 or 38 foot boat would be a good step for us.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by bomberhart

And regarding sailing experience...

I have experience sailing small boats - 24, 28, 30 feet... I sailed a 50' a couple of times and was pretty comfortable, but docking was a little nerve racking for me. I've raced small boats previously, but never sailed further than 8-10 hours away. I have a lot of learning todo before I am comfortable crossing an ocean or going out on long trips.

My initial thought was a 34,36 or 38 foot boat would be a good step for us.

I agree something in the mid 30's up to 40' or so would work for your plans. Which one will depend on how much you want 6'5" headroom and how much room and cabin privacy you want for the three of you. A small center cockpit/aft cabin layout like a Morgain OutIsland 36 has a roomy double cabin aft and forepeak for guests and children. For water and resources for a week or so on board, most should be adequate but some might need modifications to add for example extra holding tank capacity.

Sorry I'm not much help on boats with extra headroom but if you use the forum search using the term headroom there have been several previous discussions on that issue and you should find a lot of help on that question.

[Paul M]

I recently had the same dilemma and price range. I went with an older 1973 Morgan Outisland 40'. I'm still in the midst of refitting electrics then pulling it for some deck work and bottom job. After all the work and purchase price (18k), I'll end up with 30-35k in the boat. These are comfortable, smooth sailing boats with beam of 13' or so. Also, I have read that the early years of manufacture (early to mid 70's) had much thicker fiberglass hulls with my yacht weighing in at 28,000 lbs. Since I plan to embark on some serious cruising in the near future, I like the full keel, displacement, thick hull, and livable space.

If you do choose an older boat, I would anticipate significant electrical upgrades and cost. I did manage to cut my rewire budget in half by eliminating AC circuitry and going with a DC system including solar panels. Easy choice in my case since I doubt my vessel will ever see a marina slip.

Happy hunting!

Cheers

[markwesti]

bomberhart , what style boat interests you ? I take it we are talking about a mono hull . But as far as style/type do you like the classic heavy cruiser with lots of exterior wood or a modern performance cruiser with no exterior wood ?

[bomberhart]

I think the modern performance cruiser is a little more "my style", but I love a good design. I like a little less wood on the exterior, but if it was the right boat at the right price I could get over myself...

[markwesti]

Does it rain a lot in Bainbridge ? If so then I would suggest no exterior wood , I think a 90'-95' Catalina 32 would fit the bill .

[markpierce]

Hard to imagine purchasing a 45K$ boat for a family to cruise on without paying a similar amount to make it cruise-worthy.

[warana08]

I have a 42' centre-cock pit, custom built, water sailing">blue water sailing ketch for sale in Ladysmith, BC. If you want me to send you the specs, please let me know. This is an estate sale and I am hoping to sell her as soon as possible.

[Olddave]

Bomber,
If you like a good design, google S&S34 Gitano for sale in Hawaii. The 34's are just beautiful to sail. Any older boat will need a very thorough survey but at $25k it's a possibility.
Dave

[jkindredpdx]

Welcome to CF Bomberhart...
I live in Portland and shopped from Bellingham to Northern California... We just looked online, read 45 North, took fun day or weekend trips, walked the docks, and visited brokers. I ended up finding my 1974 35' Center Cockpit HR 35 Rasmus in Astoria OR. listed with a local Broker for $50k and I paid $45k. 7 years later, it is still large enough to meet the needs of 2 adults. I could actually handle the 35 footer solo when we bought her, yet what seemed like a big jump from 30 feet when I bought her is now old hat. The mainsail is a bit of a struggle for my 60+ year old female partner to raise.

I love cruising the San Juans and Gulf Islands... IMO, they are the perfect practice and camping grounds... Of course the rain shadow doesn't hurt either.
My suggestions are:

• be patient and get a boat that has been well care for.
• Involve your partner and make sure the boat fits your style.
• jot down your priorities (like camping vs racing etc.)
• keep a list of the boats you look at and what you liked or didn't on each.
• don't allow yourself to be intimidated and asks lots of questions.
• stick to your budget.
• have fun...

[bomberhart]

jkindredpdx - thanks for your comments...

How much work went into your Rasmus for refitting? Did you put in another chunk of $$ for refit or did it meet your needs straight away?

Just curious...

[Mithril Bham]

Still unclear as to the type of cruising you intend to do. Livaboard, full-time cruising? Going out for a few weeks at a time? Blue water cruising to the Carib, S. Pacific or Med? Forgive me if I missed something.
Think about chartering for a few weeks on different boats.
Contact Wes Koenig at San Juan Sailing in B'ham. Best broker I have ever met and, no, I don't get a piece.
Good luck.

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by markwesti

Does it rain a lot in Bainbridge ? If so then I would suggest no exterior wood , I think a 90'-95' Catalina 32 would fit the bill .

No, it never rains on Bainbridge. LOL.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by bomberhart

jkindredpdx - thanks for your comments...

How much work went into your Rasmus for refitting? Did you put in another chunk of $$ for refit or did it meet your needs straight away?

Just curious...

I had a good surveyor and prior owners, she met my needs... In my mind the price reduction of $5,000 was to cover immediate repairs. Over 6 years I spent:
$400 - new hydraulic steering head.
$400 - magnatron for old Furuno RADAR
? - 4 new Trojan batteries (after 4 years)
$200 - rebuild LPG locker.

I may know someone who is selling their HR35... send me a PM if curious.

[bomberhart]

Originally Posted by magellanyachts

Still unclear as to the type of cruising you intend to do. Livaboard, full-time cruising? Going out for a few weeks at a time? Blue water cruising to the Carib, S. Pacific or Med? Forgive me if I missed something.
Think about chartering for a few weeks on different boats.
Contact Wes Koenig at San Juan Sailing in B'ham. Best broker I have ever met and, no, I don't get a piece.
Good luck.

Thanks for the recco at San Juan Sailling! I plan on going staying in the PNW and sailing out for 4-5 day cruises at a time. Nothing too major, maybe a 1-2 week trip once a year, but mostly long weekends...