Need tips on buying new boat

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Smiil

The 30ft Rawson looks amazing, but I don't like the 'steering stick' (again not sure what it's called) in the middle of the cockpit.

Thanks for all answers

Don't rule out the "steering stick!"

Some of us wouldn't want a boat without one especially in the 30' range.

Plus with a wheel you are stuck at the back of the boat until you turn on the autopilot .....

[Smiil]

Originally Posted by somanyboats

we had a separate shower, but it was mostly used to hang up wet clothes.
Showers were easier in the cockpit, with a hand sprayer and a shower curtain.
Some things may not be as important as you think.

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

I have friends with the same boat and many have never used the shower. I use ours often, and prefer to shower onboard rather than trudge up to land. Our shower IS the head, no separate section. Not a big deal at all. You use your towel to wipe up or a separate rag. I don't sail where it's often warm enough to use a cockpit shower.

At the moment it's about -5 celcius here so showering outside is a no...
But I do not need a seperate shower, a hand held shower will do just fine aslong as I can shower indoors.

Originally Posted by thomm225

Don't rule out the "steering stick!"

Some of us wouldn't want a boat without one especially in the 30' range.

Plus with a wheel you are stuck at the back of the boat until you turn on the autopilot .....

I don't rule out the steering stick, just didn't like that it was placed in the middle of the floor on the Rawson, my last boat had a steering stick and that was just fine, but was placed on the back, much easier

[Smiil]

I have also been wondering about the Bavaria 30-34 cruiser from 2000-2006. But have heard different things about them so not sure... It will be the absolute top of what I can pay though, only + is that they are close by so no money is spent on getting it home.

[KWISPEL]

The Bavaria will be a lot nicer to life on, a lot more space and later on easyer to sell.!

[sailingbonbini]

I think you also really want to think about where you are going to spend most of your time. Do you plan long passages? I think you would look for different features than if you plan to spend your time coast hopping.

If you plan longer passages, things like sea berth, some form of auto steering, storage (for spares etc), communication equipment etc are more important.

If you plan to hop along the coast and live aboard mostly in marina's, you will probably prioritise different things.