Hello all. Have read,been entertained and educated by the forum for years so thanks. Will once again ask a question that has been been answered indirectly on several occassions but needs updating. What
boat best fits my needs?
I have mostly book knowledge and little practical so I need some help in picking out the next
family boat. I've sailed mostly
mississippi sound on
hunter 32 until katrin a took her and now have a 26
water ballast
macgregor on a small lake 10 mins from home. Not a bad ride for a quickie by the way. Both of these had/have Spartan accommodations and therefore not conducive to
family sailing(kids 14,8,6 and a wife that does not camp out)
In addition I'm mid career with only a few 4day weekendsnand a couple weeks a year to sail so little time for a fixer-upper (sounding like a new production boat with some room maybe 50 ft with generous beam)
Most of my sailing will be in gulf of
mexico with occasional trip to
key west but would like ability to cross gulfmstream and sail
carribean shorthanded( coastal cruisernwith shoal keel)
I enjoy sailing and do not want to sacrifice performance at all costs but efficient and easy sail handling helpful (in-mast
furling and
electric winches could be helpful) as maybe sailing with minimal crew.
In short, there is no serious
blue water in my future and do not want to wait to enjoy the sailing life until I can afford an
oyster (maybe never)
I have a short list and am going to
annapolis in the next couple of weeks to have a look. They are in no certain order the
jeanneau 53,
beneteau 50sense(the polars are crazy fast and the 50 first may also be cost prohibitive),Bavaria 55, hanse 545, and
dufour 485.
These manufacturers have all been covered ad naseum in this forum but would like some opinion on these newer models.