Recommendations - Yet another blue water boat question

[kev_rm]

Am starting a search for a new boat. These are my criteria, in order of importance:

1) Less than 25 years old
2) Less than $150K (+/- 30% depending on condition)
3) 33-42ft length
4) Reasonable resale value
5) Minimal Wood above deck
6) Extremely robust construction suitable for long passages & sea-kindly
7) Mid-range performance upwind (<180 PHRF?)
8) Running rigging suitable for shorthanded/solo
9) Tankage 50+gals fuel, 80+gals h20
10) Volvo = 10K discount on price range for repower (sorry..)

Don't care about:
- how many it sleeps/stateroom/head count
- what it looks like
- where it is

[tkeithlu]

You're dependent on what out of hundreds of makes and models that meet your criteria happen to be on the market right now. I couldn't advise you in any case, but I doubt others can either, unless they are dealers and happen to have a boat on hand that they can propose to you.

[john61ct]

I disagree. Having a shortlist of makers and models to help narrow down the search will be helpful.

I bet many truly experienced with this factor

> Extremely robust construction suitable for long passages & sea-kindly

will say is not at all common in mass-produced boats.

And of course, the captain makes for offshore safety more than the boat. But still. . .

And those boats that truly meet all the other criteria, may not be commonly available in good condition in that price range.

But if OP is willing to bide their time, and actually fly to say Tonga to pick it up, then good luck does favour the prepared.

[kev_rm]

Originally Posted by john61ct

> Extremely robust construction suitable for long passages & sea-kindly

will say is not at all common in mass-produced boats.

Thanks - I didn't say "production volume" as a criteria - (and I get captain skills more important than boat..) - but are you saying non-production boats don't meet my criteria somehow (price?)

[El Pinguino]

The name that came up for me on the instant was https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/c...ype/Rustler/36

Price may be an issue.... but no budget survives first contact with reality...

[kev_rm]

5)... Teak decks....

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

The name that came up for me on the instant was https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/c...ype/Rustler/36

Price may be an issue.... but no budget survives first contact with reality...

[El Pinguino]

Not all Rustlers have teak decks....

but this one fails to pass #1 Caramor.co.uk and isn't for sale.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by kev_rm

are you saying non-production boats don't meet my criteria somehow (price?)

No, I mean custom designed and built are more likely to hit that one critical point.

Most high-volume production boats are designed to hit a (lower) price point, their main customer being the charter fleets, sailed locally not so much crossing oceans.

[john61ct]

Amel is a counter example, but in your price range would likely need lotsa work

[laika]

A suggestion that comes to mind is the Pacific Seacraft 34s and 37s, which seem to match your general ask of a heavy boat with a nod to performance.

But if specific design and layout are not objects, there are tons of boats out there that COULD meet your criteria, which is probably what post #2 was referring to.

Does extremely robust mean a boat that was designed for high latitude sailing? Steel?

Otherwise, much depends on the upkeep and intentions of previous owners. Differences between individual boats of a given production run will often be greater than differences between them. You will find examples of many that were built or modified for comfortable long distance sailing and are up to the task.

[tkeithlu]

Perhaps if you found one or more boats that appear to meet your criteria and are available, those with experience with them could tell you whether they were in fact good choices.

[sailorboy1]

I’ve seen these threads a while and I wonder

Does the op ever buy the boat that the posters recommend/argue about?

Why don’t people boat shop on boat buying sites and then ask a specific question? I mean there are 1000s of boats for sale that meet the op requirements list. Why wouldn’t someone pick a boat they like instead of getting yet again the same old “answers” from the weekly “what boat should I buy”?

[kev_rm]

Thank you for an actual recommendation!

Originally Posted by laika

A suggestion that comes to mind is the Pacific Seacraft 34s and 37s, which seem to match your general ask of a heavy boat with a nod to performance.

But if specific design and layout are not objects, there are tons of boats out there that COULD meet your criteria, which is probably what post #2 was referring to.

Does extremely robust mean a boat that was designed for high latitude sailing? Steel?

Otherwise, much depends on the upkeep and intentions of previous owners. Differences between individual boats of a given production run will often be greater than differences between them. You will find examples of many that were built or modified for comfortable long distance sailing and are up to the task.

[MartinR]

My favourite cruising boat in this price and size range would be a Freedom 40. Preferably centerboard. Easy to sail, easy to maintain, no standing rigging, fast, nice interior for cruising, big cockpit. Built like a tank, but cored, so undamaged hull is a must.

But unfortunately older than 25 years.

[saillr]

My best bet for your needs would be an Island Packet. Either the 35, 37, 38, or 40. Almost all would fit in your price range. Build rugged and with built in insulation in the deck a lot cooler in the tropics. Long keel for stability and tracking. Cutter rigged for easy sail management. Rugged construction. A Frenchman sailed a new 35 around the world non-stop via Cape Horn. One small drawback is wood cap rails altho they could easily be left to weather out or paint.