Searching for the Right Boat

[SVStargazer]

I'm the proud owner of a Bayfield 25. Recently I completed a transatlantic crossing on another boat and have decided I must move up, as my boat is more or less incapable of offshore sailing.
Mt question is what kind of boat suits a young woman who enjoys single handing offshore? My purse is small, so I will need to find something I'll probably have to work on a lot but I have a lot of free time and skills, plus a lot of help.

I'm currently contemplating a Tayana 37 but the boat is in bad shape. Not totally beyond saving, but pretty close.

Ideas are appreciated!

[Ricky j reading]

Maybe a little idea about your price range!! That is number one.then size of boat will be number two that will take you to number three fitting out the boat.
There are a lot of boats between 30 and 40 feet to chose from.lets go from there to start.

[laika]

If you're willing to keep it near the range of your Bayfield, there are some very well built and capable boats to be had.

Atom Voyages - Good Old Boats List

Large or small, if you're patient enough and in no hurry to buy, anything's possible

[Kevin84]

A Rawson 30 might be a good choice. If you're budget is in the 50-100k range, the Shannon 38 would be a good choice.

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[Celestialsailor]

Tayana 37 is an excellent choice. Depending on your age, maybe the upper limit of single-handing. Maintenance wise, stay away from teak decks. Some other choices might be...Shannon 38, Tartan 37, Corbin 39, Cabo Rico 38, Cape Dory 36 and of course...Hallberg Rassy 35.

[skipmac]

I will second (third?) the suggestion to establish a rough budget as the definition of a small purse is quite relative. What I consider a small purse would be a bit different than the definition of a Wall Street banker (gee I have a small purse since I can't afford a yacht as big as Larry Ellison's).

Also, offshore can have a different meaning to different people. Offshore could mean to the Caribbean from the east coast US or transatlantic. The later would require more consideration of tankage and stores since you would be looking at much longer passages and much further from re-supply.

As far as singlehanding, I have owned sailboats from 32' to 65'. Rigged properly and with good sized winches any of them could be sailed singlehanded. To me the limiting factor is how large a main sail you can carry (or drag) on deck and bend to the mast. Other than that a big winch will let even a relatively small person hoist and trim sails. The other factor is docking. Even if you live on the hook you have to come to the dock occasionally.

For me the max limit for comfortable handling is about what I have mid forty foot range. Others don't feel comfortable above the mid-low thirty foot range.

I would personally go lower than about 30' as smaller your storage is more limited and space can get cramped, even for one person. Also as the boat gets much small the motion in a choppy sea is less comfortable.

So good luck and look forward to hearing more from you.

[Freddy_Vagner]

I think a Tayana 37 would be a good choice as they have a high resale value. I made the mistake of spending a lot of time and money on a wooden boat. At the end of the day the boat still had a low resale value. Bad investment!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Freddy_Vagner

I think a Tayana 37 would be a good choice as they have a high resale value. I made the mistake of spending a lot of time and money on a wooden boat. At the end of the day the boat still had a low resale value. Bad investment!

Boats are definitely NOT an investment... they are in the 'Money you can afford to lose' bracket..

[Freddy_Vagner]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Boats are definitely NOT an investment... they are in the 'Money you can afford to lose' bracket..

OK you are right of course, I stand corrected. Please allow me to change bad "investment" to "relative loss of cash into the hole in the water".

But hope you understood what I was trying to say...

[Alenka]

I have had my Jeanneau 43 DS for just one season and love it. Suprisingly quick, easy to handle single handed and lots of live-aboard room. If you are prepared to take on an ex-charter vessel and buy in the Med you will get alot of boat for your money.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Freddy_Vagner

OK you are right of course, I stand corrected. Please allow me to change bad "investment" to "relative loss of cash into the hole in the water".

But hope you understood what I was trying to say...

Totally... just trying to clarify any possible misunderstanding that may arise for a relative newbie..

[SVStargazer]

The Tayana was asking 10k as it's in relatively questionable shape, but the owners have no interest as it was inherited it, not voluntarily bought. Be been advised that I should offer around 5.

It's possible it will need a new engine. I'm hopeful but not entirely confident that the mast is in reasonable shape. It's wooden. I actually have possession of the staysail boom., also wooden.

I missed an opportunity on a Cape Dory unfortunately.

[Freddy_Vagner]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Totally... just trying to clarify any possible misunderstanding that may arise for a relative newbie..

OK, thanks for the heads up

I'm learning, mostly the hard way though...

[Freddy_Vagner]

Originally Posted by SVStargazer

The Tayana was asking 10k as it's in relatively questionable shape, but the owners have no interest as it was inherited it, not voluntarily bought. Be been advised that I should offer around 5.

It's possible it will need a new engine. I'm hopeful but not entirely confident that the mast is in reasonable shape. It's wooden. I actually have possession of the staysail boom., also wooden.

I missed an opportunity on a Cape Dory unfortunately.

Wow, 5K for a Tayana 37. I think it would be a great project boat for you.

Don't worry about wooden masts, they are easy to fix. Mine had extensive dry rot at the base which I cut out and epoxied new wood slats into the gaping holes and it worked just fine. The fitting for the forestay had just screws and these ripped out the first time I went sailing so I changed all the screws to through bolts and again no more problems.

[ctl411]

If you are looking in the "budget" range, look at the Hunter 37 cutter. Deck stepped mast cutter rig good tankage and can be had cheap because of the Hunter name. Most will have issues because of age but you said you can fix things.