if you had $20,000 to spend....

[scoobert]

what boat would you buy?
requirements.
a master bedroom with queen or larger
second bedroom with no less then 2 adult sized bunks
large inside

lesser importance:
well lit
enclosed helm
blue water capable




it can need engine work, and can need sails, as long as the structure is very sound and in good shape. i do not mind putting some money into it over time.
i could even put another $20,000 into it before an ocean crossing, and i would be ok with that.

if the price is up to 30,000 it would be ok, but the closer to 20 the better.
i want one that will last, a very long time.

[Benz]

You want a large, well-lit, bluewater cruiser with two separate sleeping cabins for $20,000? Unless you get really lucky (and you might), you'll have to buy a complete junker (lots of Cheoy Lee's with soggy decks out there cheap), or downsize your requirements. You might find an abandoned kit hull (Westsail 40-something) to customize to your parameters, but the number of cabins and other requirements will cost you more than 20k to pulll off. Still, deals can be found. Look for a CSY 44, one of the larger Formosas, or a Morgan Outhouse--er, outisland. To get any of those for 20k in even reasonable shape would be well-nigh a miracle, but there's lots of them left that need $$$TLC$$$.

[scoobert]

here is the one i missed:
1980 Custom Kennedy Sloop Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[barnakiel]

I believe you are after a bigger boat. Then at 20k it sounds like a project boat. A large, project boat, at 20k, may likely require more than 20k to get her sea ready. (Frankly, I think most large, 20k project boats are a waste of time.) Unless you are very well informed, and very skilled. But then you would not be asking this question here.

My advice: get a smaller, better quality boat, save yourself some trauma.

But, if you just want a boat to live aboard, in a marina, or in a protected anchorage, then I think you will find something in this range. Dig into yachtworld - bargains pop up and go.

b.

[sww914]

You'll be happier than you think with less boat. Go live in a 15' RV for 6 months like we did and then move onto a 35-40 footer and you'll find that you have PLENTY of room, queen bed or not.
We bought exactly what you're describing. Then we worked on her for 6 months remotely and then 6 months living in the RV at the boatyard as described.
It took another 25 grand to get her sound and safe and comfortable and that's with almost all used stuff.
We replaced the engine, most wiring, a lot of the plumbing, pulled the mast and fixed 100 things there, sealed leaks, did the bottom, replaced the prop shaft and bearings, replaced a bunch of lines, on and on and on. Name something and we fixed it.
The likelihood of finding a boat that fits your specs that's ready to go in fiberglass is small. You'll be able to find wood or concrete.
You would do best to search yachtworld and sailboatlistings and sailingtexas for 36-50 footers for under 20 grand and see what's there.

[Ziggy]

I'm not sure about the "two bedroom" part, but you might consider this one. It even has a chandelier!

[David M]

There are probably some large ferrocement hulls around for 20k.

[Bash]

Let me see if I've got this right: you want the Bluewater Version of the Queenbed 42--with an enclosed helm, of course--priced competitively to a 1970's-era V-Berth 28.

What color hull would you prefer?

[NZGrant]

Be carefully of those ferro boats ya can't insure them in New Zealand but they are damn cheap.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by David M

There are probably some large ferrocement hulls around for 20k.

i have seen some nice ones, i have been reading up on them.
they scare me a little bit. but if i had to hazzard a guess i would say they would not move much in an unprotected anchorage. but thats just a guess.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by sww914

You'll be happier than you think with less boat. Go live in a 15' RV for 6 months like we did and then move onto a 35-40 footer and you'll find that you have PLENTY of room, queen bed or not.
We bought exactly what you're describing. Then we worked on her for 6 months remotely and then 6 months living in the RV at the boatyard as described.
It took another 25 grand to get her sound and safe and comfortable and that's with almost all used stuff.
We replaced the engine, most wiring, a lot of the plumbing, pulled the mast and fixed 100 things there, sealed leaks, did the bottom, replaced the prop shaft and bearings, replaced a bunch of lines, on and on and on. Name something and we fixed it.
The likelihood of finding a boat that fits your specs that's ready to go in fiberglass is small. You'll be able to find wood or concrete.
You would do best to search yachtworld and sailboatlistings and sailingtexas for 36-50 footers for under 20 grand and see what's there.

right now we have a 40'rv with 2 slides. i didnt want to go smaller living space wise then this. we will be raising our children on it, boatschool them, and we have two small labs and a cat to consider too.
i believe it will take a bunch of cash to get it up to the passage task. but i plan to demast for a few years anyway, run the loop. or at least the ditch.

[sww914]

We have just one kid and one dog.

[scoobert]

do you have room for more? so far we have a baby on the way. i originally planned to hold off on the boat for two years, then after 4 months of marriage she became pregnant. funny how that works

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by scoobert

right now we have a 40'rv with 2 slides. i didnt want to go smaller living space wise then this. we will be raising our children on it, boatschool them, and we have two small labs and a cat to consider too.
i believe it will take a bunch of cash to get it up to the passage task. but i plan to demast for a few years anyway, run the loop. or at least the ditch.

To get the room of a 40' RV with two slides you're looking at a mighty large/expensive boat!!!!!

[scoobert]

that is one of the reasons i have been looking for a split level. a bedroom under a pilothouse would be perfect