Six Months To Go !!!

[jamiecrab]

Well wife said we were good to make the move. 6 months and 5 days till retirement (July 31st) so we are boat shopping. Looking for something over 40 ft but under $50,000 so we can pay cash.

Need advice and ideas...........

[jamiecrab]

We're in the Houston area but willing to travel to the right boat.

[mrlassiter]

8 mos! I feel your pain/joy! Good luck and Congratulations!

[Mimsy]

Hi and good luck with your search!
If you like more traditional boats, you should take a look at this one http://yachtstexas.com/1980_ingrid_38.htmlThis is my dock neighbor and I have long admired how immaculate this boat is.

Sadly, the owner ( a professional captain) passed away last year and his widow is selling the boat to live closer to family. I don't know the owner other than to exchange pleasantries in passing and I have no affiliation with the broker, I just know that this is a well found boat for a couple and it makes me sad to see her sitting at the dock. This is a boat designed to go places and based on the way they've cared for her, I would bet she is ready to go.

If you like traditional boats, this one bears looking into. Good luck!

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Lots of boats in the area. Good luck and welcome!

Originally Posted by Mimsy

Hi and good luck with your search!
If you like more traditional boats, you should take a look at this one 1980 Ingrid 38 sailboat for sale.This is my dock neighbor and I have long admired how immaculate this boat is.

Looking at the pictures, she looks very nice. And at the Kemah Boardwalk marina, nice area. I did my ASA101 class from that area this last summer.

[boatman61]

BVI Yacht Sales Ltd.&

BVI Yacht Sales Ltd.&

[BettiedelMar]

I second Mimsy! I also live in that marina and drool every time I walk by that gorgeous boat.

And you're not going to have trouble finding a good used boat in Houston for that price cause there are a ton of them for sale. Congratulations and have fun with your search!

[boatman61]

Then again you could go really salty and trad....
Zeehag will luvya for starters....
BVI Yacht Sales Ltd.&

[jamiecrab]

Looked at several today. Liked the 1984 Irwin 41 CC Ketch and the 1991 41 Morgan.

1991 Morgan 41 sailboat for sale.
1984 Irwin 41 Center Cockpit sailboat for sale.

[SaucySailoress]

We'll be about two months after you as well!!!

It's a buyers' market right now, and I am sure the right boat is out there for you. In fact, it sounds as if the right boat has alreday been found!!

As well as the usual sites, don't forget to make friends down at your local yacht clubs... there might be some amazing boats that people, who are struggling at the mo, will sell if the subject is raised in the right manner....

[Mexdon]

You may like to try Little Yacht Sales they are in Kemah Tx.

I have no affiliation with this broker, just received excellent service.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by jamiecrab

Well wife said we were good to make the move. 6 months and 5 days till retirement (July 31st) so we are boat shopping. Looking for something over 40 ft but under $50,000 so we can pay cash.

Need advice and ideas...........

Advice and ideas? I'll pass on giving advice, but share some thoughts with you. I've read all of your posts, so know pretty much that we are on the same path, more or less.

In may of 2011 I made the plan to be cruising in one year. I got a job offer, after having been unemployed for some time. My goal was to work, pay off debt, and get the home sold in one year. I'm am left with 13 weeks, attempting to accomplish my goal.

The home has been on the market, but off temporarily while some major road construction is taking place leading into our subdivision. That is nearing completion, and the home back on the market within 30 days.

If you are really planning to sell the home and all your "STUFF", don't delay. It will be one of your biggest challenges IMO. At least it has been for us.

The Boat - You don't need a 40'+ boat to sail the Keys and Bahamas. Hey, if you think you need that much space then ok, but it is way different than handling a smaller boat. The cost of ownership and maintenance will be higher than say, a 36'. The bigger the boat, the more complex systems it will have=more things that will quit working/need fixing=higher cruising cost. Our boat is pretty simple, and we'll try cruising for awhile before adding tons of the "I want or need this or that to cruise" equipment. I've been told, the only way to find out what you really need, is to go cruising. You can always add stuff along the way. It's 1000 miles to paradise (Galveston to the Bahamas).

All the best,
Ralph

[AquatiCat]

Originally Posted by jamiecrab

Looked at several today. Liked the 1984 Irwin 41 CC Ketch and the 1991 41 Morgan.

1991 Morgan 41 sailboat for sale.
1984 Irwin 41 Center Cockpit sailboat for sale.

Wow, the Morgan is lovely! I think you are correct to assume you can make an offer of, say 50,350 on the Morgan to see how motivated the sellers are. Our original offer was to be 60% of the asking price, but the boat had been on the market (and burning cash in a marina) for 18 months, so it was easy for even a very fond owner to see that it was overpriced.

Good luck, this is such a FUN part!

[Pat Ross]

This is a good site for comparing monohull sailboats sailing characteristics

http://http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html

If you are looking at an Irwin 41, I think his 43CC is considered the choice of the two.

Good Luck

[sailorlink]

I am happy for you guys! I have a couple years to go till I will be a liveaboard, and I'm excited already. I'll be doing lots of planning until then, meanwhile sailing my smaller boat in Ontario on Lake Simcoe. I belong to Sail Georgina up here at Jackson's Point marina, one of the friendliest harbours to be found.