Tall, Lanky, Texans

[TexanAV8R]

OK, first post after lurking for a while, and I'll try to not make too many of the usual noob mistakes.

I've been looking at the live-aboard thing for a few months, but haven't really gotten as far as I'd like with the idea because of my location and lack of local (easy to find) liveaboard community.

I do a lot of traveling (contract pilot) and am based out of the DFW area, which limits me a little to some of the local lakes (Grapevine would be awesome). In that regard, I think I'm going to be limited to something in the 30-40 ft range, and while I'd love to spend a ton of money on something, realistically, I can probably put up about 50K based on a down payment and a 5 year loan. (assuming I have to pay for slip fees, insurance, maintenance, etc).

But my big problem right now is that at 6'4", I'm not finding much that has a berth comfortable enough to sleep (Looking for queen equivalent or better).

So in that price range, with some head room, and a good size berth, is there a majestic boat of some sort I should be looking for? Remember that I'm in Dallas, so my local options to see, feel, touch, are somewhat limited.

Anyway, hope y'all can point me in the right direction.

-Texan

[Cap Erict3]

A trailer able sloop with a swing keel would likely be ur best bet. Save on slip fees, hit ur local lakes and be able to do some bay sailing.

People do the Keys in them pretty often.




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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Texan.

[SimonV]

Get a house boat.

[TexanAV8R]

Originally Posted by SimonV

Get a house boat.

Ha... yeah, but the secondary goals are:

1) Become proficient at sailing larger boats
2) Have a boat that I can eventually move to Seattle / Costa Rica and keep there while I live / work wherever the job takes me.

Incidentally, the one boat that has kept coming up for this is an Aloha 34; right size, right price, just doesn't seem that there are many of them around.

-Texan

[gamayun]

I remember looking at a Coast 34 that was extremely roomy and whose owner, IIRC, was a 6'5" German man. That might also be a hard boat to find in Texas, but you could ask a broker about these and they might know of some others that are similar in build. Good luck and welcome!

[Cap Erict3]

The costs associated with moving a large old boat overland long distance often approach the market value of the boat.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[DeepInIt]

Make a weekend trip to Kemah Texas. I live here. Tons of boats (3rd largest collection in the U.S. I've been told).

I'm 6'3" so I feel ya. Look at Morgan out Islands, Hunters have decent space, Bavaria 38' and grampian for head room.

Center cockpit sailboats (E38, Bavaria 38) will usually give you a queen aft berth on anything 38' or over.
Theres and endeavour 38cc at HSH yachtsales down here that is in your price range. I don't know what the rules are for posting a brokers link, but worth it to check out on your own. Hope that helps.


-Matthew-

[Cheechako]

You need to get out and look at a bunch of boats, there are boats out there with good headroom and longer berths. You just need to find the right one.
I assume your post means you would like to spend up to $50k total. (not $50k down payment right?)
Another consideration is finding a boat with a big double quarter berth, often they may be longer than a V berth. or.... that is laid out so you could extend that berth further into the cabin making it longer. Just a wild thought.