What is the best small sailboat to live on and cruise?

[gonesail]

yeh living on anything smaller than 35 and you start seeing piles of stuff in what should be your living room. the rear birth became what we called the garage. also a refrigerator is needed and you might like a propane stove too. and marinas don't like to see you using the finger pier as a storage unit. for miami you will need plenty of canvas and probably an awning to protect you from the tropical sun and heat. the list goes on.

[over40pirate]

Full keel boat for sure.

[fatherchronica]

In Florida, and with the Bahamas close by, I would choose a shallow draft design. Probably not a sharpie which many were designed specifically for Florida, due to lack of headroom. But I am old now with many back surgeries and arthritis, but when I was young I was quite happy in a 26 ft. converted Navy whaleboat.

[wet feet]

Check out ebay, there are a lot of south florida boats going very cheep. Stay away from the donated boats. You normally can not check them out prior to bidding.
Good Luck

[lorrie]

Selling Catalina 25 for 12k, not sure if I would consider it a cruiser though. Nice for coastal area sailing.


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[lorrie]

Originally Posted by tricycle

Do not know can you get one over there in USA, there is a boat that i use to have couple of years ago. Cornish Crabber 24, better than all of this in poll put together

Never heard of this one. Maybe take a look on craigslist.


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[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy.

FloridaJoe (the OP) started this discussion in 9/2013, so it is an old thread, but a good topic.

Boatie posted his recommendation for a Westerly Centaur 26 as being roomy. I had never seen one of those, but had recently been on a Cal 27 (also mentioned here by others).

Below you will find some photos of a Westerly Centaur 26 I found today for sale for $8K and in the USA (where the OP resides). Many more are in UK.

When looking at the photos of this boat, I was surprised at the roomy interior. I prefer the layout to the Cal27 too. I like the placement of the galley for example, and it does have a head rather than a portapotty. I am posting the photos just to enhance the discussion.

[Steadman Uhlich]

The Westerly Centaur has bilge (twin) keels. So I am posting a few photos to show that design. Note, these are not from the same boat (interior shots above).

[JPA Cate]

Old thread, revived: just note weavis, the mod, has recently been involved with a Westerly Centaur 26, for his nephew. Many of his comments scattered about it here on CF. Sorry, Gary.

Ann

[Sailonliberty]

Take a serious look at island packet 27...works for my wife and I. Year in NYC , one in annapolis and one in Cambridge md. Survived Sandy on Staten Island while many other boats sadly did not. Sail coastal in NJ inlets, Delaware bay. Does not point with the best but livability is outstanding.

[countrybimm]

O'day 30.ours is a 1978.large cabin space and points better then a Catalina. We have put over 5k miles on it with minor issues. We have taken it from Florida to Trinidad and back.Great boat and you can pick them up around 12k for a solid one.

[tdoster]

Rare, but good buys when you can find them are the Finch Designed Yankee 28 and the SS Designed Yankee 30. Solid, well balanced boats with great design and build characteristics.

[Reiziger]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

The Westerly Centaur has bilge (twin) keels. So I am posting a few photos to show that design. Note, these are not from the same boat (interior shots above).

The Ed Dubois (in 1979) designed Centaur's successor, the 26' Westerly Griffon can now also be found for attractive prices, compared to the Centaur the Griffon is faster, wider, more manageable, and an all-wood interior. The Centaur was designed by Laurent Giles.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by tdoster

Rare, but good buys when you can find them are the Finch Designed Yankee 28 and the SS Designed Yankee 30. Solid, well balanced boats with great design and build characteristics.

Yes, the Yankees are great sailors too... the 30 does real well when the wind pipes up.

[popeye31]

How would a 29 Morgan be for a live aboard. found one for $3000