What kind of sailboat?

[mikey759]

My plan is to live on my boat in the carribean. I don't know much at all about sailboats but I know that there is a lot of different things to take into consideration. I want to be able to sail to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania to visit my family on the holidays so I need a good boat that will make it that distance safely. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks

[onestepcsy37]

What's your budget?

[mikey759]

Budget is not really an issue for me right now because I won't be able to buy a boat for a couple of years so I was just trying to gain information as to what kind of sail boat would best fit my needs. I know that I want a monohull but that is the only thing I am sure about.


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[onestepcsy37]

If you're talking thanksgiving to new years, it would be a bit cheaper and a whole lot less trouble to fly home for the holidays. Friends of mine did that for seven years.

Nothing goes to windward like a 747.

[skipmac]

I think this Hallberg Rassy 36 would do the job quite well. Plenty of room to live aboard and would make the trip to PA easily. Good solid boats. This one is only $250,000.

2003 Hallberg-Rassy 36 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[MBWhite]

My advice would be to start sailing locally and look here in the "crew wanted" section for passage making experiences. Then when you are able to afford something you'll have an idea about what will work for *you*.

[ryon]

I would choose from one of the many varieties of squarerigger. Always appropriate!

[snort]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I think this Hallberg Rassy 36 would do the job quite well. Plenty of room to live aboard and would make the trip to PA easily. Good solid boats. This one is only $250,000.

2003 Hallberg-Rassy 36 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

If one is to buy a used boat, one should go just a little older so they can get a bigger boat.
OP, you should get this one:
1988 Mason 54 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

You can fit two people easily and it's a better boat. It has three sails instead of just the two on that Rassy thing.

[mr_f]

Originally Posted by snort

If one is to buy a used boat, one should go just a little older so they can get a bigger boat.
OP, you should get this one:
1988 Mason 54 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

You can fit two people easily and it's a better boat. It has three sails instead of just the two on that Rassy thing.

Liveaboard a 54'? Are you serious? Where will the OP put their stuff? I wouldn't settle for anything less than 80'. Here is a good choice.

1986 Belliure Ketch 85 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Plus, the boat you listed may have 3 sails, but it only has one mast. Two is better.

[snort]

I don't care for the color....and the previous owner wore Speedos. Kinda sketchy and probably light in the loafers. You know what I mean?

[four winds]

Mikey, see what happens when one says the budget isn't an issue.? :-)

Time for bed. I've used up my battery budget for the day.

[mikey759]

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions but I see what four winds was saying about not having a budget. I think for my first boat I wouldn't want to go over 35 feet for 50,000 dollars.


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[skipmac]

Originally Posted by snort

I don't care for the color....and the previous owner wore Speedos.

The speedo thing would do it for me. Would at the very minimum require all new upholstery.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by mikey759

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions but I see what four winds was saying about not having a budget. I think for my first boat I wouldn't want to go over 35 feet for 50,000 dollars.


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Very realistic and very doable budget and boat for live aboard and commuting back to the states. To get the best for the money you might have to go for an older, more basic model, probably one that needs a bit of work.

So how are your boat fixing skills? Unless you have a lot of money to pay for the work you need to be a mechanic, plumber, electrician and carpenter to start.

In the 30-35' range there are lots and lots of options. Just a few of the more common brands that come to mind: Ericson, Pearson, Morgan, Alberg, C&C, Tartan, Catalina. Good place to start shopping go to this website. Lots of information, specs and photos.

www.yachtworld.com

[skipmac]

By the way, as someone else mentioned, if by holidays you mean Thanksgiving and Christmas forget it. If your family is in Philly then you've been there for Christmas and know what the weather is like on land. Now take that to sea and add high winds and big waves. You will not want to be sailing to the NE US at that time of year. Suggest the family come see you in the Caribbean.