The ideal bluewater cruiser on a budget

[HighTide9000]

Hey everyone,

The wife and I are just about ready to take the plunge and buy ourselves a live-aboard to spend a few years exploring the world.
We're looking for a reliable and comfortable sailboat between 40 and 55 feet to get us around the Caribbean anchorages and gunkholes in the first year and then satisfy our ambitions to cross the Pacific in 2021.
Our budget is limited to around 55,000 USD / 50,000 EUR. So far I've been limiting the search to anything built from 1990. There are a bunch of ready-to-sail second-hand bavs, beneteaus and jeanneaus available around this price range, I'm just not sure if one of these are the best choice based on our needs and plans... I'm eager to hear what the community recommends!

HighTide900

[Pete7]

Welcome to CF

This profile is MarkJ, he sailed a Bene 39 1.5 times around the world. The original sails blew out and needed replacing half way, oh he needed to stock the beer up occasionally being a Aussie. Otherwise bog standard ex charter boat.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...arkj-9537.html

Given your requirements so far, those fin keeled European yachts seem a good choice and likely at lot of boat for your budget.

How much sailing experience do you have? if limited how about chartering a modern fin keeled yacht first?

Be aware that yachts spend 6 days a week in harbour or at anchor, but they are you home 24/7 so choose something you want to live on, not something that was built for the North West passage.

Here is a young couple with a limited budget but have sailed 1/2 way around the world so far and seem to really enjoy life:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkE...CE-GPsMCdSjmxQ

[B23iL23]

The best advice ever on CF!

Originally Posted by Pete7

Welcome to CF

....

Be aware that yachts spend 6 days a week in harbour or at anchor, but they are your home 24/7 so choose something you want to live on, not something that was built for the North West passage.

[HighTide9000]

Thanks guys! Not a huge amount of sailing experience, for that reason I'd prefer a boat that doesn't have a reputation for problems.

[double u]

Originally Posted by HighTide9000

Hey everyone,

...Carribbean anchorages and gunkholes in the first year and then satisfy our ambitions to cross the Pacific in 2021.
Our budget is limited to around 55,000 USD / 50,000 EUR...

HighTide900

Just forget it! Anybody telling you otherwise is either lying or has no clue! 40-55 feet: a huge spread, bluewater cruising at these sizes-even 40'-at this budget: absolutely impossible!

[kenbo]

Is that $55k budget for the boat or the entire cruising budget?

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by HighTide9000

...a reliable and comfortable sailboat between 40 and 55 feet to get us around the Caribbean anchorages and gunkholes in the first year and then satisfy our ambitions to cross the Pacific in 2021.
Our budget is limited to around 55,000 USD / 50,000 EUR...

Wherabouts you intend buying the boat in the first place impacts upon your ambition: You'll get more boat for your $/£/€ in the USA than Europe, more still if you're buying in the southern end of the Caribbean.

That said, I'd partially concur with double-u's opinion: Do not 'forget it', but with the level of budget that you're talking, then any 40'+ boat that you can afford is likely to be ropey/tired and the subsequent repairs and maintenance will be a struggle. If you really want to do it, then look at smaller boats; you'll be able to afford a better conditioned one to begin with and the subsequent maintenance/repair costs associated with it will be less.

The videos are cute, but I'm fairly sure that neither Florence and more certainly Mark's yacht 'Sealife' could've been bought and fitted out within a $55k budget.

[double u]

let's halve the length, & we can have a rational discussion!

[Zzmeyer]

At your budget you will be looking at some significant refit/prep cost to get ready to go. Figure everything for the 55 footer will cost at least twice as much as a 40. For example, the recommended Mantus anchor for the 40 footer is $650, but for the 55 footer its $1300 (not including rode). Also, you will be getting a much rougher 55 footer. Even at 40 feet, your budget is a stretch, but some have done it. A very smart guy said you won't get a "forever" boat so find an experienced mentor and go for it.

[dcstrng]

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

with the level of budget that you're talking, then any 40'+ boat that you can afford is likely to be ropey/tired and the subsequent repairs and maintenance will be a struggle. If you really want to do it, then look at smaller boats; you'll be able to afford a better conditioned one...

I think this is sound advice – years ago when folks really did set out with your size nest-egg, the normal size of vessel was 30-35 feet… for whatever reason many modern sailors almost consider this a row-boat, but many seaman like voyages/transoceanic/circumnavigations were sailed in this size… the challenge with shopping by “brand” is that as a vessel ages, brand/manufacturer matters less and less (assuming it was originally a respectable quality boat) and the maintenance and upkeep over the years weighs much more – thus, it is a vessel on vessel comparison, rather than simply going out to purchase a Chevy because of good parts availability or a BMW because of a repute for performance… I do think smaller is a way to stretch your budget, and having had larger vessels that displaced three time our current one (and measure nearly 15 feet longer on the deck, I can tell you the maintenance may be more a function of displacement that anything, but so is the cabin space… but the marinas and sales folks will usually be charging by the foot…

[HighTide9000]

Greatly appreciate the input from everyone so far. It's the kind of rational, realistic AND experience-based view that we've been looking for.

To be clear, the 55k USD budget is for the boat only and allows for another $5k in setup costs (registration, insurance, any urgent work/updates).

Based on your feedback it sounds like a better option would be to look for something smaller. We are open to considering smaller boats providing there is enough room for friends to stay every now and then. I understand this can be achieved in boats around 38-40 feet.

Some boats that have caught our eye so far:
https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...dard%20listing (with a bit of negotiation and budget stretch)

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...dard%20listing (likewise with some negotiation and stretching the budget)

Based on your advice though, I'm thinking we should be looking at boats like this:
https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...dard%20listing
OR
https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...dard%20listing

Eager to hear your thoughts!

[rbk]

Only one of the boats you've listed is within your budget of 55K USD. Others are 10-20K over. Not to say the seller wont take less...

[freshalaska]

A 55,000 dollar bluewater boat is going to take a lot more than 5,000 to set up and insure.
We bought a 70k bluewater boat 1986 and 46 feet overall and have spent 3 winters so far setting it up and probably will take another 1 1/2 winters to get ready and looks like a additional $55,000 in bits and pieces. And I’m doing most of the labor. This doesn’t include insurance or Marina fees.
More power to ya if you can do it, however these boats cost a lot more than you would think. Very worthy goal but it takes money and a great deal of elbow grease. Don’t let the dream die.

[AndyEss]

I think your “setup” cost is skimpy - $10-15k might be more realistic.
Sizing your first boat to entertain friends sounds like a very dubious strategy. Get a boat that will fit you and your mate and sea (sic) how you take to blue water.

[laika]

Everyone has an opinion on what size and type of boat is best, and all are valid. Outside of the charter fleets, no two boats are setup exactly alike. You should get a bit of experience, even if it's just dock walking and talking, and figure out what you like.

Don't be in a rush to buy.
Don't forget to budget in the cost of a survey or two or three.
Don't underestimate refit costs.
Don't get lost in a refit upfront. Go sail first.
Don't forget the boat is just the means, albeit a very important and beautiful one.

Have fun in the process!