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Thebonecollecto · 02-09-2018, 03:21

Hey guys, just joined the forum. Wanted to introduce myself and ask a basic question about which boat to buy... but first let me entice you with some boat porn...

Currently its for sale on craigs list. The boat is all custom. I designed and had my people build the custom pilothouse on it. I have 8k invested in stainless steel and then loads of more expensive usual boat stuff... haha. Here's the link if you'd like to look at better quality pictures.

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/...658907987.html

Anyway, I'm based out of port Santa Barbara CA. I work part time as an urchin tender, which means I help collect urchin commercially. I make weekly runs from 20-30 miles offshore in my 17ft pilothouse boat across the santa barbara channel to the channel islands very often to fish, dive, and enjoy life. I'm a long distance swimmer and was meant for the ocean. Unfortunately... my lust for boats has grown beyond healthy and am now compelled to circumnavigate the ocean.

So here is my question.. I need you educated, experienced salty dogs to fire off a list of heavy, safe, comfortable sea worthy blue water sail boats. My budget is 40k. That means I have 30k for a boat and 10k to refit the boat. I KNOW.. this is a low low budget, but for an old boat.. can be done.. Boating is all.. CAN DO attitude. That extra 10k will be most likely replace the tank, in all likely hood an engine, water system and storage, many high end batteries, ways to charge all those batteries, I pray to not redo rigging (possibly though), and many other things.

So.. if you guys could shoot off some old heavy duty sea worthy vessels from 33 to 45ft in the 40k budget I would appreciate that. Just those boats that are readily available across the US that everyone knows has that can do attitude. Like good old faithful tried and true. With my budget they will be 70's and early 80 models and I'm fine with that.

It will be me and my wife traveling and possibly some friends here or there. One thing I do require above else... Is an aft bed in the stern. I wont pay all this money to have my wife critical failure this opportunity because she's getting smashed to death in bed on the bow.

Thank you for your time,

Cameron

Suijin · 02-09-2018, 05:25

This is the boat you’re urchin for:

https://www.boats.com/sailing-boats/...nt-40-6804260/

jannw · 02-09-2018, 06:57

he's right about the valliant!

bill352 · 02-09-2018, 07:30

There are three Westsail 32s on Yachtworld right now in San Diego, two of them around $35k. No aft berth, but an excellent sea berth in the main cabin. And they certainly meet your "heavy, safe, comfortable" criteria.

Many people love these boats, and many do not. I have sailed on one and would be comfortable sailing it anywhere.

redhead · 02-09-2018, 09:29

I'd buy the Valiant - case closed.

Suijin · 02-09-2018, 12:07

Do your research on Valiants. Then go on yacht trader and look at comparables. You’ll see them selling for about 2x the boat I linked.

The linked boat is from the blister era, but that does not mean this boat has blisters as some escaped “the pox”. If it does have blisters they are pretty much just cosmetic. Blisters would explain the boat’s price, but I don’t see any trace of any in the photos.

The linked boat also appears well cared for and generally well equipped. As I said on another thread (Boats $25k or less), I’ve seen Valiants of the same vintage in worse shape go for considerably more.

OldManMirage · 02-09-2018, 13:06

Oh man, I love your little yacht ! Very cool, what is the hull from ? Sweet little boat, no doubt.

Be sure to check out bluewaterboats.org and atomvoyages.com

Both are good places to start gathering info. Steep learning curve at first of course, so take time to think about the various choices. Nothing wrong with going with an older classic, proven design. Plenty of them that have and still are out there cruising.

**hpeer** · 02-09-2018, 13:35

There is a thread in here about boats under $30,000.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-147098.html

Also watch what happens on the Golden Globe Race, might give you some insight.

The GGR race, discussion and news - Page 25 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Dougtiff · 02-09-2018, 13:42

For the money you want to spend, which dictates the length, you will not find an Aft cabin vessel, also , when under way, you do not want to be trying to sleep up forward, as the motion will be terrible, middle of the boat has less motion, also when anchored, the fore peak will be the coolest, due to the wind funneling down the fore hatch, aft cabins are hot, due to less air circulation.

tml · 02-09-2018, 16:52

Go for the Valiant! Been sailing a Bob Perry design for 30 years; nothing is perfect but off shore you will not be disappointed.
Tom

Suijin · 02-09-2018, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougtiff

For the money you want to spend, which dictates the length, you will not find an Aft cabin vessel, also , when under way, you do not want to be trying to sleep up forward, as the motion will be terrible, middle of the boat has less motion, also when anchored, the fore peak will be the coolest, due to the wind funneling down the fore hatch, aft cabins are hot, due to less air circulation.

Hunh? The Valiant has an aft cabin, queen size bunk. It’s a side entry. There are a ton of similar configurations in his price range. Aft cabin does not mean center cockpit with a master cabin behind the cockpit.

I will agree that aft cabins are not quite as cool as vberths, but nothing in a boat is as vberth/forward cabins generally have the largest hatch in the boat for hauling sails in and out of.

Thebonecollecto · 02-09-2018, 22:05

Guys thanks so much for the feedback. Love the valiant. Looks very heavy duty for such a cheap price. I’ll contact them and see if she’s immune to any blisters. She seems to be in great shape and beautiful for her age and price? Strange it’d be so cheap.

Are there any modern cruisers with a little more beam action that could do blue water crossings? I know hunters aren’t considered true blue water crossers but man the ergonomics are hard to pass on. Huge aft cabin, and for 30k there are 1986 40ft legends everywhere easy to come by. I love the 40 ft range. Enough room for space between crew mates and your significant other, if needed. Space as we all know is important. Really helps your mental game, and that’s half the battle. In these older generation hulls space and beam are not favored.

I’ll look a that link of the 30k budget blue water boats. Thanks so much for the responses guys this has helped a lot. I’m actually beginning to get scared that I might truly change my entire life and travel the world... a scary thought... but beautiful.

My skiff is called a George Greenough. It’s a Trihull. Deep v in the front with a dead rise of 30 degrees and in the stern a catamaran with dead rise of 18. It’s very stable at anchor due to this design. Tomorrow I’ll go fishing at Santa Cruz Island about 20 miles offshore. It’s only a 17 ft boat but she is very sea worthy with that beautiful pilothouse.

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a sail boat... and that’s pretty much the same thing.

-cameron