Help me find a boat and I'll pay you!

[witzgall]

I'll ditto the advice above to focus on the bones of the boat, find one with the layout and berths you need. All of of the other can be added or gone without.

Just note, I have read accounts of families that have cruised without having a separate berth for each member. I remember when my brother, sister and I would visit my dad in his first apartment, after our parents divorced. He had one bed other than his own. Whoever did the dishes got the bed, the kid who dried the dishes got the couch, and the third kid got the floor. Then, we rotated the next night. Granted, it was only for weekends, but kids are flexible.

We have friends that cruised for 6 months in the bahamas with a 13 yo and a 3 yo, sharing the same aft berth.

If I were you, I would pay close attention to boats coming out of charter, or ex-charter boats in the states that are older. If you can find one with two aft cabins, you are set. If you consider center cockpit boats, your chances of finding one that you can live with will increase significantly.

Getting all of your list, or even a big portion of it, for the $$$ you mentioned, it going to be near impossible, unless you stumble upon that deal of a lifetime. The trouble is, they are very few and far between. I would not bank on that happening.

Chris

[boatman61]

Buga that.. I'd raise the funds.. buy it myself and live aboard till I flipped it in OZ...

[autumnbreeze27]

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._id=56609&url=

I would look at Beneteau Idylle and adding whatever systems you feel necessary. Your price range and requirements are way off, so no broker will take you seriously.

If total budget is $50k, you should look at something like this because you're going to need money to refit no matter what boat you buy. 1984 Catalina 38 catalina Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

I accept tips via paypal

[letsgetsailing3]

The most difficult part of boat buying is figuring out the compromises that YOU are willing to make. Nobody else can figure that part out.

I agree, however, that boat brokers aren't really working all that hard for their 10%.

It's all they can do to be honest about the boat you're looking at.

[jgbrown]

Originally Posted by vtsailguy

Guess lots of people missed this point

To be fair, I did miss that! Maybe go back, add an EDIT: and clarify that? Except for the berths I've seen the boat here, everything was done to it. Owner took it back off the market eventually, no offers at 55.

I've realized I can have either, a boat as big as I'd like, or one totally refit as I'd like. I'm still not sure which to go for, should probably sell mine first, though I'll lose every penny I put in.

[Ed_Sail]

Hi VT

A friend bought an NY40 - its a very nice boat - he is doing some of the conversations that this one has .... they are fast, stylish and blue .... his longerterm plans are to head south and cruise ....

E

Originally Posted by vtsailguy

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...g_id=1852&url=

Anyone know this boat? Palmer Johnson New York 40. Meets alot of my needs. The converted P&S lockers are pilot berths and could be converted back I think.

[sww914]

Do you want a mermaid with that?
Seriously though, I bought what you're asking for but without the wind vane, wind generator, liferaft, crispy sails, etc.
We lived in the boatyard next to it for 7 months in a tiny RV and working on the boat every day and spent another 15 grand. It isn't done yet.

[zeehag]

914--trust me--is never done---formosa my life i will be fixing and working on my formosa..but i love her, and she is worth the labor and money i spend on her longevity factor.
there are so many boats and each one is different......
isfun to search--but isnt fun to search online or by newspaper, as prices are higher and quality is not an option...the are being sold that way fro a reason.
i surveyed, for a potential buyer, a vagabond 47 in pv last year---the owner was asking 150k usd for it--looked awesome cool and great in pix. they fail to let you know those pix were initial selling pix, 47 yrs ago. boat is now worth mebbe 40k, and rotted where teak used to be.
another point---who besides you knows what you want in a sailing cruiser-- you will need to sail these boats before purchase in many kinds of weather.


dont deny yourself the most funnest part of boat ownership--finding her....is a complex game.

good luck..btw--the usual finders fee is 10 percent.... enjoy your search.

[vtsailguy]

Thought I would post my final update!

The Best Boat for Cruising with Children | Sailing With Kids

[ArtM]

Congratulations, I hope you're able to complete the sale and get her home.

Names:
Perfection Found
No Compromise
Who Could Ask 4 More

[SaltyMonkey]

Congrats. The Tartan is a good choice.

[tartansail]

Congratulations! The T-41 is a beautiful boat. Most of them had a draft over 6'. I worked in VT for the past three years. Sailing friends complained a lot about dropping water levels in the lake. Will that be an issue for you?