Want To Buy: WTB: 40-50' Queen aft cabin blue water cruiser

[Coconuts333]

My wife and I are looking for a 40-50ish foot fiberglass hull blue water cruiser. She prefers the queen aft cabin for a live-aboard. We have looked at several Irwin 40's, a Morgan Marek, and Stamas 44 and are considering one. We like the looks of a Gulfstar but have not seen one in person. Any other suggestions or boats for sale on the forum? We have only started our research and are open to suggestions and advice due to the large number of boats available. Its hard to research them all and could use some free advice.
we are looking for something more sail ready and not a fixer upper as we are retired and desire to sail sooner than later. Our budget is around 100K depending on condition, electronics, and amenities. Ideally, we would like AC, water maker, nice galley, fridge/freezer, hot water heater, washing machine, furling jib, self tailing winches, cockpit control, but none of these are a must. We are located in Texas.
Look forward to visiting with everyone!

[Manateeman]

If this is your budget, you will have to adjust your wish list. Real “Blue Water” vessels which check off your requirements begin at one million dollars.
Seriously. Till then.
Happy trails to you.
Mark, a manatee with an empty cookie jar.

[Rearsteer]

Check out a Hallberg-Rassy 39. May have to up your price a bit, but nice boats with a aft cabin.

[Muaddib1116]

Are you willing to buy a boat out of state? How far away are you willing to go?

[Dogscout]

Youre gonna have to look hard. How about looking a boats in Europe?
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...la-42-3236399/

[Coconuts333]

Originally Posted by Rearsteer

Check out a Hallberg-Rassy 39. May have to up your price a bit, but nice boats with a aft cabin.

Excellent. I will thanks

[Coconuts333]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

Are you willing to buy a boat out of state? How far away are you willing to go?

Yes. Out of state is not a problem. I would prefer east coast but will consider west coast depending on shipping factors.

[Coconuts333]

Originally Posted by Dogscout

Youre gonna have to look hard. How about looking a boats in Europe?
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...la-42-3236399/

I’ve seen several. I would need to gain some wisdom in buying in Europe. Surveys, tariffs etc.

[hpeer]

We have a 44’ 1987 steel cutter, center cockpit with a nice aft stateroom. Bored during lockdown I was looking at newer boats in that general size range to see what new boats would replace our or boat. What I found was “not much” and nothing remotely within our price range. The cheapest were in the $300k bracket.

The good news is it made me much more satisfied with the boat we have. She would be hard to replace.

A few years ago there was a 50’ Gulf star for sale in our then marina. Guy made a cash offer of $50k and the Owner declined. A year later she donated the boat for a tax write off. The boat had some keel weeping issues and the interior had a heavy smell of mold. The systems were all tired. No idea of motor but it did not give a sense of “well loved.” All sails were shot.

Nice lines but it would have easily sucked up $50k in refitting.

Island Packets have a nice aft cabin but the bed is on an angle. They may meet your definition of “blue water” but are kinda pricey.

[Muaddib1116]

From high to low (price), my pics off yachtworld.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ckpit-3591383/
Engine has a lot of hours, not a lot of equipment listed.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...te-43-3677534/
Well regarded boat, has a generator and some solar.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ckpit-3687279/
Has ac, wind-gen, solar, watermaker.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...etch--3535868/
AC, generator, solar, watermaker.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ketch-3532697/
Generator, AC.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ar-50-3256782/
Generator, AC.

There are of course a lot of other considerations aside from equipment. Size, draft, air draft, etc. Just a few quick picks to get you started.

[flyingfin]

Double your budget and find a 470 Catalina

[hpeer]

Maudlin,
Thats a good list. I was trying to stay under 20 years old when I was looking.

[Muaddib1116]

I was trying to keep in mind the approx. budget that OP stated. I was cueing off of the boats that he mentioned, since he didn't really tell us what his sailing experience is, what his intended use will be, or what his definition of "blue water" is.

The boats I picked, I think are better "blue water" boats than what he was looking at, they may also be higher priced. At his budget, he's going to have to compromise on something, if not a few things.

Depending on what/where he actually plans on sailing, he may be better off buying a production boat.

[briblack]

There seem to be good boats for sale at good price in Tahiti. Obvious reason. You'd have to bring it back, to Texas I suppose?

[Muaddib1116]

There always seems to be some good deals on boats in the South Pacific, and even in New Zealand and Australia. Even with the low prices, I think those boats only make sense if you are willing to start your cruising in those locations, especially in a pandemic world.