Capable World Cruiser, and Costs?

[dniello]

Hello,
Im looking for a boat within the 34-38 ft. range that is both cheap and capable of long distance cruising. I plan to buy a boat, live on it, fix it up and set sail. I am thinking of an Ericson 35, or 38. Possibly an Islander 36. What are your thoughts on these or any other makes I should be looking at (I am in San Francisco so boats available here are plus). Also, how much do you anticipate it costing to upgrade systems for cruising (electronics, rigging, engine, ect.).

Thanks,
Derrick

[Kefaa]

You have asked the equivalent of "what car is the best for driving across country?"
Using the search here best cruiser - Google Search you will find some of what you are looking for.

Before anyone can help you specifically, you need to answer a few questions.
1. What price range? (Save 15% for "after purchase" costs and the older the boat the higher the number (25% is probably more realistic) ).
2. What do you consider long distance? What locations?
3. Will you be sailing alone?
4. How many on board? (note this is different than the prior question)
5. How much sailing experience do you have?
6. How much boat maintenance experience do you have?

[dniello]

Sailing my whole life and about 7500 Blue miles under my belt, but of course still tons to learn. The idea is to at least go across the pacific and beyond. Will have at least 2 people on board, possibly 3 at times. Just looking for some ideas of well made, capable, relativlt cheap (30-50K) cruising boats ideally available on west coast. Any thoughts???

[Anzo]

Example 1, with many hundreds to follow, I'm sure
1974 Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[witzgall]

In my one-boat experience, the 25% of refit costs are to repair and preventatively replace worn items on the boat, not to install new equipment, liferafts, EPIRBS, etc.

What is your realistic TOTAL budget for the boat? As an example, we paid 20k for ours, and will have close to 40k in her soon, caribbean cruise ready. It is amazing how it all adds up. I try not to think about it in that way much.

I think the percentage rules don't really apply once you are looking at older, cheaper boats, less than 50k.

The good news is that there are some excellent bargains out there.

[Randyonr3]

with sailing your whole life and logging 7500 blue water miles.. and asking a question like "What Boat" I'm sorry, but I have to question your question...........

[Weyalan]

It will cost exactly 50% more than you expected, and about 15% more than the maximum you can afford!

The question you ask is probably a little too open to give a realistic answer.

A 1975 34' live-aboard boat might cost as little as $25k
A 2009 38' live-aboard boat might cost as much as $400k

If, for the sake of argument you were to buy a 25 year old 35' boat in reasonable condition, you might get one for, lets say $40-$50k. This would assume that structurally the boat is sound and the rigging is old, but sound. If all the electrics, electronics, plumbing, galley were original, you could probably spend another $40-50k refitting, and that doesn't even include sail wardrobe. The above figures are +/- 200%

Really, you might as well ask how long is a piece of string. A better approach might be to figure our your maximum budget, and then assume, say 50% of that on the purchase of the boat (the other 50% being to cover refitting / sails, etc), and see what you can find for that figure, whatever it is.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dniello

Hello,
Im looking for a boat within the 34-38 ft. range that is both cheap and capable of long distance cruising. I plan to buy a boat, live on it, fix it up and set sail. I am thinking of an Ericson 35, or 38. Possibly an Islander 36. What are your thoughts on these or any other makes I should be looking at (I am in San Francisco so boats available here are plus). Also, how much do you anticipate it costing to upgrade systems for cruising (electronics, rigging, engine, ect.).

Thanks,
Derrick

Check out YachtWorld and Sailboat Listings.... both have a variety of boats for sale on the West Coast....
As to Upgrades.. thats down to what you want... basic or superyacht... unanswerable... except by the guy selling em to you.
Choy Lee, Pearson, Columbia, Colin Archer Design ... saw one of those going cheap in BC a coupla months ago

[desierto]

Hi dniello, go to san diego boats classifieds - craigslist search for Crown.
You will find the boat I am selling. It's been there, it's done that...
If you are looking at the boat models you mentioned, a Crown 34 is definitely ahead of the pack...

[feelsgood]

Why not buy a nice Sadler 34 unsinkable and get some experience by sailing it back to the USA