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10-02-2016, 17:39
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
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Sailing in the Caribbean
Hi,
Looking at planning a sailing trip to the Caribbean next year about February and have quite a few questions, would appreciate anyone's help with some local and general sailing knowledge.
1. Where is the best place to travel to and buy a yacht in the area; Florida? Haiti? Cuba?
2. What size yacht would be needed for a crew of around 5 to safely live and sail throughout the Caribbean Sea on? Traveling shortest distance island to island.
3. Is $15000-$20000 USD realistic amount to purchase the vessel described above, it does not need to be luxuroius just livable and sail-able.
4. Do you need specific tickets or requirements to purchase a vessel in the US or to enter the countries in the Caribbean?
Appreciate any help
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10-02-2016, 17:58
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Boat: Pearson 367
Posts: 550
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
There are couples out there that sail the Caribbean on $20k boats but they are in the 28-35ft range. That is a great size for couples. If you want to comfortably sleep 5 you are looking at a 50ft boat and a boat that size for $20k is probably going to need a refit that costs more than the boat itself to make it seaworthy.
With your budget I would say it isn't possible without some real safety risks so other questions are moot. Just my opinion
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10-02-2016, 18:16
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Thanks mate,
In terms of comfortable it is for a group of 25 year old guys so as long as there is somewhere to lie down and sleep wed be happy id say. Could stretch the price to $25000.
Would appreciate if you shared some info on other questions so I could do some further investigation.
Cheers
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10-02-2016, 18:20
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#4
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Eternal Member

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Australia
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 3,650
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Sure it's doable. Given the euro to usd value, the euro islands might be a good place to start. Also Grenada and Trinidad probably have a lot. If you're on a timeline I'd probably search for something that's been cruised recently, rather than on the handstand for a couple of years which may require a lot of work and a lot of waiting around. Something like this might work
http://www.leboncoin.fr/nautisme/899701758.htm?ca=24_s
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10-02-2016, 18:27
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SW Florida
Boat: Grand Banks 49
Posts: 572
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbnz
Thanks mate,
In terms of comfortable it is for a group of 25 year old guys so as long as there is somewhere to lie down and sleep wed be happy id say. Could stretch the price to $25000.
Would appreciate if you shared some info on other questions so I could do some further investigation.
Cheers
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You could no doubt get by with a 40 footer, and you could probably find one in Florida in your price range. It will need a huge amount of work however to make it seaworthy enough for the kind of cruising that you propose. I'd be surprised if you could find a decent 40 footer ready to go for less than 50 to 80K$. Sailing to the Caribbean is not a walk in the park and you will no doubt need to budget a fair amount of money for repairs and upgrades along the way.
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10-02-2016, 18:34
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#6
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Eternal Member

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Australia
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 3,650
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Don't worry too much about lack of space. Pretty soon one of the guys will get seasick and hate it, one will meet a local girl and jump ship, one will realise he hates the rest of his mates after living in close quarters and it will be just you and your mate left 🍻✌
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10-02-2016, 19:12
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Boat: 2018 Seadoo GTX 230
Posts: 1,059
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
There are a ton of boats for sale already located on the Caribbean. I would look there.
Now finding the right boat in that price range is not going to be easy. But remember an asking price of 40k might sell for 20k.
Maybe look at Cats. They will have sleeping quarters separated in each pod. But they will cost more.
Sent from my SM-G360V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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10-02-2016, 19:35
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Where is the best place to look at boats? I live in Australia so can only really check out on the net. Is it worth getting someone on the ground to have a look around for you so there are a couple of options to look at when we arrive? Dont want to spend a month looking for a boat to buy when we arrive.
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10-02-2016, 20:52
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 140
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
With 5 guys, I would think a Catamaran would be best because it has lots of room, but they are usually expensive.
If you don't mind some hard work, there is this old one for $9,000 in Alabama. These Geminis have 3 separate rooms, plus the saloon table folds down to a double bed. You could probably buy it and fix it up for $15-$20k, but it would take some hard work. With that said, splitting the work between 5 guys might not be too bad.
1976 Performance Cruising Gemini sailboat for sale in Alabama
Alternatively, search sailboatlistings.com for boats between 40 and 60 feet for $20,000 or less and see if one of those fit your needs.
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/54971
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/55466
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11-02-2016, 09:52
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
The Canadian dollar is super low right now. Buy a boat on the great lakes and take it south. Its only a 3 week trip if you rush, and will be lots of fun. Also, most great lakes boats have never seen salt water, so you get a rust free boat, usually in much better condition for its age.
For a crew of 5, you'll want a big boat.
For Caribbean, you'll want shallow draft.
Here you go:
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
To convert from CDN to USD:
USD = CDN x 0.7
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11-02-2016, 09:56
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbnz
Hi,
What size yacht would be needed for a crew of around 5 to safely live and sail throughout the Caribbean Sea on? Traveling shortest distance island to island.
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What is the relationship between the crew members...this will help determine your optimum layout. Is it 2 parents and 3 kids? 2 couples and a butler? 5 friends? IMHO, girls demand much more privacy...and most guys don't care about privacy at all.
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11-02-2016, 10:01
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Boat: 2018 Seadoo GTX 230
Posts: 1,059
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Hamburking - the OP has a budget of around $20,000. Not $100,000.
Sent from my SM-G360V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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11-02-2016, 10:02
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamburking
The Canadian dollar is super low right now. Buy a boat on the great lakes and take it south. Its only a 3 week trip if you rush, and will be lots of fun. Also, most great lakes boats have never seen salt water, so you get a rust free boat, usually in much better condition for its age.
For a crew of 5, you'll want a big boat.
For Caribbean, you'll want shallow draft.
Here you go:
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
To convert from CDN to USD:
USD = CDN x 0.7
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Ooops....you said $20 k .... I thought you said $200 k.
Thats a whole nother ballgame:
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
Toronto Yachts for Sale, New & Used Boat Sales, Powerboats & Sailboats - Toronto Yacht Sales
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11-02-2016, 10:11
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Saint Lucie county FLa
Boat: 35' Pearson sloop
Posts: 389
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
Check Riverside Marina in Fort Pierce FL.
The number is 772 464-5720 they have a lot
Of need work hulls, you might find something!
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11-02-2016, 10:17
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Boat: Pearson 367
Posts: 550
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Re: Sailing in the Caribbean
To the OP, how much sailing experience do you have?
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