$1,500,000 to Spend . . .

[theonecalledtom]

Oh - and lines are very important. You need to feel good about that boat, proud when you point her out to people, happy to get home and cosy in her, and secure that she'll carry you safely through conditions you yourself are not yet ready for.

I bet MarkJ quite likes the lines on his boat!

[ColdEH]

SEA ANGEL

If I had the cash , it would be the boat I would buy.

Regards

[RDW]

I think Hinckley is out of building sail boats. When I was in Maine last summer they had not bouit a sail boat for 2-3 years and were under new ownership whcih was focusing on picnic boats.
rdw

[ColdEH]

This is the link
Yacht Sea Angel: Welcome Aboard!
You could probably get it for 1 Million

[farotherside]

if I were you, I'd spend $250k on a gorgeous used sailboat and the rest of your life cruising cheaply.

if you find yourself saving money, pay the airfare to fly your friends/family to wherever you are.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by theonecalledtom

I bet MarkJ quite likes the lines on his boat!

No. Not really.
I never see the lines of my boat when I am aboard her. Nor does anyone when on their own boat. We even more rarely see the lines of our boat when sailing.

So the lines are just wank.

Livability and sailing ability is more importnat than the self-indulgent thought of how other people are looking at our boat - because they are the only ones who can.

Anyway, lines mean little. Otherwise there would have been a million 400 post threads here on CF. (and no catamarans would ever be sold!)

Thus my thoughts to go what is really important.

[RetSurfer]

I have absolutely no desire to “design” a sailboat!!!
I once tried to shape a surfboard and it was a joke. On the other hand I do feel that I have an “eye” for what allows a boat to ride on or plow though swells… I WILL trust my feeling here but will back it up with trials.
I will by no means go out and just buy something until I have tried a lot of different hull shapes. My # 1, 2 and 3 priorities here will be the safety and seaworthiness of the boat. Only then will I look at the accommodations aspect. I do know all the tradeoffs on the draft and height of boats and would be more concerned with them if I plan on day sailing.
I also will employ an “expert” at the proper time, especially if we decide to build.
I’m VERY thankful to all of you for your thoughts.
I also recognize all the years’ experience that goes with those thoughts…

Mark

[MarkJ]

By the way, if the original poster is one of those totally gregarious people who invite the anchorage for drinks every night and parties till late, then perhaps he should be looking at a catamaran. Their cockpits are made for entertaining....

[td1]

You might pick up some of Ferenc Mates books, they're a little dated, but detail the design and construction of a lot of the boats recommend so far (Hinckley, Alden, etc.). My favorite quote of his meshes with your objectives pretty well too: "for a sailboat should be chosen like the women of our lives, with our eyes and with our hearts and not with a measuring tape and a pocket calculator". If you design and build, I would look at the designs of Chuck Paine (C.W. Paine Yacht Designers: Let Chuck Paine Build Your Yacht Design Dream), who designs fast and beautiful monohulls. Edit: I just realized he retired, but his designs are still available to look at and buy if you like them.

[Pete7]

Mark,

When are you next in the UK?

PSP Southampton Boat Show - Home

Moody Yachts

Pete

[donradcliffe]

Probably the first thing you need to decide is how big a boat you want, and that is going to be a factor of how big your ideal crew is. If its just you, you probably don't want anything bigger than 40 feet. If its just you and your SO, 55 ft is probably the upper limit. Above that size, you are going to need more hands, and will have to deal with managing crew.

Once you make that decision, its time to talk about safety versus performance.

[RetSurfer]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Probably the first thing you need to decide is how big a boat you want, and that is going to be a factor of how big your ideal crew is. If its just you, you probably don't want anything bigger than 40 feet. If its just you and your SO, 55 ft is probably the upper limit. Above that size, you are going to need more hands, and will have to deal with managing crew.

Once you make that decision, its time to talk about safety versus performance.

It will be me and my better half….
Both in good shape, work out 5 times a week and take care of ourselves. Not interested in a crew.
I’ll be 60 and she’ll be 50 in three years so I feel a 10 year adventure for all the hard work over the years is called for.
Interesting how I’m getting so much feedback on building a boat verses any brand names out there… Not adverse to that but you don’t get that so much in the Trawler side.
Liked the Passport Visa 61, at least on their site.
That UK boat show is just about the time of the Newport show which we are attending…
Thanks Again

Mark

[Gongal]

First listen to those on this board that have done it.

My cents worth:
Sundeer : a sailing machine
Hylas, Morris, Oyster : Production/semi custom great value and predictable.
Anything by German Frers : reliable Form vs Function...oh those lines!

[Paul Elliott]

To clarify, my suggestion that you might consult with Bob Perry wasn't limited to a new boat design. Bob has advised many people on their selection of an already-built boat. I happen to think that it would be a mistake to commission a new design for your first big boat.

[knottygurl]

load up yoursuv and do a road trip, visit some marinas and look at boats, start a list of what gets you excited, meet the owners, sit with them, ask if they wouls allow you to join them one afternoon sail. Find out who here has given advice and seek them out to see there boat and have them take you out to see what you like.
You really need to figure out what fits you, all the advice wont meen squat if you do not like the boat there describing.
you really need to be sitting in and trials to help you and wife decide. interior and sleeping accomadation WILL matter more then speed if it is going to be your home for 10 years, losing a knot or 2 for the sake of having an extra state room or a really nice laid out gally and saloon, the added comfort when not moving which you will be more then crusing would in my opionin be the deal maker, also what electronics, water maker, inboard, showers, heads. this mmakes it home