A bluewater live-aboard for under $20k

[Bonzai]

I have my older (1964) sloop almost ready for any duty. Coastal or offshore. Solid as a rock and all vital points redone. !0k purchase price with (at the moment) another 8.5k invested. Love the old girl!!!

[Cheechako]

I've raced against the 29's quite a bit years ago. Hard boat to beat in it's rating. Cockpit seemed kinda deep to me, but essentially good boats. I'd take a Yankee 30 for cruising though.

[slowpoker]

Plusses: Lots of head room and storage, great liveaboard, full keel with rudder mounted on it, shoal draft, very strong, beamy, as roomy as a much larger boat, safe and comfortable, heavy displacement, diesel engine, large galley and head, simple rig, large engine room, good quality, plenty available for under $14k to 20k in good condition.
Minusses: Not trailerable, considered not a very fast sailer that needs a lot of breeze to move but I somewhat disagree with that, harder to tack in certain conditions, older boats from the early 80's, some people dislike them for their looks.
What boat is that? The Morgan 33 Out Island. There also are smaller Morgan 28 Out Island sloops to compare.

[FamilyVan]

Just wanted to support earlier recommendations for an Alberg 30.
If you really search for deals you can get some beautiful boats under $20k. I got my 1979 Fantasia 35 for under $20k. I really haven't had to do much to her either.
New dinghy outboard, new VHF, some new LED lights, threw out the Loran C, updated questionable rigging bits.
Good luck on your quest.

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[maine50]

I would look AFT Galley Tartan 30. Very capable S & S designed boat. Not the biggest interior but very strong rig, skeg supported keel and goes to windward in stronger winds. Ideal boat would be one with a diesel refit (came with gas atomic 4) . I owned on for 10 years and took it to Bermuda from CT. ---Tim

[roverhi]

Look at the Pearson 35 for sale above this thread. Looks like a heck of a deal on a very good shape Pearson 35 with most of the goodies asking $23K.

[dogeconomics]

You guys pulled this one back from the dead! Grad school took longer than expected, but my thesis is done and all is well now. Still hoping to move aboard once I get a job offer. Thanks again for your input. Can't wait.

Restoring a mutineer 15 in the meantime!


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[Island Time O25]

A little over a year ago a friend of a friend found a Niagara 35 for about $12K. Not in perfect condition of course but sailable. Did a few cosmetic repairs to it, some transmission work, etc. and sold it recently for a little under $20K as he lost his cheap dock space and couldn't talk his wife into starting their cruising plans sooner than planned.

I had a chance to do a day sail with them, was impressed with the boat, especially considering what he paid for it. Wouldn't take much to make her bluewater ready if one is handy.

BTW, the buyer supposedly took her to Europe as is.