I’m looking to set out on an ~5 year
bluewater cruise. I target to spend around $150K on the
boat sail away ready. I will start alone but want to be able to take on guests. Given that I’m also quite tall at 6’6”, I think that ~40 foot is the right size.
I’m 50y old and have been
racing high performance dinghies in International level most of my life. My cruising experience is much more limited, but I have done a 2 months
cruise up/down the
California coast on a
Catalina 380 as well as a 2 months in the
Bahamas.
My
current boats are a
trawler for cruising and for sailing a 19 feet sports
boat which I’m single-handing from the trapeze including
gennaker (600 lbs boat, 500 sqf sail). Here lies my problem. I really like high performance sailboats but this might be opposite of an ideal
single handed world cruiser.
I’m going around and around on boat choices and to start off I’m thinking in terms of major priorities.
Comfort on the hook. I believe that most of the time is spent on the hook so being comfortable should be highest priority. Most of the time is probably spent in the
cockpit or
bed so they should be spacious and comfortable.
Fun to sail Island hopping. To me this is performance. When
family sailing I always run around tuning the boat (the
racer in me that will not go away)
Comfortable and safe
ocean crossing. Off course I don’t want to die, but I rather being uncomfortable on a 3 weeks
ocean crossing and have the perfect boat when arrived at the new local cruising grounds. What is safe enough is of course a thought I’m wrestling with especially as I want to be able to
single hand it across an ocean.
To start with I been thinking the Caliber 38/40 to be the ideal boat for me but I’m starting to change my mind and two other
boats are now on top of the list:
Beneteau First 42s7: Great sailing performance with a decent floor plan the most negative being the
galley which likely is far from ideal at sea. Given the design is to withstand
offshore racing it should be strong enough for ocean
passage making. My biggest concern is whilst I think it can handle tough ocean
weather with a crew I’m less sure about it single handed (when **** happens more hands help)
Beneteau 393: Great boat on the hook and good
headroom (I’m 6’6”). Doesn’t sail as well as the 42s7 but certainly better than the Caliber. In terms of
safety, its interesting that only two out of 30+ evaluated Beneteaus (393, 473) have a STIX number greater than its length. The Bene 393’s STIX is at 43, the same as an example the IP 370.
I don’t want to start another Bene /
blue water debate, but looking for inputs of other suitable boats for me meeting following criteria:
- $150K sail away
price
- Better sailing performance than Caliber 38/40
- Comfortable
interior with good
headroom
- Ocean crossing capable single handed.
- The newer the better but not older than 1990
Thanks and Cheers