Boat Poll - Please Contribute Opinions

[Sailcat]

My research is narrowing down my boat choices quicker and better than I imagined because of all of you! Thanks. So now I'm asking you to help me select boats on the following preferences, so far:

1. 46-52' Monohull
2. Cutter or Cutter Ketch. Yawls (?), Sloop
3. Passage making cruiser. Serious.
4. >1995 (?) prefer >2001
5. Aft Cockpit
6. Lead Keel
7. Best Value
8. Oh, yeah roller furling everything.

Favorites found, so far (in no particular order) and most not meeting criteria but I loved them anyway:
Island Packet (why not finance me)
Swan (OMG)
Shannon (really, I thought they were just for movies)
Hylas (hubba hubba)
Formosa (oriental beauty)
Alden (wow, back in the day...)
Hinkley (pure sex appeal)
Bruce Roberts (a big one with a crew of scantily clad cheerleaders)

Realistic budget boats, more likely to obtain:
Catalina
Hunter
Choy Lee <1995
Irwin (?)
Bavaria
Jeanneau (Beneteau)

What am I missing? The list is weak, I know. Are my criteria to confining?
I saw an awesome Hunter 50 Saturday and compared it to a Beneteau and noticed big differences. I think I would sail a Hunter in a heartbeat, feel safe, secure, and comfortable on a transpassage. Is my thinking sound? Am I looking for the right things?

What are your thoughts?

[Piney]

Pacific Seacraft

[bangkaboat]

Definitely the Bruce Roberts with the scantily-clad cheerleaders. I never saw such a boat when I was looking and there is no equal to scantily-clad cheerleaders. If you can't get that option, however, I'd choose any of the first list or a Cheoy Lee.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Sailcat

My research is narrowing down my boat choices quicker and better than I imagined because of all of you! Thanks. So now I'm asking you to help me select boats on the following preferences, so far:

1. 46-52' Monohull
2. Cutter or Cutter Ketch. Yawls (?), Sloop
3. Passage making cruiser. Serious.
4. >1995 (?) prefer >2001
5. Aft Cockpit
6. Lead Keel
7. Best Value
8. Oh, yeah roller furling everything.

Favorites found, so far (in no particular order) and most not meeting criteria but I loved them anyway:
Island Packet (why not finance me)
Swan (OMG)
Shannon (really, I thought they were just for movies)
Hylas (hubba hubba)
Formosa (oriental beauty)
Alden (wow, back in the day...)
Hinkley (pure sex appeal)
Bruce Roberts (a big one with a crew of scantily clad cheerleaders)

Realistic budget boats, more likely to obtain:
Catalina
Hunter
Choy Lee <1995
Irwin (?)
Bavaria
Jeanneau (Beneteau)

What am I missing? The list is weak, I know. Are my criteria to confining?
I saw an awesome Hunter 50 Saturday and compared it to a Beneteau and noticed big differences. I think I would sail a Hunter in a heartbeat, feel safe, secure, and comfortable on a transpassage. Is my thinking sound? Am I looking for the right things?

What are your thoughts?

Boat for boat a Hunter may be a little faster than a Catalina, but it probably just comes down to skilled sailing -- although I have to say a relative beginner got my Hunter 31' up to a sustained 7.3 knots. Wish I could say it was me but I was not at the helm. Still my boat, though!

Gotta say though your dreams may be big, you have good taste in boats!

[MarinerJo]

The Jongert 16S was missing from your list

1981 Jongert 16S Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Khagan1227]

Not sure what your budget is, but you can get a 2003 (or earlier) 50' Beneteau for $150,000 or less.

I've been on both the Hunter 50 and Beneteau 50, either for me will do the trick. That said, IMHO both are more suited for cruising than offshore, but without a doubt both a capable (in the right hands) of circumnavigation. The boats at the top of your list are tanks and built to last.

You might also want to look at a 47' Valiant. Personally, I think they are beautiful in both looks and performance.

Keith

[Sailcat]

Hear! Hear!! Great minds think alike!

[Sailcat]

Not anymore! I want one! This one goes to my favorites list.

[Sailcat]

Valiants are now on my list and I'll research them this evening after work. They look pricey and there don't seem to be many on the market past 1995. I guess that's a good thing, assuming they are actively or were actively productin boats over the past 20 years. Thanks for the recommendation. Can I assume you own one, or did at one time?

[Sailcat]

One important criteria I forgot, or should I say, I intended to leave off. Price. I'm not interested in cost, right now. I'll deal with that later. Right now I want to focus on the logical design/quality/availability, etc. While I'm not wealthy, by any means, where there's a will, there's a way. That said, If I find a Swan design I rally want, I may have to comprimise with an older boat or similar older boat to make it happen. I'm not opposed to concession, to a point. First let me learn the herd, then I can pick my ride.

[Sailcat]

Khaggan1227-I was very disappointed when I went aboard the Beneteau37-40. I think it was a 2005. Mind you I had just boarded and reviewed Island Packets 46-48s and was very suprised at the quality difference. However, the boat was in poor repair and smelled of mold and fiberglass which may have jaded my opinion. If you think Beneteau is a worthy boat, I'll look again and much closer. The price is definately attractive for a $$/ft craft.

Anyone else have an opinion on Beneteau/Jeanteau lines?

[osirissail]

The top two on your realistic list - Catalina & Hunter are your best bets. Mainline boats from major manufacturers with good resale. Not fancy but like "Chevrolet's" they keep on sailing with minimal needs and very good quality for the dollar/price.
- - All the others have issues that end up with the need for money to maintain and repair. They are good boats but need more to keep them up.

[bstreep]

You might actually be able to afford that Hylas - if you are willing go back a few years. However, they are center cockpit boats.

There is a Macintosh 47 for sale for $125K. However, it's located in Singapore! We think it's hull #1 - so it's a bit dated, but a bulletproof design.

More: McIntosh 47 Yachts - Fast cruising yachts for discerning owners

[Mimsy]

Have you looked at any Passports?
The only 2 monohulls I would ever consider trading my boat for is a Hylas 49 or a Passport 47cc. Both of these are center cockpit boats and a bit roomier than what we currently have. That being said, in all actuality I doubt we will ever trade boats unless we decide to go to a cat, which i doubt.

[zeehag]

no one is gonna put in a plug for formosa/ct/ sea wolf-- garden designs are meant to be SAILED in high winds and all except light airs. they are lovely, look AWESOME sailing and are roomy. there is accessability to all systems, and sail in comfort.
and they can be found for under 50,000 usd. in decent shape. fixer uppers can be 10k, and a nice one is in long beach f or 30k. they last forever and repair nicely and can stand up to much abuse.

i seriously dislike the current trend in sailboat design. they are not pretty to look at.