Boat Recommendation Thread #19467

[Arch Stanton]

For all the usual reasons, sailing solo or two up on a small and more easily manageable boat really appeals to me.

I'm still dinking around in the Puget Sound, but plan to eventually journey up to Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte, Anchorage, Kodiak and beyond.

There are lots of commonly recommended "Small boats that can take you anywhere", but most of those recommendations seem to be older boats, often needing significant modification to become worthy of a big open water beatdown.

I guess I am the rare minimalist that wants something new and shiny.

All the new, seaworthy boats seem to be huge, and all the new, my-sized boats seem to be more suited for inland or coastal cruising.

I never seem to see people recommending new, small monohulls for open ocean use.

I'm curious what boat you experts would recommend that is:

Year 2000 or newer
Less than 30'
Less than $130,000ish
Singlehandable
Open ocean seaworthy right out of the box

Does such a thing exist?

[David M]

If you want to go up two feet there is the Westsail 32. All of the listings for this boat on Yachtworld are all well under $130,000.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...dedSelected=-1

[John Drake]

Pacific Sea Craft 31?

I have a friend that sails and lives aboard one with his wife and two dogs. They are very happy with it. Have had it for a number of years...though they have not sailed it very far, I understand it is a most seaworthy craft.

There are several models and years available. No doubt one could be had well below your price range and you could then have more than enough cash left over to fit her out extremely well and cash left over to fund at lease a year's worth of cruising.

I hope this helps.

Best

John

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by John Drake

Pacific Sea Craft 31?

Those Pacific Seacraft 31s look rock solid and seem to be very well-regarded, thanks.

Any other suggestions that fit the list above?

[Curmudgeon]

You would be extraordinarily lucky to find a Pacific Seacraft 31 built after 2000 for $130K or less. In fact, you would be extraordinarily lucky to find ANY newer model pocket cruiser that is "ocean capable right out of the box" for that price.

You might find something in AU or NZ, where they have some very nice local designs that do not find their way over to North America, but even that is doubtful if you want something built after 2000.

Here's my pracgtical advice: There is a 1980 Bristol Channel Cutter set up for single-handing (Schaeffer in-boom furler, etc.) for sale in Maryland for 119K. I'd suggest grabbing it before someone else does.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...Channel+Cutter