Since no one has mentioned the
CSY (Caribbean Sailing Yachts) 44, I will.
These were built in the late 70's and early 80's... about 300 of them built. The company was created to build them for
Caribbean Sailing Yacht's
charter fleet... because
CSY couldn't find a
builder to build with the quality that the CSY owner (Jack van Ost) required. (the first few were built by
Irwin and were crap).
I know there is one for sail in the Rio Dulce of
Guatemala for about $60K and another one in
Panama. Both are great places to start cruising from!
In better condition they command up to about $120K. One in primo condition just
sold in
Australia for about $120K,
There were 4 different 44 models made (a
fishing boat, a Pilot House
Ketch, a
center cockpit 'walk over', and a
center cockpit 'walk through'). There were also 2 drafts to chose from 'shoal draft' at about 5' and 'full draft' at about 6.5 feet.
The company went out of business as a boat manufacturer in about 1980 because they couldn't sell them for what it cost to build them, and Jack van Ost refused to skimp on quality.
The CSY Owners have made a website to share information and ideas. They also have some 'for sale' listings there. At least one boat is for
charter in the
Caribbean (a GREAT way to check out whether the boat is really for you), and there is one 1/11th share
for sale in a boat that I think is in the Caribbean.
Welcome to the CSY Owners' Group
It is definitely a better/stronger cruising boat than an Out Island 41 (in my humble opinion), with much more pleasing lines. And the full
draft model can easily outsail an OI.
We have a CSY 44 Walkthrough. We are currently in
Ecuador, on our way around the world. You can see pictures on our website. And also some of the 'upgrades' that we have done on our boat, to get ready for our adventure.
http://svsoggypaws.com
Good luck on your quest!
Whatever you do... go cruising now! (none of us are getting any younger!)