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Old 29-01-2024, 06:55   #1
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Boat selection

Good morning,

Or evening depending on where you might be located. So my wife and I have been working toward this time of our lives for many years now and we are finally at a place to sell up and go. We only plan to be up and down the east coast spending summers in NC/VA and going south in the fall to FL/Bahamas, etc. I have been looking at boats for some time now but just wanted to be sure I’m not missing something. We are looking at production boats (we aren’t crossing big oceans) in the 40 ft range (38-42ish) around $100-110k. I know we will be spending more time at anchor than sailing so I am looking for a comfortable live aboard. Since we are looking at sailing and exploring the shallow waters of the Bahamas and FL Keys, a shoal draft is a must. I would also like 2 heads. More for redundancy than anything else since I’d like to think we may spend a lot of time away from places where we could get spare parts or repairs. One of the boats that I keep coming back to is a Hunter 42 passage. I like the idea of a walkaround berth so we aren’t crawling over top of each other all the time. I have seen some boats with a forward queen berth that also look appealing. There are a lot of boats available out there and I don't know, what I don't know. Any suggestions? Thanks
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Old 29-01-2024, 08:18   #2
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Re: Boat selection

Looks like a sensible ask. I certainly wouldn't rule out some of the European made yachts like Beneteau, Jeanneau and Bavaria.

I question the second heads, that's a lot of space, However, if its changed to a laundry room, that could be a real asset living on board powered by a Honda petrol genny, a couple of times a week. A $1000 Honda will last a decade with minimal oil changes.

There is a YT channel, Chasing Latitudes which I sometimes watch. His idea is not to buy a project in Fl which then requires a shed load of money invested, but to look further afield to the Caribbean and the ex-charter yachts. Yes they have been used, but equally been maintained to keep them in charter and are much cheaper. That could mean a much newer yacht. He also offers a pay for advisors service. Worth a thought.

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Old 29-01-2024, 09:29   #3
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Re: Boat selection

Thanks Pete.

I am really open to most boat brands. Beneteau, Jeanneau, Cataline, and Bavaria are all on the table. Just curious if about any particular models that may suit my needs. I have been perusing the sailboatdata site and searching as well.

I like your idea of making the 2nd head a laundry. I have a Yamaha EF2000is inverter generator that is very similar to the Honda that we will be bringing. I had thought that I would use the 2nd head for hanging storage when not in use but maybe there are other uses.
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Old 29-01-2024, 09:42   #4
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Re: Boat selection

I second the -no second head- perspective.

While our last 2 boats both have second heads, the long plumbing runs (to reach the holding tank) inherent in the design are problematic. As most toilet problems are easily remedied, it didn’t seem worth the chance. Good place for the laundry.
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Old 29-01-2024, 09:43   #5
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Re: Boat selection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete7 View Post
I question the second heads, that's a lot of space, However, if its changed to a laundry room, that could be a real asset living on board powered by a Honda petrol genny, a couple of times a week. A $1000 Honda will last a decade with minimal oil changes.

Good advice and practical. I'm heading towards a larger boat and many have 3 staterooms, which is a complete waste for my wife and I. The plan would be to rip the 3rd out (often in the bow anyway) and turn it into a laundry, small deep freeze, workshop, storage room.
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Old 29-01-2024, 10:15   #6
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pirate Re: Boat selection

Avoid wing keels, a real bitch in a grounding and your proposed cruising grounds make it likely.
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Old 29-01-2024, 10:31   #7
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Re: Boat selection

Your criteria so far makes sense for what you plan to do. Keep a little money in reserve for repairs and upgrades.

I'm a Hunter owner. They are great boats - in certain years. They have had some years where quality was better than others. Mine (2006) was one of the better years. But a survey will tell you about the boat's condition.

As far as a second head goes, I'll give the opposite advice from some people here. If you were solo, sure one head is fine. But with a wife? Trust me, you want a second head. Because at some point one or the other head will malfunction, and you want a backup. It's not a big deal for a man to simply relieve himself off the side of the boat, or use a bucket, but that's a non-starter for most women. Also, with two heads, one can be set up for you and one for her, making yourselves feel more comfortable like you are in a home.

If you do turn the 2nd head into a laundry space, then it's fine if that equipment takes up the shower space, but you want to keep that second functioning toilet at least. Another possible use of a second shower is simply a place to hang clothing. You never have enough easy storage on a boat.

Also, if your cruising ground is going to be from VA/NC down to FL and the Bahamas, then you want a built in air conditioning system, at least if you want to keep your wife from leaving you. Normally you will only be able to run it while at marinas though (running the AC while out on the water is possible, but that's a major separate topic by itself). Such systems also include heating too, but if you Summer up north and Winter down south you probably won't use that much.
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Old 29-01-2024, 11:02   #8
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Re: Boat selection

The B'mas are notoriously shallow. While a 6' draft is manageable, 5'-6" is even better.
6" may not sound like much, but in the B'mas it's a lot and can make the difference of whether or not you can sneak into an anchorage.

Off course, one needs to be careful not to load the boat down with too much "stuff" causing the water line to disappear.
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Old 29-01-2024, 11:18   #9
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Re: Boat selection

the more selective you are .. the longer it will take to find your boat. plus being landlocked in Indiana doesn't help. get used to a lot of driving to see boats that you probably aren't interested in. even if you keep an open mind .. eventually you come back to the same design that you like. that will probably be the one you end up buying.
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