Close to Buying 31-32'

[Kefaa]

Good day - I appreciate the help and insight provided by this site. The active members are very encouraging, even when it seems like a lashing. I have been looking for a while and I am now close to choosing.

My revised goal (based on discussions here) is Chesapeake bay sailing, and I will be overnighting two nights a week. When the family is sailing it is two adults and two teens. I moved down in size, back to one I am more comfortable with handling.

The contenters are:

32' Catalina 320 Sloop......1996.....$70k

31' Beneteau 311.............2002.....$65k
31' Catalina 310...............2001.....$68k

We have yet to look at the 320, but I am told she is worth a consideration. I do question the $5k more and 6 years older, but I am trying to remain open.

Presuming they are all in similar shape, I welcome comments from anyone familar with the list as owners/mechanics/etc.

[s/v Jedi]

I would choose the 2002 Beneteau because it's the youngest and has the best price. Put the price difference in the bank for a year and decide what to spend it on then (your choice will change during that first year!)

I think the boats in your list are comparable, I don't think one is better than the other two.

cheers,
Nick.

[Ex-Calif]

I've really enjoyed sailing the catalinas albeit 27s. I found the sidedecks on the 27 small and the stays in the way of moving forward.

In the case of these boats I would be looking hard at boat condition, rig condition, sail condition and how they are outfitted. I would also pay attention to details like does the owner have complete maintenance logs and records which for me indicate how a boat is cared for.

The prices are in spitting distance of each other so it's all a matter of the specific boats in my opinion.

[Ocean Girl]

Kefaa,
They are all great boats. the Beneteau I think might be ahead in quality. But I wonder since the benes are built in Italy if the replacement parts for the boat maybe more expensive (?). The interior space is amazing for their size. Good luck on your boat search