Researching less than 100K shallow draft 35'+

[Kettlewell]

There's zero point in looking now for a boat to buy in 10 years, other than pure fun (which is a great reason!). I can guarantee your life situation will change, your plans will change, and what boats will be available will change greatly. As always, my advice for any newbie is to buy a small, inexpensive boat now and have fun with it in your local waters while learning 500% more than you will ever glean from one of these online forums.

[Montanan]

Canal boat for canals, especially for very shallow canals.

Charter for the Midi.

A keeled boat for open water.

Otherwise one is compromising to a great deal.

[Capt Clark]

I’m with Boatman61 - The Prout 37 Snowgoose is a great option for many of the canals.

[Talbot]

The Prout Snowgoose Elite is the max sized cat that can do the french canals. It has more carrying capacity than a stock snowgoose so is a better cruise option. It is still very constrained in its capacity.

The wharram are great cheap and fun cats for people who like their fun in cramped accomodation and perpetually damp.

The southerly is a really good ocean capable sailing yacht and IMHO meets most of your criteria. I don't know the ovni so can't give an opinion.

[Leighpilot]

Go and buy a boat tomorrow. Anything. Learn to sail. Learn yourselves. You dont know what you do and don’t like about sailing. You don’t know what’s important to look at on a boat. In social terms it’s like you’re asking us to recommend which woman you should marry in ten years time.

[Leighpilot]

Yup, that’s great advice. Which he won’t take.

[blinkerfluid]

We have a Feeling 39 that would likely meet your criteria. Centerboard boat with less than 2.5' draft. They can be had for reasonably close to your budget, though refit money may push it past what you want to spend. I'm not sure how many are available in the US; not many.

[Slovak]

I don't know in 10 years, but boats matching your requirements are available today. We sold one per this post.

Look at Southerly 95, 110, 115, even 135. Lots of solid models, and more so available in Europe. We owned one and it was great, taking us through PNW to Alaska and back. Join the Southerly Owners Association (SOA) at https://www.southerlyowners.com

Many Southerly boats have traveled through the French canals. Look up Distant Shores and Ruby Rose.