how big of a catamaran do we need?

[FLLCatsailor]

I'm biased towards the Leopard 46. I've worked on them, delivered them, and sold them. I think they are the perfect size for a cruising couple. More than enough space, but not too overwhelming to maintain/keep clean in my opinion. For me mid 40 foot range is the right size for full time live aboard.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by h2ofowler

All,

Thank you for taking the time to post you words of wisdom! Based on our budget and the adds I have been seeing, I think we are going to be limited to a 35'-40' - I know there are lots of variables involved, but it seems this size range would suffice (I hope!) from a safety perspective. I guess it will be up to us how much we laden it down with our "essentials"; mine are fishing equipment, my lab and beer

Yer sunk dude!

[reefhunter]

Find an Antares 44 - you won't be disappointed!

[Caribsailor]

The bigger the boat, the bigger the problems. If you're going to do most of or all the work yourself, go small. If you have the bucks to have it done, then no problem.

[sandy daugherty]

Get a boat small enough for the smallest of you to handle EVERYTHING, including docking, reefing, and man-overboard maneuvers. Look at PDQs.

[CGP]

I have a 30' Gemini and it is perfect for two with a guest or two.

[sandy daugherty]

Count all your money. Put away a quarter of it to live on while cruising. Spend no more than half on the cat, because you will need the rest to get the boat ready for you needs. The older the boat, the higher the fix-up and keep-up expenses.

Do not assume you can meet expenses with a part-time job or working on line. One can while 20 others can't make it work. And any kind of job is a major buzz-kill for cruising.

Clearly, you should not buy the biggest boat around. and another thing:

Nobody buys their last boat first.*

[Southern Star]

As usual Sandy, great advice on all counts.

Brad

[Boatguy30]

1/4 to live on? Going to be a short cruise unless it's a big pile of cash.

More like, spend 10% on the boat put another 50% in rental income property, etc.

[Southern Star]

Boatguy, the OP's are retiring from the millitary and will obviously have pensions. I took the suggestion of 50% on the boat, 25% for upgrades/refit and 25% left over to live on as being in reference to additional funds for incidentals, repairs and extroardinary expenses while cruising.

Brad

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

1/4 to live on? Going to be a short cruise unless it's a big pile of cash.

More like, spend 10% on the boat put another 50% in rental income property, etc.

Last thing I want to deal with from a distance is a rental property.

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Last thing I want to deal with from a distance is a rental property.

Hire a management company - that's what we do

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by reefhunter

Hire a management company - that's what we do

That tends to be costly.

They get a percentage of the rent typically and if something needs to be fixed, they handle the repairs but you wind up at full retail price or you get diverted back to take care of it.

At that point, better to put the money in a nice mutual fund. It will do about the same in terms of return and you don't have the stress of worrying about the house.

[bevcory]

Coming in late on this post but could I suggest you check out the Maxim 380. I have hull 50 (I believe only 55 made) built in Durban. It has the 3 cabin layout or owners version if you wish to call it such - I have 21'6" beam - all lines come back to the cockpit, 2 queens, 2 heads, galley up, lots of storage but yes it is a cat so weight has to be considered. Mine carries 500 litres of fuel and the same of water, Check out the Maxim 380 website - these are the baby version of the Voyage cats so well built but lots cheaper. I single hand her and enjoy her immensely. I do not have anything other than a main and headsail, but many have spinnakers

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by h2ofowler

All,

Thank you for taking the time to post you words of wisdom! Based on our budget and the adds I have been seeing, I think we are going to be limited to a 35'-40' - I know there are lots of variables involved, but it seems this size range would suffice (I hope!) from a safety perspective. I guess it will be up to us how much we laden it down with our "essentials"; mine are fishing equipment, my lab and beer

Did you get your boat yet and if so any regrets?