28ft Bluewater Live aboard recommendations

[SkiingSkipper]

Hello, Im a newb and am looking to take the big leap and join the liveaboard community. My budget is 10k(hopefully less) and I'm looking to get a 28ft solid blue water monohull with a trusty autopilot installed since I will likely single hand this gal around the globe. Is my budget too low you think? and What vessels should I keep an eye out for? Any insight would be appreciated.

[john61ct]

My thread, http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ts-193354.html

Mostly in your range, you may not care about my 8'6" beam limit.

If you google the forum with the most populat boats and

off-shore OR blue-water

You'll get lots of lists without waiting for them all to be discussed again.

Other sites
http://bluewaterboats.org
http://atomvoyages.com
http://www.mahina.com/boats.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=oyst...+25%2C+part%22

[john61ct]

wrt budget, problem is everyone has a different definition of "ready for offshore".

Safety for risk-averse people costs a lot of money.

For under $30K, you will need to spend a lot on bluewater upfitting.

The cheaper the boat the more likely repairs and even basic improvements are needed, costing lots more than the boat.

The most expensive option is likely to be a free boat.

[john61ct]

But sometimes you can get very lucky,

Both high-level boat repair skills and welcoming danger will lower the upfitting cost.

[boatman61]

Budgets vary from person to person.. JohnCT has his idea on a budget for a boat for him..
Boat Alexandra had his budget for himself.. $1000 for a boat off Craigs List and off he went to complete a successful circumnavigation on what most CF members considered a wreck.. including the NZ authorities who tried to stop him sailing any further.
Many spend a lot on the boat but its more for their own peace of mind rather than what the boat actually needs.. upsizing the rigging for example.

[SkiingSkipper]

Originally Posted by john61ct

wrt budget, problem is everyone has a different definition of "ready for offshore".

Safety for risk-averse people costs a lot of money.

For under $30K, you will need to spend a lot on bluewater upfitting.

The cheaper the boat the more likely repairs and even basic improvements are needed, costing lots more than the boat.

The most expensive option is likely to be a free boat.

Good point. I guess I'm naive to the actual costs of upgrading and fixing. I am quite handy and have a background in electric but could probably use a class or two to refresh.... I guess I would need to look into the typical costs before jumping in on something.

[SkiingSkipper]

Danger...hmmm. I don't mind getting gripped from time to time but Im not wanting to add a survival saga to my personal story. haha

[SkiingSkipper]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Budgets vary from person to person.. JohnCT has his idea on a budget for a boat for him..
Boat Alexandra had his budget for himself.. $1000 for a boat off Craigs List and off he went to complete a successful circumnavigation on what most CF members considered a wreck.. including the NZ authorities who tried to stop him sailing any further.
Many spend a lot on the boat but its more for their own peace of mind rather than what the boat actually needs.. upsizing the rigging for example.

I hadn't heard of the "Boat Alexandra" drama at all. Ill have to look that up! sounds epic and probably not something I am willing to do. haha.
My goal would be to have something modesty comfortable and safe without going overboard. Just a little boat that can take a rollover or two okay if things get really grim out there.

[laika]

All the best to ya. If you're willing to put up with few comforts you can do it for cheap. Read up, get onboard some other boats--at a local marina or lake, in an ASA class, or whatever-- And be patient in the search. Look at those three websites John linked to. Those three sites must have 1000 links to them on this forum alone. They're great. Check out the "under 30K boat" thread on the forum as well. Search craiglist.

Learn, go sail, do your due diligence, and find a good deal. Make sure the sails, rig, engine and hull are sound. Don't spend too much time worrying about all the fancies you don't have..if you really want them they'll find a place onboard eventually.

[SkiingSkipper]

Originally Posted by laika

All the best to ya. If you're willing to put up with few comforts you can do it for cheap. Read up, get onboard some other boats--at a local marina or lake, in an ASA class, or whatever-- And be patient in the search. Look at those three websites John linked to. Those three sites must have 1000 links to them on this forum alone. They're great. Check out the "under 30K boat" thread on the forum as well. Search craiglist.

Learn, go sail, do your due diligence, and find a good deal. Make sure the sails, rig, engine and hull are sound. Don't spend too much time worrying about all the fancies you don't have..if you really want them they'll find a place onboard eventually.

Thanks for the wise advice and encouragement @laika

[Dymaxion]

To quote Sgt. Schultz... "I know nozzink, absolutely nozzink", but isn't an Albin Vega considered a solid little blue water boat, at 27 ft? May be a boat to look at. Pls correct as seen fit.

[john61ct]

Yes that's one of dozens.

One in sound shape won't be that cheap

Most likely, can get lucky

>> '78 and '79 Vegas have 5'10" headroom, at least in the galley companion way hatch. Earlier less

My thread asking about that issue specifically, living "comfort" and headroom http://www.sailnet.com/forums/sailbo.../topics/320714

[Dymaxion]

m.ebay.com/itm/1972-International-Folkboat-26-Marieholm-full-keel-sailboat/192586944417?hash=item2cd7138fa1:g:EsIAAOSwZrdbOka 2

Fits your budget....

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dymaxion

m.ebay.com/itm/1972-International-Folkboat-26-Marieholm-full-keel-sailboat/192586944417?hash=item2cd7138fa1:g:EsIAAOSwZrdbOka 2

Fits your budget....

As long as you don't mind living with 5ft and less headroom..
Methinks something like this would better suit.. decent examples can be found for between £4,500 and £7000...
Hurley 27 - Sailing Today

[thomm225]

It's doable if you have experience and can find the right boat.

The link below is about a guy that bought a Bristol 27 for $4,000, fixed it up, and sailed it across the Atlantic. Later he sailed it around Cape Horn

Bristol27.com » Hull #352 – Steppin Out

And Btw, I paid $2,000 for my Bristol 27 and have put probably another $7,000 into it over the last 7 years. It came loaded with GPS, Depth, dodger, bimini, anchors, autopilot, and it all worked

If I were to want to cruise long distance on it, I'd probably need to go ahead and replace the rigging which I have yet to do, add another bilge pump, fix the manual bilge pump, and maybe buy a backup autopilot. I have a raymarine electric autopilot now

My 16'6" kayak serves as my dinghy and emergency life raft.....