New Boat Advice

[Zedmeister]

Hi all,

Looking to purchase a yacht for liveaboard in the med. My research shpws tyhat possibly a good Bavaria 42 - 44 or similar would suit. Any comments on thoughts good bad or otherwise would be appreciated.

Any helpful hints from those who have purchased in Greece would also be helpful.

Thanks

Zed

[Greenhand]

How many people will be living aboard?

[GrowleyMonster]

Do you already have some sailing experience? Have you owned any type of boat before?

Bigger boat = bigger bills for repair, refit, docking and mooring, fuel, haulout, tolls and taxes, etc.

If you live alone I suggest staying at or under 30 feet. A couple could maybe stay under 40 feet. Add 5 to 10 feet if you will be making long ocean passages. Just a suggestion based on my own preferences and priorities.

Some say get the smallest boat you can stand to live on. Some say get the biggest boat you can comfortably afford to maintain.

Bavarias look like pretty decent boats to me. If money is no object then sure, zero in on a particular builder and even a particular model. If you are looking for a bargain or you want to buy a boat right away, you might have to be more flexible.

[Greenhand]

We really love the look of the newer Bavarias, particularly the Visions. I am not sure the first 46's were even off the line when we first discovered the layout and started wondering if it couldn't be scaled down a bit. Then they came out with the 42s and we calculated the price as our savings goal. However, once we got on board one at a boat show, I realized that there was so much headroom that I couldn't reach the overhead handrails.

Then my husband got antsy and we bought a much older, used boat.

[Kenomac]

For live aboard in the Med don't forget to look at catamarans.

[Zedmeister]

So far received some good feedback. Thanks to those that have. As to the questions.
Yes, have sailed extensively before but some years ago on the East coast of Australia. Sydney to Brisbane plus lived aboard on an old Motor sailer i restored.

That being said, things are different now so have to look at the new stuff. There are only 2 of us so short handed sailing is also a requirement.

I think at Max a 42 is probably the go and as to funding well 100k or so would do the job I think.

Any more comments would be appreciated. But could be persuaded to look at Beneteau and Jeanneau.....

Cheers for now.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

For live aboard in the Med don't forget to look at catamarans.

Hmm. Berthing for them in the med is a pain


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[Prairie Chicken]

It's a very good time to be a buyer in the Med! Prices, especialy in that size range, are very deflated. I know. We have a beautiful Beneteau First 375 for sale & very few people are even contacting the broker to ask about her, let alone make an offer on her already very reduced price.

So, a good time to buy. As mentioned above, cost of operating a boat goes up exponentially with size. Moorings & storage cost are based on size groups; 10 m or less, 12m or less, 14 or 15 m or less, etc. So a 11.8 m boat is considerably less expensive to moor than a 12.2 m boat, but a 12.2 m boat would be about the same cost as a 13.8 m boat. 38-42' seem to be a good size for a couple, but if you have experience & money 42-50' is common.

I would avoid Bavaria though. Our neighbour in our marina has a brand new 2013 40' Bavaria & we are shocked at not only the poor quality, but also the poor designs of the boat. For example, the engine controls are under a teak board which is always in the way when you access those controls. In July a seacock broke off in his hand. In June an anode couldn't be attached to the hull because the bolt kept turning. It has skinny hull windows which don't open. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Anyhow, good luck with your search.

[Jimmy-Kim]

Sounds like your well on your way


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[Zedmeister]

Fortunately only the 2 off us.

And the odd stray family visitor I would suggest.....

[TheWingman]

I own a Bavaria Vision 46 that I ordered from the factory. The quality level has been excellent. It sails great and I have been very happy with it.



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