Searching For The Right Live-Aboard Bahamas Boat

[hoehn000]

When are you looking to purchase/cruise? If it's anytime soon you'll probably have a hard time finding everything that you're looking for. If you have a year to search you might get lucky.

Building a boat you may be able to get everything you want...maybe. Buying, especially on a tight budget is going to be a compromise. Why not pull the trigger on the P35 and get out on the water? If you don't like something fix it. IMO the value of the knowledge you'll gain working on the boat, performing repairs and making it your own is invaluable.

I do agree that you can find a quality boat for under $15k and I for one would not take money out of the kitty to buy more boat. Just have to be a bit more realistic.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

we need to be able to get into a decent boat for no more than about $15,000 or so.

Pretty Much Mandatory:
~ 30' - 32' overall
~ Sloop rigged
~ Something close to a 4ft draft
~ Ready to be sailed single handed
~ A good diesel (Perkins, Universal, or Yanmar preferred.)
~ Stove
~ V-berth + quarter berth + convertible settee.
~ No soft spots or major maintenance issues

There, I fixed it for you

Still a lot of wants and needs for a smaller budget, but this should be doable if you take a little time ...

Things like bimini and dinghy can be a great bonus if in a decent state (?) but don't select boats on those extra's - you can add them later / as needed / when a good deal comes along. For ovens, there are many very affordable and easy solutions.

You want the boat itself to be as sound and good as your money can buy. If that means a tiller and no davits, that seems a small price to pay (davits on a smaller boat aren't always a blessing ).

I added sailing single handed, as your kid seems young which means one of you will probably be on child care duty while the other one handles the boat.

[Rising Tide]

Have been looking also. You may want to consider:1981 Hunter 33 Cherubini Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com


This seems like a pretty sweet looking, but very capable boat. Well known. You could buy cheap tix to CT. Check it out, do surveys. Offer 15 k, pay no more than 17k. Throw return tix in the trash. Sail her home on short hops down the coast and ICW. Your dream has begun!

[alansmith]

avoid any old boat that has a Volvo. Not a bad engine...in fact a good engine. But they are very expensive to repair and can be a very frustrating experience to get parts from Volvo. Another engine that is very good...but I doubt you would see one on an older boat is the Beta Marine..Kubota

Yes, it is fun trying to find what you want. But you will find it. There are also other web forums that you should get involved in to shake the tree so to speak...good luck..keep us posted what you are looking at and what you end up ..

[hamburking]

Not everything on your wishlist, but very shallow draft (3'9"), big rugged boat with a solid reputation. And a very nice price:

1970 Pearson 35 Sailboat with Centerboard No Reserve | eBay

Actually, I think it has everything on your basic list...except the quarter berth.

So why is it cheap (currently about $3k US)? I had a P30, similar. And they are...well...what's a nice word for "super ugly" below deck? I would call the decor "early plastic wood". But that can be fixed...if it matters (and it doesn't).

With the money you save, you could buy some items from your "very nice additions" list.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

Thanks for the reply.

Listen, I definitely know it's a challenge to find the right boat in that price range. There's no delusions about that at all.

I know they are out there. I've watched several come and go, a few even on this very forum.

I agree. I've seen some excellent boats in your price range come and go as well. Keep looking, hang tough...you'll find it.

I'm looking too, but taking my time. The hardest part was selling my last boat...the first step.

[Classicsailboat]

Check out Hughes 35 at advantage yacht sales, Indian town, fl

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Classicsailboat

Check out Hughes 35 at advantage yacht sales, Indian town, fl

Link?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

Just throw another 10k at it, huh? Simple as that?

I jest... I agree that it would get me into a better buying range for sure if I could increase the budget by 10k.

Imagine yourself in my shoes...

You've got X amount of dollars saved. Out of those dollars you have to buy a boat, prep the boat, provision the boat, then have something left in the kitty to be able to actually, you know, sail. Lol.

Technically, I could increase the boat buying budget (B.B.B.) by another 10k, but I would simultaneously be decreasing my cruising kitty by an equal amount.

So, what I've got here is a bit of a balancing act going on. A nautical budget-based teeter-totter, if you will.

I'm seeing boats that are just about right. Granted, there's not a ton of them, and I'm having to both dig extra deep for them, and also negotiate pretty hard, but I think I'm getting there.

For instance, there's a P35 that I can get into for 14k - maybe a hair less even. It even has a bimini, rebuilt Yanmar, dinghy, and outboard.

Getting close. I think it can happen.

Pearson 35 may be a good choice, talk to member Roverhi!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Not everything on your wishlist, but very shallow draft (3'9"), big rugged boat with a solid reputation. And a very nice price:

1970 Pearson 35 Sailboat with Centerboard No Reserve | eBay

Actually, I think it has everything on your basic list...except the quarter berth.

So why is it cheap (currently about $3k US)? I had a P30, similar. And they are...well...what's a nice word for "super ugly" below deck? I would call the decor "early plastic wood". But that can be fixed...if it matters (and it doesn't).

With the money you save, you could buy some items from your "very nice additions" list.

Another good possibility, but check engine...

[hamburking]

Here's a crazy idea:

Ocean Winds 33' Catamaran Sailboat | eBay

Twin yanmars, 3' draft, bimini, etc.
Current bid is about $8k US

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

I'm talking about that we need to be able to get into a decent boat for no more than about $15,000 or so.

Have you considered 15,000 lottery tickets?

[hamburking]

$15k US = $20k CDN

This one looks pretty sweet...4' draft, q-berth, bimini, yanmar, chartplotter, loaded, clean...and its steel. But at 30', its a little smaller than you requested:
Fully equipped steel KM 30 for sale | sailboats | Oakville / Halton Region | Kijiji

I was able to find several others for sale in the great lakes region that looked really great, but with deep draft. I'd say your 4' draft requirement is the toughest feature to find (aside from price). However, from what I've read of the Bahamas, 4' draft would open up many more areas. You may wish to compromise draft to get a boat like this one that looks pretty much ready to go:
Ocean Capable Bruce Roberts 34' Steel Sloop | sailboats | Sudbury | Kijiji

[WindwardPrinces]

Originally Posted by hamburking

$15k US = $20k CDN

This one looks pretty sweet...4' draft, q-berth, bimini, yanmar, chartplotter, loaded, clean...and its steel. But at 30', its a little smaller than you requested:
Fully equipped steel KM 30 for sale | sailboats | Oakville / Halton Region | Kijiji

I was able to find several others for sale in the great lakes region that looked really great, but with deep draft. I'd say your 4' draft requirement is the toughest feature to find (aside from price). However, from what I've read of the Bahamas, 4' draft would open up many more areas. You may wish to compromise draft to get a boat like this one that looks pretty much ready to go:
Ocean Capable Bruce Roberts 34' Steel Sloop | sailboats | Sudbury | Kijiji

You also have to consider the cost/time of moving a boat that far. It cost real money to transport a boat 1,000 miles, even if you move it yourself (time, storage, feeding crew, etc)

[Classicsailboat]

Check out tartan 34 at yacht masters, Titusville, fl