Newly returned to cruising

[Bandl]

Hi all.
We circumnavigated with two of our kids 1997-2004. Sold the boat in 2010 but now wish we hadn't. We're slowly looking for another boat and working towards being half-time cruisers, hopefully within the next 2-3 years.
Looking forward to reading everyone's posts. Things have changed a bit since we lived aboard--especially technology.

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard Bandl! Yeah things have changed a bit! I was thinking the other day how I was going to chuck it all and go back to kerosene lamps and strictly paper charts! But...maybe not yet.. Give us some more info, where are you?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bandl.

[Bandl]

Thanks, Don and Gord May.

We had a lil trouble finding "our" place after we got back to the US. First San Diego, then near Annapolis, next Florida. We finally settled in Montana, of all places. We're landlocked but we like it here near Billings.

We're looking for an older (read cheap) fiberglass boat that is ready for blue water but maybe has some cosmetic issues, old electronics or other problems that would make it harder to sell. We don't want a project boat. It needs to be structurally sound with a newer rig and engine. Where the boat is located is not important to us. We can always sail it somewhere else : ).

The internet was barely getting started when we left so this is the first time I've spent any time on Cruiser's Forum or any other online cruising site. Seems like a great way to share information.

[Don C L]

So what kind of budget and cash flow to support her are important and your preferences too. For example, do you need a shower, how much headroom, sloop or ketch or?, full keel or fin with skeg-hung rudder or spade rudder, keel bolts or no keel bolts, what kind of displacement preferred... you know, stuff like that. Just as an example, there was a Columbia 38 that was completely beautifully refitted for sale up in Alaska last year. They even had a website chronicling the whole refit! Over $70k put in (which I would believe) and they had it listed for $30K. That is a solidly built boat. On the other hand, another really solid hull, a Spencer 35 (kind of famous, just like Hal Roth's boat) with a seized engine is still for sale in San Diego listed on craigslist for $2,200. So IMO good deals are out there for those who know and appreciate the old boats.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ic-160329.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-147098.html

[Bandl]

Thanks for the links, Don. I'll be following the classic plastics. Some beautiful boats there.
We have adopted two more kids so we need a bigger boat. We're looking at around 50 feet.
I like a heavy displacement, full keel boat and am leery of spade rudders and keel bolts. We'll look at modified full keels and medium displacement as well. The type of rig isn't very important to us.

[Don C L]

Yeah those are my preferences too. But if a good deal comes up on a Columbia 50? (I might risk the spade rudder on that one)
So something between a CT41 and a Force 50?
I'll keep an eye out.
I wouldn't be surprised if you find a good candidate over in Puget Sound area, not too far away.

[Bandl]

Sounds like our tastes are very similar.

Thanks!