OMG, I swear I'll never find a boat....

[Lost Lake]

I look all the time, but I'm trying to find good value in a boat. It would help if I knew what to look for! I go to places like sailboatlistings dot net and sailing texas and look in local boatyards, but there are at least 200,000 different boats, and all in varying conditions of repair.

I keep peeking in here finding out which flavors you all like and then go look again and I bet there's a dozen Pearsons, Islanders, Cape Dory's, and the prices are so low on some... I put a limit of $50K and 30 to 38 feet and got something like 1300 boats that fit that description.

For now I just want to sail lake Michigan on a sloop that will sleep 5. Nothing fancy, the less expensive the better, but value is value. I wouldn't mind sailing her home, but from Florida or Texas would take a long time!!!! So I'm mainly looking around here.

If anyone sees a boat that you think would be something to look at please let me know!

[Captain Smollett]

Just did a search on Yachtworld with the following parameters:

All Sail
Used
fiberglass (you could broaden the search if you wish)
30-38 ft
$1000-50000
Great Lakes Region

Got 320 hits.

The first page of 30 (they are listed, it seems, in decreasing LOA order) included, among other very worthy boats, two Alberg 37's within your price range.  Others include Morgans, C&C's, Ericsons, etc.

There are quite a few listed as under $10,000.

That's probably worth a look.  Then, pick 5 in your area to go see this weekend (or next, whatever).  If you don't find something you like from that five, pick 5 more from the same list and go the next weekend.

Get ON lots of boats...especially if you don't quite know what you are looking for.  The computer generated list is to find them; get on them and see what they are...if they suit.  If you are unsure whether a particular model is a good one to include on your 'go see' list, do a quick Google Search and/or ask about it here.  Someone will have something to say about it (beware though of the comments of current owners of boats that this is the only boat they've ever owned and/or sailed).

Keep looking.  You will find one that works for you.

[mrb]

Try sailboatlistings.com     Then pick your state,  Michigan lists quite a few that fall in your price range such as a 32 ft Westsail and a 32 dreadnaught both under 40,000.  Minnesota has a 30 Islander for under 20,000 and a Pearson P-30 for under 16,000.  These ads may be out of date but the site list a lot of boats.   You will find one.  Find a few on internet and go and see them, you will probably find others at the same marinas that are not listed on internet.  Good luck.   

[jotruk]

you might also try sail Texas.com they have all price range and it is not just in Texas.

[phil416]

Lost Lake:  I don't know how much work you are willing to do, but here on the Chesapeake we visit boatyards and look for boats with out of date state stickers and then inquire at the office about payment status.  Often real bargains are obtained this way.  Most used boats require extensive repair before being offshore ready, and the great lakes certainly fit that catagory.  I have seen boats change hands for as little as $1.  The downside is that most require a year or 2 of hard, hard work.  If the hull, bulkheads, and engine are seviceable you can do the rest.   Phil

[Mr. Fixit]

That is the question--what are you willing and able to do--when i was shopping all i wanted was a good hull and rigging. I was willing to repower in fact i wanted it that way, i knew i would end up with a good engine. The devil is in the details--there are a lot of good buys out there that have good engines in them--the key is shop, shop, shop--the internet allows you to narrow down your search--but the harder you try to find the right deal the odds will move in your favor. I do not think there are many boats for sale (used) that do not require some work.--so the key is what are you willing and able to do. Your budget is very reasonable if you can do a lot of the repairs yourself.

[Jim_ME]

Although smaller than you may be looking for, I've always liked these...and this one could be a good deal.

I had an (Alberg designed) Cape Dory Typhoon 19 for 12 years and very much enjoyed it. With the trailer it was a great way to have a small seaworthy daysailer/overnighter that I could trailer sail (launch/haul/rig on my own)...so very economical to own and use. This Sea Sprite 23 set up on a trailer should have many of the same advantages, and more capability from its larger size.

1983 Sea Sprite Sailboat (Carl Alberg Design), includes Tandem sailboat trailer
http://greenbay.craigslist.org/boa/2483425225.html

For more information on the Sea Sprite 23...
http://www.seasprites.com/

[phil416]

Jim gives excellent advice.  I began my sailing with a Balboa 16 on Lake Granby here high in the rockies.  I learned a lot in the process, sail trim, rigging systems, etc.  When I sold her I only lost a small amount of money, and was way ahead of the curve when it came to selecting a seious off- shore vessel.  Dive in the water is fine.  Phil

[Captain Smollett]

Guys, just as a reminder, Lost Lake has done the smaller boat thing and now has some very specific use requirements for his next boat.  He requires a boat that will sleep five and daysail additional guests.

http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,3195.msg34907.html#msg34907

[Lost Lake]

There's a lot of great advice here....

An update:  I wasted an entire summer saying I'd look at boats next weekend, or when the weather is better. Captain Smollett's signature line mocks me and I am getting scared.

I will do some work on a boat, I am extremely handy having been a carpenter most of my life, but I also know me, and I have far too many unfinished projects lying around to seriously think I'd have the discipline to completely refurbish a boat. No, my boat should need minor repairs, or major repairs that I hire out, but not a long string of repairs that upsets my wife and kids.

I'm missing out on the life I want right now! I need to move forward and get a boat, almost any boat is better than no boat, but the wrong boat kind of takes you back a step.

It is very frustrating, the struggle with finding a boat, finding a berth for it, convincing the wife and kids that we benefit traveling to the boat and sailing her. I have often said we should get rid of our big RV and get a boat, then use that for our recreation, but we have only used the Rv once in the last three years....

I picked up a small 12' boat, a laser type, but then the kids want to go on the lake we live on, and they don't care for the tippiness of such a tiny boat, and it's really too small for two or three. I thought it would be nice just to have something on the water. I may pick up a small 20' Catalina for our little lake, at least we all could hop on for a short sail.

Anyway, still frustrated in Wisconsin......

[s/v Faith]

The beautiful thing about regret is that if we learn from it we can draw strength to follow our dreams.

Yes, the lament for opportunities missed is bitter... but how much more sweet will the fulfillment be?

Blessings upon you in your quest, let neither fear nor the voices of the naysayers* restrain you.




(*Be especially wary of those in your head, they are closest to you and most dangerous).

[Lost Lake]

Wow s/v Faith... Are those your words?  Powerful....