Opinions on boats

[rorik]

You could also add a Cape Dory 27 or 28 into the mix.... I'm starting my fifth year living aboard a 28.
Interesting read on small boat cruising is Sailing Small, edited by Grayson.

[Grime]

I agree with Captain Smollet slow down and take your time. When you do find something you like get a survey. Could save you thousands and heartaches.  I'm speaking from experience here.  If the boat has been neglected run and don't look back. Again speaking from experience.

[Travelnik]

Interesting read on small boat cruising is Sailing Small, edited by Grayson.

Great Book!  :D

[Crazer]

Trawl craigslist. Adhuntr is a good site for searching large swaths of the country in one go. I found my $6K Pearson Wanderer on there, and she's not much of a project. Don't count it out.

If you're willing to go smaller, instead of the Bristol 24 think about the Dolphin 24. Much prettier and generally a superior boat. Go to the association website (dolphin24.org)

[rebinva]

Once had a Wanderer.  Very nice boat.  Not to cross the Atlantic, but excellent for going to the Bahamas.  Lost my head and sold it to buy a P35.  Nice boat, but its size intimidated my wife.  Sold it, bought a CD 28.  Excellent boat.

[Kettlewell]

I say get out there and start looking at boats, boats, and more boats. Don't focus on a particular design, but with older boats go more for condition, equipment, and location. You don't know what you don't know yet, so each boat will be good in its own way. It is easy to be swayed by the latest book you have read or the last forum you participated in, but in reality your needs may be quite different from the writers and the bloggers. And, no matter what a boat looks like on paper or on the computer, it can seem very different in reality.

[Crazer]

Once had a Wanderer.  Very nice boat.  Not to cross the Atlantic, but excellent for going to the Bahamas.  Lost my head and sold it to buy a P35.  Nice boat, but its size intimidated my wife.  Sold it, bought a CD 28.  Excellent boat.

I disagree-there's nothing to stop a Wanderer from crossing the Atlantic. Several have made good offshore passages, including one which regularly races in the Bermuda 1-2.

[CapnK]

Copied from another thread:

Settled on a Flicka 20. Anyone in Pensacola, FL?

[Bonzai]

   From what little I know, the well built smaller boats can go anywhere a smart sailor wants to take them. Weather, draft and all other normal considerations taken into account, of course. I am learning a lot from my buddy James Baldwin, it's as much the sailor as the boat.

[lance on cloud nine]

well, have you found a boat? Are you still a hopeful sailor?