Tell me something about my list of boats

[CharlieJ]

Do remember- the thrust of this forum is SBLD- small boats, long distance

Many of us have done that sort of sailing

I trust my Meridian - I've cruised here almost 12000 miles since refurb and relaunch, including across GulfOf Mexico single hand

I DETEST the current sailing mags for -Ya gotta have a 40 footer Plus to be safe. It AIN'T True

Would I like a bit more room below? sure, but wwould I go to a 40 footer? No way.

Now I will admit, if I was planning to live aboard, full time, with no land bases site, I'd go slightly bigger-like 30-32 feet. But that's all.

Failing that,, my 25 foot is just right

And I've been offshore for days- 7 days delivery across GOM on a 41 footer for one. Jammed to windward all 7days- we slept on the salon sole

[CharlieJ]

Try this-

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/boa/5460445488.html

[sharkbait]

I've sailed on a P 323 and they are good sailing boats. A PHRF of 174 means you don't have to stow as much beer.

[Cyric30]

poop, that looks like a steal.
someone will prolly jump that quick, unless something bad wrong.

ive often wondered why the coaster, and its sister the wanderer aren't on any good old boats list?

Try this-

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/boa/5460445488.html

[lastgreatgeneration]

Wow that is a really nice boat. My heart and bank account is set on small boats. I am a full time live aboard who has to go to work. I also like being at anchor until it gets really cold outside. That being said I will require at least enough storage space to make that possible.

I really like the size of the Sabre 28, it is ok. Actually I might be happier on a tartan 30. I think 32 feet might be my max length, seems like costs go up exponentially after that length. I do like a little extra beam though. After living on my Pearson Ariel I have a new found appreciation for my current almost 2' of extra beam. I have a floor! Albeit it's curved and becomes a slip and slide if you are wearing socks.

I really detest a few certain things about small boats (being a live aboard).
-no propane stove
-fold down tables
-lack of well thought out storage
-no shower, even a tiny one
-icebox, it's a hellish pit where nothing lives
-anchor lockers (mine has one and I love it)

Still, I am brutally honest and I want to set a boat up for ocean cruising. I'm currently looking for a monitor wind vane. I'll buy it most likely before I get the next boat. I would really like to do 6/6 months on off. Leave in the fall go south and then come back in the spring. I do realize I will need a whole lot of storage space for food. I mean, converting the entire vee berth into shelves for storage.

[sharkbait]

Take a look at this ad
http://annapolis.craigslist.org/boa/5461109437.html

[lastgreatgeneration]

Wow that's a lot of boat. I hope there are still good deals when I am officially in the market again.

[ralay]

Knowing what designs you like is a good point for dreaming and starting searches.  But when it comes down to shopping, I think the most fruitful approach is to look at a lot of boats.  Preferably in person. 

If our boat shopping experience is at all indicative of the market in general, many (most?) 40-year-old boats 30 feet or greater and less than $50K have serious problems.  Our problem was never finding boats with a design good enough for coastal cruising.  Our problem was finding boats in condition good enough for coastal cruising.  Despite the earnest proclamations of owners, brokers, and surveyors most of the boats needed major surgery to be called "seaworthy". 

For instance, Westsail 32s are supposed to be "world cruising" brick poop houses, and that may have been true when they were splashed.  After looking at so many rotten, time ravaged Westsails (including ours), I propose that a good design signifies little but the possibility of seaworthiness.  A thick hull is great, but we saw lots of boats with immaculate inch-thick hulls and decks too rotten to hold hardware. 

My point is that the limiting factor in your search may not be design, but rather condition.  In which case, you may benefit from expanding your list and looking at as many boats as possible in hopes of finding those gems that have been well maintained.  Of course, it never hurts to have a list of boats you're keeping a special eye out for. 

[lastgreatgeneration]

I agree entirely ralay. The bigger you go the deal might not be as sweet. I love small boats. I have been seeing some. 30-32 boats like the tartan 30 etc. selling in top condition for around 10k-15k. And being completely honest I like the Sabre 28 it would be great if it was a little heavier.

The water line on the Sabre 28 (22.83) is comparable to that of a 32 alberg derived boat.

[ralay]

"Top condition" in the ads or "top condition" when you're poking and tapping?

[CharlieJ]

"Top condition" in the ads or "top condition" when you're poking and tapping?

Are you suggesting some boats may not be as advertised???? NO!!! I'm shocked!!  ;D ;D ;D

[Godot]

And being completely honest I like the Sabre 28 it would be great if it was a little heavier.

The water line on the Sabre 28 (22.83) is comparable to that of a 32 alberg derived boat.

I looked at a Sabre 28 before I bought Seeker. I thought it would be perfect in so many ways. I seem to remember a significant lack of stowage, however.

[lastgreatgeneration]

Update,
I just jumped on a westerly corsair 36 (she comes in at 35' 6") A great deal for what I paid. Has auto pilot, self tailing winches, harken roller furl, and a well maintained Volvo diesel. The boat needs some fiberglass work which I can't wait to get on. I'm thinking about having the bottom and iron keel blasted. I think it would be worth it considering there's like 10 layers of paint and a rusty keel.

Since I'm mostly a liveaboard I think this boat is a great size and well equipped for cruising. I was going to look at that alberg 35 for sale in deltaville but for the same price of a slip I get 3x the boat and living space with the westerly.

80 gallon water tankage
Manual windlass
2x bow rollers
Propane stove/oven
Hot water/Shower!
Full cockpit enclosure and sunshades
New ball valve seacocks
Working wind indicator/depth/navigation

Today at bacon sails I picked up a monitor wheel adapter for $23! Cart before horse but I couldn't pass that deal up.