PS DANA vs PS 34, cost difference

[lastgreatgeneration]

So I'm still rocking the cape dory 28. I love the boat and I wouldn't want to go any bigger as many times in the past I have learned what it costs to even store a boat not to mention maintenance. Last few years I have worked my way up the career ladder and as a result have been looking to upgrade my life. Now I have no plans on selling my cape dory, as there is too much personal value in time and money spent rebuilding the boat right. Everything down to the self tailing winches, new bowsprit, anchor platform, water tanks and a newly painted flawless interior paint.

However I don't want to go any larger but I have been looking at pacific  seacrafts, the Danny 24 is extremely attractive and by the numbers it has almost as much interior volume as my cape dory 28. One thing that puzzles me is why is it that many ps 34s sell for about the same amount of money as the Dana? Ditto for the 27 and the Orion. I have learned in recent years 28 is the sweet spot if the numbers and waterline length are generous. I also realize that extra bulk heads and the vee berth don't have much use.

The vee berth is usually crammed storage space as its such an odd size and difficult to get to. Also, being younger I have to work to make a living so for the time being I'm in the northeast. The winters are cold and I heat only half of the boat as the vee doesn't see much use then.

I love the open concept of the Dana 24 layout meaning I only have to heat and cool one area, slips will be cheaper etc. there's a Dana here for $50k ready to go, monitor vane, max prop, many other upgrades.

I pay less money per month for my slip than property tax would cost me in a modest house. So I wouldn't really feel that bad buying a more expensive complete boat. So, I'm definitely not buying a house but I wouldn't mind spending a little bit more to get a complete Dana, then I can just concentrate on working and not working on my own boat.

Well I'm going to be making new cushions for the boat this weekend, the projects never end and my stress level is quite high. However I have a modest amount invested in dividend stocks that can pay a sailing stipend all I have to do is put my book on the shelf and go on an open ended cruise. I also don't have any debt or children.

Not sure where I was going with all of this, just maybe some people here can relate. And offer suggestions?

A, go open ended cruising next November 2019 when I get laid off
B, buy a Pacific Seacraft Dana and work another year
C, keep putting a majority of the money in the market (risky?)
D, have 2 boats one in Annapolis, work 6 months on 6 off, keep a boat in paradise, fly in/fly out.
E, do nothing?

[Frank]

A, go open ended cruising next November 2019 when I get laid off
B, buy a Pacific Seacraft Dana and work another year
C, keep putting a majority of the money in the market (risky?)
D, have 2 boats one in Annapolis, work 6 months on 6 off, keep a boat in paradise, fly in/fly out.
E, do nothing?

A....then you'll find out if you like it, what you like, what's important to you and THEN decide what, if any, different boat you would want.

Although I'm an advocate of boats in different locations.
Finding reasonable storage is the key

[CapnK]

I'm with Frank on this - go and use what you've got, before getting what you think you need. As of about 3 years ago, I became a "multiple boat owner". It's an albatross on my neck. I now have (almost) 4 boats - the Ariel, the A30, the Islander 36, and (in process of adoption because it was abandoned) the Alpa 11.50 at 38' (almost identical to a S&S designed Hinckley/Hughes 38).

They're all neat boats, have things that I like about them.
The Ariel is my favorite, she owns my heart. Small, simple, sails a charm, doesn't need a big engine - but fitting everything into her is a bit of a challenge.
The A-30 is a big Ariel, but she has a diesel and without that I could make a *good* interior that makes better use of her narrow hull, and so that might be an even better long term boat than an Ariel because she'd have more "legs" for cruising. I have also learned that while a bigger boat is more comfortable, it is not due to space, it is mostly due to motion. A 15K#'s boat shrugs off waves or wakes that make an Ariel dance and bounce and sway. :)
The I-36 is roomy and has the best companionway in the world, and a keel-stepped mast, and other good features. Yet she lacks stowage, and I use a step to get into the v-berth when I have company, and...
The Alpa is awesome, has for her size a simple rig and a great layout and by the numbers she would be a great sea boat, but - she, like the Islander, is pushing that 7-8 ton mark, and so she has to have an iron genny, and is of a size where everything is more expensive, and worst - a draft over 6'.

I *think* an A-30 with an outboard in the laz so I could open up the interior might be my "ultimate" boat.

But before I go down that road, I have some boats to sell, an Ariel to finish and cruise for a bit to learn some things you can only learn while doing, and then I'll make the call to stick with her, or move up to the Alpa if I need a boat that large - because she's a good boat and basically free to me, with some work needed to make her seaworthy. Or maybe find that fixer-upper A-30 that I can put an outboard in...

I could write on and on and on about this - the above is the shortest summary I could manage. But I have to quit in no small part because I have all these boats to take care of, and with a storm just over the horizon.
Take my advice, from experience - you already have everything you need to make a decision, *except* experience cruising the boat. Go do that, and then see how it changes your perspective, because it will , and only then will you be able to make a better decision about where to go on your "ultimate boat hunt". :)

I'd love to be in your situation with a well found vessel and a bank account stocked up. Come 2019, I would show the world my stern...  8) ;)