while anchored in Moorea? All of 'em!
Excellent post, I agree! I could never afford these boats listed in SAIL mag and truthfully wouldn't buy one if I could afford one. The 5 boats you have listed can take you anywhere with some minor "blue water" upgrades.
Also looked at 1966 Pearson Wanderer, They've got the right hull and start at around $6,500 up to 10k for a really clean one. I've been talking about doing this far to long. I currently reside in China and would love to take myself and my filipino future wife over to the states and sail down the coast all around the Gulf of Mexico and then head to the bahamas. Damn.. stop talking.!!!
Classic sailboats are like classic cars in that they look really cool.....but they have obsolete technology, simple, systems and obsolete technology means spending more than it's worth and you still will have maintenance issues...........I've owned a PEARSON ARIEL 26 ....1966 model year (small version of the Triton) It had on outboard in a well behind the tiller. super cool idea......pushed her along at 5 knots. I bought her in 1988 for $5000. I sailed her from Maine to New Jersey. I've also owned a Cal 28 inboard diesel, 1986 model. Sailed her back and forth from Chesapeake Bay to Florida. Paid $ 23,000 in 2001. Do you want a project boat? or a boat to sail & relax? I've done both, but the less maintenance the better.... ..Best of luck....keep in touch tonysmith101.com
Outstanding... Don't forget a liferaft & GPIRB will add around $6-8K to all of these. There are passel more in the <$50K range including some Cal 40s. Cheers - Tim
Good reminders, Tim. As many experienced folks say, your bluewater outfitting budget should realistically be about half of the purchase price for the boat. This varies, obviously, but the point is it's expensive to add all the offshore goodies like a liferaft, etc.
Thank you for this post and insight into the cheaper option of blue-water cruising. I am in the market for a boat and read avidly all comments, posts and mentions of possible boats that are out there. My budget is realistically around the £30,000 mark, though that is to have it ready to sail with all bells, flutes and whistles in place ;-) Keep up the good work. Loving this blog.
Darren - Thanks for compliment and being a reader here at SFLF. I'm always inspired by people who can look past the big fancy and expensive sailboats to still make their bluewater cruising dreams come true. Best of luck with your search for cruiser!
Please stop it! These budget cruisers are a well-fed thread of myth. They have been sailed by sailors up to the challenge of navigating the oceans with minimal gear, extreme discomfort and hopeful optimism. An average used production cruiser of 36 to 40 feet would be a more sensible bet. This choice of boat would require the same upgrades and attention as those old tiny classics like a Contessa. If you have ever been aboard a Contessa you will come around. If you want to cross oceans you will need $35,000 for the boat, another $12,000 in upgrades, boatyard expenses and new gear (like a windvane) and another $10,000 in cash reserve as you sail the world. Sell everything. You can do it!
Thank you for the experienced perspective, O Trader! I agree to some extent, but boat choices aren't also practical decisions. Emotion, history, "myth" and more all play a role. In any case, I think you raise some good points and I appreciated you sharing them here.
Doesn't cost of upkeep for a boat increase with the size of the boat? And not linearly?
Sorry, that is not true. 24 foot boats have sailed the world safely and comfortably, and are still doing it. EPIRB's are ok, but not mandatory. Argh!
Sorry O Trader but I cannot agree. My wide and I sailed a Pearson Triton from Texas to Australia. It was great fun. We took 8 years doing it and met many boats under 30ft on our way. There is great beauty in keeping life simple.
I get sea sick. Would a submarine be a better bet for me? Or would I still get sea sick? As for crossing the ocean in a say 36 footer, once I get my sea legs would I still get sea sick? I was in Typhoon Karen back in the early 60's and was so sick I wanted to die.
Hi Joe. The sub will help with seasickness, but what about claustrophobia? At least that would be my concern!
LOL I wunder how fast your pet whale could drag it. ;)
every one can get seasick, there is a wave length for everyone.
Best cure for seasickness.: Stand under a tree
There are so many good old boats that have or can cross oceans, some needing extensive mods, some not that many, that it really pays to do your homework. My old "sailing instructor", the late Jean LaCombe, had crossed the Atlantic no less than 5 times singlehanded in boats from 18' ( Hippocamp. a wooden double ender he designed and built) to the Lapworth 23 I was on. He also sailed a 21' Golif in an early OSTAR (singlehanded transatlantic race). He later designed and built a 25'er (Yang) that he cruised to Europe and back. Most people today think a larger boat is the way to go, but so do the costs. For a couple, boats from around 24' - 25' and up seem to have done the job. There are so many old fiberglass boats around I think a little work would make a lot of them suitable for long distance cruising. For those who get seasick, try sailing on a trimaran or catamaran, although they'll be perhaps more expensive. The old British Heavenly Twins 26 / 27 has circumnavigated for example, and has twin aft double cabins. Searunner trimarans, or Tri-Stars (31' and up) make excellent long distance cruisers too, even though most are made of wood. They have excellent safety records too. Know that the movement on a multihull can be somewhat different from a monohull... they tend to move more at the ends, but you'll never have a long roll as with some monohulls, or much of a hobby horse motion. You'll also have access to some very shallow areas that monohulls may not be able to get into.
I bought a southern cross 31 in Carolina Beach NC, for 8500 dollars, sailed it to Bermuda Antigua, Montserrat, Guada loop, back to Bermuda, and then on to Scotland, Ok the boat is now pretty trashed, and out of the water, but it was pretty trashed when I got it, its now just more trashed.
i love reading these comments. one day i will have 30ft cruiser
Damn. I lost my Catalina 27 in Hurricanne Katrina and have now just decided to replace it. Thanks for this post, it has me thinking.
Thinking is good! Hope you get to replace your C27 soon.
As a x commercial fisherman who used to curse at the sailboats and there dainty fenders i now love sailing and am planning a transatlantic crossing back to Scotland from Virginia hence looking at affordable boats to do the job. Thanks for the information.
Skote - Thanks! Best wish for finding just the right boat that checks the boxes and stirs your soul.
I am currently in the market for a Whitby Alberg 37 which I plan to sail with y wife and 3 year old around the world. These boats are the perfect blend of affordability and seaworthiness. They are beautiful and can be had well equipped for off shore cruising at under $55k (USD). Actually almost any Carl Alberg design will get you there beautifully.
Hello to all, a great sailing boat for me is the one that is all paid for, ocean going and that i can do 45 mph on the road with it. I sail a Albin Vega 27, there will be no other boat. David
How is trailering your Vega 27? It must sit really high on trailer. Do you lift it on? I have a 23 foot swing keel Venture of Newport 23 cutter that keel tucks up to 18 inches, I just nudge it up a ramp with trailer winch and a bit of engine thrust. Your fixed keel would raise trailer center of gravity a lot. I'd like to trailer to inland lakes like Thousand Islands NY yet also sail down US East Coast. Thanks, Bud R, Virginia March 19, 2021
I understand cats when they flip over can't be righted again very easily? But mono sailboats do right themselves again? I would think the mono sailboat would be safer. Especially with the world wide weather patterns changing so drastically now days. Do they make a blue water sailboat that if knocked down doesn't get any water inside the boat? And if the mono sailboat can float again after a knock down can one get away with no life raft? I hear there is an unsinkable sailboat made that the name starts with a B but it is very expensive? The danger of running into a cargo container or floating tree would be less if the hull was steel too, are they more prone to upkeep and maintenance or other trouble? Finally Sterling Hayden use to come back to the USA when he ran out of money and star in another movie. This way he could continue sailing. He had no money problems then. He was quite a guy and one of my hero's and his book is a good read.
a good unsinkable proper cruiser is the Sadler 32/34, the 34 is one that i am very keen on
It's virtually impossible to "flip" a catamaran in winds under 100 knots. There are hundreds of articles out there clearing the air about this myth. People like to equate fast racing cats that are racing way over powered in massive seas and winds. These boats will flip very easily. Production cats made for the public are very underpowered and by most counts far safer than monohulls in equally bad weather given the fact they are positively buoyant and will not sink. PLEASE do more research before spreading the ignorant myth that catamarans aren't safe and will flip easily. With radar and better charts and the ability for most catamarans to reach twice the speed as mono's it's plausible to never be in bad weather and deadly seas at all. The only, although slightly, negative point about a catamaran is they can tend to be a bit rough going into the wind. However with the introduction of daggerboards this "problem" is all but eliminated and the cat will reach just as high into the wind at equal or higher speeds as a mono.
You are quite wrong. Most capsizing, mono or multihull, is due to wave action and not wind speed. It is very possible to "flip" a catamaran in winds under 100 knots if the waves are big enough.
I strongly suggest that anyone seriously contemplating buying a bargain boat and living aboard or cruising should read this book! https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiw7O7dxvnzAhUFobMKHRAUBTgYABADGgJxbg&ae=2&sig=AOD64_1ULeKMesmAbLC0XtFFeXRcueri8A&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwix_-DdxvnzAhVYoXIEHbIpBmMQwg96BAgBEBM&adurl=
Paid for is a really good characteristic. Buy cheap. Outfitted - sails, rigging, engine, rudder, all the practical hardware, not new, just working. PFDs, flares, paper charts, VHF, lights, battery, oar. Food, water, release docklines, go locally even if its just on engine Mine is 23 feet, not ocean going but its sailing, coastal, solo. An ocean trip i would need a companion. Yes i love looking at the photos and specs and look at under 28 feet, e.g. Nor'Sea 27, Flicka. Im not in a hurry but do like rugged, solid and rugged salty look Hans Christian ($!) You have great boats here. Sail it, dont paint it. Sail it, dont install new cushions. Sail it, dont work on anything not absolutely needed to sail locally. No sails? Motor it. No motor? Sail it away from dock shakedown ancome back to a mooring easily under sail. Your shakedowns may show you there are lots of things you do Not need. Fair winds, Kahuna
Popular posts from this blog, top 10 favorite affordable bluewater sailboats, go small and go now 5 pocket cruisers to take you anywhere.
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The 10 best bluewater boats. 1. Westsail 32. Photo credit: SailboatData.com. The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers and 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rally since 2009. In 1973, this small cruising sailboat garnered a 4-page spread in Time magazine.
With these considerations in mind, here are my picks—five top choices for affordable bluewater cruising sailboats (in alphabetical order). Caliber 40 LRC. The Caliber 40 design appeared in 1991 and through its evolution into the 40 LRC, remains a very attractive cutter. It has a fully encapsulated, elongated fin keel, and the ballast to ...
Below, the Tartan 3700 has two cabins and one head with a stall shower. The saloon has the space of a much bigger boat and there's a full-sized nav station which is perfect for long-distance cruising. A new 3700 will set you back around $400,000, and 10 to 12 year-old Tartan 3700s list for between $170, 000 and $220,000.
The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers. Built by the Westsail Corporation in the 1970s, this plucky, small sailboat has developed a cult following over the decades. Since 2009, 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rallies. The Westsail 32 is known for its sturdy construction, seaworthiness, and classic looks.
Table of contents. 1. Cape Dory 30. If you're looking for a quality, affordable bluewater sailboat, the Cape Dory 30 is definitely worth a look. This boat has been cruising the world's oceans for over 30 years and has a well-deserved reputation for being sturdy, reliable and easy to sail.
Length: 35′. Courtesy Gemini Catamarans. The Gemini Legacy 35 is a bluewater sailboat under 40 feet designed with a focus on stability, safety, and ease of handling. Its catamaran design, with a beam of 14 feet, provides remarkable stability both at anchor and underway.
To give you a simple answer to your question, the best bluewater sailboats under $100K include the Allied Princess 36, Cabo Rico 38, Celestial 48, Freedom 36, Corbin 39, Tayana Vancouver 39, Nordic 40, Hans Christian 38, Hinckley Bermuda 40, Prout Snowgoose 37, and Valiant 40. Bluewater sailing needs the best sailboats - these need to be ...
The legendary bluewater sailboats under 50 feet include Rustler 36, Tartan 37, Hallberg-Rassy 42F, Baba 30, Island Packet 38, Pacific Seacraft 37, Valiant 40, Najad 370, Moody 42, Halberg-Rassy 39, Sweden Yachts 45, Boreal 47, Amel Super Maramu, Outbound 44, Hylas 49, Malo 46, and Garcia Exploration 45. These legendary sailboats have earned ...
One of the most common downfalls of the Hans 38-T is electrical problems, so be sure to get the wiring checked out by a professional. Outside of electrical issues, this boat is a proven winner in the cruising world. Prices start around $70,000 but expect to pay well over $100,000 for the more admirable models.
The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet include the Westsail 32, Hunter e33, Tayana 37, and Najad 355. These bluewater sailboats, depending on your situation, can suit your needs for offshore sailing or long distance cruising. Sailboats under 40 feet also tend to be an adequate amount of space. After a detailed analysis, the best bluewater ...
Lagoon 380. The long-time best-seller from the world leader in catamarans, with more than 1,000 produced over almost 20 years from 1999. With its characteristic vertical windows, the 380 and its ...
This 53-footer is idiosyncratically French, and it's also a superbly focused bluewater cruiser. Designed to be handled by a couple, its ketch rig is docile yet effective, with sails set on electric furling gears and some ingenious sail handling systems. Nearly 500 of these boats were built before Amel replaced it with the 54.
Blue Water on a Budget: 5 Budget Cruisers for Crossing Oceans ... The Seawind II (32') is but one of several Gillmer designs worthy of any "best affordable bluewater cruisers" list. Others include the Southern Cross 28/31/35, Weatherly 32, Aries 32 and Roughwater 32. ... "I think the Tashiba 31 and 36 mark the best boats I ever designed with ...
Carries Sufficient Power, Water, Fuel, and Food. Comfort Ratio and Ride Quality. Flexible Sailplan for All Types of Weather. Handholds and Safe Decks. 10 Best Offshore Bluewater Sailboats. Tayana 37. Pacific Seacraft/Crealock 37/40/44. Baba/Tashiba/Panda 40. Valiant 40/42/47/50.
With these considerations in mind, here are my picks—five top choices for affordable bluewater cruisers (in alphabetical order). Caliber 40 LRC. The Caliber 40 design appeared in 1991 and through its evolution into the 40 LRC, remains a very attractive cutter. It has a fully encapsulated, elongated fin keel, and the ballast to displacement ...
Arcona 435. The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her ...
Hallberg-Rassy 340, 372, 40 and 40C: The range of Swedish-built Hallberg-Rassy small blue water yachts is one of the most impressive of any manufacturer. Boasting four yachts under 40 feet, they put their nine decades of expertise into both center cockpit and aft cockpit ocean-going cruisers and have the awards to show for it. From the Hallberg ...
The best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet are the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, Norseboat 21.5, Catalina 22 Sport, Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, and West Wight Potter 19. These sailboats have ample space for a couple and even a moderately-sized family along with all the amenities you may need. A roomy cabin, galley, and settees are necessary to go ...
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409: $195,000 (base) Arcona 460: $540,000. Island Packet 360: $349,950. Catalina 385: $208,495 (base) Of course the above are all new boats straight from the factory to your dock, however, even the brokerage market can seem daunting to an aspiring bluewater sailor on a tight budget. But don't pump your aspiration out the ...
Let's delve into the world of aluminum boats and explore the five most affordable and best brands on the market today. 1. Lowe Boats: ... Their hull designs provide stability and smooth handling on the water. Their Jon boats, perfect for fishing or utility use, typically start at a wallet-friendly $800 to $1,500 for basic models. For those ...
4180 N 1st Street Unit 10. San Jose, CA 95134. (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas) Home page for Blue Water Seafood & Crab Restaurant at North First Street - San Jose, CA 95134.
Catering and Events. Catering and Events back. Facility and Space Rental; Catering back. Breakfast; Brunch; Lunch; BBQ; Hor d'oeuvres
Sandy Wool Lake. This 13-acre lake in the foothills near Milpitas is usually the most consistently stocked trout spot in Santa Clara County. The lake is typically stocked with catchable rainbows several times in the mid-to-late winter months, and trout fishing will be best soon after those plantings.
Enjoy sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and more at Shoreline Lake's Boathouse. Book boats and classes online or visit the retail shop.