If I Were a Rich Man...
It's a simple enough thought, "If I had all the money in the world, what kind of boat would I buy?" But I don't… so the actual question was: "With a limited budget, what boat meets our list of needs?"
Notice I didn't say "wants and needs".
Initial Needs Filter:
30-32 Foot. Felt this size would be…
1. Big enough yet allow novice single handed sailor
2. Could be docked and moored by an inexperienced crew
3. Potentially trailerable (Keep under 11' Beam)
4. In the price range we were considering
V Berth with true aft cabin. This actually became an important filter, as many affordable 30-32 foot have a berth that is open to the salon. As we will be using the aft cabin when we have guests and storage, a quarter berth would just not work. A note about the actually layout of an aft cabin. There are two directions for the mattress. They both have their Plus and Minus: 1) Runnning in the direction of the center line of the boat, 2) Running the width of the boat (Athwartships). As space is tight, the former was preferred as it allows both people to get out bed without crawling over the other.
Aft Head. When looking at boats designs we found that a head situated between the V berth and the salon, tended to make the salon "tighter". To us, visual space was a premium on a small boat. Having a salon that seemed roomy was high on the list.
Shallow Draft. As we will be using this boat for coast cruising and gunkholing destinations unknown, this seemed like the Boy Scout adage of "Be Prepared" made sense. Coupled with the idea of making sure we had a trailerable boat, a +- 4'0" draft was the goal.
Wheel, not tiller. The end goal will be to buy a larger boat. Need experience in boat handling that the tiller would not offer
Jib Furler. While Marilyn and I will be sailing together, our new boat needed the ability to handle as many issues as possible from the safety of the cockpit. In addition there will be times when single handed sailing will be necessary and the furler is simply a must have.
All Lines Lead to the Cockpit. This was a must for the same reason as the jib furler. In addition, self tailing winches were not an option. We were not going to tie off a line every time we tacked.
Swim Step. While not a 'must have', we found boats with this design filled our need for getting back on the boat if we went snorkeling, scuba diving... or just needed to get on and off of the dingy without serious ladder climbing.
Well Maintained. This was a late add by Marilyn. I found 'the' boat, but it needed attention and that meant time that I really did not have. If it came down to a tie, I would pick the well maintained boat even if it cost us several grand extra. As it turned out this was very important, as I did not realize how many things on an older boat would need replacing.
Price: Under $40,000. This became significant. Did you know that most lenders have a $25,000 minimum? With a 20% down payment requirement that meant our purchase price had to be between $30,000 and $40,000, or make alternate financing plans.
Boats that made cut:
It's a simple enough thought, "If I had all the money in the world, what kind of boat would I buy?" But I don't… so the actual question was: "With a limited budget, what boat meets our list of needs?"
Notice I didn't say "wants and needs".
Initial Needs Filter:
30-32 Foot. Felt this size would be…
1. Big enough yet allow novice single handed sailor
2. Could be docked and moored by an inexperienced crew
3. Potentially trailerable (Keep under 11' Beam)
4. In the price range we were considering
V Berth with true aft cabin. This actually became an important filter, as many affordable 30-32 foot have a berth that is open to the salon. As we will be using the aft cabin when we have guests and storage, a quarter berth would just not work. A note about the actually layout of an aft cabin. There are two directions for the mattress. They both have their Plus and Minus: 1) Runnning in the direction of the center line of the boat, 2) Running the width of the boat (Athwartships). As space is tight, the former was preferred as it allows both people to get out bed without crawling over the other.
Aft Head. When looking at boats designs we found that a head situated between the V berth and the salon, tended to make the salon "tighter". To us, visual space was a premium on a small boat. Having a salon that seemed roomy was high on the list.
Shallow Draft. As we will be using this boat for coast cruising and gunkholing destinations unknown, this seemed like the Boy Scout adage of "Be Prepared" made sense. Coupled with the idea of making sure we had a trailerable boat, a +- 4'0" draft was the goal.
Wheel, not tiller. The end goal will be to buy a larger boat. Need experience in boat handling that the tiller would not offer
Jib Furler. While Marilyn and I will be sailing together, our new boat needed the ability to handle as many issues as possible from the safety of the cockpit. In addition there will be times when single handed sailing will be necessary and the furler is simply a must have.
All Lines Lead to the Cockpit. This was a must for the same reason as the jib furler. In addition, self tailing winches were not an option. We were not going to tie off a line every time we tacked.
Swim Step. While not a 'must have', we found boats with this design filled our need for getting back on the boat if we went snorkeling, scuba diving... or just needed to get on and off of the dingy without serious ladder climbing.
Well Maintained. This was a late add by Marilyn. I found 'the' boat, but it needed attention and that meant time that I really did not have. If it came down to a tie, I would pick the well maintained boat even if it cost us several grand extra. As it turned out this was very important, as I did not realize how many things on an older boat would need replacing.
Price: Under $40,000. This became significant. Did you know that most lenders have a $25,000 minimum? With a 20% down payment requirement that meant our purchase price had to be between $30,000 and $40,000, or make alternate financing plans.
Boats that made cut:
Buying Our First Boat
For Marilyn and I, it was time to stop dreaming and start sailing. We hope the lessons we learn in selecting, purchasing, financing, and finally sailing Bo'Daycious will be helpful to you.
For Marilyn and I, it was time to stop dreaming and start sailing. We hope the lessons we learn in selecting, purchasing, financing, and finally sailing Bo'Daycious will be helpful to you.
O'day 322
Pearson 33-2 (On the high side of the price range)
Close but no cigar
Ericson 32-200 No Swim Step, 6' Draft
Hunter Vision 32 Odd V berth
Jeanneau Attalia 32 Very Rare in the US
Catalina 34 No Swim Step 5'6" Draft
Pearson 34-2 High Side of the price range 5'9" Draft
Pearson 33-2 (On the high side of the price range)
Close but no cigar
Ericson 32-200 No Swim Step, 6' Draft
Hunter Vision 32 Odd V berth
Jeanneau Attalia 32 Very Rare in the US
Catalina 34 No Swim Step 5'6" Draft
Pearson 34-2 High Side of the price range 5'9" Draft
Click Image to Enlarge