Safest sailboat ~35-40k
Posted by Swimming-Author-9083@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 66 comments
I’m looking to buy a sailboat that can handle blue water (mainly to the bahamas but possibly to New Zealand) for around 40k I know it’s going to be older and probably need a bit of work I’m just wondering if anyone knows of some of the safest options out there and where to look!
garage149@reddit
Maybe a Bahamas boat first. Spend a season there, get some experience, see where you might go further afield, or even if you do at all, and percolate on what your next boat would be. A lot of people find they don’t really like cruising.
Bahamas is pretty easy. Everything can be a day’s voyage. I’ve seen people do it, safely, in sub $10K boats.
tnseltim@reddit
Catch the bulletpoint mount on sale and lay the extra $25 or so, it’s worth it. They are built very well.
User42wp@reddit
I would be looking at old island packets
profpbr@reddit
If he is able to find one for that price it’s not safe the chain plates will be rotted
RedditIsRectalCancer@reddit
The chainplates don't rot, but the do suffer crevice corrosion and break. It's a 20k job to replace them.
RedditIsRectalCancer@reddit
You won't find any old island packets that aren't wrecks for that price range.
PTMorte@reddit
40 thousand what. Bags of cloves?
JacketWhole6255@reddit
This should get you a very well maintained tartan 34c. Great boats.
greengiant314@reddit
Go grab Sailing a Serious Ocean by John Kretschmer. More and better info than you will ever get here. He also does captains hours where you can ask questions.
Swimming-Author-9083@reddit (OP)
I just got this delivered yesterday!
FairSeafarer@reddit
In this case, you are one step ahead!
indigoinblue@reddit
I think that you’ll find this youtube channel quite helpful. One can learn a lot. I believe he’s also got episodes on great blue water boats and why. Recently, i watched an episode where he explained why Beneteaus generally do not make good blue water boats. As an owner of one, I’d agree. I second others here who are recommending Island Packets. Though, finding one in your price range may prove difficult. Though I’m not that familiar with that market.
Sailing Zingaro youtube channel
greengiant314@reddit
I like the dude, but he has almost sunk two boats. That said, he’s pretty upfront about what happened and what he could have done differently.
indigoinblue@reddit
I mean, what greater teacher than experience?
StuwyVX220@reddit
Different parts of the world are going to have different options. In the UK something like a nickleson, moody or westerly, or an old full keel boat from the 70s will do all that.
In the USA maybe an island packet.
I don’t know many options from the Asia market, maybe an old tiyana.
Correct-Brother1776@reddit
I don't consider an Island Packet a bluewater boat. Bahamas and Caribbean yes if you pick your weather windows maybe but NZ no. When tacking they basically come to a stop because of their wide beam. Comfortable and roomy boats, yes. Capable in high seas and rough conditions , no.
evilsemaj@reddit
Sorry, new to all this, the above is saying that if a boat is really slow through a tack it's not bluewater capable? Despite being very sturdy and having excellent capsize and comfort numbers? I thought full keel boats were good in those conditions because they'll track in a straight line until you need a course change. And with more wind, it'll be easier to get the bow through the tack?
Competitive-Army2872@reddit
"Capsize numbers," are a fallacy. The CSF, capsize screen formula, was developed as a very rough way to compare extremely similar hulls within a class.
They mean nothing outside of the original exercise due to significant differences in hull design from boat to boat.
Correct-Brother1776@reddit
I delivered a couple IP's and commissioned many when working in the Chesapeake so my opinion on the boat is based on that.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
In reality, you avoid being in that situation in the first place, and if you are caught out, you use your engine.
And if for some reason I found myself embayed in bad conditions without an engine, I'd rather be in an IP than almost any cruising cat.
I presume you think cats are also death traps?
evilsemaj@reddit
That makes perfect sense, thank you!
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
Yeah Island Packets are almost the definition of a good Bluewater boat. When you're far offshore you're not tacking every five minutes.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
Yet I see them everywhere. Friends sailed theirs from the UK to Australia.
Correct-Brother1776@reddit
People row across oceans too. Doesn't mean it is safe or advisable.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
I'd like to see the numbers on what proportion of IPs sink at sea vs rowing boats.
Correct-Brother1776@reddit
The boats that sink don't report.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
They get reported by whoever is their shoreside contact. We are no longer living in the era of boats sailing over the horizon, never to be heard from again.
me_too_999@reddit
If I see several hundred of a boat in Micronesia with reports of one or two sinking that's safe enough.
Competitive-Army2872@reddit
You're not going to find a blue water ready boat for 40k.
tench745@reddit
I'm not sure I'm on board with the Island Packet suggestion. I helped refit and deliver an older Island Packet 38 and wasn't particularly impressed. The interior is large with few handholds for moving around safely in a seaway. We got caught out in a 40-50 knot squall and just the heel combined with the leeway of the boat was causing the engine intake to ventilate and lose cooling water. Comfort wise, it was well appointed, but no matter how many portlights or hatches we had open the boat was always roasting hot. And it was slow. If I remember correctly, we never did more than 5 knots unless the motor was running. Your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't buy one, especially when there Tayanas, East Orients, Valiants, and a score of other designs that have also crossed oceans and are, in my opinion, more comfortable.
evildeadxsp@reddit
I am a little baffled by the Island Packet recommendations, so much so by bot senses are tingling. It's fine, it's good, can it be a top recommendation? Sure. Why is it the top recommendation from multiple replies? Uhhhh, I don't know. Seems weird.
jfinkpottery@reddit
Assuming you're in the US, there's a $100k difference between the Bahamas and New Zealand.
Likebcoinbutfordoges@reddit
But my express 37 for $49k. It has all of the safety equipment to circumnavigate. We came in 3rd in the Newport to Bermuda race 2 years ago. We have everything needed to be safe. Your biggest expense will be the gear.
DFMO@reddit
This sub never ceases to amaze me
RedditIsRectalCancer@reddit
Alberg 35 or 37.
bobber18@reddit
Something with a long keel and short sticks.
primeight1@reddit
Tayana 37
Enough_Professor_741@reddit
Look at Pacific Seacraft.
light24bulbs@reddit
Read "get real, get gone" I think the ebook may even be free. Got EXACTLY the info you need, like it's written for you.
Black_magic_money@reddit
Get an Islander 36 they’re cheap cozy and can handle anything
crowislanddive@reddit
Luders, Cape Dory, Tartan, Island Packet, Anything built by Able Marine..... It really depends on what you find and discerning from there whether or not it is the right boat as opposed to the other way around. There are a ton of boats for sale in the US right now. I am in Maine and the Facebook marketplace is packed.
IN2017@reddit
Yeah, everyone wants the “ Eier legende Wollmilchsau” for next to nothing 🤣
J4pes@reddit
Honestly safety alone would ask you have a bigger budget. Your life though
duane11583@reddit
define the failure scenario that makes it unsafe?
one brand to look at is E-TAP. they are called unsinkable because they are foam filled. most boats have cubby holes under the floor boards where you can store things not etap yachts those areas are absolutely foam filled
here is a larger one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr5G8A5n31Y
nothing would stop that boat from burning so is that boat sill safe in your mind?
Outlander_Engine@reddit
Safest? Westsail 32. The volvo of cruising sailboats.
Tayana 37
Hans Christian 33/34
Baba 30 and 35
The Lyle Hess cutters -
https://sailboatdata.com/designer/hess-lyle-c/?sort-select=_loa_desc
smedlap@reddit
Lots of 40k bluewater boats out there, but you will break 100k including buy price to make it capable of going to New Zealand safely. Get sat phone and epirb, whatever you do.
Extreme_Map9543@reddit
Why do you say it’s $60k extra to make it able to go to New Zealand. Sure $10k in sails, and $10k in rigging. But other than that if the boat is in halfway decent condition. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg. You don’t need a brand new engine or a bunch of super high end electronics. You don’t need the world’s fanciest autopilot or a water maker or a hot water shower.
Spiggots@reddit
"Mainly to the Bahamas" -- from where? Florida? -- "but possibly to New Zealand" -- that is quite a stretch in either direction!
People will throw out tons of options and there already some but honestly 40k for purchase+refit for a world cruise isn't the most super realistic thing I've ever heard.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
We sailed away in 2021 on a 1970s Moody 39ft, having spent £40k total on the boat and upgrades. It's possible.
I agree that there's a bit of a difference between Fl-Bahamas and going across the Pacific!
Spiggots@reddit
Love the older Moodys!
Swimming-Author-9083@reddit (OP)
The beginning voyages will begin from the east coast of the USA down to Florida to the Bahamas, once I’m comfortable with both anything that goes wrong and with the state of the boat I will then begin a most likely year or multi year (with many stops) voyage to New Zealand as that is where my family is from (for context)
Swimming-Author-9083@reddit (OP)
And the 35-40k is sold for purchase not including refit, I understand that with a 40k boat there will be things that need fixing this isn’t something I plan on just buying and immediately setting off with
Spiggots@reddit
Gotcha, that makes things a lot more realistic.
i_lost_it_all_1@reddit
Try a book by John Vigor Twent small sailboats to take you anywhere.
Extreme_Map9543@reddit
It’s realistic if you’re fine with a 28 or 30 foot boat. And you outfit it pretty simply. But yeah if you want a 40 footer with an autopilot and a water maker then it would be unrealistic.
Federal-Dingo-6033@reddit
It's super realistic in the US boat market. Boats are crazy cheap right now. My mooring neighbor last year had just gotten back to New England from the Bahamas in a free C and C and went back in September.
JonnyGee74@reddit
He meant "Mainly to the Bahamas" from Australia
diekthx-@reddit
A guy did it on a budget in a Crealock 34. By himself. Read https://forums.sailinganarchy.com/threads/sailing-the-south-pacific.236731/ and check out his vlog. Really inspirational stuff, even if his decisions are sometimes questionable.
Extreme_Map9543@reddit
Westsail 32 or an allied seawind or princess
TPPreston@reddit
Bob Perry has a reputation for designing very capable blue water boats. Prices will vary hugely in different parts of the world but I'd have a look at some things like a Tayana 37, any of the Babas, Hans Christian 34, etc.
cas4076@reddit
NZ vs the Bahamas are two very very different requirements.
Swimming-Author-9083@reddit (OP)
I should add on I’m not afraid to travel to a different country to find the right boat. I’m based in the USA tho
Severthin@reddit
Tayana 37 has the reputation of being one of the best "budget bluewater boats" around. Check yacht world listing for an idea of average cost. Good luck.
Correct-Brother1776@reddit
Look up Passagemaker in Martinique. It is 2 inch planked teak and has done multiple trans- Atlantic passages. I sailed on it from Trinidad up the Orinoco Delta in Venezuela. I think the new owners are asking 75K so over your budget. Google Robert Bebe, Passagemaker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--ZiLsptXeo&t=297s
Federal-Dingo-6033@reddit
Its more about the skill of the skipper than the boat itself. People have gone around the world in west wight potters and flickas.
With any manufacture you need to watch out for certain years so find out what those years are for any boat you are considering.
Ultimately you will need to look at boats in your price range and see what you like. A 45 k island packet is either going to be small or worn out.
For bahamas Id look for something with a full keel because that will get you less draft.
Id also tackles this by designer more than buy boat. Bruce King or Charlie Morgan etc.
Lord-of_the-files@reddit
Yup. Most boats can do most passages, so long as the skipper is sensible regarding weather, time of year, basic maintenance etc.