Help with choosing a sailboat?

Question

So I really want to live on a sail boat and be able to sail around the world. I would most likely stay in the carribean. But I would love to travel as well. I would like to have fresh water available to me as well somewhere to store food and a ship that would sleep at least 4 preferably 6. Any help would be wonderful. What size of boat, what kind and price range used or new. I've found some good ones on Ebay Motors but I know absolutely nothing about a good kind to get. Any help or guidance would be wonderful.

Answer 1

You need a boat with proper design charactaristics. Dont just look at length overall. Beam, displacement play a good part. Sailplan also factors in. The more sails the better. It gives you more options and keeps the sails smaller, lines smaller, etc.

You want a full keel. No fin keel with a spade rudder! Esp in the carribean. You need to think about what happens when you run aground. You also want a boat that a person can sail on their own. If something happens to you, will your partner be able to get home safely?

Stay away from gizmos to help you. These are nice and convienant, but take up space. People have been sailing for centuries without an engine, generator, and all of the g-whiz stuff that the people at the boat show tell us we need. I have a GPS on board and I use it, but I also have paper charts, a sextant, sight reduction tables etc.

I know people who spend their time fixing all of the gizmos they have instead of enjoying where they are. They'll wait for spare parts instead of cruising.

There are plenty of books out there. Email me and I'll let you know what influenced my decisions and what lessons I've learned the hard way as well as what I'd do differently if I had to do it over again.

For me, cruising is about freedom. Living and doing things on my own terms. I dont want to be at the mercy of a generator part or a piece of electronics.

Answer 2

You have said 2 areas of sailing.Caribbean the Bahamas & south have sailed them for yrs. Then around the world? There are 2 different boats. Bahamas & south showl draft 5' an under or you will be aground a lot & miss out on a lot of gunk holing exploring. 4 to 6 people better be able to get along well? 2 is termatic.That size is over 40' ketch rig center cockpit.As it's more comfortable than a aft cockpit.But aft is good for blue water deeper draft the deeper more stable more wind an high sea it takes. Your best to start with a smaller 1 till you see if this is what you want as after you get 1 you will want a larger & larger.Get an idea of how much you can handle alone single handing.As if you have to sail it by yourself.I had a 40 endeavor sleeps 6 foward & aft cabin 13' beam 4.6 draft.loaded with everything gen,a/c freezer, watermaker.Great boat for the islands,13 yrs crusing, but not much for offshore crusing.double headstay sloop.There a lot of good sail boats for sale also a lot of junk so be ware.I know have a 48' sportfish i feel the need for speed.Bahamas is the best crusing areas i have found you can anchor almost everywhere..Anchorages is the biggest problem down island.Go to the marinas an talk to the old salts that is the best info from those that have been there an done it.You also need to know how to repair everything on the boat as there are on repair shops out there on the water???

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

A good website is www,boats.com

The first consideration is whether you to choose wood or Fiberglass. If you are a handy man who likes tinkering wood can be very refreshing. Otherwise go for fiberglass as it's much easier too maintain.

You will want a reliable engine and possibly a generator if you intend to spend time is isolated areas. Choose a generator that will run on propane as well as electricity. It's advisable to use solar panels so the cabin needs to have an area of attachment.

Storage space is essential for long term cruising as well as adequate water and fuel storage. You will also require a holding tank for the toilet in some areas. Make sure the boat conforms to USCG regulations and has adequate safety equipment. An inflatable raft and emergency locator beacon is a good idea. If something happens in the open sea your only chance for rescue will be the ELB signal.

I prefer the character of older boats but they do require a lot of TLC. I've seen some beautiful cruisers listed as far back as the 1800's. To alleviate any unpleasant surprises, be sure to have a professional survey performed before you buy.

Answer 5

One you need more resources than eBay.
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/
http://www.boats.com/
http://www.boatsville.com/index.cfm
http://www.usedboats.com/
This is only a few, many are connected to each other for searching too, so, sometimes you see the same boat on different sites.
You really need to read up on sailboats and narrow it down to what you want.
Ketch? Cruiser? Sloop? Full Keel? Lee-Board Ketch?
If, the above questions you not know the answer, then you really need to read up before you buy a boat.
People live on all sizes of boats. Depends on what you need. I know a guy bought a 24 foot sailboat for $1000. Pays $30 for his Boat Slip each month and the owner lets him run an extension cord for a fan and light. He been living on that boat for 5 years. LOL!
There a guy has a 27 footer and always want to know everyone's boat length. Says he always the smallest boat in the Harbor as he sails around the world and lives on his boat.
Man and Woman with a 28 footer lived at sea for 14 months, traveled all around Atlantic and Caribbean.
Myself, I still looking, but, I know what I want and what I will pay! 30 foot minimum and really got my eye on a 41' and see if they come down on the price in time.
Price you learn looking around and reading. In time I have seen boats drop from $18,000 to $8,000. :-O
So, it pays to know prices and what you will pay and Stay with your plan and you find just what you want in Time!
I have links on Free Boat plans to free boats.
I have links to buying a Sextant and a link on how to use it.
Keep an array of Wish List Books on Amazon for reference, should I decide I want. Try to just buy Used, they much cheaper and do the job.
If, you need more links let me know and I put you a long list together.

Answer 6

Go to sailing school, meet some people with boats, ask lots of questions. Hang out at the boat haul outs looking to help repair boats. Ask lots of questions. Finally when youv'e discovered which qualities will meet your individual needs,have completed all your schooling, and a coast guard class couldn't hurt. You still have the hardest part left to do. CUT THE DOCK LINES AND JUST GO!!!!!

Answer 7

uh?