Boat for 2 couples?

One man's meat etc.. Interesting isn't it! You look at the layout and think one thing, I look at the layout and think that the only viable sea-berths are in the saloon and that the 45 degree angle on the chart table is the worst of all worlds. Hey ho! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Something no one has thought of yet, is getting a berth in the Med. I believe that it has been mentioned that its easier in the Eastern Med, and I'm not sure about Spain, but I know getting a berth in France is a nightmare, "sorry mate full up" (in French of course) is often the story.

If I understand the way the advice is going, a smaller boat to start with, cruising the Med is the way to go. Good idea. How about, look for a boat for sale that has a berth already? Even buy an ex charter boat? We sailed on a Dufour 385 in the summer with friends, huge forecabin and two aft cabins with the bonus of two heads. Would be ideal for two couples plus visitors.

As for an Atlantic circuit boat though, start at 40 ft min, and heavy. (or so they say)
 
Moody 44 (biased here I'm afraid) for the extra cabin or...
Moody 42, 40 or 38 for the same with two sleeping cabins
Oceanlord (westerly)
 
As for the Atlantic Cicuit bit - why bother. Buy in Florida in the first place, much cheaper than in the UK and with the current exchange rate ....wow.
You can then (almost) do day sails to the caribbean. Admittedly bringing the boat back to the EU later is beset with problems (VAT and RCD) but sell it out there !
 
Moody 376?

Good for Med, capable, well screwed together....... What 75k for a good un?

Something smaller maybe a Moody 346, but only one head then...
 
For the Med (assuming compatability of couples ) and a budget of £70k then a Bav 38 (2 loos). If you can cope with only one loo a 37 is up to £10k cheaper. If you prefer centre cockpit a Moody 37/376 (more privacy and 2 loos). Latter might also do Atlantic if you progress that far but getting a bit old so need careful inspection.

Both readily available both in UK or in Med.
 
Wow, thanks for all the input. The comment that concerns me is:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
A lot of folks seem to get the itch, then go off and buy some splendid piece of plastic fantastic, which ends up either scaring them shitless, or just being to much of a handful, then it and them ends up squatting in some Marina or other, when all they really wanted to do, was go sailing.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Seems anything bigger than 38' might be a handful. Our budget is around EUR 1200000. We are from South Africa and will probably buy it in Europe because it is too expensive here.

I have read that Beneteau was made for a crew and Hanse was made for less. The idea is to have comfortable sail - single handed if needs be - but also fun.
 
For 1.2m Euros I'd have a boat in each of several locations! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'm assuming that your budget 120000 Euros - if I'm wrong, my apologies, but do you need a crew?
 
For your budget have a look at a Moody 38 cc.
Again a great sea boat, master cabin at rear & 2 Heads. easy to handle at 38'
As you have a good budget I would look at a yacht around 90 to 100 k then use the rest to bring her up to date & some TLC.

If you do look at any of the popular marques in the med - Bav/Jen/Ben look at the older ones with proven sea keeping & better build quality. Like a lot of Forumites on here I am a bit of a traditionalist but once you get past all the sparkles of new Plastic fantastic boats, most are built down to a budget & or for the charter market,
I think that was the background to Smiffy's comment re:
[ QUOTE ]

"A lot of folks seem to get the itch, then go off and buy some splendid piece of plastic fantastic, which ends up either scaring them shitless, or just being to much of a handful, then it and them ends up squatting in some Marina or other, when all they really wanted to do, was go sailing"

[/ QUOTE ]

Most Bavarias for instance are built for a particular market, not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with them, just that they are mostly lighter boats. you do of course get a lot of boat for your money.

If you want to do any extensive cruising then a yacht with proven sea keeping qualities is a must IMHO

Have fun.

keep us up to date with your adventure.

poter
 
[ QUOTE ]
As for the Atlantic Cicuit bit - why bother. Buy in Florida in the first place, much cheaper than in the UK and with the current exchange rate ....wow.
You can then (almost) do day sails to the caribbean. Admittedly bringing the boat back to the EU later is beset with problems (VAT and RCD) but sell it out there !

[/ QUOTE ]

The trade wind crossing to the Caribbean is part of the fun, probably the best experience you'll have in a year's cruising.

I wouldn't call the trip from Florida to the Leeward islands a doddle as you imply. It's around 1000 miles to windward!
 
Now we know your budget (£85k), my original response is still largely valid. One boat to do both Med and Atlantic will be a compromise that in my view will result in a less suitable boat for the Med. The charter fleets use Bavs and Bens because they are excellent for the job. I have had a Bav 37 for 7 years in the Ionian and watch the difficulties of people with good ocean crossing yachts - small cockpits, counter sterns, won't reverse onto a quay, cramped down below etc. My wife and I handle our boat with comfort and have room to entertain or ship the grandchildren etc.

At this time of the year the Greek market is flooded with charter boats 5/6 years old coming off the fleets. These are usually in excellent nick - clients paying £1600+ a week don't tolerate substandard boats - and are fully equippped. Also, many like mine are actually owned by individuals who make sure the company looks after them. They are usually sold ex VAT, but if you want to keep it in the EU and then sell it here you will have to pay VAT at some point. You should be able to get a VAT paid Bav 38 or Beneteau 393 well within your budget and have enough left over to cover the cost of a season in the Med. If you like it, you can work your way west where the Spanish and Portuguese marinas are full of ocean going yachts left behind by people who made the big commitment without trying it out first! You would have no problem selling your Bav if you are not too greedy!

Suggest you try the big Greek charter companies such as Kiriacoulis, Vernicos and Cosmos or Yacht Fractions in Falmouth UK always has a good range of ex charter boats for sale.

IHMO the eastern Med cannot be beaten for economic boat based living. Jump in and have a go - if you go down the route I suggest the risks are relatively low and if you don't like it you will have a relatively easy boat to sell on.
 
The Kiriacoulis boat we chartered in Sept was knackered, avoid buying that one! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Well I still stand by what I said about two couples aboard a boat, however, I have read all the opinions that others have posted and I think that a lot of them a very misguided given your admitted level of experience. 35 foot+ boats are too big and heavy for newbies, sorry if that don't fit with some, but I think that you will find that most serious sailors / cruisers would agree with me. Most of the recommended craft are not fit for your purpose, and way too much money to be spending as a first try. You need a serious, and safe boat, with genuine blue water capability, not some very expensive Marina Wall Flower!

To that end I would suggest something along these lines, if it is within your budget?

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=64502

Oh aye, it aint got the pose value of some of the suggestions that have been made, but does you want to sail or pose? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
The suggestion of the Vancouver 32 exactly illustrates my point. superb boat for serious off shore cruising for 2 people. However, request was for something suitable for 4 in the Med. Several posts have made the point that one boat will not cover the major and minor requirement (crossing the Atlantic) satisfactorily.

By the way, my other boat is a wooden long keeled Maurice Griffiths design. Absolutely perfect for single and short handed sailing in and across the channel (and many from the same family have crossed oceans) - absolutely hopeless for the Med!

Horse for Courses!
 
Just seen this post on Island Packet site - Packet Cat for sale at $150,000; supposedly ideal for two couples and 35ft etc. Dollar rate makes it attractive. No idea what this cat is like but maybe worth some research. See here: IP
 
Hmmmmm if what you say is true, sounds like the Med has become a poser's paradise, not a place proper sailormen would want to be frequentin'. Oh by the way, one boat wont etc? bollix, just got to pick the right boat, and in my opinion, that means a proper seaboat, not some piece of plastic fantastic, only fit for hangin' it's arse on the wall in the Med. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Oh dear, Smiffy. When I joined this forum I thought it was about trying to help others, not show ones own prejudices. I would only make a posting if I felt I had something to offer based on my own experience. 35 years total sailing in Channel and for the last 10 years in the Med. Now one half of a 60s something couple and with lots of experience of sailing with a similar couple in the kind of boat and conditions Lolamen has in mind. Believe me two couples in a Vancouver 32 (lovely boat though it is) in the Med, or even across the Atlantic is a recipe for a disaster in interpersonal relationships, never mind the practicalities!

Whatever you say about real sailormen etc, the market suggests that there is a huge demand for the boats that we are talking about. And thousands of people get a lot of satisfaction out of them - and despite what the doom mongers predicted they don't generally fall apart and people do not come to grief in them.
 
sent you a message, if youre new to the forums, it comes up as a flashing envelope when you've logged in, click on it...

we have always taken our 39ft beneteau out short handed, they're designed for it with stack packs & roller furling, if you swop to a midships single mooring line for instant fasting to a pontoon, then put the norm warps on, you can easily manage 40ft single handed... enjoy the hunt ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

W
Downsizing to your boat.
2
Replies
28
Views
555
Wansworth
W
xyachtdave
Fender Kickers, yacht sales experiences, get it off your chest here...
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Baggywrinkle
Baggywrinkle
baart
Cheap place to leave the boat for a week somewhere between Salcombe and Fowey ?
Replies
10
Views
623
baart
baart

Share this page

Top