Buying Advice

[stalin]

Hello,
I am currently saving for a nice used
yacht-boat for around $100k it will be for me and my girlfriend. (not many choices for that price?) My question is what is a safe size
boat for cruising from miami to belize. I fiquer I would cut around cuba, follow the coast of mexico making stops when needed. It does not really matter what route is taken, just the safest route. I also would like to cruise from belize all around the caribbean to jamaica,virgin islands,ect...
Can anyone let me know what size boat I will need at minimum, I will also consider a sailboat if I cannot afford a yacht large enough for my needs. Also any suggestions on brands,models,years, ANYTHING... would be greatly appreciated.
I remember a friend of my brothers sailing from the gulf (north florida area) to the Bahamas every winter, not sure if he went farther. Anyways they sailed in a boat about 30-35 (can't remember exactly but no longer than 40 feet) We they crazy for doing this? Are is that size boat pretty safe for the caribbean?
Thanks in advance for any help,
JND

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[ccscott49]

100 US grand, should buy you a nice boat over there, I would go for 40' (but I like big boats). The rest is up to you and how you feel about your qualifications/experience etc. But, many boats of 18' have sailed around the world! I would also have a look at the disposal sales, of confiscated/seized boats, from druggies etc. There must be a bunch in Miami.

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[jeanne]

Don't compare the trip to Belize with your friend going to the Bahamas. The Bahamas are only a dayight trip [50 miles to Bimimi ?] from Florida, and then the islands are short distances apart. They are also shallow, so that a draft over five feet is a disadvantage. A small-ish boat is fine.
If you are talking of sailing boats, any boat over 30 ft. can go anywhere in the world. What it can't do is carry all the kit that peple seem to want these days, and it can't normally motor to windward for long distances. If ever you want to get back from Belize to the States, you will have a long trip to windward to face, in the constant and brisk trade winds.
Why not try the Bahamas first, and see how you get on?

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