Family Med Cruiser Choice ?

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Poseidon 1964

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I'm looking to buy a cruising boat to be based in the Eastern Med initially for family holidays. The family comprises my wife and I and three boys aged 12 , 10 and 6. In the summer the boys get 9 weeks holiday ( the benefit of school on Saturdays ) so we are planning a major trip in summer 2010.

From flotilla experience I've been looking at the Oceanis 393 / 40. I have a maximum budget of £100,000 and obviously cheaper would be nicer !

One thought that occcurred to me was buying an older Southerly as the benifit of a lifting keel appeals having had experience of squeezing into anchorages in the Ionian.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions about alternative options. Are there older boats about that would serve me better perhaps after a thorough refurbishment ?

Any help greatly appreciated :) !
 
I wouldn't often recommend buying an ex-flotilla boat, but this is one of the few occasions. It will be in place and optimised for the conditions. If it surveys well, a new suit of sails and a thorough engine overhaul, maybe some electronics, and Robert is your mother's brother.
 
Welcome to the forum.

I have owned a boat (Bavaria 37) in Greece for 9 years, first as a charter boat then for private use.

Would recommend an AWB from the big 3 that are used by charter companies. For £100k you would get a really nice 40 footer - my choice would be a 2000-2002 Bavaria 42, although they are getting on a bit now. There are also plenty of Bennys and Jeanneaus that will do the job. Do not dismiss an ex charter boat as they are generally well equipped and in good condition. There is always plenty of choice. Shallow draft has little benefit as there is plenty of water nearly everywhere. Southerlys are also more suited to colder climes rather than having the layout (cockpit particularly) for warm climate work!

It is becoming more expensive to keep a boat in a marina in the Ionian but there are many places that you can "dry sail" from. That is you have the boat hauled out when you are not using it and put in for your holidays. It is useful to have somebody reliable to look after the boat and get it ready for you. I do this in Corfu and so far works well.

Suggest you go onto www.yachtfractions.co.uk where Chris Hawes has a good selection of boats for sale in Greece. Will give you an idea of what you can get. No connection other than I bought my boat through him. Otherwise there are many brokers in Greece and the charter operators sell ex charter boats direct. Watch out for VAT which has to be paid on boats coming off charter fleets.

Hope this helps - and feel free to ask if you need any more information.
 
So, your looking for a 38-40foot boat with at least 3 cabins... to be kept in the eastern Med for long family holidays... budget Max 100k but prefer less..

TK's ex charter boat is a good idea... but a carefull survey will be needed and you will need to check the VAT status...

On the VAT; Depending on were you are going to keep the boat.. you may not need to pay the vat... ie Turkey... Croatia... and then when you "Import" into the EU you can pay the vat.

On the Sourtherly; Nice boat for Northern Europe... but I think for the med a big production boat will be much more suitable.. and easier to sell on in the future... I cant imagine it will be easy to find a Southerly of the size you are looking at already in the med.... You will get a much newer and bigger Production boat for that money in the med...

Your budget will stretch to almost any decent production 3 -5 year old 40 footer... so you should take some time in the UK looking at a variety of boats before settling on the Bene... and think carefully about the fit out...

I you would suggest that you should be looking at the following for sure...

Bavaria 40
Bene 393
Jeunneu 40

In addition I would be looking at the Dufour 40... say a 2003 or so... a more preformance oriented cruiser.. but with 3 boys about to start entering their teens.. something a bit more interesting to sail would be a good thing... plu the layout actually make the boat easier to manage shorthanded... (Mainsheet in the cockpit.. easy access to the foresail winchs..)

The Dufour will be a much more rewarding to sail boat than the big 3 production boats...

I think a trip to the London Boat show in January would be worth while... your budget may stretch to a 38 foot or so new boat which you could have delivered and commissioned in th emed...
 
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As others have said, get an ex charter boat from the area that you intend to sail in.
I have an ex charter 33fter in Turkey, 2001 model. Bought end of season 2007

This time of year is good to buy as they will be changing stock, they usually do not keep boats more than 6 seasons. In our case new sails in season 5, so near new sails, charter boats will have have high engine hours but this is not a bad thing.

Most companies take the boats out during winter and have to pay for yard fees on the hard, prices drop and discounts are available at this time of year.

Only refit item we needed was new Jabsco loo, we were going to change it for our own new loo anyway.

Have spoken to a few boat owners in the Marina that have sailed their "UK Type" boats to the med. I commend them for the adventure, but most have said that they now wished that they bought "Med" boats.
 
This is a slightly off the wall suggestion but you might want to look at a Gib'sea 43. They are well built and have great accommodation.
 
My knowledge of Catamarans is rather limited I'm afraid. There's no doubt that interms if living space for a family it is ideal. My concerns would be getting enough space to moor up, berthing fees and how they handle ?
 
I'm really grateful for the helpful and constructive replies to my post.

I'm quite surprised people are fairly positive about ex charter boats. I've seen large flotillas coming into Ionian ports and the boats seem to take some knocks. I'n my experience people who rent ( boats , cars or houses ) dont care for them in the same way as owners do ?

I've never been a fan of Bavarias. I'm sure they are seaworthy and good value but I cant get excited about them. Hope this makes sense.

I was told that due to UV damage a year in the med causes the same deterioration to the boat as 5 years in the UK. I dont know if this is correct or not ? Is there a point at which major treatment beyong anti fouling is required ?

I have been down to the Southampton Boat Show for the last two years. The trip in September was to get approval for the capital expenditure from my wife - all cleared ! I will take some time looking at the boats suggested.

Thanks again to everyone for their helpful comments.:)
 
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