First time live-aboard coastal/offshore cruiser

[SharkBait25]

Hi there

My girlfriend and i are looking to buy a boat to live on for a few nights a week, will probably moor somewhere and occasionally be on anchor around the south east. Would like a worthy and forgiving boat 27-32 foot with the ability to make cruises around the UK and possibly across the channel.

Would like to spend between 5-£10k and have a boat ready for sailing with most of the things needed with money leftover for maintenance in the future.

Im 6'3 and would like to be able to be as near upright as possible. These are a few boats that i think would fit the bill does anyone have any input. Prices seem to vary lots for similar age boats so would like to get a boat with most of the equipment needed,

Thanks


Westerly centaur 26 foot

Westerly - GRIFFON

Jaguar 27

maxi 84 28 foot

Westerly - Berwick 31 foot

sigma 33

maxi 95

Sabre

 

[suffolklass]

Mirage 28? Not speaking from experience but I've heard others speak highly of them.

 

[peteK]

Leisure 27.

 

[Stemar]

While I suspect the right boat - no major issues, decent engine, etc - is more important than the right model, from your list, I'd pick the Berwick/Longbow/Renoun as a liveaboard A decent one would be within your budget and they sail far better than their rather said reputation would have you believe. I knew a couple that lived on theirs for years. I also knew someone who live on a Chieftan, which is a centre cockpit Centaur, and he got a bit stir crazy in winter.

Whatever you get a couple of thousand spent on a good cockpit tent will vastly improve your quality of life, giving somewhere to sit outside in the wet, and to leave wet coats and soggy boots outside

 

[Kelpie]

Where do you plan to keep the boat? If you need a marina berth then you might want to go for something a bit shorter, to keep costs down, but if you're on a mooring then I would look at anything over 30ft.
As mentioned above the 31ft Westerly boats are cracking value and sail pretty well. But there are loads of boats to choose from. Don't get hung up on specific models, and don't underestimate how useful it could be to buy locally so that you don't have to worry about a delivery trip in an unknown boat that might need some fixing up.

 

[LadyInBed]

I would also look at LM27's
LM27 - LM in Devon, South West | Boats and Outboards
LM 27 for sale UK, LM boats for sale, LM used boat sales, LM Sailing Yachts For Sale 1978 LM 27 - Apollo Duck

 

[johnalison]

My first thought was Westerly Konsort, for a sound all-rounder. It would be a decent buy even if it cost a bit more.

 

[fredrussell]

Chap two boats up from me has just bought a Westerly Berwick/Longbow/Pentland (not sure which). I’m too polite to ask what he paid for it but he’s described it as an absolute bargain. He’s grinning from ear to ear! It’s in cracking condition and it looks huge from the outside so just the job for you guys I would have thought. Steve(Yates?) on here nabbed a recently re-engined Longbow for under £5k I think, so these Westerlies seem to offer amazing value for money

 

[SharkBait25]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

We currently live between Sevenoaks and Canterbury so would like to keep the boat either in ramsgate marina or somewhere along the south east coast.

I’m leaning towards a boat on the bigger side of what I’m looking for, but most importantly I want to get a good deal as appears to getting a boat eith no equipment at the top of my price range.

Seems to be lots of boats in and around Essex which would be easier to get home.

 

[alahol2]

Regarding headroom, I'd have a look at a Stag 28, but the 30 odd foot Westerlies can be cracking value.

 

[SharkBait25]

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