Getting a boat next year. Never thought I could

[DoughMyDays]

Hi Guys.

This is my first post.

After a myserious youtube suggested vid cropping up in my list (Never had i looked at boats on there) I could not believe there was any such thing as any sailing boat for under 80k. It turns out there is!

Spending many many weeks fasicinated with watching vids of all different boats and journey's. The boat I want more than any other is a Moody 34. I have seen many for 30k. My budget right now is just over 20. Hopefully I will have that by next year. Its a very long way off right now. But I plan to spend a lot of time on it. The thing that had me head over heals is the reviews and the size of that double after cabin (I know thats probably weird to say). But comfort and living space is top of my list.

I am looking to of course do a RYA course way before that time hopefully. If the current situation allows this.

I know boats are a massive task and that many things can go wrong and its not all plain sailing. I want to learn much more before next year, maintanence, sailing etc. A lot of people in life (As I expected) have tried putting me off this. But its what I want and has been for a very long time!. I never thought anything like this would ever be in a price range until recently.

Are there any boats for this price similar to a Moody 34? I would hope I could negotiate somewhat too.

 

[jamie N]

Hi DoughMyDays! Welcome to the forum and sailing.
You're really asking some good questions on the wrong forum I'm afraid.
I'd suggest that you go to the PBO forum itself and post the same thread there as many more people with expertise will be able to help.
The forum that 'we're' on is a tad boring/specialist for general yotties, so risks being not seen.
Good luck.

 

[DownWest]

Well. There is no logic in sailing and even less in buying a mid 30ft cruiser. Money pit, Also, a bit like camping, but even wetter and chance of 'bad outcomes' Lots to learn, much of it a bit odd.

The best advice, often given here, is to go to a club and crew on others boats. After some of that, figure out if you still are nuts enough to want to do it.. The experience will guide you to a 'slightly' better informed decision.

Welcome to the delightful bunch of diverse bods who think it is a good idea.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

“There’s nothing––absolutely nothing––half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum DMD.
I will second Jamie's suggestion to post this query in the PBO forum, rather than here - you will get a much better response.

In the meantime try looking at www.yachtworld.co.uk for suitable boats for sale - you can do an 'advanced' earch where you type in various constraints.
I just did a search for a centre cockpit yacht in Europe under GBP 25,000, and 6 boats came up - here is a link.
(Sail) Center Cockpit Boats For Sale

If your heart is set on a Moody 34, then I would think that a Hillyard would not be your cup of tea, neither an Atlantic Clipper, but the two Moody 33s and the Westerly 33 listed are closer to your maximum price.
And if you want a recommendation for a Moody 33, ask CapnSensible on this Forum - he and his wife lived on theirs for 20 odd years, and did a few Atlantic circuits with her during this time.

 

[DoughMyDays]

Many thanks for your replies guys.

Yes i have also looked at the moody and westerly 33s as a cheaper alternatives. Both have also very good living space and well built boats for quite a bit less money.

I will also take the advice of maybe seeing if i can get some experience of crewing on others boats. Sounds like a very good idea.

 

[agentcrm]

IMO, get something in the 15-20' range if you've never sailed before. Then find somewhere protected to learn.
It's a lot of work and quite slow going.

 

[DoughMyDays]

Are you refering to feet here or price range?

 

[DownWest]

Are you refering to feet here or price range?

Probably feet. Find a' learner' boat at under £1K and potter about for a couple of years.

 

[DoughMyDays]

I think a smaller boat is actually more realistic!. A moody 34 now would be stretching my budget. Something I definetely dont want to struggle with as I have really no idea how much my outgoing spendings are going to be in reality and might be a bit much to handle for a first boat with no experience?

So I will need a fair bit of backup money too. It will also be cheaper to moor and maintain no doubt. I have seen plenty between 15-25 feet with far more than enough living space to start with.

 

[agentcrm]

Are you refering to feet here or price range?

You're right, should have said feet. Sorry.
I would work on 10% of the new value, for on going costs. Hopefully it won't be that much, but better to over budget than under.
On a 34' yatch, you'd have to get a birth. Yearly slipping, hull cleaning, anodes, anti-foul.

 

[srm]

I think a smaller boat is actually more realistic!. A moody 34 now would be stretching my budget.

Welcome to our slightly eccentric world.

A friend had a small weekend cruiser, about 20 ft, with an outboard. He used it a lot, afternoons or evenings most weeks during the summer. He then traded up to an old Moody 33. Being bigger it was more of an effort to take out each time, so only went out two or three times each summer.

He has now given the 33 away to a charity that takes children sailing.

I would suggest you start small and buy a boat that is easy to handle. Also, a small boat does not have so much potential to cause damage if you mis-judge a situation.
After a season or three you will have a better idea of the type of sailing / boat you want to move on to.

The suggestion of joining a club and sailing on other people's boats is a very good way of widening your experience, but it may be a bit of a "Catch 22" as most skippers probably prefer someone who has a bit of prior experience.

Look for RYA courses, competent crew and day skipper to start with. They are in two parts, shore based/theory followed by a practical course living on board for 5 days.