How would spend £200K and £1400 per month to buy a bluewater yacht to liveaboard and sail / maybe circumnavigate for years to come?

[Rob44]

Rob, a couple of thoughts. Not sure if you're retiring from the airlines but I followed a similar path starting 10 years ago when I did a day skipper, chartered all over, coastal skipper, then YM ahead of retiring and since then bought my own boat. With plenty of charter sailing under my belt and membership of a Solent boat club, I soon realised I was happy enough pottering along the south coast and across to France.

We've spent up to 3 weeks on board and it's always nice to come home to our own bed. If you still plan to sail the world, a colleague, Jim Wallace, did exactly this. He bought a Slocum 43 in Croatia, shake down sail back to UK, kitted it out for a RTW trip and did just that. The boat is now back in Gosport and was for sale until recently. Full disclosure, the buyers survey reported osmosis so they pulled out so Jim is currently undecided the next step.

On the basis I don't believe any boat has ever sunk because of osmosis, there may be a bargain to be had. If you want to be put in touch with Jim, send me a PM. Secondly, if you fancy a day sail in the Solent and see how my decision from "must be a Hallberg Rassy" to finally purchasing a stock Beneteau AWB to fit my revised "mission profile" was made, then get in touch.

From your comments, you remind me of my previous self where I tried to carry aviation related experience across into boating until I realised it's very different.

Here's an article about Jim.

I sailed across the pacific with one hand - Yachting Monthly

Hello Wonkywinch, I think I’ll pass on the osmosis, thanks. That’s maybe something for Jim to sort out, prior to selling?

Interesting article too and thanks for the link. It read a little bit like a basic HF case-study to be fair, and left me wondering about the more in-depth reasoning behind the decision making. I figured much of what he described was the proverbial tip of the HF iceberg and there was probably more to learn from this specific decision making than just the described ‘must catch a flight’.

And thanks for the offer to sail! I’d genuinely be delighted for the opportunity, but must admit I’ve some concern over being ‘trapped’ on a dodgy AWB/Beneteau having to listen to boring airline pilot dits

 

[wonkywinch]

I think I’ll pass on the osmosis, thanks. That’s maybe something for Jim to sort out, prior to selling?

I don't think it's financially viable so the idea is someone who understands osmosis and the real risks gets a bargain genuine tried and tested bluewater boat.

There seem to be polarised views on whether it's a genuine boat ending issue or not.

 

[steve yates]

Were I you, I would go and buy a fulmar or similar right now, for about £15k, one in reasonable nick with sails and engine that work, electrics that don’t spark and whose upholstery does not stink of deisel or piss.
Do a comp crew course, then go sailing every weekend in your boat. Do your day skipper theory and practical while your doing that. Fix any stuff you want to fix, the lessons are useful. Use all your holidays for cruising in your new boat, negotiate a month or two off work if you can and go off on the wander round uk coast or france or spain.

You will learn how to sail and how to navigate, you will make any expensive mistakes on a cheap boat, worst case you sink it, as long as you walk away ( or swim) who cares? You will have spent the same cash as the zero to hero course path but will have something far more useful than just instruction, you will have experience, and even more important, confidence.

Not that I am knocking instruction, but it is no substitute for doing. As a matter of fact for sure throw in a few days in different areas hiring instructors for own boat tuition, do a couple of days in different areas with different folk as you find yourself passing.
The different approaches and methods will probably be useful, refreshing and eye opening.

When your ready, flog your boat for 2/3 what you paid, just to get rid fast, and consider the rest training fees.
After that, will know for sure you fancy a go at your plan and will be prepared and up for it.

I would really really suggest that you spend a maximum of 100k on your boat, and buy a flat or small house with the rest.
You will have something to come ashore to when you finally sell your boat for peanuts and your cruising income will be more like £2k a month, allowing a better quality of life or more savings for repairs, depending on your nature.
For the boat keep an eye on this site when the business goes live again

I’m in a not dissimilar position to you, except whereas I know I love sailing and exploring by boat, and I fancy crossing oceans, I have no idea if I will like it. I might be bored shitless, or could run out of beer! I intend to try it and see but am in no urgent hurry.
My wife & I had planned for years to sell up, retire early and sail to the med. Brexit changed that dynamic but by then her cancer was advancing and it was getting more problematic, as was finding the time to work on the manky old boat I bought in Scotland and sailed down. Sadly she didn’t make it, the house is now finally up for sale and I will launch the boat end of April and sail it back to Scotland. I am moving back home and lucky enough to be downsizing from a big expensive house to a wee house or flat somewhere on the west coast. A chunk of the capital is going to the kids, they will all have houses/jobs/partners and be well on their way, so I can go where I please as long as I please.

I could spend 200k on a boat, but I wouldn’t. I thought of buying the types of boat we were looking at and heading down to the med, but I don’t have the heart to go on my own without her yet, so I will put it off for a few years. Instead I am spending the budget we had, to add a wheelchair access porch to the house, on the old boat I have so she will be well tarted up as far as fittings go, if not looks (gas/plumbing/exhaust/electrics/heating/steering etc)
I’ll then sail her for a few hears in northern climes, the baltic, norway, Iceland sort of thing.
Then when I’m ready I will buy a new boat and head for the med ( I promised to take her there and scatter her ashes on a greek beach from the boat ) It will be a good solid medium to heavy displacement boat with an aft cabin and good forecabin, so the kids can come over and use her as holiday accomodation. Then I will head west over the atlantic and see what happens.

We discussed this a lot and decided we would much rather buy an older boat, paying the premium for one ready to go and well looked after, so anywhere between 40-75k and invest the rest in flats so we had a poorer boat but a richer income to enjoy it with.
In much the same way I will buy a small modest home, as I would prefer income from investing the rest instead of spending it on a bigger flashier place.

So, don’t wait, get a cheap boat and start sailing now. When the time comes, sell it and get the bigger one but spend way less on it than you intended , there is only you on it! Invest the cash in a wee property and have a bigger income and more beer money.
And a place to keep you from the victorian poor houses that will be here by the time you return

All sorted, you owe me a pint!

 

[Sea Change]

Sorry to hear about your wife Steve. Good luck with your plans. If you happen to be passing Skye when we're home, look us up.

 

[steve yates]

I may be in skye in a month or two to look at some houses But I’m going to wait till completion in england before even trying to do anything in scotland, as the system is so prone to collapse at any point .

 

[Sea Change]

I may be in skye in a month or two to look at some houses But I’m going to wait till completion in england before even trying to do anything in scotland, as the system is so prone to collapse at any point .

We'll be away by then... good luck with the house hunt and drop me a line if you want any local info.

 

[Rob44]

Were I you, I would go and buy a fulmar or similar right now, for about £15k, one in reasonable nick with sails and engine that work, electrics that don’t spark and whose upholstery does not stink of deisel or piss.
Do a comp crew course, then go sailing every weekend in your boat. Do your day skipper theory and practical while your doing that. Fix any stuff you want to fix, the lessons are useful. Use all your holidays for cruising in your new boat, negotiate a month or two off work if you can and go off on the wander round uk coast or france or spain.

You will learn how to sail and how to navigate, you will make any expensive mistakes on a cheap boat, worst case you sink it, as long as you walk away ( or swim) who cares? You will have spent the same cash as the zero to hero course path but will have something far more useful than just instruction, you will have experience, and even more important, confidence.

Not that I am knocking instruction, but it is no substitute for doing. As a matter of fact for sure throw in a few days in different areas hiring instructors for own boat tuition, do a couple of days in different areas with different folk as you find yourself passing.
The different approaches and methods will probably be useful, refreshing and eye opening.

When your ready, flog your boat for 2/3 what you paid, just to get rid fast, and consider the rest training fees.
After that, will know for sure you fancy a go at your plan and will be prepared and up for it.

I would really really suggest that you spend a maximum of 100k on your boat, and buy a flat or small house with the rest.
You will have something to come ashore to when you finally sell your boat for peanuts and your cruising income will be more like £2k a month, allowing a better quality of life or more savings for repairs, depending on your nature.
For the boat keep an eye on this site when the business goes live again

I’m in a not dissimilar position to you, except whereas I know I love sailing and exploring by boat, and I fancy crossing oceans, I have no idea if I will like it. I might be bored shitless, or could run out of beer! I intend to try it and see but am in no urgent hurry.
My wife & I had planned for years to sell up, retire early and sail to the med. Brexit changed that dynamic but by then her cancer was advancing and it was getting more problematic, as was finding the time to work on the manky old boat I bought in Scotland and sailed down. Sadly she didn’t make it, the house is now finally up for sale and I will launch the boat end of April and sail it back to Scotland. I am moving back home and lucky enough to be downsizing from a big expensive house to a wee house or flat somewhere on the west coast. A chunk of the capital is going to the kids, they will all have houses/jobs/partners and be well on their way, so I can go where I please as long as I please.

I could spend 200k on a boat, but I wouldn’t. I thought of buying the types of boat we were looking at and heading down to the med, but I don’t have the heart to go on my own without her yet, so I will put it off for a few years. Instead I am spending the budget we had, to add a wheelchair access porch to the house, on the old boat I have so she will be well tarted up as far as fittings go, if not looks (gas/plumbing/exhaust/electrics/heating/steering etc)
I’ll then sail her for a few hears in northern climes, the baltic, norway, Iceland sort of thing.
Then when I’m ready I will buy a new boat and head for the med ( I promised to take her there and scatter her ashes on a greek beach from the boat ) It will be a good solid medium to heavy displacement boat with an aft cabin and good forecabin, so the kids can come over and use her as holiday accomodation. Then I will head west over the atlantic and see what happens.

We discussed this a lot and decided we would much rather buy an older boat, paying the premium for one ready to go and well looked after, so anywhere between 40-75k and invest the rest in flats so we had a poorer boat but a richer income to enjoy it with.
In much the same way I will buy a small modest home, as I would prefer income from investing the rest instead of spending it on a bigger flashier place.

So, don’t wait, get a cheap boat and start sailing now. When the time comes, sell it and get the bigger one but spend way less on it than you intended , there is only you on it! Invest the cash in a wee property and have a bigger income and more beer money.
And a place to keep you from the victorian poor houses that will be here by the time you return

All sorted, you owe me a pint!

Thanks Steve, if ever our paths cross I’ll happily buy you pint

What you suggest is pretty much what I’m now planning and all achievable within a realistic timeline I’ve given myself.

As part of furthering my own knowledge, I think a Moody 376 could fit the bill and I see what appear to be some relatively good looking examples for sub £80K. That said, it’s quite eye-opening for me to try figure out options of boats from within potential budgets. It certainly isn’t anything definitive as of yet.

As I learn more, I grow ever more inclined towards the heavier displaced types of the 80’s/early 90’s though; those types more suited/built for ocean crossings.

I think it worth saying I’m not particularly attracted to the idea of single-handed oceanic and uninsured crossings and the inevitable hardships, increased risks, loneliness and lack of sleep and so on, but I am particularly attracted to an ability of just being able to do so and an ability to generally go wherever I please. And so…I figure I will.

I see the attraction as being a little similar to mountaineering in a sense. I’m not particularly fond of trudging and scrambling up steep, exposed ground, often done initially in the dark in winter months and suffering inclement weather. But I will very often do all that from what I perceive as positives far outweighing the negatives. And what they are is only important to me I guess.

I’m sorry to hear of your wife passing. I hope that whatever you chose to do, you’re able to do so with a heart full of her happy memories and a comfort knowing she will always be in your heart and will always be with you.

 

[Sea Change]

£80k sounds like a lot of money for a Moody 376.
We viewed a couple of examples back in 2019, both on the market for £50k. Both were decent examples (we didn't get either one surveyed though) with recent engines and good kit. Another one (a 37, but essentially the same boat) was sub £40k but in poorer condition, with the original Thorneycroft engine. A few years later we actually bumped in to that one, under its new owner, in Portugal.
They're nice looking boats and felt like they'd be comfortable to live on, and I think they sail pretty well. But we were a bit disappointed by the amount of space available. Would be fine for a solo sailor or a couple, especially if not going off for years at a time.
We ended up with an older Primrose-era Moody 39 which had about twice the amount of internal space, including a third cabin. It had been re-engined and had brand new sails and instruments, and we paid not much over £30k.

 

[Graham376]

£80k sounds like a lot of money for a Moody 376.
We viewed a couple of examples back in 2019, both on the market for £50k. Both were decent examples (we didn't get either one surveyed though) with recent engines and good kit. Another one (a 37, but essentially the same boat) was sub £40k but in poorer condition, with the original Thorneycroft engine. A few years later we actually bumped in to that one, under its new owner, in Portugal.
They're nice looking boats and felt like they'd be comfortable to live on, and I think they sail pretty well. But we were a bit disappointed by the amount of space available. Would be fine for a solo sailor or a couple, especially if not going off for years at a time.
We ended up with an older Primrose-era Moody 39 which had about twice the amount of internal space, including a third cabin. It had been re-engined and had brand new sails and instruments, and we paid not much over £30k.

Big difference between asking price and actual selling. £50k should be nearer the mark, a couple have gone cheaper.

 

[Lozzer]

I sailed around the world on the Oyster World Rally '23-25' as a paid captain on an Oyster 885. A great privilege I have to say.

One boat that was unofficially with us was an Oyster 406 called Penny Oyster (Brighton based). It was sailed by a fantastic young couple who lived an amazing dream.

The yacht was a great size for the two of them and sturdy enough to keep them comfortable when the going got tough, which it did once or twice. I would recommend a yacht like this as Oysters have proven track records for circumnavigations.

Regarding costs, I was fortunate enough to have a healthy budget and a brand new yacht so many things that bropke were replaced under warranty. Don't under estimate the cost of replacement products or the shipping of products to remote places. Getting things delivered to the Marquesas is not straightforward.

Sone costs that you can forecast are. Engine servicing, fuel, communications, taxes on arrival at countries, panama canal transit fees if you are crossing, occasional mooring. Once in the Pacific you wont need to go into harbour to often. Return flight home as you are likely to want a break from the boat, lets say from Oz. That will also mean you need a marina. Might be better off using that as a haul out point.

If you searched "Penny Oyster" on Instagram or other social medium I am sure you will find their blog and this couple would be able to really help you.

It was an amazing experience full of so many highs and if you have the desire to do it then grab the opportunity with both hands, we only live once.

Also do remember that as you go around the world you will meet like minded people, you will be able to pick up crew FOC to help you with long passages. Many of these people will be willing to contribute towards the food as well. Fishing costs nothing by the way.

Good luck with your adventure. I did consider it myself at one point with my young family but I couldn't face returning to the rat race after 5 years so moved to the South of Spain instead and became a professional yacht captain. My dream was fulfilled albeit without my family being with me. I guess that was my compromise.

Picking the right boat is critical the rest will fall in to place. Even learning how to sail oceans.


chech this out. I found the boat for sale. https://brighton.boatshed.com/oyster__406-boat-346444.html