On the spectrum of light vs heavy boats, the Westsail 32 is certainly
out towards the heavy end of things. Many derisively refer to them as
the "Westsnail". On the other hand, many of them have been successively
cruised. Some friends of ours, were in New Zealand last I heard (they
started 5 years ago in N. Calif) and love their boat. My wife and I
think the ideal is out toward the ehavy end, but not quite that far out.
Our Tayana weighs in at about 22,500 lb.s (dry) and is 37' on deck
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG.
For sailing around S. Calif, light winds are not uncommon and you may
find yourself motoring more than you now anticipate in such a heavy boat.
You also speak to a desire of "a few creature comforts". While many
(including me) find the motion of a heavier boat more pleasant (and much
less tiring) than that of lighter weight ones, the bottom line is that
there's not a whole lot of room for those creature comforts in a 32'
boat. Our last boat was a Catalina 30 and we did a lot with it,
includeing taking it down to the Sea of Cortez, but we REALLY appreciate
the extra tankage, storage and living space the bigger boat brings.
You've stated a $50K budget and a desire to cross oceans (to Hawaii &
Alaska). This seems like a reasonable budget for a good quality, low
end cruising boat to me. you can certainly spend a lot more, but you
don't have to. If you're willing to limit your cruising range to San
Francisco down to Mexico, you can get by a lot cheaper ( $20K). A
quick search for Westsails on yachtworld.com shows a number of them in
the $40K - $50K range. There is even one listed in Alameda (SF Bay
area) for $27.5K. Don't forget, while you'll probably buy it for less
than the asking price, you'll also have to pay Calif. sales tax on it
and put anywhere from 10% - 30% of the initial cost into it to get it
ready.
- Dan - T minus 29 days (but whose counting?)
jds wrote:
hi all. i am currently in rersearch mode looking for a cruising sailboat.
have read some, have a lot more to read and learn. most of the web sites
and forums i have gone to seem to be primarily east coast stuff. i will be
on west coast, southern california. my plans are to cruise up and down the
coast, possibly alaska, possibly hawaii. im 57 and a few creature comforts
are more important than speed. i dont want a boat that will beat me up, and
i dont want a boat that if the wind kicks up a bit i have to fold my tent
and go home.
ok, on many forums they talk about how heavy and slow cruisers are. does
that mean you have to have heavy winds to sail in them?? i dont want to be
sitting in the marina/mooring , whatever, while a bunch of lighter boats are
out on the water. how much wind does it take to move one of these boats??
right now, im very interested in a westsail 32. i have about 50k to spend.
so far the only thing bad i have read about these boats is they are slow.
not an issue with me as long as you dont need a hurricane to get them
moving.
i have also read that all boats are a comprimise. i can understand that. are
there any good solid boats that are maybe a happy medium?? comfort that will
still sail in light winds?? we dont have a lot of heavy wind in this area,
but you never know when you may run into some. safety and strength are more
important than speed to me.
i plan on living aboard a great deal of the time. i have a house in socal i
can go to if i want to, but i let my mother and sister live there, and a
little bit of both of them is enough for me for several weeks/months/years.
but can live there if i have to. point being, i want something with at least
some creature comforts. hot water, nice head with shower, and a galley thats
usable. comfortable bed.
anyway, seems like the more i read the more confused i become. some insight
from you old salts would be greatly appreciated. by the way, anyone ever
hear of a yorktown?? apparently a well made boat, but havnt seen too much
about them even on a google search. thanks for any input here. regards, j.d.
--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean"
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG