In article ,
"croberts" wrote:

I currently singlehand a 27ft sloop off the Australian East Coast on day
cruisers and two overnighters up the coast recently, but have no real
offshore experience. I am keen on trading up to 32 to 34 ft sloop so I can
cruise further afield but still singlehand if I want. Looking at the web
sales there seems to be a huge range available at reasonable prices in
California, The Gulf states and Florida? (I understand Katrina may have
accounted for quite a few in the Gulf though). I am playing with the idea of
purchasing a boat in the US and singlehanding back across the pacific over
about three months. It seems that $30,000 US will get me something about
33ft (1970s to early 80s)in reasonable nick. Prime considerstion is a
reasonable sized diesel in good condition and a sound hull/sloop rig,
(reasonably long keel i suppose). There seems to be quite a few Oday33s and
Morgan Out Islander 33s available. Has anyone any comments about my plan,
the boats mentioned or other suitable boats in that price range?

Check out the possibilities a little more locally. I just read that
there are a number of end-of-journey cruising boats in SE Asia,
Thailand, I believe.

Sailing a boat halfway around the world for your first passage is
do-able, but I wouldn't want to do it in a boat I didn't know well.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/