On Mar 5, 8:03�am, Wayne.B wrote:

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. *It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. *Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I would concur. $30,000 is a very low budget for a boat with the
requirements stated. Motoring around in an old sailboat might be a
solution, I'd have to think the sail inventory would be pretty tired
on a boat in that price range- but maybe could still sail a bit.

Depending on how rough conditions might be- a new 26' MacGregor is
around $30,000. Pretty light weight and not much draft for serious
offshore use. Not the world's finest sailboat, sort of weird as a
powerbot, but very economical to
purchase and operate. Can't say how one would work in the Gulf, but
they are very popular in Puget Sound.