"jlrogers±³©" wrote in message
...
All my life I've "dreamed" about retiring on a boat and sailing from here
to there, as the spirit moves me. However, my only experience is some
lake sailing, a little Gulf of Mexico experience, and four years on a
destroyer in the navy. And, except for a couple of years in the 90's,
most of my sailing was done 35 years ago.

I have now retired and I signed up for a series of ASA lessons at a school
in Kemah, TX, just to bone up and get my feet wet, but haven't started yet
due to Ike.

Definitely the right place to start.


My plan is to take the lessons, join a sailing club, and spend some time
afloat to see if the passion dissolves in the salt spray.

Assuming it doesn't, I will want to acquire a relatively inexpensive
cruiser for step 2. I.e., learning to live aboard, maintain the boat, and
sail alone with confidence.

At one time I owned a thirty footer, but never lived aboard, and most of
the maintenance was bought and paid for. I like all of the following, but
remember my experience is day sailing, for the most part, and I'm
completely ignorant of the requirements, stresses, and needs of the live
aboard.

Contessa
Westerly (Konsort)
Endeavour 32 Plan A
Cape Dory
Crealock (Pacific Seacraft)
Island Packet


Which brings me to my question: what boat would you recommend for the
live aboard trial? Something no older that say 1983, between 28 and 35',
a sloop, that could be bought for no more than $60,000.

I think any of these and there are others that would fill the bill. The only
way to know what suits you and what won't is to sail various types.

In addition to your list, I'd suggest looking at Sabre (my bias), C&C,
Pearson, Tartan. Perhaps Ericson. There's a long list.

Remember, even a "turnkey" boat is going to need maintenance, upgrades for
your requirements, insurance, etc., so you have to include those ideas when
you make your choice about cost. You can spend $50K and have to put $10K to
it. Or, you can spend a lot less and put more to it over time.

The other thing I'll say is that a boat in the 30' range isn't really great
as a live-aboard. Sure, it's doable, but if you go up to the 35-36' range,
you'll be a heck of a lot more comfortable, and of course, maintenance,
upgrades, etc., will also cost more. You need to consider the size of your
living space, including convenience issues if you want to be relatively
comfortable. We're all used to living in houses/apts., which are a heck of a
lot bigger.

A couple of years ago when I was looking for my boat, I came across a
Pearson 365 that was in amazing shape. I didn't think about it carefully
enough and was outbid. I don't regret the Sabre for various practical and
important reasons, but the Pearson was a good deal, even at the asking
price. As I recall it was $28K.. something like that.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com