Do any of the boats on your list have good performance? I looked at a
Tartan a couple of years ago, and it was a very nice boat. However it
certainly did not have good performance. I thought that I might like
one
when I am retired.


I'd have to wind up pretty poor to retire with a Tartan 37, but to each
his own!
The C&C 37 is a very good performer. The C&C 38, Tartan 37 are
cruisers, but certainly not slow boats for true cruisers. I suppose if
I owned a First series Beneteau I'd need to keep telling myself that
"performance" is the end all. We took a look at Hunter, Beneteau and
Catalina, but the cheapness resounds compared to the C&Cs, Tartans and
Sabres. Working as a broker, I speak to many surveyors. I know what to
avoid. If we wanted nothing but perfornance I'd just buy a J35. But we
want a solidly built boat of reasonable quality along with good sailing
characteristics. We don't want a Tayana for these waters and winds
either. As I said, when you cut out the Catalina's, Oday's, Beneteaus,
Hunters and other low-brow brands, the choices are few and expensive
for older boats. I wish I could just settle for a Beneteau or Catalina
as that would be easy to find and buy. We'll buy something better for
Thomas. Meanwhile, we've set 80K or so as a limit for the 4th boat. I
plan to make money on this boat just as with Alien.

RB