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.