On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 10:26:25 -0700, "H. David"
wrote:

I am just beginning to explore getting into cruising, am newly retired, and
want to cruise on the waterways of the Pacific Northwest doing regular
overnight cruises for two people and occasionally 4. I have a boat budget of
about $50,000. Any recommendations as the best boat to buy would be
appreciated. I am open to new or used and will moor the boat at my local
marina. From the reading I have done so far I know I want a craft that is
first seaworthy, then reliable, and reasonably comfortable.

Thanks very much.

H. David


You said in a later post that you are looking for a power boat. I
am thinking you will be boating in Puget Sound and maybe north into
Canada. It is all pretty protected. Most boats are seaworthy enough
for the Sound. Find a boat large enough to be comfortable. The larger
the boat, the greater the cost; for mooring fee, for fuel, for
haul-outs.

Other things to consider:

Gasoline is explosive and I consider it dangerous. Fire is the
greatest danger. As a blue-water cruiser, I would not buy a boat with
a gasoline engine. My 85 hp diesel engine pushes my 16 ton hull at 6.5
knots burning about 1.5 gallons per hour. At 5 knots, it uses about 1
gallon per hour. I know twin-engine skippers that burn 20 gallons per
hour or more. What can you afford? If you want to speed around, get a
ridged-bottom inflatable with a 20 hp outboard for a tender (dingy).
Or carry a small Boston Whaler with an outboard.

Think of your ground tackle (anchor, anchor rode, cleats, mooring
lines) as the most important system. It is second to the hull in
importance. Ground tackle keeps you safe and lets you sleep at night.
Always use oversized anchor with chain. I use an all-chain rode and a
66 pound Bruce anchor. Install a good electric windlass and use a big
anchor. When you install the windlass, replace all your cleats with
bigger cleats. In a storm, you will be happy you did.

Take the Coast Guard Auxillary course on boating safety. You'll learn
about lights, rules of the road, navigation, locking through to Lake
Union, and general safety.

Go to marinas. Ask another boat owner to walk through with you. Look
at the boats and think about what you want. Talk to people that own
boats and ask them what they like and don't like. You might be
surprised that glass boats have less maintenance than steel. learn
about zinc, bottom paint, marine heads, shorepower, knots, et c.
Go to boat shows. Walk onto sailboats as well as power boats. If I
were staying on Puget Sound, I would probably have a power boat. You
will get some ideas from every boat you see. There are lots and lots
of boats in your price range. Take a little time.

If your budget is really $50k, think more like 30k for a good, used
boat and 10k to make it how you want it. In the end, the repairs /
refits will cost twice as much as you plan.