As my wife and I approach retirement, we are considering the purchase of
a boat on which to live and to cruise (coastal cruising with some
Carribbean or Pac Northwest). We're looking for reaources for
researching options, needs and the kinds of boats that would fit our needs.

I'm requesting help in identifying these resources, preferably onlline,
that we coould use to figure out what fits our needs and budget.

Thanks in advance.

"Cal Vanize" wrote in message
...

As my wife and I approach retirement, we are considering the purchase of a
boat on which to live and to cruise (coastal cruising with some Carribbean
or Pac Northwest). We're looking for reaources for researching options,
needs and the kinds of boats that would fit our needs.

I'm requesting help in identifying these resources, preferably onlline,
that we coould use to figure out what fits our needs and budget.

Thanks in advance.


Anything from a rowboat to a cruise ship should fit your purposes.

In article ,
Cal Vanize wrote:

As my wife and I approach retirement, we are considering the purchase
of a boat on which to live and to cruise (coastal cruising with some
Carribbean or Pac Northwest). We're looking for reaources for
researching options, needs and the kinds of boats that would fit our
needs.

I'm requesting help in identifying these resources, preferably
onlline, that we coould use to figure out what fits our needs and
budget.

I've always liked http://cruisenews.net It links to just about every
sailing resource in the world.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 21:46:00 -0600, Cal Vanize
wrote:

As my wife and I approach retirement, we are considering the purchase of
a boat on which to live and to cruise (coastal cruising with some
Carribbean or Pac Northwest).

Have you decided between power and sail ?

Wayne.B wrote:

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 21:46:00 -0600, Cal Vanize
wrote:


As my wife and I approach retirement, we are considering the purchase of
a boat on which to live and to cruise (coastal cruising with some
Carribbean or Pac Northwest).


Have you decided between power and sail ?

We both have experience sailing, but would prefer power.

My wife and I spent 10 years on our 36' catamaran cruising from Canada
to Venezuela. We returned to the States in 2002. We were on a limited
budget and did not spend as much as many other cruisers that we met.
The cost per year averaged a little less that $30k. We spend 4 years in
the Caribbean and loved it. I would recommend that you join Seven Seas
Cruising Association (SSCA) at www.SSCA.org You will learn much about
cruising from the monthly bulletins.

Cal Vanize wrote:

?

We both have experience sailing, but would prefer power.


I'd say have a look at trawler or tug configurations, but my new ideal
of live aboard / tour boats are the current generation of powered cats.
You really need to get more specific than just 'live aboard'. Will you
be touring AK in winter or the islands in August or both? What is your
budget to buy and yearly?

For example, CW recently did a long article on (sail only) living aboard
costs in three categories. Which is yours - $8k / yr to unlimited?

I'd say just subscribe to all mags and start going to boat shows. You'll
gravitate to what YOU want.

-paul

Paul Cassel wrote:
Cal Vanize wrote:


?


We both have experience sailing, but would prefer power.


I'd say have a look at trawler or tug configurations, but my new ideal
of live aboard / tour boats are the current generation of powered cats.
You really need to get more specific than just 'live aboard'. Will you
be touring AK in winter or the islands in August or both? What is your
budget to buy and yearly?

AK, yes. But not in the wnter and not any farther than Prince Willian
Sound or Seward. The Carrib in the winter months, but not in August (I
have a mild alergy to hurricanes).

We're not planing to go from SoCal to Hawaii.

Budget max to buy is low $100k's. Annual budget would be in the
neighborhood of $25-30k.

From early research, trawlers seem to have a lot of what we're looking
for. Comfort, reliability, economic operation... These are more
important than speed.



For example, CW recently did a long article on (sail only) living aboard
costs in three categories. Which is yours - $8k / yr to unlimited?


I think we would prefer a power boat to a sail. After owning a sailboat
and sailing for a few years, wind is nice, but a lot of work. [no
flames, please, its just our opinion.]



I'd say just subscribe to all mags and start going to boat shows. You'll
gravitate to what YOU want.

-paul

Just started lookng at Border's this weekend. Trying to figure out which
mags "map" to our research needs.

Thanks.

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:00:03 -0600, Cal Vanize
wrote:

Have you decided between power and sail ?

We both have experience sailing, but would prefer power.

I lot of sailors end up with trawlers as they near retirement age,
speaking from personal experience and others we know. We started out
7 years ago with a 33 ft sportfish just to see if we liked the concept
after a lifetime of sailing, and ended up with a Grand Banks trawler
for our "retirement boat". So far, no regrets although everything is
a compromise one way or another.

There is a book that I would recommend to you: "Stapleton's Powerboat
Bible" by Sid Stapleton.

http://tinyurl.com/y7gqff

There are other books by Chuck Gould and Robert Lamy that are worth a
look:

http://tinyurl.com/y5s329

http://tinyurl.com/y4cp9t

One of the most difficult decisions other than type of boat, is how
much to spend on it. Be sure to leave plenty of funds in reserve for
the inevitable repairs and upgrades, at least 30 to 50% over purchase
price in my opinion.

Also be aware that the cost of insurance is becoming a major expense,
especially for boats in southern states, and for older boats. Be sure
you have an insurance commitment at a price you can live with before
you finalize the deal on the boat.

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:59:14 -0600, Cal Vanize
wrote:

Budget max to buy is low $100k's. Annual budget would be in the
neighborhood of $25-30k.

I think you are going to have difficulty finding a suitable powerboat
for extended/offshore cruising in that price range. There are many
very capable used sailboats for that kind of money but extended range
and offshore seaworthiness come at a steep price in trawlers.