Lefty,

I just went through the exact same "search for answers" as you are
doing now. Ended up with a VERY capable boat [Islander 29] that is
[was] a circumnavigation veteran [including a Cape Horn passage] for
very little money. My point is that you don't have to spend the big
bucks to get a good boat, but you have to know how and where to look
[NEVER go to a yacht broker]. If you're in Southern California drop
me an "e" ] and I'll give you some insight.

Cheers,
Trent Sanders
S/V Cimba
Marina Del Rey

"Lefty" wrote in message . net...
OK, I'm just window-shopping. I do that every few years anyway, thinking
that I might get a boat. As it happens, I just got back from a nice trip
on my cousin's Islander ketch down from San Francisco to Monterey and back
again. That puts me back into the maybe-a-boat mode ....

If I got one, I think it would be to go out and spend some winter weekdays
on uncrowded Catalina moorings, and to go out at some point and do all the
channel island anchorages. I was reading a coast guide on the trip ...
this one:

The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to
Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands
by Brian M. Fagan

and it made it all look pretty good. Now, I've started reading "Good
Old Boat", and pricing the local Sailing Clubs, so I'd probably sail more
and do research before buying ... but I can't help but ask anyway:

What do you all think are good old boats for such a plan? I'm thinking
sub-30 feet to keep slips and aux expenses down.

Thanks.