He hit a rock at about 7 knots and knocked a hole in the bottom. Said

That does concern me -- as we hit a container about 40 miles off california
scared the **it out of us... we took on water; but the pumps were able to keep
up until we could make it to shore.... (good tag line I saw: "There is no
better bilge pump that a scared sailor with a bucket")

The boat has a very low resale value. In his case he is 78 years old
and doesn't care, but you might.

I've never owned a boat that I sold for more than I bought it for -- I don't
look at it as an investment...

If the boat has integral fuel tanks it is possible for the diesel to
soak through the hull. Have seen a couple of boats with that problem.

Good tip - -I'll be sure to look at the tank the enxt time I go out with the
surveyor. I'm sure he'll check that too.

As regards to "sailing off". I would suggest that unless you have
"sailed off" before you do not sell the house for the first couple of
years - rent it. A large number of people lose enthusiasm for the
boating life style after a couple of years.

I've been around boats all my life; been sailing in the ocean @ 14. (single
handed)

We just cannot afford to keep the house with only me working.. (I can work from
anywhere)

On 2008-07-20 15:59:59 -0400, Josh Assing said:

We just cannot afford to keep the house with only me working.. (I can work from
anywhere)

If you sell and invest diversely, you should still have enough to get a
new place in a cheaper area with lots left over (one of my possible
plans. We're in a high-rent district compared to where we'd like to
retire.)

And I'm with Roger: get an old fiberglass boat for half of what you can afford.

Additionally, you may not need as much boat as you think, if you
haven't actually walked the docks for a while.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Additionally, you may not need as much boat as you think, if you
haven't actually walked the docks for a while.

I live on an island and do dock duty down at the marina.

-josh

On 2008-07-23 12:13:41 -0400, Josh Assing said:

Additionally, you may not need as much boat as you think, if you
haven't actually walked the docks for a while.

I live on an island and do dock duty down at the marina.

-josh

Then you're in better shape than most anyone -- if you can get aboard
and 'try them for size' with your wife. Simply seeing isn't the same as
going through the motions of everyday life. There are some gorgeous
boats that we found serious drawbacks with when we did that.

BTW, Our assessment agrees with yours as to size. 38' seems to be a
sweet spot for having two "work" spaces, but we did find a 34 that
beats most shorter than 40' for our purposes.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/