The Best CHEAP Sailboat for SOLO cruising - Ep 220 - Lady K Sailing

What is the best cheap sailboat to go sailing or live aboard cruising in the Caribbean alone, as a solo sailor. Or even a couple sailing the Caribbean on the cheap? This week we look at cheap sailboats and talk about some sailing how to and know how when it comes to choosing the right sailboat for Caribbean sailing, and the cheapest sailboat for the job.
Photo Credit: Yachtworld.com
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[@LadyKSailing]

HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE "VALLEY OF FIRE"??? This is my friend Jenny hiking through the most beautiful but SCARY parts of the US desert! Great video! Hit like and subscribe to her cause she's a badass! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aanGnYuOrtJgaJY

[@Waldopepper1962]

I would very much like it if you did a video with the topic of boats for the very tall sailor. I a 6'5"and I really tried to like a Pearson 36. But I found it unbearably tiny on the inside. The boat seemed large and beamy on the outside. But inside it was just a nightmare. So boats with lots of headroom video please. Something I can stand upright in. At least in portions of the boats. So maybe boats like the Coronado 35. Catalina 27 or maybe a Gulf 32 Pilothouse. Thanks.

[@fredread9216]

Wow, how interesting. I love the Valley of Fire. Have camped, hiked and rock climbed there many times.

[@wanderingwithjenny671]

Thank you Tim!!! You're a gem!

[@davidross5291]

The biggest regrets in life are the things you didn't do but could have. I bought my 1st boat for $7k, sailed the Aeolian islands from Naples Italy for three years and sold the boat for $3k. Best money I ever spent.

[@mountainmandale1587]

Awesome, my friend! You can never get time back!!❤

[@GulfCoastTim]

Let me repeat that...The biggest regrets in life are the things you didn't do but could have 👍

[@mrunrealizedprofits8431]

i love it! now, fix the Cubs, Rossi!!!!!

[@stephanguitar9778]

The biggest regret of my life is my wife who wont sail, ski or do adventure no matter how low key. 12 hours TV a day now shes retired. As we live a long way from the coast (thanks to her devious job maneuverers) I can even weekend sail.

[@matthewhoopes4440]

I know there are happily married couples but damn I'm happy I haven't been married. Too much of a risk.

[@seajaye18]

My husband and I sailed our Bayfield 32 thousands of offshore miles throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, and US East Coast for 12 years. We had a fantastic experience. I am now solo on a Bayfield 25 doing Coastal and Bahamas cruising☀️

[@mfournier12]

Many a Bayfield 29 and even 25s have sailed to the Caribbean and beyond I even saw Bayfield 29s up for sale in the UK (assume someone sailed it there)

[@Seabee441]

I did that in a Catalina 27 after escaping life, running to the ocean to survive my stressful life. I found a sailboat for sale by harbor patrol for 4k and bought it, The next 5 years were magical as I learned to sail to Catalina Island and San Diego Ca.I cherish the memories than I made on the ocean so go for it you all.

[@dcstrng1]

Yep, I think that's a good size... I saw a guy setting up a Bristol 27 (narrower than your Cat I'd guess, but similar idea...) and he'd thought through what he was doing -- actually looked like he had almost too much room... even after stores aboard he seemed to rattle about in it,,,

[@AWBepi]

I got my ericson 27 for 3000. best investment ever. I got on her knowing very little, 10 days later I solo'd to 2 harbors. Now i'm anchoring in empty coves. There's a lot of solid boats out there that are just ugly. If you can do the work yourself anything is possible.

[@megaluckydog1212]

My old buddy sailed a grampian 30 from the lakehead (Superior) to the Carib three times lol, out the St. Lawrence, Down the Mississippi, through the intercoastal. No problem maan. Skill trumps all.

[@dennywoodford3537]

I paid $750 for my Ericson 29, I have a distorted baseline of cheap

[@samcarrs]

That’s funny I got my 77’ Erickson 29 for $2500 outfitted with new sails. God is looking out for us isn’t He.

[@ickster23]

Ericsson's are nice boats. Congrats.

[@dennywoodford3537]

@@ickster23 its showing its age, have its 100% ripped apart, redoing everything,its a solid boat, all my work is pretty much cosmetic!

[@dennywoodford3537]

@@samcarrs love it, where you sail out of?

[@ickster23]

@@dennywoodford3537 There's an old saying "Have a boat, have a problem". The key is in finding joy in fixing the problems. You vessel has good bones. Solid glass work, and I never heard of osmosis blistering on Ericsson's.

[@martin5504]

Small is good. I have a 28ft yacht. She sails well and has all I need, is cheap to maintain and easy to sail and manoeuvre. No need for big flashy boats unless you need to turn heads and show off.

[@tomasarfert]

Here in Sweden you can find a decent Albin Vega for 5000 USD. If you add a couple thousand dollars for the extra equipment you might want, you have a very good boat.

[@Shepherdservices317]

Yeah, in trying to decide to spend 10k in the US or Europe

[@wyattblackwood3927]

One of my favorite channels right now is called Sailing Triteia. James, Who I think may have been a pirate in a past life. ,bought an Alberg for just over $2000, Put a little love in it and he left Los Angeles and is now in New Zealand. Doesn't take a lot of money to Chase a dream. It just takes a lot of Passion. Memories and regrets, Those are the only 2 things that you take with you when you leave this life so make more memories than regrets.

[@maxenra]

I follow his channel too and love his content!

[@user-gz9ty9md4v]

I think he's a jerk and opportunist... The Alberg 30 is a ball buster and he's finding that out starting with a rudder fail!

[@todddunn945]

Not bad choices, but there are quite a few smaller boats that will do the job handily. At the top of my list would be boats like the Cape Dory 30, Allied Seawind 32, Valiant 32 to name a few. If you have a bit more money your can look for a Baba 30, a Westsail 32, or even an Island Packet 31. Those are super stout boats that can get you there. Yes all of these boats are older. If you want the extra size an Allied Seawind 35 is a good choice or if you want a big interior for the size in another stout boat look at an Allied Princess 36. Of course you could also consider a Cape Dory 33, a Cape Dory 36, or if you look around a Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37.

[@toddwever4916]

I think the wisest thing I heard was do it now, you may not be here in 10 years. I think more people should think this way about life in general, not just sailing. Hope all is well with you and the family Tim.

[@johnrathbun2943]

Thank you very much for your help and insights. Soon I will be purchasing a sailboat and solo sailing. The information and know you give are very helpful. I also watch alot of other sailing videos, but there mostly about sailing and destinations. I just want to say again, thank you.

[@NorthSideNorm]

Love this channel. You have taught me so much about boats. It's nice to see another Canadian with similar intrest. Thanks for the great content. Keep the heavy side down, but not too far down.

[@fredread9216]

I don’t always agree with you but usually. On this one you hit it right on!! Have owned 5 serious cruising boats from 28-46’. A a US Sailing instructor working for a large active school in San Francisco, I have sailed hundreds of boats and put tens of thousands of miles on my boats. So I speak with some background. The first 3 boats were right on. Also you might note that Uma has sailed a 53 yr old Pearson 36 from the tropics, all the way to Svalbard, 9 degrees from the North Pole! And no diesel! (Small electric motor with very limited range. One of my boats was an Alberg 35. I put many thousands of sea miles on it. And the W37 is more and better of the same basic boat. I have always admired the Niagara 35. Hinterholler does a nice job. Another to add is the Morgan 38 in the size and price range. And the Cal 39. Both very nice capable good sailing boats. The build quality of my Cal ll-46 was top notch. And Cals sail. It’s 52 yrs old and still crossing oceans. And yes! Go sooner than later. My wife and I quit our careers at age 45, took off and never looked back. Oh but we were at the height of our careers. Think of the MONEY you gave up: A. You can’t take it with you. And B. Think of the LIFE that we gained. My business partner is 72, still in the grind, making lots of money and I wouldn’t trade places with him for anything.

[@RepellentJeff]

I was so happy to see the Bayfield 32 on this list. I actually bought a 32c about 3 years ago for a cool 16 grand, and I’ve been slowly upgrading her since. (Mostly modernizing the electronics, no structural or engine issues otherwise.) “Stout” is a perfect descriptor. They built these babies like tanks.

[@eddieserrano-vj2tp]

I'm watching your videos every day, but this one made me a cheap guy. 😆 I'm a beginner and I'm getting a 1985 Catalina 30 for 10k. Good job Tim! Thank you for your great information ⛵️

[@kenrandolph6816]

Back when I was learning to design boats, I calculated the water plane needed to carry two people and supplies for three months. For an average aspect ratio this came out to be a LWL of about 30 ft. (Actually the number was 29.2 ft but I rounded it up because of the range of aspect ratios.) So for a long range cruising boat I look for a LWL of 30 to 33 ft. To my mind LWL is more important than LOA.

[@jacktyler7599]

I agree. Moreover, designs vary greatly in their overhangs, so LWL is a good 'universal language' when comparing boats. Similarly, the common references to length here seems misplaced. It's about displacement much more than LOA.

[@dcstrng1]

@@jacktyler7599 Yep... displacement, although not always looked at, is a more reliable measurement.

[@jackchamberlain5993]

These were all very good choices, about the only one I would add (like others have suggested) is any version of the Morgan 38. The Morgan 38s all have the advantage of being able to get in at just about any price point depending how much work you want to do to get it up to blue water cruising status. What I think is in important in this type of single handed sailing is what the boat needs to be a single handed boat. Things like a reliable autopilot and an anchor windlass. You could do a whole series on solo sailing, what it takes for a boat go out solo. There are also lots of video bloggers who are essentially solo sailors documenting their adventures in boats from a 20 foot Flicka up to a 40 foot custom steel ketch. Some people who do the solo thing have riders or companions at times that don't participate much in actual crewing, but are happy to come along for the adventure. So there are reasons and situations for a lot of different boats. You could do a whole series on solo cruising boats, but what would be informative would be to discuss what it takes to make a boat in a whole category of seaworthy vessels into a solo cruiser with the inevitable trade offs in comfort, performance and safety.

[@lorraineandbriantaylor7779]

This is one of my favourite episodes, Tim, and not just because you talk about the Niagara 35:). Our Niagara 35 has made, with previous owners, at least 3 trips to the Bahamas from Lake Ontario. We have owned her for 5 years, and I've been working hard at maintenance and upgrades, and plan to head down to the Maritime provinces this season. I have no doubt that she'll handle the trip with no more than a few problems(i don't want to jinx us!).

[@timandrew64]

Thank you for doing what you do. Your insight is appreciated. I don't know of any other YT channel putting out the knowledge like you do. Keep it up. Started with a Tanzer 22 and just put a deposit on a Hughes 40.Wish I had found this lifestyle 25 years ago. Cheers.

[@lyfandeth]

If you need added tankage only part of the time, don't forget blivets! I think Nauta and Vetus make them. Basically a thick black bag with a filler neck on it. Rolls up flat for empty storage. Fills and conforms to all the odd size spaces. Usually grommetted around the edges so you can lash it down where you need it. Even the military use them, in sizes up to 5,000 gallons!

[@ronv6637]

Used swiss military surplus water bags like this in USMC to store water in desert,super tough and makes great place to sleep(warm water bed). On board the placement can also be very low to help stability

[@CaptainKurtAnnapolis]

Tim, I enjoy your insights and perspective. Thank you.

[@dirtyeric]

Will have to watch this again as I am flying from Grenada back to the Mediterranean right now. A smallish Contest is tugging at my heart. 🙂⛵

[@ipcameramonitor6031]

I enjoy your choices. The pearson is less frills but good design boat. Well built . My wife wants our next boat to have a sugar scoop. So we are on the hunt for a boat in this size . Thanks for posting

[@cmurph321]

The topic I've been waiting for!

[@andrewwood3043]

Tim, Amazing Content as usual thank you 🙏. I’ve started like most on a delightful SunFish and moved up to a Chrysler Mutineer and then bought a Catalina C30 tall rig. My C30 was an early 70s boat nice and thick fiberglass. I’ve raced on board a Tartan 10 meter and done quite well. Most of my sailing was on the West coastal shore of Lake Michigan as My home port was Winthrop Harbor, IL. I have single handled my C30 many times and usually crossed the lake and ended up frequently in either Holland,MI or would head North East up to Pentwater, MI. I have sailed to Mackinac as well. I’ve taken every Coast Guard Class I could short of enlisting in the Coast Guard and yes I had a EPIRB along with Davits and a smaller Zodac tender and Outboard. Sure I had jacklines and Harnesses and all the Safety equipment one would expect and yes I always filed a sail plan with someone in my homeport. The point I’m trying to make is while I have never sailed in the Ocean and yes that is on my bucket list. Is that other than tankage even a silly production sailboat that has been maintained should be Capable of a couple of days at Sea. One could Argue that Lake Michigan can be as treacherous as anything you would see sailing to the Bahamas. So the Boats you presented in this episode in my Humble Opinion are and would be ideal for budget friendly single Handling and the occasional trips to the Bahamas. Once again you are spot on and such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you 🙏

[@coquinagallery]

Thank you! 👏🏻 helpful stuff! And good encouragement for those novices like myself who could use the encouragement.

[@Seafariireland]

Great practical content for many aspiring adventurers. More of this budget minded tips would be much appreciated!

[@innismack9398]

Great episode. In 2009 I bought a Ranger 33 and sailed all around Nova Scotia. Lots of adventures.

[@epicurustaylor5954]

Maybe another factor to consider is why you want a cheap boat. The obvious reason is your budget limits you to cheap. Another reason could be that you're looking for a blank slate to make the boat you want. I don't like most of the boat layouts commercially available. I'm looking for a cheap boat because I know I want to gut and rebuilds to my spec. Solid hull, functional engine, I know I'm going to all electronics, sails and rig. In the end I need one cabin, one head, good galley, and space for a workshop area. Just a thought.

[@robgresell3616]

All great points. Great video. After watching this you really can go cruising on the cheap. Sometimes can get discouraged. Thanks for real world information and ideas for the common wage earner with a dream. You have sparked my cruising desires again. Thanks man !

[@surfcitygenecarrothersabec7634]

Greatest video so far!! You're Right ON

[@markmaxam-gl1cm]

Great discussion, thank you! Always Enjoy the perspective, whether or not my personal picks are the same. Obviously tgere are those out there looking for a similar discussion with a different budget range. Keep it up… please!

[@NotOnYourLife]

This is one of the best episodes you have done. Every single one of the boats is appropriate for the use case. There are huge benefits to going cheap and smallish here, if you learn this lifestyle is not for you then you are not out much but the experience is invaluable either way.

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks Jack!

[@liamstone3437]

I agree. I stopped watching the best boat series when he exceeded $50K because it seems very unlikely that I would ever buy anything over that price. Glad I have something to watch again.

[@dcstrng1]

@@liamstone3437 yep $50K is getting well out of my league... although I suppose I shouldn't say that as many boats seem to accumulate "stuff..." over time

[@svwanderlust9697]

Enjoyed the episode, thanks for posting

[@NA-xm7wj]

Personally I think think every one out at sea wether it be on the Great Lakes never loosing sight of land or island hopping should have at least a personal epirb they only cost a couple hundred bucks Also what’s your opinion on the Morgan Out Island I know these were made in different lengths but specially the 41’er

[@DavidMosby]

Another great video. I am not interested in cruising single handed, but your videos always educate and entertain. Thanks!

[@10lauset]

Cheers to you. Great selection of boats especially the one in St. Catharines Ontario my hometown.

[@pattibee6823]

like the minimalist view that your perspective fits well with

[@CaptainDustinAllen]

Super solid episode

[@haze9601]

I've been obsessed with sailing for the last couple years. This video was invaluable thank you. Gonna start looking for Bayfield listings now haha

[@SplendidHorrors]

For solo sailing i've chosen Bostrøm 31mk2. Small, but seaworthy, and still A lass after 40 years. Not popular in North America, but in Scandinavia there is a lot of them. It's not that comfortable, but for one, two people enough for budget cruise.

[@SCBiscuit13]

It also depends where and how you are going to sail. I just got my first boat for solo raicing/cruising. It's terrifying and exciting at the same time.

[@andreahuntjens3763]

We love our Sail-home! Have MacGyvered many things!!

[@benni_magnusson]

Thanks for good and straight to the point informative videos. We are now in the process of leaving land and buy my first sail boat to live in full time.

[@richb313]

Thanks for this episode.

[@bobmeining4028]

We owned a 1993 Hunter 33.5. Bought in Chicago and sailed it to Sarnia our home base. We put about 5,000 km on it for the 6 years we owned it including 2 trips to the north channel and finally to Kingston for a few years via Welland canal. Wonderful experiences. We paid $44k I think (sold 5 years ago) and got most of the money back when we sold it. When buying we looked for the oldest boat with a modern layout including a sugar scoop, bright and spacious interior, aft cabin and full cockpit enclosure ( a must for sailing in Ontario). We loved the boat and maybe should have hung onto to it to take it down south one winter.

[@Morrisfactor]

Tim - you had me at the Pearson. Best of the group, I say.

[@kestreljc1559]

So far, I haven't seen you review any Freedom boats. Right this minute, the Freedom 35 checks my boxes.

[@jeffgann6613]

Another well-informed video, Tim. Even with decades of sailing, I always learn a little something new. I agree with you regarding safety gear and considering risk and exposure. General aviation struggles with this, and a number of costly mandates has driven up the cost dramatically and driven many out of light GA. Ocean crossing and island hopping are not the same for risk or exposure.

[@robertnorkus5582]

Love the Bayfield

[@windseeker50]

I always bought at a cheap price the 5 sailboats that I owned but I also put a lot of elbow grease to get them in top shape , when you buy a 40 years old boat and think going down in the carrabean , you got to strip it bottom-up and repair everything and replacing things here and there might become costly. new running rigging , sails, engine, rotten bulkheads , epoxy repairs etc...etc...been there done that .

[@WotanSkyFather]

That 12v Engel fridge/freezer that's on the Alberg is worth it's weight in gold. Absolute TOP of the class, even as old as they are, for 12v fridges. Quiet, built like a tank, incredibly well insulated so it doesn't cycle often, and sips power. I had one on my old boat that I rehabbed from near oblivion (PO left beer on ice until it wasn't ice and all the beers exploded inside), and I kept it with me when I sold my boat. It will be coming with me on the next boat I buy for sure.

[@KiowaFreedom]

Hugo the "sailing frenchman" bought a 26 ft Ecume de mer for the symbolic price of a beer (5 euros maybe) , then he prepared the boat and sailed the mediterranean sea, then crossed the atlantic and wandered in the caribbean with . I also know a man who sailed around the world for 8 years or so with this boat. All is possible

[@Reno10bon]

I love seaboats! Good Job!🎉

[@jasminelestrade1921]

😊👍 I am in agreement with you......🙏 proper planing !🤔.. I love your videos👍

[@tsav6952]

Very informative!

[@Lew114]

Good life lessons. Thank you sir.

[@brucewalker5890]

Mostly good advice. I notice that in the US people are drawn to larger boats than tend to be the norm in other countries. My own personal view is that the ideal ocean cruising boat for one or two people is around the 35 foot mark and the boats mentioned here would be right for purpose. In my book ‘A Passion for Sailing’ I look at a number of other criteria which haven’t been considered here. For instance, how much anchor and chain can you realistically retrieve without an electric anchor winch? Have you practiced using a chain hook and line to a sheet winch to retrieve your anchor and so on? The bigger the yacht, the bigger/heavier the anchor and ground tackle you will need. Things work well when new but not so well after a few years.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

Ummm....the presenter is Canadian...

[@shaunforcier]

thank you sir for the helpful info

[@Staceyoconnell]

Cool shirt dude

[@Hot_Rod_Danno]

Great episode!! My fiancé and I are planning on sailing out of Lake Erie in a few years. I actually have a couple Pearson 365 ketch rigs close to home in sight definitely on the cheaper side. Have to wait because unfortunately we are waiting for the marriage visa (she is from Whitecourt, AB) and I want to be prepared for any additional costs.

[@davidmalone9022]

Funny coincidence. I was JUST looking at the Alberg. I'm moving to Loreto, Mexico this summer and am wanting to buy a boat somewhere in the Sea of Cortez or further south on the Mexican mainland. La Paz always seems to have a nice selection of boats across all price ranges and boat types.

[@wanderingwithjenny671]

Great video!

[@douglas9825]

Well said Capt.

[@InBrz]

One of the biggest roomiest boats is one that I owned back in the 90's ; is an Irwin 34 Citation. HUGE interior and good sailing boat Irwin 31 and 34 are the newer version and also huge roomy and good sailing boat, priced right too NOW all we need to accomplish is to REDUCE THESE DAMN EXPENSIVE BOAT SLIPS ! I paid $75 a month for my 40 footer !

[@brettroman3218]

Love your common sense approach Mate!

[@falloutpictures]

I was originally planning on buying a sailboat years ago but decided to go the RV route and travelled the us working entertainment gigs. Now looking to get back in sailing again to cruise the Caribbean and possibly further. I've always loved the albin Vegas because those little things are tanks and inexpensive when they do pop up for sale. I've been looking at other boats like the beneteau first (I learned to sail on it) and both pearsons and Ericson's.

[@peter99ff1]

I agree, with the inception. A heavy blue water boat, if a storm rolls in you will fair through it. In a lighter more nimble boat, you may have the ability to get out of the way faster or avoid it. At that point its on you the sailor, and what is your comfort zone.

[@naylorjr1]

Great video

[@BenMcKee]

So nice to see smaller simpler boats looked at. I would push the lower limit down to the mid 20s for size. Were I sailing solo my sweet spot would be somewhere around 30 ft. Everything is smaller, lighter, cheaper, and easier to maintain. No more need for an electric windlass (though don't get me wrong that one nice piece of gear). Money saved can be put into better sails, solar, and a burly self steering set up. I would add the Pearson Triton, Flicka, the Lyle hess 24 (maybe not cheap), and the NorSea 27 (bonus points for being trailerable by a normal truck). Between my two big boats (Cornish Trader - 40 ft gaff ketch, dead simple), and my Catalina 42 I've homed in on my gear needs - refrigeration, roller furling primary jib, a robust autopilot, solar + ~ 300 AH of usable batter capacity (assuming all LED lights), a dodger, and bimini. I sail year around in the Pacific NW so dry HEAT is at the top of my list. A little wood burning stove, or a diestel heater of some sort.

[@ianmangham4570]

I love that Pearson ❤😮

[@animapulcra9205]

This is a topic worth more organized attention. There's a ton of online markets offering fully sailable boats for a fraction of those in your lists. Next I guess you'll potential future boat owners into the underworld of detecting neglected maintenance... Best episode this far. Go small. Think Big. Sail Now.

[@cetterus]

great stuff. I would like to hear more substantial data on hull structure and condition. But I guess we can't know much just by browsing ads. Also, might have mentioned how great of a starter boats are these. But all in all- great insight. A lot of stuff beginners wouldn't figure out themselves.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Agree on the "cave effect". I covered all the fake wood panels on my Luders 33 with light wallpaper. What a difference 😊

[@Nifilheimur]

Im constantly going back and forth on bigger and older or newer and smaller. Currently have a Maxi 84. A 28 footer from 79 and i definitely want a bigger boat but seeing some of the newer boats have a much better layout interiour even if they are not much longer than mine. Was looking at a Dufour classic 30 from 2000 and the boat feels soo much bigger than mine and having a head with a shower in not bigger boat is a huge plus. Then im thinking i could go for a older 35-40 footer for about the same money but everything will cost much more to replace if needed on a bigger boat and a slip in the marina costs quite a bit more for a bigger boat also.

[@mfournier12]

Having a small diesel tank may be a problem for the sailer who spends most of their time with one sail up and the engine running all the time because their boat sails like a pig. Ona a well designed sailing vessel the engine is not a necessity but a luxury 20 gallons could get you out to sea, across the Atlantic and in port and still have fuel left to motor in to a protected harbor when you get there. IF you plan your crossing to avoid the doldrums and invested in a good sail inventory that keeps you sailing even when the breeze is 4 knots. If you try to keep that one size fits all cruising Genoa on a roller furler from luffing (because it’s made of heavy Dacron so it can hold up when it’s blowing 30knots ) ya probably will get frustrated and turn on the engine. But a light weight drifter (made of light weight nylon) might keep you moving and engine off. Yes fresh water is a concern but add another holding tank. And no one said you had to make the whole trip nonstop. Except for crossing the oceans directly on the trade routes there are less conventional ways. I sailed the North Atlantic when I lived in Maine and met many a sailer from the UK that took the Northern route (I like to call it the Viking route.). Boats as small as 27 ft have circumnavigated more then once. Some engineless. So GO small go now is still doable. (Ya most of those didn’t have life rafts ether) what they had was seamanship.

[@jody-ne7xs]

Thank you so much for these video's. Invaluable based information. From hopefully a future a client. 2-5 year plan. Nrthrn AB/ Cottage in ONT on St Lawrence. 1000 isl. Area I've been bit by the freedom bug. Sailing.

[@URLWer]

Nice video, thanks. Hopefully I'll get some time on the water this summer, now that my Bristol 27 has most of the important repairs done. All the repairs will never be done ;-)

[@peterkadelbach7010]

You are totally on point to say…. “You could try a little harder”. We shouldn’t be able to tech our way out of incompetence.

[@stevelawrie9115]

Some nice boats here.

[@fredfreer2818]

by the way i was 14 when i was given the plywood bilge keeled eventide. and 16 when i bought the 26 SCOD. i know about boats, my last drive was a 45m ;)

[@EdwardTilley]

Great format for this learning. I also watch @CaptainQYachtHunter who goes through older boats, but he discusses a boat one-at-a-time - which makes it very hard to understand where the boat sits in the grand scheme of things - for value, for blue water, for cheapness, for liveaboard, for social, Caribbean cruising, and so on.

[@johanhofstedt7317]

great movie!

[@matthewhoopes4440]

In 2021 I bought a 1978 Ericson 32 in Bellingham Wa. Other than kayaking lakes i had no boating experience. Let alone sailing experience. Anyway, spent a month getting me and the boat ready. One day of sea trials and then left for Alaska on the inside passage. It was great. Made it to Ketchikan Ak, sold it and took the ferry back. Of course I'm leaving out details but just proving you don't need experience. Though, i have plenty of solo adventures under my belt. Just not boating. Now i want another boat. Lol

[@larrydugan1441]

Cruising requires carrying ability. I agree with the focus on older well made boats. Lots of value for the money. Stability underfoot is important. I would suggest a minimum of 34 feet with 38 being a good size. More important than anything is to just go and not wait for your version of perfection. There is a huge learning curve ahead and your preferences will change with experience. Good videos. They are steering people in the right direction and saving some dreams being crushed by bad choices.

[@mfournier12]

Size by length alone is not all one should consider I would rather be on certain full keel 27-28 footers over certain light weight 38-40 footers in heavy weather. The reason so many people say you need larger boats is they are comparing NEWER designs who’s designs are more inspired by racing yachts then the old working boats of the past. Small does not mean light and larger does not mean more seaworthy

[@xanderlutz7856]

Really wanted to hear this o9ne

[@tomkiefer2386]

Good info

[@sveng9933]

If I would live in the states I probably would look for a pacific seacraft Flicka 20 or Dana 24. 37ft for solo cruising that's a lot of boat too repair, maintain and pay. I'm from Europe so I choose a Vega 27 good alternative would be a Marieholm 26.

[@josephmccorkle3903]

David Ross - I am the big regret personified. I sailed some when I was young, and younger, but am too old now - and regret missing the opportunity.

[@CAVEDATA]

Forget which year in the 70’s but at some point then when fiberglass was new they were really overbuilding them and i think looking for something before that year (whatever it is) is a good idea.

[@mallorymcguire833]

You need a power machine with a walking foot, not a "borrowed sewing machine" to sew sunbrella, and sewing experience on power machines. Home sewing machines do not have enough power to use 69 Nylon or Dacron thread, which is what you need for sunbrella

[@oneupmanship]

I live in the town of Bayfield and worked for the builder in the mid eighties. Still a great boat and yes , they are all over the world.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Sometime in the 1980s there was a scandal where a Bayfield dealer scammed the company out of significant $$$ and took off south...or am I misremembering?

[@oneupmanship]

@jamesstuart3346 A group of guys took over the original Bayfield boats and went bankrupt. There were a lot of boat company collapses back then. The original owner continued as North Castle Marine and did well. Even made a nice cruising trawler. He's passed, but I think the son still carries on a business mostly doing restoration and repair.

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

These are some great boats but sadly I'm more in the Vega or Macwester 27 range financially :). These would be great second boats, the first one was gorgeous. I think 32 foot is a nice size too for the budget constrained sailor. It's a nice amount of space compared to a 27 footer but not quite large enough to fall into the price category of 35+ foot boats. There's some nice Skandinavian boats in that range that aren't too expensive with large production runs. Like Comfort 30 for instance. Edit ah the last boat is just like that. Maybe a touch nicer but one that needs a fair amoubt of companionship with an angle grinder might be up my alley.

[@pl7868]

My Dad used to say you want a boat 35 to 40 ft or what you can handle so you have enough sail high enough not to luff or stall between waves at sea , he thought that was important to have control and that size was the best at sea , for what it's worth

[@Yeaitstemp]

I like small boats for singlhanding but a small boat that can go anywhere I got a free southern cross 28 in Maryland fixed her didn't need much just bunch of tlc sailed her to maimi

[@haroldschaefer3777]

Great video more more more. thanks. my daughter is looking for cheap boat in Victoria BC

[@Methoes123]

I liked the Pearson the best.

[@davidbeason3399]

Keeping in mind 15-40 miles of horizon, at least a dinghy and baofeng/ flare setup is an absolute need.

[@colrodrick8784]

Once again. Totally cool stuff and you know. Wrong side of the Pacific (I think). And thanks for making the video.