What Cruising Boats NOT to buy - Episode 104 - Lady K Sailing

[@stephenburnage7687]

Looked at dozens, if not hundreds, of cruising boats for sale. What put me off nearly all of them was: (i) they all needed at least one to two years of serious work to get ready for offshore cruising; (ii) met too many want-to-be crusiers that never got away and were slowly aging. Ended up going offshore in my existing boat (a 1970s 34ft production boat, which you could buy for peanuts), as it was 100% ready; reliable and i knew every inch of it. Now 5 years into a circumnavigation and dont regret my decision for one minute. Moreover, it is surprising, once you get off the beaten track, just how many of the full time cruisers are in older, smaller boats. The old adage: Go small, Go simply, Go now makes a lot of sense to me.

[@burtvincent1278]

Thanks for the insight. I have an old Coronado 25 I have had for years and sailed 3 of the Great Lakes. I intend to circle the mitten this summer and looking for a larger , nicer boat. I think I would be farther ahead to stick with the one I know well.

[@drchill8837]

Negative on the dinghy davits. If it's blowing hard enough that you can't tow the dinghy, or in a serious following sea, the waves will rip the dinghy right off and take chunks of your transom with it. Tow your dinghy on short hops. Put her on deck for passages. Spend your davit money on an arch with good solar or beefing up your fridge. And btw, I used to have a Beneteau 500. Fine, comfy family boat at anchor, which is where you mostly are, but not always sea kindly.

[@gad5248]

Yeah I do not totally agree, the davits are great about 85% of the time, when in rough seas, I haul the dingy and lash it to the fire deck.

[@walkaboutii9260]

Have you ever been in a big sea in a Beneteau Frist?? Talk about banging!! Try Halberg Rassy, Island Packet, Amel etc. maybe not as fast as a First but much more comfortable in a sea any larger than 2-3 meters..... and actually in a big sea these boats will actually be faster than a Beneteau First, particularly to windward. I've seen people freaking out in their Beneteau's and other similar boats. (you know the brands) when they get caught out in 30knts. I have been in 45-55 knots for 2 and a half days between New Zealand and Tahiti in my Halberg Rassy and felt safe and comfortable.

[@yacht371]

My Hanse 371 pretty much fills all the requirements. I am 73 and still sail (and race) single-handed.

[@themusicalcorner4086]

Good Wind sir!

[@reds1325]

73-74 now still sailing and knows how to use KZbin. You sir are an inspiration! If only we could hear all the story's. Best of luck to you.

[@thomateish]

In my opinion, this is the most informative, honest and smart sailing channel we can find on KZbin at the moment ! Keep up the great work ! Fair winds captain

[@susanc.8009]

I sometimes agree with him, but mostly don’t. It’s hard enough to maintain a simple boat in good shape let alone one with all the bells and whistles which become problematic and expensive to repair or replace in time. Two rudders and wheels? I’d stay away from that.

[@rickczainski9856]

nice tribute to Larry. A hero to many of us.

[@captsmilinjac]

Great boat picks! I really wanted a Catalina 42 and then seriously considered the Beneteau Oceanis 45 when I thought about upping the stakes. But I wanted my wife to come along too so now I have a catamaran and avoided a divorce. 😂

[@mmccartney6579]

LOL!! :)

[@sicasni]

A win-win. lol

[@kevinwilliamson3957]

I owned a Catalina 42 MkII. Great boat. but not for living on. I endorse your choice of a catamaran. The only way to live IMHO.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Lol. Just remember that divorce is expensive because it’s worth it. 😂

[@cmorgan4515]

MANS got too know his limitation

[@zapperguy1]

Thank you for not sugar coating things and delivering great incite on what not to do.

[@jaymarlin3565]

What an absolutely delightful and verrrrry honest discussion..! Thank you for taking the chance. Fair winds. Cheers !

[@Seafariireland]

For me, a boat of shallow draft that will either sit on her own bottom such as a bilger, a centre board/lifting keel or a shallow long keel that will “sit” using a pair of beach legs is my first rule. It just makes cruising so much more independent than always having deep anchorages and marina facilities and greatly increases mooring/hiding possibilities! More videos on boat design/layout/equipment etc would be interesting. For those of us not yet on “the trip”, your experience and opinions are of great interest in formulating our own plans. Thanks and fair sailing, Ray.

[@fannyandersson3330]

One important thing when you get older is that you want to be able to stand up straight inside the boat... And you want a boat that is beautiful by your own preferences

[@janezjonsa3165]

Standing up, and beautiful... and thats it? You are smart. Thats it.

[@ALSmith-zz4yy]

I knew Larry Pardy hadn't been well lately but had not heard he passed away. Thanks for the update. I attended an offshore sailing seminar with Lin and Larry back in the mid 90's in Vancouver. It was a wonderful experience.

[@prank-o-mat]

Just beware of production quality when it comes to production boats. They were mostly designed to suit the charter market, so that means a life span of 7 - 10 years before the problems begin. Everything on them has been optimized, weight wise and number of people on them wise. I have seen a lot of boats where it’s not possible to close the doors anymore. Sailed too hard for the structure! Next important thing as I believe is the Hull shape and the keel form and function, a flat bath tub sort of Hull will bang on short waves rather than cutting them and a long racer shaped keel is likely to cause problems because of the high forces applied to the joints. It doesn’t happen on a daily basis but they absolutely have fallen off before so have a close look at structural integrity! No groundings should have ever occurred. Sauldrives can be a pain, they require oil changes and you have to lift the boat out for it. Not possible to do it in the water. Shaft drive is easier here. Also the large seal can be a problem, if it gets old that’s sort of a time bomb you are sitting on. Beware of timely maintenance and replacement! Also the layout inside may look good and can host a lot of People but in weather and waves... will you be able to walk from stern to bow inside without flying around as soon as the next wave hits the boat? Waves can lift the boat by meters within seconds and YES you will go flying unless there is a good and sturdy rail you can hold on to. Look at the beds. Would you Sleep well in them at a 20 degree angle? Galley: would you be able to stay safe and cook there in weather? How will the boat work short handed? Rigg stable, all lines where they belong? Steering system sturdy? Cables require a lot of power for the autopilot, the lack of feel from a hydraulic steering system and its occasional maintenance needs are downsides but when it comes to autopilots, they work BEST with hydraulics because they just need less power and work more reliable. Many more aspects to think about. IMHO it’s true that the older racer cruiser boats are not the best choice for liveaboard and cruising but production boats also have some huge disadvantages, esp when it comes to structural integrity and unsuitable layouts for life at sea (at anchor they are great!). for me it’s the best idea to look for a sturdy, handmade quality boat that was designed for bad weather and cruising, modest long keel and good old classic wooden seaworthy Lay-out inside. For example swedish boats. Or danish ones. Most important: Go sailing on the boat you are interested in before you buy it no matter how good the offer is. Have a close at everything, take a professional surveyor with you and make sure you don’t buy junk. Fair winds!

[@chrisscott1958]

I see many of the older boats made by famous names that are sturdy and have tankage and are made to be comfortable for sailing and sleeping. I see these boats as the best value and the best safety option for those wanting to go offshore on a budget. The "production boats" you speak of are very light and in real weather become less than predictable. I bought an old Camper and Nicholson 42 (not building now but were building them since 1782) but i would suggest a Hinckley or a Morris or other brand ( there are many) of this type of boat. It will take care of you. great video, thanks.

[@sailingintermission]

We love our Catalina 42 with its lead keel, keel stepped mast, functional layout, and like you said fairly fast. The Beneteaus are great boats also.

[@tonychilds884]

Great video, thanks! We discovered that two 6" memory foam mattresses worked better for us than one 12". You can rotate them when they get a little "saggy".

[@svbrilliantcut7562]

I enjoy all of your videos. You have a unique way of producing them in a believable "off-the-cuff" way that is free from the pre-staged and the "tired" old content. I'd go sailing or have a beer with you anytime. Agree with a lot of your points here Tim. For myself, having managed and worked in Marinas, boat yards and racked up some respectable miles in the delivery business, I think you made some good observations about production boats. Especially with your notations about tankage, refrigeration, the sail-ability of the Oceanis 45 and the durability and value of the Catalinas. Before I go any further, it might behoove me to say that I am a long-time owner of one of these brands and that this comment is in no way a "dig" or negative account towards any brand of production boat. They have their place and they do a great job of fulfilling a lot of needs. They all have faults, they all have good points and they all have suitable uses. In my experience, production Boats are normally built to a specific "price-point" and generally have an adequate quality of build for the "Coastal Cruiser" or long weekend length user. There are a handful of brands that are built with the serious cruiser in mind. Honestly, for an experienced sailor, it's not difficult to find more things you don't like than the things you do like on most of these boats. Some of the stuff I've seen on these boats would make an experienced Blue water Sailor exercise all of his/her extensive vocabulary. In talking about long-distance Cruising or Passage-making, , one cannot leave out the importance of Safety, Available storage, Intelligent use of space, Ease of "Planned Maintenance" and keel and rudder configurations. It goes without saying that knowledge about these points is important when searching for a boat for the kind of use your video explains. Speaking of intelligent use of space, a very good thing to keep in mind is that the "space" inside a boat has nothing to do with Storage, Safety or Maintenance. I also think it is safe to say that "open space" inside a boat has become a priority on most of the production boat builder's architect's tables. They know what sells boats. Or at least their Management does. Few, if any.. really draw out lines for boats that would appeal to the experienced and knowledgeable cruiser. They also know that first impressions are lasting (buying) impressions. I've seen it happen many times. When someone usually boards a boat for the first time, (usually with a salesperson) they are immediately led through the massive cockpit and straight on down below to admire the "layout" and all the "open" space, bells and whistles. Think about it. How many times have you seen any new buyer spend any time on deck to check out rigging, fittings, sail control, deck layout, anchor/rode capacity/storage, cockpit/deck scuppers, boarding methods and much more before proceeding below? If they do stop for a moment, that drop transom that hides and prevents access to the liferaft or the "wow" factor of those twin wheels that lack engine controls on one side will always hide their dirty secrets. I've even seen one very popular manufacturer install factory autopilot controls within 10 inches of a powerful electric winch. (if the AP was activated, it might have been installed that way on purpose, seeing how the boat would swing through every degree on the compass when trimming the headsail.. as long as the button was pushed.) Ask me how I know. Being from a race background (like you), my first concern was that the boat would not be a pig (slow) on any point of sail. This became my first priority in searching for my Cruiser. Little did I realize that in real everyday use, things like the aforementioned replaced that concern (or moved it down the list) with the points mentioned above. (and I knew better) It is true that there are no "perfect" boats built that checks all the boxes. A question that I get asked a lot is: "What kind of boat should I buy"? My answer is always the same in the form of the question: "Exactly what are you going to use a boat for?" I apologize for the long comment. But I know there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of folks out there who have never considered what they are about to embark on or are easily led down the yellow brick road of fun and freedom. I've watched it happen over the course of many years.. Who wouldn't? Good luck to you.. and if the borders ever open again and you're in the North Carolina coastal area, give me a shout. My username is my boat's name. A Catalina 380.

[@josemmontes5810]

Thanks for a great video, there is so much info on what to look for on a sailboat, knowing what not to buy is also very important. So sorry to hear about Larry Pardey, met him and Lin at a boat show many years ago, very nice man, he took the time to chat with me for a few minutes, RIP Larry...

[@fcbrandt3810]

ditto re Larry Pardey. Truly they were the ones who started the cursing movement for sure. I'm 79 and looking at how I could start again even with a TAVR.

[@sailingleantimes5710]

because of most of the reasons you covered in this video especially tankage, sugar scoop, and bed space we just purchased a hunter 41 aft cabin and she is awesome

[@jarrodanderson2124]

I am shopping for my 1st sailboat and I learned a great deal from this channel. Thank you! Subscribed

[@refittingreverie7992]

Good luck with your search! I finally just bought my first.

[@jepomer]

Your advice matches well with what we thought through. We just purchased a Catalina 310. Sailed a Capri 22 for the past decade. Very much enjoyed the Capri. But the mid-cockpit traveler banged up my short wife's shins and she sailed less after breaking her ankle a few years ago. Now retired approaching 70, we want to comfortably cruise mostly shorter destinations. Walk out transom, roller furling main, and creature comforts similar to our 24' Winnebago match our needs for the next decades. The boat's size will be more than enough for now, yet won't grow too large to handle as was "mature". Most importantly, as we were doing the deep cleaning after taking possession, my wife said, "I really like this boat!" I am currently upgrading the electronics to current standards. But beyond that, it has needed very little. The price was good to allow investing in the new electronics. For those days I want to have more "excitement", we still have out O'Day 19.

[@Seafariireland]

Very, very useful and informative and so good to hear a real cruiser’s opinion!

[@svechappe6075]

OK Tim, you had me going there for a sec. I thought you were going to try to tell us that IOR boats were preferred for cruising over modern production boats. Good job on the objectivity and cruisers insight. In our experience, comfort is key. Unless you are doing an ocean crossing, most boats will get you from point A to B safely. Our Jeanneau has done the ARC Caribbean 1500 from the Chesapeake to the BVI's 13 times and twice has returned from the Caribbean to the US via Bermuda. I would put her up against anything out there because she is solidly built, she is fast and she is comfortable. I'll take the 15 year old production boat over the 40 year old limited production boat.

[@ammoalamo6485]

Half about work-arounds for this boat, a third about advantages of Beneteau 42-ish boats, then back to why not to buy an IOR rules boat or older boats with limited space compared to $100k+ production boats. The best info comes after the halfway point, and it is useful commentary, so many thanks and a thumbs up to Lady K Sailing.

[@brucestrigh8434]

I’ve had a Catalina 380 for two years. Sail it a lot. A friend has a Catalina 42. Fantastic boats for all the reasons you suggested. NO regrets. My first real sailboat of this size. I lucked out with my choice (shopped for a year and a half). This is a safe bet for anyone looking for a boat this size in the 100k range in great shape with a bunch of extras. Thanks for affirming my choice.

[@jandtlivinglife3130]

Best boat I ever owned was our 1986 Kelly-Peterson 46. A real KP, not one of the knockoffs like the Formosa. Solidly built. Fantastic sailing characteristics. Not as roomy down below in the "open concept" way that a modern BeneHunterLina is, but a real true blue offshore boat. We cruised for 8 years and put 30,000 nm under her keel before we finally swallowed the anchor. Not the cheapest out there but up there with the best.

[@jeffbarnes5979]

We are lucky enough to have bought a Catalina 42 named Marley's Ghost a couple of years ago. It is a very special Catalina 42 to us, since it was Gerry Douglas''s family boat for many years. Sails beautifully. 8.5 to 8.8 knots on a good breeze and rock solid. I totally agree with all the comments you've made. We have in-boom furling and at 60 years old, not having to manhandle the sail is fantastic. I will add that on a larger boat and older cruisers, an electric winch for the main is also almost a must. If you are ever in SoCal, you are invited to sail with us. Catalina island is a great get away. Looking forward to the HaHa next year. Our first time .

[@patrickmahan351]

Great video. Interesting thing is I have been looking for a liveaboard cruising boat for my family of 4, and I immediately put the Catalina 42 on my list after I saw one. I grew up sailing a 70s C&C with my grandpa so I definitely appreciate the vintage boats, but these modern production boats offer a lot

[@denisstanley6546]

Buy the biggest latest model fiberglass boat that has not been rented out that you can afford. Most of the time you have a boat you will be anchored or in yacht club pen so you want comfort and somewhere to store ALL of the stuff you will need and want. I bought a one owner beneteau 44 that had very little use as i knew the owner. It was 10 years old. It was in yacht club pen and we repleced lots of electrics and wiring and pumps nav lights etc etc and added lots of ventilation. In with the new and into spare parts after service for the old. You have the option to replace equipment in port or spend time fixing things when you are sailing and somethin breaks. Also if you go to a big marine dealer with a big order you should get a big discount. At about 10 years things start to break. Now when i sail i know what is not going to need fixing and can enjoy sailing and relaxing. Yes yachts cost money. I have A$6000 of brand new parts and bolts nuts electrical tinned wire and fittings filters belts starter motor alternator pumps rolls of ropes and the list goes on. Why because i dont have to spend half a day chasing parts and i got a good discount by buying lots at once. Boats are expensive and if something will break it will do it when it is most inconvenient. Due to covid i have spent last 7 months living on my yacht in philippines. Saved me A$20,000 in hotel bills. My yacht club fees and pen fees were A$3000. I got lucky . Covid sucks but living on big yacht its enjoyable. Best of luck to you all.

[@Cedandkikisailing]

Well said! We have a Tanzer 26 (super small) but happy to be out there on the Great Lakes and will do so for a few more summers before buying the Next Boat. We chartered a 4 yr old 2014 Jeanneau 379 in the Med & it was sheer pleasure to sail. Under powered engine so for sure you want a reliable a strong engine vs boat size. Also, we had one day of beating into really, really bad weather and this boat was not great. But I would not hesitate to buy a bigger version of this boat as it was just so comfortable to sail. Thing is, most people are not going to cross oceans, so these production boats are really nice to sail and be at anchor. We also chartered a Bavaria 39 2006 also in The Med and she sailed great, was super comfortable. Yet everybody trashes Bavaria. It costs lots of $ to equip a boat for an ocean crossing so you can have your boat shipped across for not that much more. So, maybe Tim's point on comfort and these production boats is right on as likely 95% of these sailors will never cross an ocean. They might as well be comfy!

[@jbermiup8030]

We did two years, one at a time with a few in between, on a CS36T. My conclusions about boats was pretty much spot on with yours. You are right on the money concerning the equipment you should consider essential. Thanks for a great video!

[@namechamps]

Love your channel. A quick subscribe. I like that you are honest and point out the reality that all boats are a compromise. All you can do is pick the one which is the best compromise for you.

[@theresedignard4267]

So sorry for the loss of Captain Pardy. He was a great soul. He and his wife touched so many lives. And thanks to you too for sharing your knowledge.

[@bigdaddy7054]

Now... That! was some honest, humble and righteous info. Capt Lady K hit the mark and then some. A true pleasure 👍👍

[@jonnorousseau3096]

Absolutely love a tumblehome hull, very pretty boats, I'm in the process of buying a Nebe Miura 31', a GREAT little offshore capable boat built in Cape Town designed by Oswald Berckemeyer, they have a very pronounced tumblehome but boy do they sail well, Cape to Rio class winners, Cape Town St Helena return single handed overall winners and more circumnavigations than any other boat under 33', rounded the Horn too.

[@maurenemorgan5814]

We altered our 40' Finisterre IV's V-berths with a queen berth similar to yours for our circumnavigation. My 6'5" partner and I slept comfortably for ten years. Glad to hear you pass on the idea.

[@SkyPilot54]

These big boats are huge work to maintain,

[@martynrandall7652]

Good honest appraisal, I think the biggest factor is going to be budget.

[@edwardwells5864]

As a Liveabord for 8 years on Regulas a 37ft Lancer Sloop, this is a great video and one I wished was available when I made the liveaboard plunge back in 1996!

[@gregorytimmons4777]

Just moved onto a '79 Lancer 29'. Some work to be done but it's in better shape than most i have looked at. Wasn't familiar with Lancer. Had looked at a lot of Catalina boats. A couple of other brands. Not as easy to get info on. Don't even know where they were made.

[@bryanl5721]

Subscribed. Great video. Thank you for not hoarding your knowledge. Cheers from North Bay, Ontario.

[@YachtHunters]

There really is an endless parade of boats available for the would-be world traveler. Ever since the late 60s when fiberglass came into its own boats and designs just blossomed. So I feel I’ve seen every boat ever built or designed since the 60s because of the kindness of Yachtworld it’s great to hear and see videos of boats In three dimensions. Thanks for your viewpoints every video leaves me with another kernel of information well done

[@josee.rodriguezagrelot9098]

I had a Catalina 320, a perfect boat for a young couple but with limited range in fuel and water supply. Catalinas are great boats! The 380, 385, 42, etc, they all have very smart layouts. Now we have a Beneteau 423, owners version. Like the Catalinas, very nice layout; good fuel and water tankage, and now that I’ve had two back surgeries, an in-mast furling main and electric winches are making life much easier. I highly recommend the 423 owners version as a cruising, or live aboard boat. Very informative video. Fair winds Captain!

[@todddunn945]

I have a '72 Allied 36 ketch. We are in our 70s and just moved the boarding ladder from the transom to mid-ships. It makes the boat much easier to board. Our v-berth is fine for at anchor since it is huge and you do NOT sleep with your head forward. No problem getting into/out of the v-berth without disturbing your significant other. Underway, the saloon has settee berths with lee cloths and the quarter berth is comfy. Sail handling is not an issue since the boat is rigged so that I only have to leave the cockpit to anchor or pick up a mooring. I am seriously considering going to a Leisure Furl in-boom main sail furling system, but that is a bit pricey. At present tankage is our only issue, but it would not be a problem to add 300 liters or so of water tankage under the v-berth. we currently have 200 liters of water tankage in two tanks although we currently only use one 100 liter tank. If I was doing it again now, I would look at a higher quality boat. My dream boat is a Hinckley SW51 center cockpit, but I could live with a Sou'wester 50 or even a Sou'wester 42. Those boats are a bit pricey ($450K, $300K and $200-250K, respectively, but they are rock solid in terms of build quality (i.e., as good as it gets). If I was going to buy a cheaper boat I would look at a Mason 44 or even a Mason 43 in good condition. Basically I would look for a quality solid, heavy boat that would be comfortable off shore. I would look for something with in-boom furling or in-mast, so that main sail handling did not require leaving the cockpit. I have no interest in a new "production" boat. That said, I think my Allied will be my last sailboat due to my age. I an seriously thinking about buying another powerboat (I just sold my 1936 classic motoryacht) to replace the sailboat. My dream boat is either a Flemming 55 or a Nordhavn 47. Very different boats but both capable and comfortable. Those boats are very expensive ($500K+), but will hold their value well. However, I am more likely to end up with something like a Grand Banks 42 or maybe a Nordic Tug 34 or 37. At this point in my life any boat I buy will be a short term boat 5-7 years because I am going to age out of boating. Consequently, I look at the cost from that short term perspective. Overall, I think quality is worth a bit of extra money.

[@yvonnemcgearty8362]

Thanks. We have a 32ft westerly fulmar since 2007. Bombproof but husband wants to upgrade for early retirement comfort as liveaboards in about 5 yrs. Love Najad, halberg rassey & oyster design but can’t afford them. Finally he is coming around to production boats. Beneteau CC 40-45 has caught his eye.

[@rogeranderson8763]

Times change....back in the 70's, a lot of folks built their cruising boats (Mine, a 55' Herreshoff 3-mast schooner, Valkyrie...and I'd sure like to know where she is now) but now it is MUCH cheaper to buy a fully found boat and just GO. Mind you....the five years in the boatyard was some of the best times of my life. -Veteran '66-68

[@johncampbell4107]

Hey, nice vid. Plenty of good advice. I need to add one point, in a seaway you need lots of hand holds. In a big open space, great for entertaining, you will get thrown around like a ping pong ball in a choppy sea.

[@johncolley6225]

Agree! I'm looking at an Ericson 35, all I want in a boat for cruising!

[@edwardwerthner7717]

Truly a good video. I’ve had so many boats and sailed many. My top choice was the Beneteau 45. Like you said roomy plus plus. $ wise a 42 Catalina is also extremely good low priced , excellent handling safe boat n good factory support at any age. Me, @ 72 will seek a 39-41 ft Jeaneau or beneteau . Had them in smaller sizes , can’t beat the dual wheels, walk thru etc. and usually the 5-6 draft. Again great comparison thx

[@brucebeckner3049]

If you’re offshore, big open spaces-either belowdecks or in the cockpit-are not your friend. Sadly, a boat that’s good in the marina is not good offshore and vice-versa. Having owned an IOR design in the 1980s, they have two big drawbacks. First, the rule favored a large foretriangle and a small main. This means big headsails that require a big, strong crew to handle; and frequent headsail changes to match wind speed. Correspondingly, the small main makes the boat a dog downwind unless you fly a big spinnaker which requires a big crew to manage and constant attention. The IOR hull shape has a very fine bow, which can bury in a wave when running downwind. Also, the teardrop shape (when viewed from above) means that the hull shape changes significantly when the boat heels more than 15 degrees, producing significant weather helm. I’ve driven a Beneteau in the Aegean that was uncontrollable when overpowered and heeling 25 degrees. So it’s not what you want in a cruiser,. Most cruisers are sailed short handed. Fatigue is the cruising sailor’s most dangerous enemy. You want a boat that will take care of you when you and your crew are exhausted and need to take a break belowdecks. That means it heaves-to easily and stays that way, and does not have a quick or snappy roll motion-which IOR style hulls have because of their relatively wide beam.

[@pmnfernando]

i heard your points and some do make sense, but i note a general trend nowadays in which ppl wanna go sailing but dont wanna put up with the uncomfortable side of it. hence the hype for catamarans these days. yes they have sails and they sail, some of them even sail pretty good if we enter the performance side of it, but lets be honest, its a house with a mast. apart from those Lagoons , which resemble a brick with a mast. Obviously what we take from sailing pertains to each of us, to me if it aint challenging, leaning, striving for betterment/updating/etc, then i might as well sit home. about these new production boats...welll lets just say that i helped deliver a 45 footer jeanneau from france to turkey a few years back and not only the boat was making water thru several spots, by the time we reached Turkey the stainless steel on the bow pulpit was rusting and staining the gelcoat. it was a brand new 250k GBP . enough said i think. in my opinion if you want to race then get a racer but if you want anything else, then get a boat, not a means of transport. Nicholson, Hans Christian, Mason, Van de Statd, HR, Island Packet, to name a few, and one can find some of these models with very interesting prices, granted you will have to put in the time to bring it up to your cruising standard but you end up with a proper ship.

[@robertcooke1774]

i have cruised on boats from a bruce roberts 34 to a 22ft falmouth oyster dredger, 10 atlantic crossings 60,000 miles offshore 4 atlantic crossings in the oyster dredger. loved all of them.

[@claudemorin9662]

For the price of that Oceanis 45, you can get an Island Packet 45. Mind you, with 20% less space inside almost. But 90 gals. more water, 35 instead of 21 on Motion Comfort Index, 44 instead of 29 on the Stability index. A capsize factor of 1.7 rather than 2.1 (not even considered blue water by racing standards). A range on engine/fuel of 560nm as opposed to 255nm... If you run over a large floating log or debris, the Island Packet slides over it instead of losing the prop, rudder or god forbid, the keel, since none of these are protected on these modern production boats. Just explain the consequences of that prospect to your family, see which boat they'll pick. Finding a safe anchor spot in a 4.8 draft boat can be a lot easier than in the Oceanis' 7.1 feet. So to me, something got lost in the Vendee Globe and the likes fandom, that will make sailors subject their loved ones to many extra risks and much less comfortable sail in order to gain generally an extra knot in light air... Fine for sipping martinis and winning the Sunday race in the harbor, but an Oceanis 45 is not a good cruiser choice in my humble opinion. You'll survive... "La Vagabonde" did it in a lesser boat. But dollar for dollar, a boat like the Island Packet will get you in MUCH more safety and comfort, and leave your wife with the feeling that she might want to go back again the next time around... :)

[@benkanobe7500]

Thank you. It was great to hear a What-I-have-learned from you coupled with This-would-be-my-next-step. Tremendously insightful for those of us trying to wrap our heads around what to buy. Thank You.

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

That you for your opinion. This is great information. Have herd this before but you broke it down for living in. Speed is nice but livability makes what you state more enjoyable.

[@wilharrison8883]

This is so much about personal preference. Everyone will have their own personal ideals. My ultimate cruising boat is my 20ft Flicka..... All about easy sailing for me, and I've never wanted 15 people in a cockpit ever. Most important feature in my opinion is being able to control all sailing rig components from the cockpit and I truly can do that with my boat. A fresh strong engine with lots of spare parts a must also.

[@svmagnolia]

I agree with you on the Catalina 42 being a very well thought out boat- almost bought one myself. However, I was on my Hunter 410 during the Georgetown Cruiser's Regatta when you were there (have video of Candace in her mermaid outfit on the rope swing at Chat N Chill), and saw quite a few Hunters cruising the Bahamas. My '99 410 is European Union CE A-rated for offshore work, has very good tankage capacities, room for a watermaker, decent stowage space, and sails well to boot. We'll be heading south again once this Covid mess is over.

[@mikenagy938]

I left the sailing and liveaboards life four years ago and this video just brings back all the reasons I quit. I had a 32 foot Nicholson, a great ocean boat but small by today's standards. All the things you mention I had to deal with and it is OK for a while but after ten years and 35,000 NM I had enough. I would also caution against davits. Puts a lot of weight right where you don't want it and with a ten foot following swell it may very well get ripped off. Use your Spinnaker halyard and fashion a bridal so you have it on deck, I promise you won't notice it while moving around up there. And I sailed with thanked on sails for six years.

[@liveaboardsailor3787]

I own & live aboard a Catalina 42 Mk2 & agree- she’s an all round sweetie! Balanced helm, easy to work on, over-rigged & a beast for the $, plus CE-A rated. They’re solid boats all around- lead keel, deck stepped mast, etc. Ironically, I am currently delivering a Bene O 45 offshore from NY to FL-. The Bene is HUGE inside- and would be a killer live aboard, and island hopper. Although the build and cockpit/cabin layout is not safe for big seas. Lighter build with few wedge points and no place to add overhead handholds. Both different, both excellent production boats.

[@MagellanXX]

Thanks for your video and for sharing your thoughts. And you are absolutely right with most of your arguments. But in the end, a sailboat is always a compromise. And the biggest compromise in size and age is the "size" of your wallet. Newer and bigger is always better, but the wallet decides if you go for a newer 45" boat or a 34" oldschool boat from the 70s or 80s. And I know several cruisers who will always prefer old style sailboats, because they were often made with higher quality wood and real thick full fiberglass hulls and not in sandwich mode and computer calulated minimum fiberglass layers. And this modern "IKEA style" interiors are also not everybody's taste.

[@zasde35]

Pure common sense ! Great ! I like the Jeannneau's a lot .

[@carsonc1272]

I bought a Walmart foam mattress a few years ago and they are actually really good!

[@cokemachine5510]

your right your right. we bought a 36 cal fully loaded, wife couldn't stop puking, I loved every minute, got a trawler now. 9 knots is ok . no more sea sickness.

[@gp-gm6ev]

Good advice. Thanks. Currently retrofitting a Chrysler 26 and this helps me decide what to put into it. I gutted it completely and am starting fresh with just the shell.

[@LadyKSailing]

I had a Chrysler 22!!!!

[@gp-gm6ev]

@@LadyKSailing also. Nice to see another Canadian on these sailing channels. Edmonton is my port of call but used to live in South River Ontario.

[@gupjeffrey2584]

@@LadyKSailing My 2nd boat was the Chrysler 22. I sail out of Parry Sound. Raised 2 kids and a standard poodle on that little pocket cruiser.

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

This was an excellent video. It's so hard to get candid information about this stuff. Your understanding of these issues immediately after one year of cruising are very valuable as everything is fresh in your mind. Your comments about the Catalina 42 and Beneteau 45 we really insightful!!! Making similar videos like this on different makes of boats would be really awesome. Maybe get together with other cruisers and do a go through of their boat like this one.

[@vial1sim]

I delivered a 2000 Hunter 46 over 5000 miles. Totaly changed my attitude to Hunters and production boats in general. Thats why I now have a Bavaria 50 Cruiser.

[@chrisscott1958]

i had the good fortune to meet a couple from Alaska who keep their Hunter 54 in Florida, what a beautiful boat and so roomy. It was however the quality that struck me most.

[@erichyney6287]

Keep sailing Tim.. I'll keep watching ya. Thanks for sharing. See you next week, my friend. If I had, your type of money. I would go for the 45 too 50 foot range. Just because, I would have room to expand inside my boat.

[@worldweary1913]

Good points, especially on the IOR class hulls. They sail fantastic in wind but then you are actually working versus the slower displacement cruising boat where it's a bit more relaxed and stable.

[@PittwaterMowing]

Great video and advice Ive had new and old yachts Its Very hard to decide what's best overall

[@DaveWatts_ejectamenta]

Interesting account of the problems with these older yachts. It would be cool if you went over what you thought were the best older boats as well (1970-80's).

[@someotherdude]

A lot of very good advice here. You're actually not talking about the 'bones' of the boat, but rather the most important features or factors. 'Bones' would mean like the condition of the hull, the amount of corrosion on the plumbing and fittings, etc. A lot of very good points in this video.

[@Mounta1nKing]

Hey thanks. Makes me feel good about the Oceanis 381 I just bought. Everyone else craps on production boats. I think it's perfect for the Caribbean cruising I have planned. The previous owner brought it across the Atlantic too. I have the 2c/2h by the way. Plan to just use the front head as a wet locker, or in case the other one breaks, built in spare :)

[@eamonncoady9823]

On this side of the pond your engine is a perkins 103\10 and is very highly regarded. Best wishes from Ireland.

[@CPTCleoTorris]

Sad hearing of his passing. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet and talk to the man.

[@KimKong777]

Nice I have been researching boats all week and I determined the same conclusion. Considering price, parts service and modern boat tech and less fixing, the production boats are pretty good. They are lighter but with better weather maps and charting they Cha avoid heavy storms.

[@OldBoldGuy]

Great points you make! Comfortable sleeping arrangement is very important, center cockpit with aft stateroom and private bathroom for those older sailors your talking about:) Agree on the in mast furling, larger tankage, water maker, dependable engine and refrigeration are all a must!!! Hell when I started sailing, wooden boats like K-40's and the like, they didn't have a third of the amenities as Lady K:)

[@johnfahy6353]

We have a rule on our dock . If someone’s rigging is making noise you have the right to go on the boat and stop it . If they aren’t there . It happened to me when I first got there .

[@kevinwilliamson3957]

Absolutely. It's on them that they didn't take care properly.

[@clsherian]

Thats a great rule! That's something most don't think about until 1:30 am and the wind goes to blowing.

[@kennethblackman3234]

Fun in the wind . Putting up top .

[@1sailfast]

The V berth is more comfortable (and gives more shoulder room) if you sleep with feet to the bow.

[@CaptLawrence]

What kind of psycho sleeps head under the bow lol

[@CaptLawrence]

@David Wang what I said was largely in jest as a kind of friendly poking. I very much doubt that suddenly means I've endangered the boat and all lives aboard. If this is how you captain I pity your crew.

[@billhanna8838]

Good advice but as a delivery skipper the fold down transoms in the newer boats dont allow a windvane a BIG no no

[@aaroncaito3280]

Thanks for this

[@michaeldenicola6725]

Very well put together. I agree with your recommendations. for an older couple wanting to cruise a boat 40 feet or bigger I recommend a bow thruster. I like the 380 and 42 Catalina and the Beneteau 361, 36.7 and 411 for me to go cruising. I am more of a day sailor / racer and my idea of cruising a month or two possibly three months at a time.

[@snakeplisken4278]

We are very happy with our Island Packet 35. Yes a bit heavy but very well laid out and safe.

[@elireloaded]

We had one, loved everything about it except for how the chain plates are mounted. One of its only faults.

[@snakeplisken4278]

@@elireloaded our chainplates has been redone externally. Much better

[@WindwardToEden]

Hello! From the Great Lakes! Just came across your channel. This is the second video I've watched so far, and my wife and I liked it a lot. You have a very practical look at presenting the different boats, something not many people on other channels have. Just subscribed and will be catching up/following. Can't wait to see what we learn from you. We own a Catalina 25 currently, and in 5-6 years plan on buying a liveaboard/blue water cruiser. I should mention on a budget (That's why I was thinking Pearson, 424 or 464). We plan on sailing out of the great lakes in about 7-8 years and start cruising around the world. I hope we learn a lot from you! Until then, have a good sail planned for Wednesday from Beaver Island, Michigan to Mackinac Island, MI to watch our kids soccer game against our Island's rivals. Sailing back on Friday with the kids. Can't wait! Nick and Candice

[@robertrousseau5080]

R.I.P, Larry Pardley, followed you and wife for years, there were times you two were the epitome of cruising with much less!

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

Love these videos. Used to sail Topaz M and it was always my dream to have a 30-40 ft boat someday but I just figured it's never going to happen but now I see all these vids of gorgeous boats for just a few grand and maybe a few more ro fix it up and again I figured that must be America, used cars are way cheaper too. But then I started looking in Europe and there's a whole bunch of boats for 1500€-5000€. I don't currently have a place to put it but that's totally reasonable. I thought below 50k there is no way but 5k? I can save that up. Gonna be some years and I feel like your channel will help me get there. So thanks for putting my dream back on the table. I don't need a fancy car or expensive holidays or gadgets but a boat would be amazing.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

Unless I missed it, I did not hear any comments on hull or deck construction. Personally, I would want a boat that is SOLID 'glass below the deck. Heavy, but you do not have to worry about rotten wood or water logged foam.

[@sd3693]

One of the things that sold me on my new boat (from the same manufacturer as Lady K) is that not only the hull but the *deck* is solid fibreglass, with no balsa core anywhere.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

@@sd3693 Very unusual, especially above the water line !

[@gradowik]

how about steel boat? Stronger and less flamable - what are the disadvantages besides weight?

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

@@gradowik Weight is a BIG disadvantage !

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

LOL. I bought my 76 Challenger US 35 for $500. Hand laid up. More room inside than a circus tent. Not a speedster of course. But very comfortable.

[@ptroman1]

Great Info, had a Hunter 30 and have been away from sailing for 10 year, but time to do some more sailing :) your info is right on the mark. Thanks.

[@piratepete4322]

I lived and cruised aboard a Hunter 30 in SE Asia with my wife for 2 years. Biggest 30 ft yacht I’ve ever been in. Even had aircon +2kva jenny.

[@globyois]

Thanks for the kind and informative words but I must say, I do prefer a boat of the particulars that you do not! Mine is a Jason 35, by Miller Marine, Ted Brewer design. Bridge deck, tiny cockpit of 3 feet x 2 & 1/2 feet and maybe 14 inches deep, if that, and my companionway height is a little less than 12 inches. It’s a cutter rig, low cabin (flush except for the cabin top). It’s a cutaway keel with a Brewer Bite at the skeg rudder with fully encapsulated lead for ballast. This is a boat specifically designed for rough weather sailing, sacrificing luxuries for heavy sea capabilities, and I got that directly from Mr. Brewer himself! Yes, it’s more “long passage” than “Bahama cruise” more “Cape Horn” than “San Francisco Bay.” But then, I plan to do some tough waters sailing, say, the Southern Ocean, maybe the North West passage, or even the Horn! Lord willing. So a boat of a more robust and tank-like build is something that would better fit my aims, I think. Clearly not as comfortable as a Beneteau or a Catalina, but as you know, with sailboats, what one gets with one advantage one loses in another.

[@ding174]

Lol “ better on fuel and comfort and all that”. A good balance between those two and you have a winner my friend. Beneteau all the way.

[@milesbuckhurst504]

Great video - very honest. I have a 2014 Bavaria Cruiser 37. So smaller end for cruising but a nice set up to be that size. Not least on the affordable side (relatively). It does lack the extra heads compared to 40 feet. But good on tankage etc that you point out. I love the bathing deck that lifts up and down, a true luxury. I’d add that a solar arch with davits built in are on my wish list. Sailing in Norway means a cockpit tent up and down. So an arch is a stable place for solar panels and the dingy. Hope you get what you look for in the future. Oceanis 40 plus is our dream boat too ;-)

[@zacharywinters9413]

I pulled a few sheets back in the day ha ha I like your KZbin channel. In the recent year I’ve been trying to catch back up get back in the water etc. and I’m constantly on the fence between something like a late 70s Pearson 40 with A nice shoal draft or in Irwin Center cockpit but in the same hand I sure wouldn’t pass up a Cal 40!

[@cakemoss4664]

Straight talker. Nice.

[@riverrockhunter1211]

Thanks so much for sharing homie! We are just getting ready to start our adventure and sell all of our stuff and buy our “perfect for us” sailboat! Hope to catch ya out there🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@AlexMotan1]

I totally agree!! Finally someone who is thinking like a liveaboard. 2000s AWBs are miles ahead of an '80s "racing" boat of the same LOA - on ALL respects. 1. Performance. 2. Safety. 3. Tankage. 4. Battery capacity. 5. Mod cons 6. Ease of sail. 7 Better/reliable engines. 8. Confort at sea/anchor/in marina. 9. More internal volume. 10. Easier to find spare parts. Better in all respects. Plus, generally they are not smelling as putrid mold in every locker. :-)

[@magdakaniewski]

We sail a tayana Vancouver. Lots of storage. Huge amounts of water,fuel and black tankage. Boat is bulletproof

[@jay-sg8tv]

I owned a 1990 Catalina 30 MKlll I lived on it for 2 months to me it's a great little boat here in Miami Florida I selled in Biscayne Bay went down to the keys back great little boat I totally recommend

[@peterjohnstaples]

Spot on about IOR' s limitations for cruising. I will say though how many keel repairs are made on the production boats your praising, especially if it has been a charter boat, and if damaged how good was the repair which needs to be done extremely well by a super good professional.

[@kaylinburnett9304]

I'm reasonably new to sailing and cut my teeth on a Catalina 42 and she was a great live-aboard but I'm not a Vbirth sleeper. I was looking to buy one and ran across a Catalina 400 that won hands down. Large aft cabin, twin helm and as livable the 42.

[@McLoven-vm1ck]

I've been researching prospective boats for a moth or so with the intention of buying my "dream boat" and I hadnt really looked at Beneteau or Hunter. All the Beneteau I found through my first quick searches had aft, race type helm configurations that didnt look like they would be very comfortable sailing in weather. I did find a center cockpit Hunter 45 that does look a lot like what I'm looking for though. Now I'll have to do more digging on Hunter to see if I can find a consensus on them. That 45 I found really made an impression though.

[@cleanhabitats]

Nice objective synopsis. I have chartered many boats - some I loved others I cursed. My favorite from a performance standpoint was a C&C 38. The other was a Catalina 34 with oversized wheel and walk through "sugar scoop" transom. I'm in Southern California and planning on just bopping around between San Diego, Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach as prep for further south. The Catalina 34 is going to be my choice. Not too big not too small easy to sail alone. Boats are always a compromise between comfort and speed/performance.

[@thejensens4402]

I own a 1979 44' Cheoy Lee, cutter rigged. Great fast boat with good tanks and storage.