A good cruising boat?

[aclosereachaway]

Hello all. I'm a 22 year old student who is just about to graduate from college. I plan on buying a boat this upcoming summer or fall (one year from now) and living on it as I work for 2 to 3 years...entirely to fund a trip I've been planning for quite some time. I have a fair amount of sailing experience and am planning on leaving to sail to the South Pacific via the Panama canal from the east coast. But the question that so many of us struggle with when first delving into this endeavor is....what boat to buy. I can spend somewhere around $35000 cash for a boat, so of course some sort of older, slower cruiser. I've been doing a fair amount of research on my own browsing the internet, and looking at www.yachtworld.com for something that would suit me. So far the boats that interest me the most are:

Ericson 39
Bristol 35
Pearson 365
CSY 37
Allied Ketch 36

I would really appreciate any information on any of these boats, or others, that would suit my needs by anyone that has done a good amount of cruising and could give me some insight. Thank you.

P.S. I will be going with 1 other person, and I am 6'3 if that helps for accomodations.

[Westcoaster]

I can tell you, being 6' 3" also, that many boats have bunks too short. Be sure when looking that you lie down. If your hair brushes one end and your feet the other, I'd think twice about that boat. Quarter berths tend to be longer but some have no real reach into the cabin and are harder than heck to get into. About three feet of berth in the cabin is about minimum for me to get into a quarter berth and you don't see a lot of boats like that. Under way it's just as likely you will sleep on the settees so check them for length. V berths tend to be tight at the toe end forward but sleeping on the bias, as it were, does give some more length. Good luck!

[aclosereachaway]

Yes, that's a good point. I've also had that experience and found the quarterdeck to be the best spot....if you can get into it. Not only can us tall guys fit, but during rough weather or heavy healing there's always a spot to lay.

I also realized I left a boat off the list:

41 CT/Ta Chaio/Formosa

Usually a more expensive boat, but sometimes one that is in disrepair comes along and can be picked up for a good deal. And I don't mind the work.

[MoeGiguere]

I've had one for 20 years. Relatively fast 1967 design after Intrepid with a fin keel with a bulb, but very stable and sea kindly. A well appointed one can be had withing your budget. Early (thick) fiberglass. Here's an example. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=quick&boat_id=1184289&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=20264&url=

Good luck, sounds like fun.

Moe

[MoeGiguere]

6ft 3 clearance below and quaterberths stick 2-3 feet into cabin space below.

[Garry]

Check out Rosita. Email me.

www.pbase.com/sailrosita

[Pearson365]

:D I have a Pearson 365 ketch and friend who is 6'4" also has a P-365 and has no problem with headroom or bunk length.

[aclosereachaway]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I haven't checked it in a little while. I appreciate all the different ideas on boats.

That's really the first time i've heard anyone mention a Chris-Craft sailboat as a good cruiser. I've seen them on various websites however. I'll have to keep them in mind.

Rosita seems like a great boat, but I won't be buying a boat for another year still unfortunetly...but it seems like a good says and setup for what I'm looking for.

As for the Pearson 365, would you define it as seaworthy with good motion and good to sail?

[Pearson365]

To answer all your question about Pearson 365's go to www.pearson365.net.