After spending nearly a year in the desert, I am really getting the urge to sail again. May I impose and ask you all to help me narrow down what the best crusing sailboat would be for me.

[As a note my last boat was a 76 foot Morgan but I had a crew on that boat. I am looking for something to sail with just me and my kids.]

Here are my thoughts at present:
• 50 foot or larger class (there are some 40+ that could work).
• It should be a fast cruiser. at least 3 cabins
• Aft master
• Interior emergency steering
• Set up for shorthanded sailing
• Bow thruster
• Reasonably modern electronics, Radar/GPS/Chart plotter
• Tender garage

The less I spend the better but $500k US would be the outter limit.

Here is list of contenders:

Vallicelli 70: I can probably get this for $500K. It does not have all of the features want but it looks like a good investment. Properly set up the boat could be would over $1 million. Still, it's master is forward and the galley is totally enclosed. Lot of other things I would want to change too. No radar, the nav station is a joke. It does have a lot going for it, so I might do it as an investment but it is not really "My dream" boat.


Beneteau 57: I found one that I can steal for about $200K US. But it’s a 5 cabin ex charter boat. It would require some work to bring back in to proper shape but in good condition it could be worth $4-500K. I wish it were the 3 cabin version. I have not found a 3 cabin at a reasonable price.


Hanse 575: No deals here. The boat is new for 2015 so I would pretty much has to order a new one. But this boat is just so sexy and fast. It’s probably not a contender. Price is within reason, but master is forward, no interior helm. I love the tender garage.


Hunter 50 Center Cockpit: This is probably the best choice I have found so far. I found one that is set up and equipped the way I would want for about $325K. A good deal but not outstanding one.


Hylas 46: This is about the smallest boat that would work for me, but they are not cheap. I found a bank repo for $310K but for that money I could have the Beneteau, a full 11 feet more boat. The design really uses the space well. I love the galley but not the master stateroom. It’s a very popular cruiser, but not a super-fast one. Hylas does make a 63 footer, that is fast but it’s way too much money.


I am hoping to do a circumnavigation, but would have to pay slip fees for a couple of years yet before I could take off. So A large boat would cost more to maintain even if I got it for less upfront. Still toying with the idea, but would love some feedback.

---

Bying a dream boat is one thing.
Do you have a family?
Are they as keen as you to get a boat?
Being together on a boat with the family can be really wearing.

Santana:)


p.s.
The Beneteau 57 has a flag:)

I noticed the flag. That is just a stock image.
As for family, yes I have a son and daughter. Son would probalby not be willing to spend full time on the boat, but my daughter probably would. My boy lives with my ex.
As for me, I lived on a boat for over 6 years. I have also spend months at sea and sailed to Hawaii 5 times (Transpac), the pacific coast from about San Francisco south to Panama, with a little time in the Puget Sound, the Carribiean, Gulf of Mexico, and south to Columbia. I started sailing in about 1972 I build my first 14 foot sailing dory. Then went on to own 3 boats over the years. First was a San Juan 21, then 37 Chirs Craft (yes power) and last a 76 foot custom Morgan race/cruiser. Also crewed on a number of racing boats. So I do have some bluewater under my belt.
Oh Santa is beautiful but I tring to keep my rig simple. A sloop, ketch or yawl. Schooners are just too much work for a short handed crew.

---

I am hoping to do a circumnavigation

Big project, please prepare very well.


edit:
Amat Victoria Curam....

---

Word to the wise, avoid the Northern Indian Ocean or run the risk of Somali Pirates, real ones, not movie types, since a Navy escort(Destroyer/Frigate) may not always be close by.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

First I am starting to plan for a sail in the next 3 or more years. So I do have some time to plan. Having spent months at sea, I know what is needed for prepareation. When I stocked up in Florida. I probably dropped the boat water line by a full inch. That is over a 2 tons of groceries. Then in Panama, I filled 6 shopping carts.
As for Indian Ocean, the threat is well know. I have some freinds on a 56 footer crossing it right now. Last check they were near Madigascar.
As for world piracy, here is a link for crusier of where to avoid.

---

Carlos do you plan on
trying the southern ocean?


edit:
I think I may fear that more than pirates.

---

As for me, I lived on a boat for over 6 years. I have also spend months at sea and sailed to Hawaii 5 times (Transpac), the pacific coast from about San Francisco south to Panama, with a little time in the Puget Sound, the Carribiean, Gulf of Mexico, and south to Columbia. I started sailing in about 1972 I build my first 14 foot sailing dory. Then went on to own 3 boats over the years. First was a San Juan 21, then 37 Chirs Craft (yes power) and last a 76 foot custom Morgan race/cruiser. Also crewed on a number of racing boats. So I do have some bluewater under my belt.
Oh Santa is beautiful but I tring to keep my rig simple. A sloop, ketch or yawl. Schooners are just too much work for a short handed crew.

I must say I envy you.
However I had boat and sailed like this:)

Not in the oceans of course.

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

---

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

That is one of the features I like too. But it's the boat that would require the most improvement and money. It's cheap for the size because the normal gear you would expect on a boat that size is missing. No radar, no solar or wind power, no tender, no seat for the helmsman, only 1 set of sails (carbon racing sails no cruise sails) and the worst thing, all the controls are written in Italian! I see investing another $80-90K or more to get her equipted and layout right. Like I said it's looking like a good investment.
Thanks for your thoughts.

---

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

That is one of the features I like too. But it's the boat that would require the most improvement and money. It's cheap for the size because the normal gear you would expect on a boat that size is missing. No radar, no solar or wind power, no tender, no seat for the helmsman, only 1 set of sails (carbon racing sails no cruise sails) and the worst thing, all the controls are written in Italian! I see investing another $80-90K or more to get her equipted and layout right. Like I said it's looking like a good investment.
Thanks for your thoughts.

But when you do improvements you will have just what you want and nice new things to boot.

---

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

That is one of the features I like too. But it's the boat that would require the most improvement and money. It's cheap for the size because the normal gear you would expect on a boat that size is missing. No radar, no solar or wind power, no tender, no seat for the helmsman, only 1 set of sails (carbon racing sails no cruise sails) and the worst thing, all the controls are written in Italian! I see investing another $80-90K or more to get her equipted and layout right. Like I said it's looking like a good investment.
Thanks for your thoughts.

But when you do improvements you will have just what you want and nice new things to boot.

Very true. As I said it's high on the list.

---

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

That is one of the features I like too. But it's the boat that would require the most improvement and money. It's cheap for the size because the normal gear you would expect on a boat that size is missing. No radar, no solar or wind power, no tender, no seat for the helmsman, only 1 set of sails (carbon racing sails no cruise sails) and the worst thing, all the controls are written in Italian! I see investing another $80-90K or more to get her equipted and layout right. Like I said it's looking like a good investment.
Thanks for your thoughts.

But when you do improvements you will have just what you want and nice new things to boot.

Very true. As I said it's high on the list.

These are cheap :-)

---

Carlos I would go for the Vallicelli 70 because it has a fair bit of flat deck forward where people can walk around a bit or lie around. Also you all don't have to be scrunched up in the cockpit all of the time.

That is one of the features I like too. But it's the boat that would require the most improvement and money. It's cheap for the size because the normal gear you would expect on a boat that size is missing. No radar, no solar or wind power, no tender, no seat for the helmsman, only 1 set of sails (carbon racing sails no cruise sails) and the worst thing, all the controls are written in Italian! I see investing another $80-90K or more to get her equipted and layout right. Like I said it's looking like a good investment.
Thanks for your thoughts.

But when you do improvements you will have just what you want and nice new things to boot.

Very true. As I said it's high on the list.

These are cheap :-)

But the Italian girl friend to use it may not be.

---

Today marks the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/HMSVictory?src=hash

New pink color on the HMS Victory's hull.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/portsmouth-s-hms-victory-pretty-in-pink-with-new-paint-scheme-1-6996229

...which brings a whole new meaning the the phrase "hello Sailor"

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Here is close up. Yup it looks pink.

---

Here's a model of the USS Monitor, the ship that made ships like the Constitution and Victory obsolete. An iron ship and a revolving Turret with 2 guns.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

USS Monitor sounds familiar to me:)

Officers on deck (left to right): Robinson W. Hands, Louis N. Stodder, Albert B. Campbell (seated), William Flye (with binoculars).
Note dents in turret from cannon fire.
(Photo courtesy U.S. Navy).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Monitor

Remains of a frigate, a favourite of first Russian emperor Peter the Great, have been discovered off the western coast of Sweden, an explorer at an Icelandic diving company told TASS on Thursday.
The yacht Transport Royal sank 27 September 1715 during a heavy storm south of Gothenburg.
Transport Royal was a 28 m long sailing yacht. It had 26-28 cannons. Tsar received it as a gift from King William III of England. It was the fastest boat of its time.
It was later renamed to Shtandart in Russia.

Replica.

Royal Transport, the royal yacht of William of Orange, was a unique ship. Her revolutionary rigging and advanced hull shape made her ahead of her time for more than 100 years.
A new age of international relations opened when William the Third, King of Britain and Stadhouder of the Netherlands, presented Royal Transport to Tsar Peter during his visit in 1698. As a result trade links with Russia increased, and 150 seamen and shipbuilders from Britain and Holland sailed to Russia on board of the Royal Transport, to help build the new Russian navy.
This ship was famous as the fastest in the British navy and the lines of many Russian ships were influenced by the design of Royal Transport.

General quarters!
Battle between Götheborg and Shtandart:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11GUii0MKvM