First mate needs something less tender and would like more overnighting room below. So, I'm considering moving up to something between 29 and 34 feet or so in the indeterminate future.
I'll list my wants and don't wants here, if you guys had suggestions, but I figure the most I could ask for is to be pointed at a site that helps me compare traits of similar boats. (Or maybe just to a good forum where I can ask my questions.)
I've considered looking on 'boats for sale' sites, but they tend to focus on the specific boat and the gear it comes with. I'm not looking at that yet, just wanting to narrow down my options.
I am at a yacht club, so obvs the best thing I can do is check out other boats. I crewed in club races for two years, so I'm not completely new to larger boats. I also went through Sailing course, which were on a Beneteau 38. (Gotta love that motorized, in-mast furling!)
My budget:
I dunno. 30K?
My concerns:
- Will an inboard engine be more than I can handle, having been coddled by an easy, reliable Honda BF50?
- For that price, will I only get an old boat?
- Are there concerns about boats from 70s-80s? I read somewhere that insurance companies don't like to insure them.
- Am I going to regret giving up all the awesome features of my Mac? Hybrid motor/power, water ballast, trailerable, one-man mast raising system, etc.? (Yes.)
- Sailing on Great Lakes.
- Cruising, not racing.
- Small enough that it can be single-handed. Love me my Mac for single-handing. Don't even need to leave the helm. But I don't expect that convenience in a larger boat.
- Mate likes the Nonsuch for its roominess below. But that can get expensive.
- Multi-hulls are likely out of my price range.
- Multi-masts OK, but as a rule, tend to be slower and don't point as high.
- Must have a berth (V or master) that can be sat down into (as opposed to climbing into).