Mar. 7, 2007 - being more targetted

There are SO many boats out there for sale at the moment, that we decided we need to be a bit more focused on what we are looking for, in order to filter a bit more efectively....

So here's our wish list

around 40 feet LOA

twin aft cabins

engine with decent reputation

large water and fuel tanks (although could be a retro - so perhaps inc space for them as an option)

Sloop rig

no in mast furling

draft ideally of less than 2m

fin keel preferably

modern look to boat

decent sized chart table, with space for nav equipment

useable cockpit lockers (with space for our tender)

instruments at helm (not on bulkhead if possible) with space to fit a plotter/radar at a later date

high enough coamings to lean against without getting backache!

reasonably wide side decks

at least 4 self tailing winches in the cockpit

a traveller

furling genny

plenty of galley space/working top

shower

seating for 6 minimum around saloon table

interior woodwork in acceptable condition

prefer shaft rather than saildrive

some skeg on rudder if possible

reasonably heavy displacement

swim platform or good ladder up stern

plenty of opening ports and hatches for ventilation

white hull as opposed to blue (heat trap for later plans)

fridge in galley

gas cooker (rather than meths or diesel)

fun to sail - eg reasonable performance

and a list of 'ideal' extras, which are less critical, as they can be added later

plotter/radar

opening side rails

decent instruments

spinnaker handling gear (or cruising chute)

sensible battery capacity

shore power with charger

battery management system

solar/wind gen

inner forestay for stay sail/storm sail

blown air heating

And all this for a budget of about £65k max...

... actually, there are plenty out there.... we've seen quite a few... but not the 'right' one yet....

The Feeling looks good, as do a number of Gibseas and a couple of older Ben/Jens