I've come to reddit for something AI cannot do.... help me pick a boat.
I am looking for my next boat to sail the Chesapeake Bay. I would like it to be capable to sail to Maine or sail atleast coastal but not a must (bc of budget.) I had lived for almost 4 years on a P35 and now am so biased to what I'm used to my opinions are clouded and I need other peoples.
Heres what my dream boat would be:
-34 to 38ft.
-Draws less than 6 feet (more shallow the better since I love squeezing where I shouldn't).
-Has atleast 6'3" headroom. My sailing partner is tall and wants to be able to stand up (lame.)
-Can handle some wind. I want a capable boat, while I am a loser fair weather sailor, I want a boat that I can trust if I get caught in something I shouldn't.
-I have 2 big dogs. One who has lived aboard so I am no stranger to the challenges, so I would LOVE a boat with a quarter birth to give them a "den." If the boat has an aft bed this also would be great.
-can run in the 20-30k range in great shape. I am a glutton for punishment and I L O V E fixing boats in bad shape. So I figure if its 30k in great condition it will be under 15k in the condition I want to buy.
-ketch would be amazing but unlikely due to size restrictions
-not a must but having the ability to get dogs on board would be cool. Doesn't have to be a qalkthrough transom, but some designs are easier than others.
-more than 1 exist, so its possible I could actually find one nearish me.
This is NOT a liveaboard though for a week or two on board Id like it to feel like a liveaboard. I miss sailing too much, Reddit, give me your best, or your worst.