You have such a balanced and congenial attitude towards sailing opinions, its refreshing to watch.

Since you started this series have subscriptions increased? This is a well viewed series. Bravo for coming up with it. Looking forward to $130K 👏🍻 I got off my butt and joined your patron group.

LOL...I agree with you too much. My wife and I have been married for 24 years, tenting then the progression of many campers and RV's for 27 years. A 100% no-go is climbing over each other to have that 3AM whiz. Finding a 40'-ish boat with centre placed bed aft cabin is a narrow search.

Wow, you just described exactly what I'm looking for too!

OK Tim, it's past time I commented on your terrific channel. I follow close to 20 sailing vlogs. When I came back from a month-long coast-to-coast road trip recently, your channel was the one I binged-watched first (which surprised me a bit since I really like Captain Q, Millennium Falcon, and others). We are in violent agreement on these boats and how why they meet our needs. My favorite is the Bene 393 for the reasons you mentioned, plus the Pullman berth and forward head set-up (I like the Hunter 41 for the same reasons). Always got a kick out of the way you express yourself (and it doesn't hurt that your look and style remind me of a great old friend of mine). Your series on buying boats is genius. My only nitpick would be that as you went up in price point, you presented bigger and bigger boats when you could have mixed in a newer boat or one with special qualities beyond size. Thanks so much and I look forward to many more vlogs, whether they be about opining on boats or adventures on the water.

Love the stream of logic and reasoning with each eval. Learning a ton.

Even though I've got my mind made up for when I get ready to step up to a cruising boat. I really do enjoy seeing what others have to offer.

I'm watching this video in my Benateau 393 2 cabin boat. Agree with your assessment and I also have the Yanmar engine that was not the one it came with. Great video!

Tim, we got a H40.5 which is similar to the h38 you discussed. 4.9' draft and points well and is quite fast. last generation with back stay and 7/8 rig. i've single handed her a number of times and its quite easy to handle. We paid 68k usd for a freshwater boat (most are listed in the 90-100k range). 2 cabin version with 2 heads. Similar layout as the one you showed.

Thank you! Two of these are on our list too (393 & 380) for when we upgrade from the little Ericson 29 to sail south.

Hi Tim, Sounds like you are talking about my Hunter 420 Passage. I love her.

Nice episode. You have good taste and we will follow your lead.

Great episode. I'd take the Hunter. The galley and owners cabin are what sells me, but I'm after comfort, not performance. Fast sailing, slow sailing - it's still sailing. Any of these - at those prices (dream prices compared to what we see in BC) - would allow it to easily be converted to electric drive when the diesel starts to cause issues. My bet is you buy the 50 footer. :)

You hit nail om the head with 0 degree off I am rookie in all of this but how you described its so logical

Awesome episode Chris!

Great options!

My wife and I were looking into full time live aboard at some point and sail around the Caribbean. I've been looking into Ketch boats, but I am somewhat dubious about buying a boat more than 25 years old, which most are.

Nice looking shirt. its a good colour for your profile.

I am just finding your channel and doing quite a bit of Benj watching. This one particularly I agree with is what we’re looking for. However, I’m looking for something that is between the 40 to 45 foot range, but everything else seems to be spot on.

Very good video, Tim. I own a 1983 Pearson 303 with an 11 foot beam which I find appealing for its length. The best Pearson boats are 36-2 and the 39 made after 1987. By this point, the company seems to have caught up with all the design features popular at the time, shortly before the company went out of business.

We have a 2002 jeanneau 40DS it fits most of your requirments

Experienced sailors also have a different list from starters, some may not be comfortable healed over, knocked down and in the middle of the ocean in large seas, too many abandoned yachts, very sad

Just from an athletics point of view, I really liked the Hunter. But wing keels in general can get you into trouble if you run aground. (Which I have done). And the “Delos” type trip could make good use of the 50.

The beam on that McGregor is maybe 10’- on a 65’ boat! It’s a switchblade crossed with a greyhound- they’re really weird & cramped inside

Great video

Learning a lot from you about how to look at boats. I’m a rookie at the I want to sail the world dream stage, so thank you. I’d be looking for approx 35’ with all your requirements plus conversion to all electric engine with banging battery bank & solar array. Water maker. electric outboard on the dinghy. Maybe a hard dodger to link into sunshade - Bimini - solar arch/Davits.

The Bene 50 gets me every time , Theres a 2 cabin version rare but wow ,

Cheers to you. ..

Jib halyard trim is vital and more inviting to do when not having to leave the cockpit

Totally agree!

We did just about the exact math as you one our new boat just a lower price point. Sugare scoop, owner's cabin 1996 or newer but 45k USD. We ended up with a 2000 Hunter 340 and love it (you had the 336 in your video series and they are the same hill for the most part.). We are in New Brunswick Canada where we also take the masts off and the B&R was the only down side. Have to have a good throwing arm or go up in the chare to get the strap on the upper spreader to lift it off.

Rock on brother!

Macgregor boat in Merlin was listed last year on Kijiji.

Prices on boats listed in the Caribbean can be deceptive. First, they are likely to have been in a charter fleet at some point and have tons of use under their belts, meaning that rig, mechanicals, electricals, etc. are nearing the end of their useful life unless they've been replaced. Second, they typically have not had U.S. or Canadian duty paid, so if you want to bring them here for more than just a visit, you'll owe 20% to title it here. Good rule of thumb is to double the price of a Caribbean based boat to get it comparable with a non-charter version of the same boat that is able to be titled in the U.S. or Canada.

I know I've told you before. I was looking at Oysters and Hylas. There were from the early to mid '90s and about $300k. Their engines had over 10k-12k hours. Once I walked on a Hunter, I was sold. 12-15 years newer. In near bristol condition. Engine hours under 1k. & Priced at about $125k. I probably wouldn't sail one across the Indian Ocean, but I'm not going there. I day sail and do a few weeks a year on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Insurance. Older boat. Good point. I had no problem at all getting insurance for my 2003 Hunter, however.... different key components of the boat are amortized based on age. This is usually about 10%/year. So a 19 year old boat? The engine, dinghy, outboard, sails are valued at $0 to the insurance company. I do have a call in to the insurer to ask some general questions: as in I bought the boat for X, it's insured for X (The surveyor recommended purchase + $10k), but what happens in a total loss - would they somehow deduct all these components? I'm not complaining, it's just the way it is, but it's best to understand. What I also found curious is there are all these mentions of 'War, Confiscation, Nuclear Exclusion" "Extended Radioactive Contamination" but no mention of earthquakes or tsunamis (I live and sail in California). And it seems that for sailboats, but not for power boats, racing is covered. And what happens in a named storm if I'm anchored in the marina? On the hard? For now I guess I'm not covered. (Think of all those charter boats piled up after a hurricane.) re: the Catalina 380 with no pizzazz? I saw a Catalina about that size and age in San Diego - very similar, but it had had over twenty years of care, additions, extra gear, and those little touches. I remember it.

Nice video

The reason to have a jib halyard lead to the cockpit is so that if the sail needs to be doused due to failure of the furler the halyard can be controlled by the skipper while the mates douses the sail.

It helps to have the jib halyard aft when racing so to let off tension when coming about.

Sorry about your computer man. Great video man.

Tim suggestion what about video's taxes / duty on import of boats and another one on insurance headaches and how to prevent them.

Just go with a Noctua D15 next time on the cpu cooler. It's almost as good if not better than alot of water coolers and is extremely reliable.

Sailboats are like golf clubs. Your choice depends on what shot you are trying to make.

Okay any boat the helmsman needs a safety harness, has to be a quick boat! How many people would you need to crew this, there does not seem like a lot of berthing?

Hi - plenty of people comfortably single-handing bigger boats than a 50 Bene and whilst there is more cost also don't need to be rich. Yes a couple makes it easier, and maybe more fun :-) but doesn't need to get in the way of having a long water-line, faster yacht with plenty of space.

From. SA anything in dollars are between 15 and 18 times as many Rands (local currency).

seen that MacGregor on kijiji :D and was thinking exactly same - what the hack happened here :D

If going with a Hunter I'd forgo the B&R rig, save a few bucks and pick up a few feet with a 42 Passage. If fair weather ocean crossings weren't in the projections and island hopping was the end goal then the B&R rig with the 420 Passage would be my Hunter of choice. People will complain that there is no proper sea berth, but come one...that's gonna be like 1% of your cruising time. Hell, there are even a 45/450 or two right around this $120k price point. Let the naysayers keep these perfectly fine boats affordable. Love the layout of the Catalina 380, but you can get the same aft stateroom style cabin but with dual helms in the cockpit with the 400 mkii. I'd actually place the 400 mkii above the 42 on my list.

Oceanis 393, but be aware many older Bene's had iron keels (not sure about 393) which require regular FULL strip and re-coat (especially in salt water) . If neglected rust will cause big problems.

Great list & that H38 is slightly overpriced. $10, maybe $20k and it would be a memory. It's been around for a while- wish it was mine!

Hi Tim, buy the Hunter (only slightly biased🙂). I don't find the B&R rig to be that big of an issue. We still race very competitively against similar sized boats.

What I meant to leave is the importance of keeling stem to stern academic keeling design that reduces heeling over and increases speed while improving rudder control in a storm. The stem or bow should be deepest point of the boat to safely sail.

I own a MacGregor 26x and I've really enjoyed it. I understand that the MacGregor 65 was built to win races off of California, and apparently it did. But those were "down wind" races and the 65 it can't point well at all. Even though I'm a MacGregor owner and fan, I can't bring myself to warm up to these extremely narrow 65's. I've stood beside them in the marinas, but haven't been aboard one. They're nice enough looking on the water, but the interior pictures look terrible. : (

The Catalina is a Winnebago! Lol

What is the deal with the couches in the aft cabin. Would not people rather be able to get out on the side or have storage space than a couch?

curious, aren't most/all rudders unprotected in the more modern, production boats?

surreal looking boat with surreally clean interior in a surreal location close to your house? That's the Universe manifesting something for you. I'd negotiate with the owner.

Lol!! I'm from Merlin....

On the Hunter their is another you tube channel right down the way from it. Sailboat Story

There's a Macgregor 65 for sale in Queensland Australia Au$ 265K '95 model

Great episode Tim. Question- do you have any thoughts on the Clippers state room bed being turned 90° off the centerline? Not access but sleeping during rolly conditions?

Yo! Hi Lady K, not sure if you covered this yet, but can you make a vid on your thoughts catamarans?

You forget about the fact that some of your boats listed have not paid VAT taxes.

That traverse aft berth is useless underway. That is what the magazine "Sailing" said about a Hunter with a traverse aft berth.

Almost in this price range an Island Packet 350

Have you considered the sugar scoop and walk-through transome as a vulnerability i.e. easy and quiet access for intruders?

👍

Go big does it mean you'll have to change club or what are the options available keeping a larger vessel on a more sustable location if necessary?

There is a 2nd hand sailboat for sale in Miami Beach Florida. An 2020 Azuree 46. Asking price is a bit higher but, at the end of the day, it is a quality solidly built boat. Not a Beneteau or Hunter crowd.

HELLO!

Hi! I'm catching up on your videos (these are great!), but I have a problem. My needs are about the same as yours, but I have a strange fetish for go fast. I want boom end sheeting with a traveller. I want 3D jib leads, or at least inhaulers. I want a big retractible bowsprit or enough winches to run a symmetrical. Is there any treatment for my disease, or am I doomed to have to look wistfully at the occasional used J/122 or whatever?

Yes your right way to much for that McGregor. What about the biggest trailer sailor boat reviews

Hey Tim, I've got a 65' custom ketch with a sugar scoop. It's automated for rigging but still difficult to sail, dock alone. Like near impossible. I'm looking to go smaller like a 57 or even 47 vagabond. Advice?? I know the vagabond 47 has the nickname of leaky teaky, but I'd upgrade it. Opinions would be appreciated!!

I am very happy with my Tayana 47 dont really care what any one has to say its what I want not what others think.

Frist I like boats under 40 for easy boat handling along manageable cost of owner ship.

❤🙏

The MacGregor might be interesting to own in a 3 way partnership as it is a long boat.

On the 2001 Benateau 50, did you say $50k worth of work just to start?

ive been watching the 22 Golden Globe coverage. very interesting to see what people choose for a 30k mile, solo, continuous race. rustler 36, tashiba 36, etc. it would interesting to hear thoughts on those tough, smallish cruisers!

What about a pilothouse?

You gotta check out the outbound 46 I just checked it out of the Newport show this past weekend it’s so perfect, my new dream boat.

Do you provide broker service to help the ignorant find the right boat?

I'm sorry I am so distraught right now but I actually almost bought a 393 the year was 2003 it had All victron electronics everything but you know what the guy didn't tell you that the keel was leaky I had to be pulled out I'm sorry she knows and Benito's are leaky freaking boats amen

Just realized that maybe not all comments are welcome. I fail to see why it would not be helpful to warn potential buyers of built in boat problems such as teak decks, cored hulls etc. etc.

I think I would spend $60000 on the boat and another $60000 reconditioning the boat. Just me though.

Good commentary and insight but could not finished as I always back out when confronted with a 15 second non-skippable ad.

Never trust a seller who lies!

Doesnt sound like your looking for a small boat. More of a medium boat.

Has your opinion changed over the last 6 months?

Those 38 feet Hunter photos are a bit dodgy. 38 feet is 38 feet everywhere. Can't be that big,

Try to build a Edison generator powered electric system with an old car generator if you want a 12volt system. You chisel off the Tesla magnets from the armature of an old car generator pre 1974. Edison moved the coils of copper wire with the armature magnets. So a motor pattern left on the armature is needed. One sixth on and one sixth of all the way around so that three sixths are left to move between the field magnets. On and off all around the armature magnets like a motor. You have unlimited electric power without fuel or plastic solar panels or batteries. Ideal would be battery powered dynamo but nobody makes a dynamo.

Boats too big and too much money, 35 & 60k preferred.

Your Hunter boat is my complete opposite of my ideal boat. Its a floating caravan of low quality build. One man's meat is another man's poison. Just horrible

no mentions of amel?