My spouse and I readily handle our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS, a 40,000 pound boat, by ourselves, including a long distance delivery from the Chesapeake to the Great Lakes. But the equipment that is essential to make that work is as follows: 1. Bluetooth headsets so we can talk to each other when docking and anchoring without yelling at each other. 2. Bow thruster without question 3. In-mast furled mainsail so we never leave the cockpit under sail 4. Electric winches for sheets and furling lines 5. Walk-thru transom and swim platform to make boarding from water or dinghy or emergency a non-event 6. Davits for the dinghy and hoist/rail mount for the dinghy motor 7. A windlass that can be remotely controlled from the helm 8. Remote control for the autopilot. We can debate the design merits of one boat versus another for cruising couples, but the above feature list is what will mean the difference between a couple having a pleasant experience versus a potentially stress-filled one.

I'm 50. Going to retire in 5 years. I would love to see a video in the 40-70k range from 32-40 foot( that's my comfort zone) anyway, I love your channel. I've learned sooo much from you! Thank you

We, the soon-to-be cruising couple, after 8 months of searching up and down the east coast and a max budget of $185k (including the inevitable upgrades, insurance, taxes, initial haulout fees, surveyor, etc.) went with a 2007 Jeanneau SO 45 with an all-new Selden in-mast furler rig and sails ... very happy with the decision and as a bonus, it turns out she's a rocket ship😁

5000 hr rebuild cycle Wow seriously ? Is that backed up by oil sampling data ? Industry data of certain engines ? Contamination of the interior .. the oil by the fuel burnt and the carbon left behind . These little 3 and 4 cylinder diesels are very fuel efficient hence less contamination. Air intake on the water has very little dust silica compared to land use engines. Less contamination again . They run constant rpm variable load governing the fuel system . That’s helpful for an engine also. I’ve only land heavy equipment experience ,Caterpillar for 40 years. My jet boat has a …. Oh that’s another trip . 15000 hrs with proper maintenance and good ventilation should be attainable . I just bought 38.1 clipper beneteau with a yanmar lol competitor but hey there’s tons of em in boats and these seem to be bulletproof Love your info man . I think it’s super that your sharing your experience.

I don't think it's so much this model or that one, I think for happy cruising couples -- it is all details. Are you both comfortable? Can you get away from each other? Are your needs met? Is the toilet comfortable and easy to use and keep clean? Good point about the get away from the other person space. Everyone needs this. It's one of the first things I noticed about my boat. Separable spaces. There's the table, the nav desk -- not far enough apart. But then there's the other desk in the aft cabin. That's a deal maker. I think galley's need to have an exhaust fan. I''m working on one for my boat. Using an old hatch window I cut out a piece of plywood, made an elliptical cut out for the 6" fan. So far it seems to be working -- but why isn't this an off the shelf item? There are many things a boat should have that just don't seem to be available. (Ever see a full pull out trash can, no gaps? It's like 'duh' especially after you spill a bunch of coffee grounds trying to fossik out the one your boat builder spent zero time thinking about.) Heat/AC if you have these they should work. I was bundled up in my boat on a cold day and wondered about the heat exchanger. It worked for AC, so I tried it for heat. And once I remembered to open the thru hull so it could 'exchange' with the water - heated the cabin right up. Wow. I'm ready. Now I have to get back on the dating apps. I've also added Starlink, Apple TV and a 42" 4K HD - full internet and movies. And do you or your other sit sideways on the cushions? They're not really comfortable if your butt keeps sliding. I got an after market pad for an office chair to solve that problem. And good reading lights on bendy arms for the cabins - or anywhere someone likes to read. (They made LED cabin lights, they just didn't seem to make them very bright.) Also a folding helm wheel. These cost $1000, it's a lot to pay for 6" and not having to crawl over the bench. I'm always amazed at well designed boats that never seemed to consider how you get from one place to the other. (All these little things and the missing things -- like the galley exhaust fan -- it's a business opportunity. Once the other person knows what could be added to make a boat more livable? They're going to insist on it. Are there only people who want to scrape hulls and empty tanks?) Ah soundproofing. Yes. I spent a loud stressful 'month' on a Jeaneau 40 in just three days, but only motoring. My throat hurt from trying to talk over that engine. I didn't think of this until you mentioned it because my Hunter's 74hp Yanmar is so effectively silenced. I understand what you mean by 'production," finished in such a way you're not resurfacing it every six months. (I just saw a boat listed with a permanent cover for all the teak kick rails... Ah wouldn't just extruded aluminum look better than teak you have to life up Sunbrella to peek at?) As an old DIYer, I can tell you, after you've done something three times you never want to do it again. Teak is beautiful, but every damn year? for the rest of your life? I've built furniture, but on the outside of a boat I only want to see Sunbrella, solar panels, metal and gel coat. Another detail, those raised pullmans and the V Berths, how easy is it to get in and out? Do they need step, and a bar or something your important partner can grab or hang on to as she swings into bed? Every boat I've ever been on needs at a few extra grab bars. And every galley table needs a bigger radius on that one corner. It's got one on the other side...

Yup two cabin layout his/hers makes alot of sense.

I was wondering if you might like to do a "5 best 'oddball' boats" Something like, a ketch, an aluminum boat, a pilothouse sailboat, a cat- or gaff-rigged boat, a motor-sailor, things that are outside the mainstream. Personally, I'm taken by the Ovni boats for when my time comes to cast off, I'm sure there are others who like the "quirky boats" as well. Been loving the series, keep up the great work

Hi Tim: When we shopped in 2011 for a 40 ft. sailboat for extended summer cruising my wife selected the Beneteau 40 primarily for the galley layout. Microwave of to the side not above the stove and massive freezer separate from the refrigerator. All lines lead aft for easy couple or single handed sailing. On calm days the 54hp Yanmar really performs well, too. A large bulkhead starboard for a TV and plenty of storage space in the port cockpit locker, easy walkout to get in and out of the dingy. Glad we bought this boat!

If someone got asking price for a sailboat recently they need to be a patreon. You're a heck of a sailboat salesman. Im ready to rent the house and go to the Bahamas and ive lived in Florida my whole life.

I would love to see a video like this exploring a Dufour, Bavaria, Elan, and Hanse in the ~40 ish foot range and the $80k to $150k range

Ya Better follow this up for the perfect boat for the solo sailor :) !!

I wish I know everything like you!! only sail since 10 years, but I still dont know nothing like you know everything

I like the Morgan the best. What a beautiful boat....

This one, and, top five 40 ft sailboats, are just what I'm interested in.

Thanks Tim. Thank you for doing this segment just for us 😉

Thanks for everything you do.

Thank you for your videos. I love the down to earth approach you take. This video was really informative. Would it be possible to do a similar one for single handed sailors?

Great show.

Mad Max Good,Name For a Boat

I really enjoy your insights into sailboats for most of us. I was recently on an Oyster 485 from 1993. It was hull No. 3 of the 485. I found it to be a very comfortable boat while beating to wind, an easy boat to sail, and an amazing boat for comfort at the end of the day. The deck saloon feature of the boat provided great light to the saloon and the ability to open forward lights to flood the saloon with air in the heat of Panama. I would like to hear your thoughts on Oyster deck saloon boats for both comfort and performance. Electric winches and electric windlass improved the ease of sailing.

So many of you like French boats. I understand the cost/ speed attraction, but I have been in the boat repair business for 40 years. You’re welcome to your Beneteaus and Jouberts, i wouldn’t leave the mooring in one.

As blue water/ cruising boat I'm curious if you have reviewed the Caliber 40 LRC or 47 LRC boats as they are similar in ways to the Island Packet boats, without the pedigree. They run a bit heavy, but part of the weight is with the unique/ substantial water & fuel tankage. The 40 LRC has a weird chart table location opposite the galley, but everything else works similar to the Island Packets along with the inclusion of a stay sail & skeg mounted rudder. The 47 LRC has the best layout with two full size state rooms, but the price point is a bit steep. As a SoCal sailor that only coastal sails in smaller Beneteau's & Catalina's I'm looking into the options of cruising as retirement nears.

Hi from Donald again i was watching another persons video had to do with moving hydraulic keel on sail boat ⛵️ its adjustable for getting in closer in bay area that other sail boats, would you be So kind to Chat about it please 🙏

I like that Bruce Roberts,!! I like the vee head and a roomy front berth! But I just can,t get past building a Tiki 38'! Perfect for Island hopping or, gulp, crossing to the other side! But realistically north when it,s warm south when it,s cold!

Love your videos and practical takes on recommendations. I'm 61 and just retired. Looking to take ASA classes soon with hope of eventually buying and living aboard full time with my wife. I'm in So, Cal., would your suggestions change any?

Beneteau 423 (2 cabin version) was our answer to this question. 16 years later, she’s still the right answer for us.

It would be nice if you would include the headroom in these boats. Thx for good vids...

Two years. And we'll be one of those couples. Taking sailing classes now. 3 to 5 year plan. Living on board an touring the tropics. With one Atlantic crossing planned.

Love the fancy new back drop!! Your incredibly well researched episodes inspired this 60 year old to start a KZfaq channel as part of my evil plan to convince my wife that a circumnavigation is a FANTASTIC retirement project. Believe it or not, I’m gaining momentum!! Wooohoooo!! NavalGazingatCampDavid.

I was onboard that very Cat-Morgan 440 a few weeks back and it feels more like a 55’ on the inside!

You perfectly called me out in the "early retirement group." Not sure if the woman is coming...Not sure I care. I don't understand all the catalina/benneteau love....yes, they are plentiful but I always like to have something unique

That you for this video! Looking for a sailboat for single handed sailing with enough room for diving gear and second stateroom? Thinking 40-60’ ketch? But still kind of fast 14 knots under sail? I like a nav station/ computer station motor is no issue, I’ll rebuild it myself

I went round the world in my Fontaine Pajot Antigua 38 cat. The best boat for tropical tradewind living

I have noticed you haven't reviewed any Hylas boats. I've been looking at them and wondered what your thoughts on them are. Thanks!

I took my wife to the local new boat dealer, so she could see what kinds of boats are out there (we won't be buying new). We have a C&C 30 and that is the only thing she has seen, so she needed an introduction. We looked at a Beneteau 34 and it was a flat out NO. We moved up to a 42 and she said better, but no place to get away from each other. We entered the 51 and she said, this could work. The downside is, with just the two of us, I will be mostly single handing and I suspect the 50+ range might be too much. It does need to be blue water capable (not likely a Beneteau), as we have had assignments in England, Scotland, and Germany, and would like to leave the USA to visit them at least once or twice.

The 40 Oceanis gets it's styling I believe in part from The modern Wauquiez line of boats that are better built. Beneteau bought Wauquiez for awhile and I think resold the line. The older Wauquiez are what are I call French Swans and Grand Soleil as Italian Swan.

I've been renovating my house for 2 years now so I can rent the upstairs and save some money so I can buy a boat to cruise, man its taking me so long and it feels like its never going to happen, :(

I’ve been thinking about what you said… my space = Zurich | her space = anywhere but Zurich. 😂

Love it! How about boats for partners? 2 full cabins for older best friends who wanna still have some adventure? And don't mind sweat equity...

Hi captain. Thanks for great videos. I got absolutely hooked on the Catalina Morgan 440. Are there any other boats in the same style? Because they don't seem to easy to find in Europe.

As always great content. The one question I always have is depreciation. The real cost of a boat like this is the purchase price minus the eventual sale price plus maintenance. It is probably an impossible question but it would be great if you could guess a 3 to 5-year resale value. It has been my experience that boats lose a lot of value in the first couple of years, and then the price stabilizes for a while until the price falls off a cliff when people think it is now too old. This price curve varies a lot by make and model. Assuming the boat has been maintained to the state it was purchased in could you estimate its value in 3 years?

Funny how you don't mention the draft on these boats one of the most important things to me and it should be to you to Catalina 42 with almost 7 foot draft no thank you 😎😁 good luck in the Caribbean you're going to need it 😁

Love the Catalina Morgans!!! But I am doing a catamaran in Caribbean now....

WWII B-17 trailer. From cockpit area to plexiglas nose (Bow).

Great video and I loved the Benetaua Oceanus 40! Keep them coming.

Do a video on the perfect Dive charter boat for two couples? Sailboat of course 😎

One more comment. What is the boat sitting on the sandbar with apparently no keel at 45 seconds into the video?

Interesting options, but a Tahiti ketch I in steel,Weston Farmers Tahitians or Merritt Walters Tahiti ketch design with a simple heavy Duty Diesel( hand start if you can find one) and electric,now you have the basis, of the FJ series Toyota Land cruiser of the sea,more Tahiti,s have Circumnavigated than any boat built.

Hi, which boats you recommended for singles, not only coastal but possible ocean crossing. Thanks.

I’ve got a Beneteau Oceanis 411 Clipper. I love it so much but always have a giggle when people misspell the name and call it an Oceanus 😳

🤙 good stuff lady k

Can I ask why mono hull yachts never seem to have a large hard top over the cockpit area, many have a dodger and some will have a large sheet put up for shade but I never see any with a good size hard top unlike many cats. Any idea why? Thanks

want a challenge? do island hopper boats that can be trailered. for a lot of us its not the boat, its how to store it.

Just curious. What's your opinion of the Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37? Seems like this hits the sweet spot for island hopping in the Bahamas and also affords the opportunity to cross an ocean if you choose to.

Thanks Tim.

I'm looking at a 36 foot endeavor, it's a blue water boat for sure. So what do you think about them

What about a boat for cruising couples based in Hawaii who want to go further into the South Pacific as well as around the Hawaiian Islands?

Tim Great video , hi from Canada . Two thoughts for new videos, Purchasing a new sailboat in a charter fleet, and secondly the cost of maintaining a cruising sailboat. We are now on our second new boat in a charter fleet having taken the first boat out of the fleet and winter cruising for six winters. Yanmar predicts 10,000 hrs as useful life on their marine engines. Any 20 year old marine engine will need significant maintenance in a warm salt enviornment hours are not the only determining factor.

Hey Buddy! I'm looking at a 94 beneteau oceanis 400 vs 89 jenneau sun magic 44, buying now when l make up my mind!

Since Dick Beaumont became my sailing Guru, I cannot imagine buying a used boat, especially an older one, that doesn't have two safety features for bluewater sailing; an integrated keel, and a rudder skeg. And until saint Boyan Slatt does not manage to clean up every ocean, and containers keep tumbling out of cargo ships, a boat without those two features would make me very uneasy to cross oceans with.

Cheers to you.

I dream about buying a Silent 80 or 80ft. yacht and go by myself around the Atlantic single-handed.

Manageable for me alone ? 🤔 think 42’ ft is ok. Fl to Bahamas around the islands back to Fl then north to NY. That’s my plan.

Wow Sailor 👍

Cruising is working on your boat in exotic places. Yachting is having other people work on your boat in exotic places.

Well I can't afford any of those boats so I will stick with my Alberg 30.

What are sundowners? Google doesn't have an answer with regards to sailing

You forgot the Jeaneau 349. better than the Benateau ;)

I’m this demographic. What if I intend to sail in the Mediterranean and then sail round the cape ending up in Philippines. I may even venture over to the US.

Great content. But, I wish you sync’d your pictures better with your dialog.

Time to Head for the Bunker

Tim. A dumb question. I hear about Mark 2 Mark etc. what exactly is that saying when they saying that ?

Tim you keep going to yachts over 40ft what about as all who want to buy under 40

It's more popular now because people are checking out of the society that is collapsing around our ears. At least that is why it is gaining popularity in what used to be the United States.

Stainless Steel

Say what ?..why we putting these cruising couples on battleships..scale down…I highly recommend the Beneteau 351, 361, or Jeanneau 37 ..I’ve owned all 3..Check out Sailing Bachus Home on KZfaq..couple took stock 361 from UK to New Zealand…or…an oldie but goody.. Pearson 36..couple on Sailing Uma have sailed it for 6+ years all over the place…couples don’t need 42 + feet to cruise on..too much boat at anchorage and then there’s the $.

I need a,70 footer

It seems though that prices are still higher than before COVID and the boating explosion. 🤷‍♂️

It's the boat she wants.

A diesel wore out at 5000 hrs??? Are you kidding? Maybe at 15-20000 hrs

i thought this site would be just what we were looking for, but the commentary not matching the pics drives me nuts, oh well lol

Wanna hear some Pirate Stories Honey

The main problem with the Bruce Roberts boat is that it’s about as ugly outside as the Irwins.

Lije if you are Selling Ammo Yur Good!!

Amigo

First!

Is there a sailing discord channel? It would be cool to chat with some salty saltsters.

Ooops, I have 5 footitus now...

I see prices Halfed then dropping in price again

Haha! I would've assaulted you if you didn't include a Morgan (Thank You, Tim!) or II. I've been smitten by the Morgan 43, 44CC and the 45.3(?) for all of those Morgan reasons: lots of thick glass, good seafaring when the weather goes to Shiite & the ability to give up and heave too if getting too badly beaten up. If you require 'stout' once every 10 years- Morgan's got it. But, what about a nice Jeanneau 379, 37 or 39i? I was also thinking about those many & varied Beneteau Oceanis' available: 40, 37, 393, 373...Long list of sugar scoopy boats and even some with dual wheels. My wife is 100Lbs soaking wet, but is a 400Lb hell biatch on wheels when tired, angry, frustrated or seasick. It's too high a price to pay to pound upwind with a super lite hull & structure. I'd rather draw 5' & carry 23,500 pounds 'O displaced water.

No HRs?

Now Find Me a 70 Footer Stainless

500⁰ hoúrs 1985 waveruner 2925 40 yrars old 40000 hiurs on jet druce

I’m all for anything to get baby boomers to finally relinquish their power

And NO FOOD

Guaranteed

Golt

Rite

Oceanus? Remind me never to hire that broker to sell my boat ;)

Plz, sync photos with dialog...lol