Boat search...
Long time lurker. I have a pretty good idea of what I need/want I think. Yes I have read buying a boat 101.
Former sailor, selling a catalina 36 and looking for a trawler / tug due to a parkinson's diagnosis at age 56. Pretty unaffected at the moment, but I am looking forward, and accelerating the change from sailing to motoring due to the diagnosis. We live in Seattle WA.
Pretty quickly zeroed in on the Nordic Tug 32 as the smallest boat we can get our "program" into (See buying a boat 101) that I can single hand. And my wife will be able to single hand as my capabilities fade. We are in Elliot Bay Marina in Seattle. Cross winds and current are the norm, along with narrow fairways.Training and practice will help, but I am sick of the docking anxiety associated with larger boats, so I am shy of the bigger boats.
Nordic 32s are nice of course, but damned expensive boats for what they are, and not many for sale in the PNW. I think I can squeeze into an older one at my budget level if I am willing to do some work.
I have my eyes out for Willards, Transpac Eagle 32's, and well kept sundowner 32's and 36's and the like. But these are really unicorns if you think about it. SO few made.
I am attracted to heavy (I know full displacement is a state of mind) single diesel dual pilot house door boats with a bow thruster. I have considered GB32's and the "leaky teaky" crowd. I love the interior wood, but loath the teak on the outside. Particularly teak decks.
Can you help me open my world view up a bit? what else should I be considering in the <$150K range?