Due in part to your wonderful books and timing, I will be looking for a yacht this summer in the US My short list looks something like this:
Palmer Johnson (Aluminum), Frers 45, 1981, PHRF30— Just the basics Palmer Johnson (Aluminum), Peterson 42, 1976, PHRF60— Moderate cruising comfort Davidson (Fiberglass), Laurie Davidson 44, 1981, PHRF54— Moderate to well equipped for cruising Jeremy Rogers (Fiberglass), Peterson 39, 1981, PHRF72— Well equipped for cruising Aquacraft 1979 (Aluminum), Custom 41, 1977, PHRF90?— Just the basics, but a good price C&C (Fiberglass), Many 39-41, 1977-82, PHRF 99— Various.
I will be using it to cruise the Atlantic and Mediterranean for the most part, but one of these days a circumnavigation would not be out of the question. My questions are…Am I on the right track with these choices for the intended purpose, or have I missed the mark completely? From your experience, are there any of these I should stay away from, or buy in a hurry before anyone else does? I know you are busy, but a quick comment or two would be greatly appreciated.–Regards, Tom
Hi Tom: Sounds like you’ve got some interesting boats to look at. Hard for me to make a recommendation without seeing all of the details, inspecting the boats, etc. However, my instinct has always been to go with waterline before anything else–and I like aluminum. So, if prices were the same on a well-equipped 39-footer or a basic 45 and the latter was aluminum that’s the way I’d go. Also, the Frers/PJ pedigree is good for resale. Let us know how it turns out.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
