Conference unifix::sailing

    
    	Get a copy of "Offshore" magazine.  There's lots of local boats
  	for sale, I'm sure you'll find something in your price range.
    
    	Tom--

Better still, look in Soundings (available at better newsstands 
everywhere). Your price limit is low enough that you will be looking at 
older boats (eg, some ten year old C&C 29s -- a very good boat -- are 
listed at over $30k). I would also suggest contacting several large 
brokers, describe your requirements, and listen to their advice and 
suggestions.

Offhand, I would suggest looking at the following:

  Sabre 28
  C&C 29
  Catalina 30
  Pearson 30
  Tartan 30

There many of these available, which should help negotiate a lower 
price. Good luck.

To add to Alan's suggestion:

If you have the time, energy and interest, consider looking for something 
further south, too.  While the used boat market has been somewhat depressed 
recently, last year in Florida it was apparently the pits.  A friend of 
mine went down there in March and bought a 'bristol' Bristol 32, about ten 
years old, with electronics and everything, including 4 new sails.  For 
$31K, yet!  Of course, he then had to spend about three weeks sailing it 
north, but it sure looked like an uncommonly good buy from the outside (I 
haven't been below.)

J.

    
    	....all good advice.
    
    I did quite a bit of looking last year before I purchased one.
    
    One thing I found was that "new" boat dealers, although they sold
    used boats, wanted to put you into brand new stuff.
    
    I got my boat thru Marblehead Offshore ...the guys name is Stan
    Levy. He took my menu and looked for my requirements didn't bug
    me like a used car salesman and found one we liked. The wife was
    the one that made the decision...she liked the teak interior. I
    did see a nice 26' C&C (I like C&C's myself) but it was gone before
    I could make an offer.
    
    The market is soft out there so you should find some nice buys.
    
    			Good luck
    
    				___GM___
    
    Cheap boats? youll find that the mid-west has some real bargains.
    

    Hi Charlie,
    You can always go to Denmark and buy a brand new 36' for $42,000.
    Talked with my daughter and she had just come from the Boat Show.
    

    Sorry Charlie I was being fictitious and got dropped from the server
    but i was going to add that the Sailboat Show is coming in February
    and Phil and I bought tickets through DEC REQ here on site. 
    That could be an interesting source.
    Dottie
    

    I've mentioned this here before, but there are a lot of
    "ex-millionaires" right now down in Houston which means there are
    a lot of boats going fow low, low prices. Some are classics that
    have fallen on hard times like their owners. If you are interested,
    they are actually south of Houston(since it is not on the Gulf)
    in Galveston(30 miles south). Probably by now some of them have
    been "scarfed up".
    
    Good hunting,
    
    Bob

	Thank you all for the great reply's!!  I was a little hesitant
	to start it but am very glad I did.  I have since gotten a couple
	of mail messages and a couple of calls at home..  

	I have also checked out SOUNDINGS & OFFSHORE mag's as well as 
	the broker in Marblehead.  All have been helpful..  I plan on 
	going to the boat show next week to get the used boat listings 
	that will be available, as well as talking to a lot of dealers 
	to see if they can convince me to buy a "NEW" @ the show because 
	of the better "value".!!????!! (leaving checkbook and credit cards 
	at home,,,,, maybe)

	I have looked at a couple of "nice & clean" boats so far but no
	commitment yet??  

	1979 - 28' O'Day - looked NEW - $24,500 
		(Very impressive for 3 owners)

	1976 - 28' Islander - $19,500
		Not bad, clean, no work needed??? 

	I got a call last night on a 1968 Albin 30 ($??) drove by this
	morning on the way to work,,, might just look at it?? ANY IDEAS?
	I am familiar with the name but not with the year

	I don't think I would consider going too far out of N.E. due to 
	either the time and expense of bringing it back?  Very interesting 
	thought though....  When I got it back from Fla. or Texas I just 
	might be looking for a bigger boat because my experience would 
	justify a trip around the world.. (Where is that NORTHWEST PASSAGE 
	anyway??)

	I definitely will be taking my time & I just might be asking 
	for more advise as I get closer....

	THANKS AGAIN We'll be reading..

	`Charlie'
    

    	CORRECTION to .9!!   
    	
    	That was an "Alberg" not an "Albin" that I got that call on!!
    	I also called him tonight and found out that he thinks its 
    	"WORTH about $25,000".  I'm not to sure that I would go quite
    	that high but I might test the "water" to see how hard its fixed??
    	He wants to buy a "NONSUCH" I believe.  He said that he was
    	over 80 & he liked the one sail and the net underto catch the
    	sail for him!  Don't blame him I like that myself!!
    	
    	Well I'll keep in touch :<)
    
    	`Charlie'

    Don't know if you've bought yet...I just moved here from Rochester,
    NY where a) the boats are all freshwater, and b) the market is
    SUPER depressed.  I'd call >Shumway Marine in ROchester, and 
    any marinas in Buffalo or Niagara Falls (use yellow pages).
    I had my C&C 25 moved here by Kenosha Auto Transport for $550
    (negotiated from $750). They did a super job. Tel # is 800 233 0274.
    They really TLC the boat, and knew what they were doing. 
    

Hi Charlie,
    
    I have tried on numerous occasions to contact you.  I know of a
    few boats so give me a call.  An O'Day 27 in good condition currently
    located in Portsmouth NH, An O'Day 25 in Portsmouth, NH and a Cape
    Dory 27 in the Cape.
    
    Call me.  Remember I had the Bristol for sale?  
    
    Thanks, Judy 269-2117