Conference vicki::boats

 Well Joe sounds like your ship came in or like you said God help you.
Its like a friend on the dock likes to say were not here for a long 
time so we must be here for a good time.

 Regarding your question well first off I hope you realize the jump 
you are making you are talking a totally different world. I went from a 
16ft to a 25ft after having the 16 footer for for several years I 
figured whats the big deal well it is and it takes some getting used 
to. That is probably part of the fun but don't think you are going to 
jump into this thing and be off to Block Island.

THE SEA RAY:
 I have had the opportunity to both pilot and work on the 30+32t Sea 
Ray they are really nice rigs plush pretty and fast and they hold there 
value very well. I will say that they compromise space efficiency to 
enhance style. This docent make them bad but I would say they are 
more a party or couple boat as opposed to a general purpose or family 
boat.I hear they are not that bad on fuel all things considered but 
that comes from a fella with very deep pockets. If you are considering 
a Ray I suggest used because a 30ft goes 80+ and the 32 is on the 
order of 120k.

 I cant help you much on the Welcraft other than to say in the smaller 
rig they are top shelf strong and practical.

Best of luck see you in the harbor this spring

john g.

    How about silverton? They are typically Fly Bridge Cruisers that
    can be fished or used for cruising and usually have good family
    accomidations. I would think a 30 footer could be had around the
    60-70k range with twin 270's. Call Mark Bikash at Bay State Yacht
    Sales 328-3306, tell him Bruce Sweet sent you, he sold me my new
    grady at a great price. He will be willing to deal at this time
    of year! He also has a used boat list with many 30-34 foot boats
    in the 60's price range. Other makes to look at might be cruisers
    inc, trojan or luhr's (maybe to pricey). Realize that 60k for
    a 30 footer is sort of on the low end of the scale for new boats.
    If you were thinking of a 30 foot sport fisherman (I realize you
    are not) you would be a good 40-60k short.
    
    Bruce

    for a good Cruisers Inc. dealer, #2 in the U.S. try Merrimac Marine
    in Methuen,Mass at (508) 682-7291. Ask for Jerry or Sammy, they
    treat my father-in-law and myself very well. They also deal in smaller
    boats "Stingray" and they treated a friend of mine that I brought
    down there better than any price you could get at the boat show
    for the same boat. If you follow up on it, you can mention my name.
    
                                                     Guy

    I like both your "dream boats" ( Sea Ray & St Tropez), but I
    expect that both will cost considerably more than the price
    you mentioned, at least for a new boat.  Have you looked at
    the Cruisers, Inc Esprit 2980 ?   This model was formerly
    known as the Villa Vee.  It has all the features you mentioned
    and I have seen them at the boat shows for about $62K.  This
    was for a boat with a normal list price of $82K.  Cruisers has
    an excellent reputation.
    
    This particular model is my own dream boat so if you buy one,
    I'll volunteer to be part of the crew.

	Interesting, I just went through a similar process.  In my case the
process took about three years since I had to convince some other family
members in the process.  When I started I had a 16 ' I/O (and still do) and
was looking for the second home tax deduction.  I started at the 23' trailer
boat level.  After thinking it through I was convinced that I wouldn't get the
use out of the boat to justify the expense (to much traffic, crowded ramps,
etc.).  At that point I started looking at the 28's and 31's and found that
I thought I liked a used 31' Silverton for price, performance, accommodations,
electronics in a used boat etc.  However after agonizing for some period of
time I decided that the 31 was nice but it was designed as a weekender,
2-4 person sport fisher etc. and what I needed was a boat which would address
more compromise, that is, 5 people in the family plus friends which on rare
occasions could be onboard at the same time etc.  I started looking at the 
34 Silverton which had the same benefits as the 31, but in addition offered
seating for 5 on the bridge, dinette, more interior space, etc.  For me, one
of the major things which went into the decision process is to understand
what you want and get it the first time instead of trading up and paying
the broker 10% each time you change your mind.
	I started looking seriously for the right 34 Silverton in the beginning
of last boating season.  I finally found it in late Oct., passed papers in
early Nov. only to put it on the beach and finish putting it into hibernation
last Sat.
	I would recommend the following:

		1. Understand your long term requirements the best you can.

		2. Understand the merits of new and used and how they fit
		   your case. (New = high first year depreciation, extra 
		   outfitting costs Used = includes items such as electronics,
		   lines, etc).

		3. If you buy used:
			a. make the broker work for you.
			b. have a good survey

		4. Understand what you're getting into long term (dock fees,
		   fuel, maintenance cost, etc.) because after all a boat is
		   a hole in the water into which you through money.

		5. Enjoy.

    Joe,
    	
    	I have just finished my second season with a 34' Silverton Conv.
    	and love it!
    
    	Prior to this I had owned a 19.5' and a 26' Wellcraft - both
    new.  When I got the itch I went throught the same motions you are.
    I can't speak highly enough about the Wellcrafts - the quality,
    engineering etc.. is top notch.
    
     When I started looking I found that I liked the more "traditional"
    layout of the Silverton & it's PRICE.
    
      You don't get to pick all the curtians, colors, etc.. with Silverton
    & it is by far not a Hatteras, Post or Bertram; but, if you go into
    it with your eyes open it is an excellent value.
    
      I had some minor problems when I first got the boat and was really
    impressed with the way it was taken care of.  These were not due
    to Silverton; but, rather to a shoddy mechanic - yet Silverton's
    VP called me at home, arranged to have things corrected & made the
    dealer replace the service mechanic -- They ended up with a happy
    customer & sponser (and a better dealership)
    
     I have been up & down the coast of Maine in a wide (wild) range
    of conditions & feel very good about & comfortable with the boat.
   (also 5 Adults traveled for 10 days with no problems at all)
    
   I also found it to be a very fuel efficent & dry hull.
    
    If you'd like to rap about the Silverton 34' pro's/con's give me
   a call.
    
     If you wait two years I'll give ya a good buy on mine (:>) --
     I have my heart set on a Silverton 40'
    
                         All the best in your search,
                                                       Lou "Phanta Sea"

    Rather than recommend a specific boat, I would like to suggest you
    give some thought to a single engine.  Over the years, I have had
    two 32 ft Chris's, both with twin screws.  I would hate to estimate
    the time I have spent working on those engines.  While I also like
    the twin screw control you get, the cost of the redundancy (twice
    as many things to go wrong, as well as a redundant engine) has made
    me think that next time I am going to a single.  I got so fed up
    with being upside down working on engines instead of enjoying the
    scenery, for the past ten seasons I have been in a cruising sailboat.
    However, one of these days I am going back.  Just some food for
    thought!  Best of luck with whatever you decide upon.

    My vote is for the Regal Commodore 28.  Used to be called the
    277XL but they extended it a bit.  We used to have one.  Great great
    boat.  Very good in offshore seas, comfortable to sleep on, sporty
    and well powered.  Also high quality.  They make a 36 as well, which
    we would have liked to moved into except that we really wanted separate
    cabins which it didn't have.
    
    The Regal has a very modern interior with everything a weekend boater
    needs.  A good dealer for Regal is Slip's Capeway Marine in Raynam,
    Mass.  Tell 'em the Flanagan's sent you.
    
    Cheers,
    John

    SOMEONE WANTS A 30FT FOR 50-60K ! GOOD LUCK
    
    TAKE A LOOK AT THE SEARAY 28FT SUNDANCER. ITS A REAL BEAUT IF YOUR
    INTO THE EUROPEAN STYLE. LIKE SOMONE SAID WELLCRAFT IS TOPS BUT
    YOU NEED THREE JOBS.

Checkout my ad in note 3.86.
I can let you have my 277 Regal for $43K !

Dick

    My 1986 33' Cruiser Inc. for $55K
    
    

    Greetings from the Great White North!  I too am looking for
    approximately the same size boat, and definitely in the
    previously-owned market.  My wife, 17 year old son and I had the
    pleasure of being a guest on a 38' sailboat for a weekend a couple of
    weeks ago, and got the bug....BAD!  However, we're not sailors.  We're
    looking for something that will sleep six when necessary, but four very
    comfortable.  I think a flybridge might be a good idea, as it seems to
    add a lot of roominess inside.  Speed is not necessary, as a) we like
    to gawk a lot when we travel so the slower the better, and b) we plan
    on also purchasing an inflatable dinghy with a fibreglass bottom and
    the biggest motor we can hang on it for the young lad to rip around
    with, go to shore with, tube behind, etc.  Recently someone suggested
    that a 28' or 30' trawlor may be what we want as they are very roomy,
    comfortable and not built for speed, which may be economical in the
    long run.  Does anyone have any experience with trawlors, types, etc.? 
    Any suggestions or recommendations on what to buy/stay away from would
    be greatly appreciated.  Our season is definitely shorter than some of
    yours, so we want to make the best of it.

    Sorry folks; seeing as this is my first time responding in the NOTES
    files I now see I should have included a few things.  My name is Rick,
    and work in the Kanata campus.  We plan to keep our boat down on the
    St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Island area, which has access to
    Lake Ontario, etc.  I'll try to get better at this.
    
    Rick
    

    Rick, I have a 34' Mainship it sleeps 4 very comfortable, 6 may be
    pushing it.  It has a diesel engine ( as most trawler type do ) so I
    have about a 800 mile range on a tank of fuel at about 13 knots. I know
    some other trawlers like Albin (sp) or a Marine Trader will go a little
    slower but sleep a couple of more. I only travel on the Great Lakes so
    I don't know how they handle on the ocean but on the lakes they are
    good.  Be advised on a slow flybridge with beam waves you will get
    sway.
    
    Dennis