That means that every year the boat must come out, dry up a bit and have a new coat of paint applied. The Sabre 38 is a pure sailing boat. Roger Hewson, who started Sabre in 1970, also served as chief designer of many of the early models. Our cockpit has very long side benches with memory foam cushions, a beanbag and loads of pillows. Ultimately it will provide you with a clearer perspective about some of the issues involved with buying a boat and transitioning to a life on the sea. If, however, you want to do the entire island chain any draft will work. The features that are important to me might not be the same as for you. Consider yourself fortunate. The 393 became an almost instant hit with the market. At the end of the day, you’ll get to choose the liveaboard sailboat that works best for you. Thread starter Tom C; Start date Dec 12, 2004; Forums. Read on…. Having to helm in the open sun or without protection from the wind and sea spray is hell. People that visit you will often get on the boat at the back – either the catamaran stairs or the sugar scoop. We arrived in the Caribbean last December with antifouling designed to meet extreme conditions. An Oceanis 393 lists for $80,000 for the older models and well over $100,000 for models from six to eight years ago. With the sun beating down on a boat, you’ll want to ensure that the vents, windows, and outdoor areas are open to the fresh breeze. Even a 25-year old Sabre 38 will still command a price of $75,000 for MK I, and well over $100,000 for a MK II. If you’re interested in getting more information about how to choose the right sailboat, check out our Sailboat Buying Guide. Diners Club, credit and debit cards. :( Click the X in the upper right corner to make this go away. The Bahamas is an archipelago of about 700 islands and about 2,000 cays. Sailboat rental Bahamas: Check out our boats on the sailboats in Bahamas tab. How fast is the service? Furthermore, on some Caribbean islands water is not only expensive but sometimes you can’t even drink it. Boats that fail to have forward facing windows, good vents and fans to circulate become hot boxes. The rest of the Caribbean is rather deep. When we went to have the whole boat redone (CC supplied the product for free but did not pay for labour costs) and we went back to square one. My verdict on Coppercoat is – a very easy product for DIY application (just don’t be scared to try it), and it works extremely well. YachtWorld.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131, USA, Five Affordable Sailboat Cruisers that are Perfect for Sailing to the Bahamas, Classic Plastic: 10 Affordable Used Sailboats for Cruising. Very well maintained, engines were replaced in 2018 along with new North Sails and parasail. We accept PayPal and all major credit cards including Heavy grass fouls the anchor, and thin sand over rock doesn’t give the anchor a chance to dig in, but we generally find good holding. Great advice! Some 365 hulls were produced, primarily between 1979 and 1989. The resort also features a great golf course and spa. US$12,800,000 * 155 ft / 2001 It does well in both light and heavy air, accelerates easily and due to its fin keel, maneuvers well in close quarters. A good modern anchor is a Mantus or a Rocna. It’s pretty, but it requires maintenance and is less useful than an aluminum toe rail. Extra tip: the Bimini and spray hood are hugely important but not at the detriment of being able to see forward. These anchors are much better than the older generation anchors at digging in and holding tight in a variety of seabed types. Taking showers in the heads on a boat increases moisture, condensation and ultimately causes a breeding ground for mold. The tradeoff is price. Three boatyards have failed to get it to work. There are inhabited islands, private islands, and bustling islands. You may find it is cooler in the early mornings and again in the evenings, so you may find a light jacket or cover makes you more comfortable. Laila Elise provides insights on an often overlooked tool for yacht management. This Belize 43 is one of the last and most mature boats in this … (As a side tip, some people put a kitty litter tray at the back of the boat with fresh water where people can dip their feet into it before walking onto the boat). Am I limited in what sites I can access? During our 2018 sailing season, the number one biggest reason for newcomers to have a less than desirable cruising experience came down to having bad anchors and/or not enough chain. Having a boat that can point close to the wind is a key factor if you like to spend less time sailing and more time on anchor drinking your cocktails. Show sailboats located in: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania … The only area we really had to take it slow was the Bahamas. Below, the Ericsons went through an evolutionary process and finally offered a v-berth master cabin forward, a U-shaped settee to port and a straight settee to starboard with a drop-leaf table in the saloon, an L-shaped galley and a second cabin aft which replaced the original quarter berth. If, however, you’re going to move about a lot and/or are going to stay in marinas more often then not, a watermaker isn’t important. Below the waterline, the swept back fin keel provides an entirely modern underbody that came standard with a deep draft or an optional keel centerboard. We have a Breeze Booster for the forward hatch and two smaller ones for the ports. We’ll never recoop our costs… And it’s not just us that this has happened to. No matter what boat you choose that’s right for you, it’s imperative to make sure the anchor suits the boat adequately. Upgrading a Sailboat Head. Steve J. Around 160 boats of this type were built. The Coppercoat has worked a treat. The construction of the 38-200 includes a solid fiberglass hull and half-inch balsa and plywood reinforcement in the deck. minimum size boat for bahamas cruising . Hey Steve – we’ve had the boat out four times now and still we’re not having a good result. Search for sailboats, catamarans, motorboats and more in the Bahamas and/or in the world. There are a variety of paints. In fact, they wound up spending eight full years sailing the Caribbean on their own boat, without any major problems, and spent only $1,000 a month to do it – all in first-class style. Make sure to read ‘What’s The Best Sailboat For Cruising?’. Interestingly there’s one paint that’s made in America but it’s illegal to buy there so you can get it elsewhere. The Breeze Booster has rigid supports and has worked very well. For longer trips, the water issue could be resolved with a watermaker and there is enough fuel for roughly three days of motoring, which is plenty for most coastal hops. Ideally, the easiest and safest confutation for sailing in the Caribbean is to be able to tend to sails from the safety of the cockpit. They were a smart purchase for us. We help people to take the exciting leap from living on land to becoming full time live-aboard sailors. From the cockpit, all passengers can easily see forward making it easy to keep an eye on what’s around us. This area is perhaps one of the best in the Bahamas as it offers numerous treats of civilization than most areas in the Bahamas including museums, shopping, and restaurants. It has toured the Med, crossed the Atlantic and cruised most of the Caribbean and Bahamas. Planning a cruise to the Bahamas? In hindsight would I change our rigging configuration?! And it’s possible to back into a mooring ball attaching the stern rather than the bow but overall it’s key that the air is flowing strong. Albin Vega 27. Instead of having to go into marina’s every couple weeks or carrying bladders of water to and from a water station it’s nice to just flip a switch. More Destinations. If you would like to get in touch or having any questions, here are our details. Sabre 38 Flexible cancellation or date changes up to 15 days before check in is allowed on selected boats. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Considering that the weather is almost always beautiful in the Caribbean you’ll spend a great bulk of your time in the cockpit (if you have a good breeze going through to the cockpit!). At the beginning of this season I dried my boat against a wall in Jersey, jetted it down, and sailed back to my birth all in the same day. Safety at Sea: Managing a Dismasting. Is there additional hardware? The keel-stepped, double spreader, high aspect ratio rig and fine entry made the 38 extremely fast to weather and able to outpoint many competitors of its time. About 100 of the Sabre 38 MK I hulls were built before it evolved into the MK II that put another 115 hulls into production. Registered in Bahamas and duty paid. Bahamas guide. your privacy. I’m a heavy user, so cost is a consideration. Almost on the opposite end of the spectrum of older and classic is a more modern production boat, the Beneteau Oceanis 393. We currently offer 12 charters available with or without captain, ready for amazing fun trips; sailboat rentals are popular in many yachting locations around the world, providing extraordinary experiences for both boating enthusiasts and skilled sailors. With a freshwater hose, you can easily wash it off. The hulls are solid glass with a through-bolted plywood-cored deck and an alloy toe rail. Windsocks and rain protected side windows can help a poorly ventilated boat. If your plan is to anchor for long durations having a watermaker will be quite a convenience. At best the experience is scary at worst the boat is wrecked. Lack of air circulation causes mold and mildew to grow in hours. This catamaran has high speed potential, is easy to sail and very stable. Today, this classic cruiser commands a price around $50,000 depending on condition and equipment. We have CopperCoat which is not ablative. And in many cases, you’ll have to anchor quite a distance from land. 4. I am seeing the attraction of hard Dodgers too. Located in the Abacos to the east of Grand Bahamas Island, Treasure Cay Marina is part of the larger Treasure Cay Resort, so you have the option to stay on or off the boat. The trade winds give the islands a warm and agreeable climate all-year-around. Sailboat cruising in the Caribbean, or anywhere along the Tropics, presents its own set of challenges unique to the region. The broad beam of over 11 feet is swept gracefully back to a narrow wineglass transom. How To. On our rig, I have to go to the mast to raise, reef and lower the mainsail. The good news is, Gary and Julie discovered that learning how to sail, buying a sailboat, and cruising from island to island isn’t as difficult – or expensive – as they once believed. Get some inspiration from the Bahamas itineraries tab and start planning your next sailing itinerary, read detailed descriptions of Bahamas sailing destinations, or read our Bahamas sailing article. It does well in both light and heavy air, accelerates easily and due to its fin keel, maneuvers well in close quarters. Hopefully your Coppercoat will now start working successfully due to it being on a couple of seasons. Catalina 38’s typically range in price from $35,000 to $55,000. When it comes to living aboard, there’s a lot more to consider than just your boat. Staniel Cay Yacht Club, stanielcay.com. Whatever boat you’re looking at make sure you can comfortably sit or stand at the helm and see forward. Hunter Owner Forums. This might seem like an insignificant option but don’t underestimate the many benefits of a simple small hose offering fresh water at the back of the boat! That being noted, there are at least 10 factors that need to be considered when purchasing a boat with the intention of sailing the tropics. The next leg of your voyage should be 100 miles taking you to the Green Turtle Cay. And best of all, these budget buys will provide just as much fun as anything new you might have just seen at the boat show. This guide will help you to clarify your thought process, ensure you avoid making mistakes and it will certainly help to save you money. The right boat is not the biggest boat you can afford but rather the best boat you will be comfortable living aboard for a long duration. The majority of time spent sailing in the Caribbean you’ll be close hauled or on a reach. That’s where all the sand, dirty feet marks, and salt water congregates. The Sabre 38 is a pure sailing boat. What is the best cruising boat for the Caribbean? Especially now that rainy season is here… Thanks for commenting Tom Kim. Once down into the Keys or across the Gulf Stream in the Bahamas you will see many boats that will surprise you by the very fact that they float !. This vessel offers the best and most panoramic picture of underwater life off the coast of Grand Bahama — a view most often reserved for scuba divers. The only choice for Yacht Brokers in The Bahamas. The area around our cockpit table is narrow so there’s no large empty space in the cockpit to fall around when on a steep heel. How To. We always put out a scope of 5x the depth so the most chain we’ll use (ideally) is 225’. In 1984, Gene Kohlmann of San Francisco began building the Ericson 38 and the design morphed into the 381 and then the 38-200, the last of which were built into the early 90s when Pacific Seacraft purchased the molds. We now have extremely expensive antifoul paint that doesn’t work. If you would like to earn a commission on promoting our t-shirts, guides, club or experience, join our affiliate program. Most boaters have to reapply antifoul paint every year. The galley came with a two-burner stove, a double sink and an icebox. Asking price is generally under $75,000. Navtours, navtours.com:-Bases in George Town, Grand Exuma Island (south) and Nassau, New Providence (north)-Prices start at $3,500 per week for a 39ft monohull with three cabins (six people maximum) Eric Vohr and Michaela Urban have a travel website and blog at travelintense.com. Photo: Wiki Creative Commons, Original Uploader: Oddis. The owner version has double cabins, two heads, a U-shaped galley and a nav station. 5. Many of our Catamaran friends complain that their biggest issue is not having good air flow. Someone that is wet with sea water that walks through the boat leaves a trail of salt water. The 45 gallons of fuel is a bit light but will get you to the Bahamas without needing to tank up. Customer service 7. Thank you for sharing your story. Apparently, none of the ablative paints (slowly wear off) are good for the environment so it’s a matter of finding a paint that does the job and is something you feel okay about. sand beaches and its crystal-clear waters as your next ‘go-to’ sailing destination. If you’re going to include the Bahamas as part of the Caribbean having a low draft or lifting keel is ideal. Around 160 boats of this type were built. Could anything be more romantic than a sailboat rental in the Bahamas? I applied mine a couple of years ago, and was initially concerned with its performance, but now i’m delighted with it. Now if we could just have a way to keep the rain out with it up we would be happy. Coverage area: can I get internet in some of the more remote anchorages? Docking and maneuvering is easy due to the spade rudder and narrow fin keel. Here our some of our best tips for anchoring in The Bahamas. Ryan McVinney and Dave Berardinelli walk us through a Sea Ray 410 Sundancer yacht. The best 5 small sailboats for sailing around the world. Status Not open for further replies. You can also sail with Superior Watersports , which operates the two-deck 22m (72-ft.) Bahama Mama catamaran, offering a Robinson Crusoe Beach Party as well as a shorter sunset Booze Cruise. A boat that is great for cruising, say the Bahamas, may not be a great boat for doing a circumnavigation. With our forward facing windows we get a really good airflow through the boat but I agree the issue is with the rain! Watermakers, however, are not devoid of issues. Latest. Interested in cruising sailboats with longer legs and a bit more capability? The best way to sail to the Abacos is to depart from Palm Beach and sail 60 miles across the Gulf Stream before stopping at the Old Bahama Bay Marina at West End. Almost every diesel-powered boat I have ever surveyed or delivered could make this trip however; our preferences while not extravagant are a little beyond “basic”. The layout below begins with a sizeable v-berth and a head/shower combination to port. They just have to lather up and rinse with fresh water. Some of the most popular holiday destinations in the Bahamas are Nassau and Abacos which are major islands. These wise words from Mimsy can be applied in many discussions here. 6. Depending on how you like to cruise, these designs offer options. The best thing you can do is determine where you’ll spend most of your time and ask around other boaties to see what works the best in that particular area. They are rarely stronger unless a powerful wind is blowing from the north in the winter months. The best part of visiting this area of the Bahamas is the fact that you can sail to a new island everyday if you have the right weather. Catalina later offered an optional shoal-draft version to expand to markets like Florida. 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