Bahamas,,, by people that have been there by boat

[FF]

"Every boat seems to be compromise and suitability hemmed in a budget."

The best thing you can do is to create a list of Desirements , and try to match the boat to the list.

Plan on an extra 300% boat cost if ocean voyaging is part of your list.

On a used boat try to purchase one the PO outfitted for the service you desire.

Big tanks , big water maker ,HD windlass , hand holds,storm ports and other cruising delights do zero for a weekend cruiser , so there is no need to pay for them.

Sadly they take big time , bucks and effort to add to a Dock Queen.

Remember for most ICW cruising or doing the loop almost any boat you can be comfortable in for 3 days of rain will do just fine. For most that's 25ft and up.

Take a vacation to FL "Gods Waiting Room" and you may find prices very interesting.

Place a WANTED add in FL Mariner to shake loose a low priced fixer-up-er if that is a desire.

 

[Seahawk05]

Thanks FF, your reply could be put on a wallet card for a refresher course every time I walk into sight of a brokerage.

The thread is about the Bahamas from people who have been there.

Our vessel needs to be adequately equipped for up to 5 seasonal trips there and 3 to 4 month accommodations for a happily wed couple planning to stay that way. Our range is coastal Ocracoke to Sanibel and weatherwise crossing to Bimini as gateway.

We both like comfort, ease of mobility within the spaces and flybridge+salon bridge configurations with strong AC available. She is into aesthetics and naturally envisions beautiful spaces, good smells, sounds and coordinated fabrics. I'm into maintenance histories, reliability and ease of cruising couple anchoring and docking. Unfortunately for fuel burn, displacement hull speeds not adequate so we are only considering semi-d (or cats....pricey it seems).

Flybridge, livable salon, island queen bed, dink, robust electrical system, shower enclosure and survey essential. Two heads and berths desirable.

$200k purchase budget is stretch but always willing to spend less and meet specs.

I'd list "seaworthy" for gulf stream crossing but acknowledge that the biggest limitations there are skill, judgement and patience for weather windows.