And so now it's mid 2019 and we live on the east coast of the USA. We have 6 months to go before we move back to Australia (this time Darwin)... and my thoughts are wandering to consideration of retirement. I recently had a good friend and mentor of mine admit defeat and retire from our workplace. He'd missed promotion a few more times than he expected and so was getting out before the retirement age. The nature of our Super means he can take a Pension in the next few years... and this got me thinking that perhaps I could retire earlier than the very last day. If I retire early I could still have enough strength and fortitude to sail, but perhaps not as much money as if I stayed working to the end. I need to payoff the house first, all indications are ast the moment that I shold be able to complete that by 2026, enough time to by a boat...
But which boat? There are three options..
Option 1. Large modern catamaran. Our vessel of choice if wqe could afford it woukld be a Fountain Pajot Lucia 40. It's got Galley up, island bed and is fabulously appointed. But alas, it's well out of price range.
Option 2. A smaller older catamaran that we can afford. Something like this nice option The Latitude 1035 at CCY for $249k. Whilst we might be able to afford it, I imagine it will take us a few years to save up once we've paid off the house. Where's the fun in waiting for a savings account to tick up while I get older and creakier by the day?
Option 3. Purchase a much smaller boat earlier, hire the glossy big boat when it's warranted. This option gets me on the water earlier in a boat that EJ can 'camp' in for a few days. After seraching I've narrowed it down to three:
- Catalina 310. Has island bed, big enough galley, hot water and shower (almost separate), and wheel steering. SLab Reefing. I think its the best option. Prices seem to range from $72k to $86k. It was made 2000 to 2206(?)
- Catalina 309. Modern version of the above without the bigger v-berth and sep shower. Seems nice. My second option. Price $90-120k.
- Hunter 27. A much lighter boat than the above, but good space inside, wheel steering, modern. $55-70k(?)
I'll use this blod to list my search. I'm aided by the thorough ramblings of blogger sailing errant .com who has done a lot of research on the Catalina 310 and seems to be similarly minded to myself.
