I am currently saving up for a boat i plan to purchase early next year. Its main use would be daysailing/weekending in and around the Chesapeake bay for the first year then down the east coast and across the gulf stream to island hop the bahamas/carribean. I sailed every summer as a kid sunfish, flying scot, smaller cats. I sailed around the san francisco bay area for a couple weeks with my uncle on his 39 footer he later sailed to the south pacific where he still resides today. However its been quite a few years since my last sailing excursion of any kind.
Anyway my main question is cost of upkeep, refitting etc a 27ft boat vs a 34ft boat. With the 34 needing larger sails, rigging, anchors, etc is the cost significantly higher than a 27 footer. Space is not of the utmost concern as it only needs to sleep me and the old lady and we are most likely going to spend most of our time on deck id imagine.
I understand the size of the boat is less an issue than the experience and know how of the crew, and a 34 would be relatively more comfortable in heavy seas but would it be that big of a difference if we plan to avoid heavy weather anyway and just island hop the carribean?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway my main question is cost of upkeep, refitting etc a 27ft boat vs a 34ft boat. With the 34 needing larger sails, rigging, anchors, etc is the cost significantly higher than a 27 footer. Space is not of the utmost concern as it only needs to sleep me and the old lady and we are most likely going to spend most of our time on deck id imagine.
I understand the size of the boat is less an issue than the experience and know how of the crew, and a 34 would be relatively more comfortable in heavy seas but would it be that big of a difference if we plan to avoid heavy weather anyway and just island hop the carribean?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.